Please note – some of the material discussed in these sessions may feel difficult or triggering for some.
The stream’s sessions at EQUIP 2021 were:
- Session One (Online) | “Recognising abuse”
God calls us to speak up, judge rightly, defend and deliver the weak and needy. Many who sit amongst us every Sunday desperately need us to do exactly this, and yet we miss the signs. This session will help us to recognise and respond to domestic abuse. We will consider some red flags that can alert us to the presence of abuse. We will also see what abuse dynamics look like and learn some of the common pitfalls to avoid. This will enable us to provide loving, biblically grounded care for those who are suffering so greatly. - Session Two (In-person) | “Caring for the abused”
Sadly, many who approach the church for help are retraumatised by the response they receive. Often, they walk away for good. The pain of systematic abuse destroys so much of our personhood and often results in complex trauma. If we are not trauma aware, we tend to misunderstand what we are seeing in the victim and cause further damage, placing victims in greater danger, through our response. This session will consider the signs of complex trauma and address some common mistakes to avoid. This will equip us to help rather than harm. - Session Three | To be held in early 2022 | “Caring for the abuser”
Our previous two sessions have looked at recognising the relational dynamics of abuse and caring for the abused. However, it is vital that we also consider what robust, biblical care for the abuser looks like. It is complicated and one in which it is easy to cause further damage, but not taking action goes against the heart of God.
Recording from the online Soul Care Network session held during the EQUIP 2021 conference.
Audio recording from the Soul Care Network session held on the final day of the EQUIP 2021 conference.
EQUIP 2021 Network Speaker
Catherine Haddow is a Chartered Psychologist and uses her training, under the authority of Scripture, to provide therapeutic discipleship to struggling believers at The Cornerstone, Trowbridge. She is passionate about equipping individuals and churches to provide pastoral care which brings lasting change as lives are connected to the promises and Person of Christ.
Network Facilitators
Elspeth Pitt grew up in West Wales and originally trained as a teacher, but has now been in church work for more than twenty years, working in a large city centre church in London and a medium sized suburban church in the Wirral. She loves to help women become more confident in handling the bible for themselves and growing in their personal walk with the Lord Jesus and has a heart for those on the edges of church life. After thirty years working in England, she is delighted to be back in Wales and working on the staff of Highfields Church in Cardiff.
Phil Swann began ministry in West Yorkshire in 1990 after leaving his career in Cardiff as a Physiotherapist. He now the Pastor at Llanelli Free Evangelical Church in West Wales. He also teaches Pastoral Theology, for the Evangelical Movement of Wales, on their Theological Training Course.
