Working with people responding to crisis

Working with people responding to crisis? Here is a series of articles that can help.

Preacher's Magazine Open Letter

Teens and Crisis

HELPING TEENAGERS WITH STRESS

Teenagers, like adults, may experience stress everyday and can benefit from learning stress management skills. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope.

Some sources of stress for teens might include:

• school demands and frustrations
• negative thoughts and feelings about themselves
  changes in their bodies
• problems with friends and/or peers at school
• unsafe living environment/neighborhood
• separation or divorce of parents
• chronic illness or severe problems in the family
• death of a loved one
• moving or changing schools
• taking on too many activities or having too high expectations
• family financial problems

Some teens become overloaded with stress. When it happens, inadequately managed stress can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as drug and/or alcohol use.

When we perceive a situation as difficult or painful, changes occur in our minds and bodies to prepare us to respond to danger. This "fight, flight, or freeze" response includes faster heart and breathing rate, increased blood to muscles of arms and legs, cold or clammy hands and feet, upset stomach and/or a sense of dread.

The same mechanism that turns on the stress response can turn it off. As soon as we decide that a situation is no longer dangerous, changes can occur in our minds and bodies to help us relax and calm down. This "relaxation response" includes decreased heart and breathing rate and a sense of well being. Teens that develop a "relaxation response" and other stress management skills feel less helpless and have more choices when responding to stress.

Parents can help their teen in these ways:

• Monitor if stress is affecting their teen's health, behavior, thoughts, or feelings
• Listen carefully to teens and watch for overloading
• Learn and model stress management skills
• Support involvement in sports and other pro-social activities

Teens can decrease stress with the following behaviors and techniques:

• Exercise and eat regularly
• Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation
• Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques)
• Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in polite firm and not overly aggressive or passive ways: ("I feel angry when you yell at me" "Please stop yelling.")
• Rehearse and practice situations which cause stress. One example is taking a speech class if talking in front of a class makes you anxious
• Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks
• Decrease negative self talk: challenge negative thoughts about yourself with alternative neutral or positive thoughts. "My life will never get better" can be transformed into "I may feel hopeless now, but my life will probably get better if I work at it and get some help"
• Learn to feel good about doing a competent or "good enough" job rather than demanding perfection from yourself and others
• Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress
• Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way

By using these and other techniques, teenagers can begin to manage stress. If a teen talks about or shows signs of being overly stressed, a consultation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist or qualified mental health professional may be helpful.

Your Child (1998 Harper Collins)/Your Adolescent (1999 Harper Collins).

Article from: http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsFam/66.htm

Missing today...

Evangelism is missing today: 96 % Never Share Their Faith
This article is taken from Focus on the Family…  When people are hurting, sharing good news and hope in Christ is the best thing you can provide.
>From: "Pastor's Weekly Briefing" <pwb@fotf.org>>by H.B. London, Jr.This past week, I received a copy of an interview with my friend, James Merritt, President of the Southern Baptist Convention and an Atlanta-area pastor. In the release, Merritt expressed his concern regarding the lack of passion for evangelism he sees among Southern Baptists -- which just happens to be the nation's largest non-Catholic denomination. His concern is one all of us should have for the church in North America.
Pastor Merritt made some informative observations. For instance, "It takes 40 Southern Baptists to win one convert." How many members of your church does it take to win a convert? He also noted, "96 percent of all Southern Baptists have never shared their faith." What percentage of your congregation would you estimate share their faith? He stated, "71 percent of Christians say we ought to respect other people's rights to believe what they want to believe and leave them alone." His opinion is that he would not give up his right or responsibility to do all he could to convert a person to what he believes is the only way to salvation -- Jesus Christ.
I am sure some of you might question his comments because we all approach evangelism from our own understanding -- but the passion part is very correct. Paul wrote, "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22).
Copyright (c) 2002, Focus on the Family - All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

REFLECTIVE BLOG

REFLECTIVE BLOG: EXPERIENCES FOR THOSE IN PRISIONS AND JAILS: Alpha Jail Bible Study – The Power to Transform Lives (written by Rick Carder)

I have been a part of the Alpha Bible Study for nearly three years. I have seen God use Alpha in powerful ways - especially at the Du Page County Jail. This 10-week study brings the reality of Christ LOVE through a series of dialog and thought-provoking questions.

DuPage Jail: The DuPage County Jail is the 2nd largest county jail in Illinois. Over 800 people are held at the Wheaton facility every day – over 14,000 travel its doors every year.

I SERVE: I have had a jail service at DuPage for 6 years now...teaching classes, worship services, computer training, and one-on-one counseling. I currently volunteer as a Chaplain and teach a Thursday Night Alpha Bible Study for men.

FIRST START: When we first started our class - we were not sure of its success. It took us 6 months to be approved to start another program... We were given a NOT-SO-IDEAL time - competing with CSI (one of my favorites). We were given the hottest room in the jail (4 UVW) -- literally, the room temperature is in excess of 80 degrees most weeks.
HOWEVER - God was working...our first class held 2 (who admitted to coming just to get out of their POD.) ...But God had some business to take care of...and eventually the group grew and we had a waiting list!

THE POWER TO TRANSFORM: I believe that Alpha has a special anointing from God - Nicki Gumble's materials are incredible but the power lays in the Word of God...the Word that NEVER returns VOID. I have seen many whose lives have been changed - God has done it through the power of the Word and His Holy Spirit!

STORY ONE: Jay* -- I know Jay's family - his sister lived with our family for about a year. (We are Foster Parents with Probation). Jay is awaiting a decision by the court - HIS LIFE IS ON HOLD! It was just a few months back that I came to know Jay...it was during the funeral of his brother, age 28 who died; leaving a wife, Chrissy and 18 month old, Cassy. I did the funeral for him.
Jay was devastated! I met with Jay and invited him to attend Alpha. He was bitter about his brother’s death and blamed God. I told him that we can help answer his doubts about God and give him new hope. He reluctantly agreed. (It helped that his sister (our former foster child) and her mother ORDERED HIM TO ATTEND)

THE CHANGE: Jay had only come for a few weeks when he indicated that he prayed to receive Christ...It was a couple of weeks later that Jay drew me this picture (show image).

STORY TWO: Bruce* -- Bruce is a very unique man. He is over 6 feet tall - muscular - African American who grew up in church - but drugs and alcohol have robbed this man of his dignity and faith. (Bruce will tell you that he committed crime because it fed his addictions.) Bruce is now in a rehabilitation program in Elgin.
Bruce is a good example of how a prodigal’s son can come home! Bruce came to Christ through another ministry at the jail but it was Alpha that gave him back his JOYFUL SONG! Bruce now sings for Jesus.

I can't get into all the change he testifies to receiving but I can give you just a taste of the song that Jesus has restored.

Since we have begun our class - now on our third - we have had over 50 attend...there have been over 30 that have prayed to receive Christ in just our first class session. The praise goes to the Lord who is the author and finisher of our faith!

*names changed for privacy
---------
Isaiah 61:1, 3, 7 read - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners freed...I will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair...Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy."

-------I wish I could tell you about Luster, John, Jeremiah, Will, Kennard....
Bruce once wrote us a song - our theme song: "Rejoicing will come; these tests build character, for we have already won. Our Sentence is really light, compared to what we really deserve. Our Sentence was our blessing, to our surprise. What the devil meant for evil, God bestowed to us His grace. His mercies have allowed us to get back into the race...."

Critical Incident Notes

Written by: Rick Carder (From a training conference on Crisis Debrifing)

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is provided through a qualified and certified team of care provides. Here are some of the training materials that a Crisis Care provider and offer you.

The Need –
90% of the United States citizens will be exposed to a traumatic event during their lifetime.
Suicide rates have been seen to increase as much as 63% in the first year after an earthquake.
Approximately 1 million persons each year become victims of violent crimes while at work.
16 persons die at work everyday.

A “critical incident” is any incident causing one to experience a threat to his or her own life and well-being, overwhelming feelings, stress reactions and an inability to function effectively:
- Vehicle Fatality
- Assaults/Homicides/ Robbery
- Explosion, Fire, Collapse
- Natural Disasters

There are costs for the employers and businesses –
Pursuit of medical, psychiatric and legal opinions
Protracted medical treatment for “unrelated” physical complaints
Use of illegal substance to self-medicate
Inability to concentrate at work
Hypervigilence and guarded behavior
Irritability with fellow workers and customers
Resignation and attrition of fellow employees

PTSD (Post Tramatic Stress Disorder)
Psalm 21:14 –
“I am poured out like water,
And all my bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It is melted within me.”

God’s Redemptive Power
Psalm 40:2-3
“He brought me up out of the pit of
destruction, out of the miry clay.
And he set my feet upon a rock making my
footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of
Praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.”


LUKE 10
Meet the need:

• On its own turf


• At the point of greatest need


• In situations others avoid


• Across typical social boundaries


• Outside of usual reimbursement systems


• As Christ would

TRAINING CREDENTIALS

High School – Monroe High School, Monroe, Michigan
B.A. – Pastoral Ministries, Indiana Wesleyan University
M.A. – Ministerial Education, Indiana Wesleyan University
Ordination, 1987 – The International Center, Wesleyan Church
Training Special Education Advocate, Elkhart County, Indiana
Crisis Debriefing (American Bereavement Academy)
Critical Incident Crisis Management (International Crisis Care, Inc)
Volunteers of America, Jump Start Program Mentor at the Youth Home, DuPage County Volunteer for Juvenile Probation
Trained and Licensed Foster Parent
MST Training (DuPage County Probation Department)
Certification Police Chaplain (International Conference of Police Chaplains)
Citizens Police Certification, DuPage County Sheriff’s Department
Lincoln’s Challenge Mentoring (Illinois National Guard)
Seventeen Years – Pastoral Duties (Youth, Outreach, Pastoral)
Three Years – Probation Officer, Alternative Sanction, Elkhart County, Indiana
500 Hours – Mentor Volunteer, DuPage County Probation Department
500 Hours – Mentor Volunteer, Elkhart County, Indiana
Four Years – Court Appointed Special Advocate, Elkhart County, Indiana
Five Years – Licensed Foster Parent, DuPage County Probation

Compass Ministries

Compass Ministries: "When you loose your way!"
"Providing Specialized Chaplain Services and Assisting People Responding to Crisis."

Chaplain Services

• People are responding to crisis every day! It is estimated that someone is faced with a major crisis every 50 seconds in which they will require emergency assistance. It is estimated that nearly every person in America will be a victim of serious, life-threatening crime sometime in their life. Approximately one million people each year become victims of a violent crime while at work. (16 people die at work everyday.) Suicide rate have been known to increase as much as 63% in the first year after an earthquake. (Source: Crisis Care Network, Inc)

• This is why Compass Ministries is so vital. People need to turn to someone they can trust in help them through crisis. Partnering with local law enforcement and emergency response teams, Compass Ministries serves by providing Crisis Care Management and Stress Debriefing for first responders as well as the general community citizens. By serving as a Police Chaplain, Compass Ministries helps to bring emotional "First-Aid" to victims as well as emergency responders. Compass Ministries serves as a bridge to the community as a network of qualified counselors, agencies, organizations and professionals.

Sample of a seminar provided through compass.

Keeping Kids Safe Seminar


Pastoral Care

• When crisis occurs, people are looking for help. They are trying to find direction when they loose their way because a "critical incident" has impacted their family such as suicide, vehicle fatality, natural disaster, crime or family incident.

• Pastoral care-giving provides people with basic assistance during a crisis. People are looking for a spiritual connection when crisis occurs. Compass Ministries provides assistance in Pastoral Discussions that serve as a ministry of presence. Pastoral care-giving helps by being present during a critical incident. Pastoral care-giving provides assistance in Grief Counseling and Funeral assistance. Pastoral care-giving offers help in Marriage and Family Consultation. Pastoral care-giving also helps by providing Community Referrals as needed.

What is Crisis Evangelism?

Returning home from work, a blonde was shocked to find her house ransacked and burglarized. She telephoned the police at once and reported the crime. The police dispatcher broadcast the call on the radio, and a K-9 unit, patrolling nearby was the first to respond. As the K-9 officer approached the house with his dog on a leash, the blonde ran out on the porch, shuddered at the sight of the cop and his dog, then sat down on the steps. Putting her face in her hands, she moaned, "I come home to find all my possessions stolen. I call the police for help, and what do they do? They send me a BLIND policeman." Funny as this story is, the fact is that every 50 seconds, someone is faced with a catastrophic crisis that will cause incredible stress. Incidents from momentary panic to significant horror will be experienced that will cause post traumatic stress disorder if untreated. Crisis Evangelism is a ministry philosophy that provides compassionate care-giving techniques that help an individual exposed to trauma deal effectively with the stress of a situation. Through the power of prayer and carefully designed conversation, a person can experience renewed hope and recovery. By utilizing the ministry of presence and carefully trained Crisis Diffusion Techniques through the "Mitchell Model: Critical Incident Stress Debriefing," people can find a renewed hope in Christ. For more information and how to contact a Crisis Chaplain, Rev. Rick Carder

CRISIS EVANGELISM

This page is devoted to the works and development of ideas and ministry applications of CRISIS EVANGELISM.