In this session, Chuck DeGroat explores the importance of connection and moving toward shame and suffering to heal from trauma. He points out that addictions are not the problem, but rather, attempts to solve the problem. For those who have experienced trauma in relationships, he emphasizes pacing yourself and explains why safety is a prerequisite for connection, and self-compassion is necessary for healing and growth.

Bio

Chuck DeGroat is a follower of Jesus, a husband to Sara, and father to two amazing daughters. He serves as Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality and Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Western Theological Seminary in Holland MI. He’s also a faculty member for the Soul Care Institute.

A licensed therapist, a spiritual director, author of five books (including Healing What's Within and When Narcissism Comes to Church), and retreat leader/speaker, Chuck has specialized in issues of abuse and trauma, pastoral (and leadership) health, and navigating issues of doubt and dark nights on the faith journey. He’s also a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Reformed Church in America, and has pastored in Orlando and San Francisco before transitioning to training and forming pastors.

Chuck also trains clergy in issues of abuse and trauma, conducts pastor and planter assessments, and facilitates church consultations and investigations of abuse among pastors and within congregations. 

Links & Resources

Website | Instagram | Substack

• Healing What's Within by Chuck DeGroat
• When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat

In this Summit session, Christopher shares his profound journey of faith and life after disability, exploring themes of grief, healing, and the sacredness of the disabled experience. He reads his original psalms, reflecting on his struggles and insights learned from wrestling with God, and emphasizes the importance of processing emotions honestly before God. Christopher also highlights the societal perceptions of disability and the beautiful vocation that can arise from living with a disability.

Bio

Hello, my name is Christopher. As of July 2022, I was an able-bodied, recently ordained, visual artist and seminary student with a seemingly clear path before me. That same month and year I survived a life-altering brain injury, which left me with multiple disabilities - blind, without much use of my hands, and dependent on others’ care. In the time since then, through much prayer and processing, I have begun to see my disability as vocation. One of the ways I have been inspired to process my loss and disability is to borrow from the structure and language of the Psalms by composing a series of prayer poems called “Disabled Psalms.” Through my writing, online ministry, and live recitation engagements, I hope to raise awareness of the disabled experience and to give others in the disabled and able-bodied communities a way to process their own experiences through the intimate language of prayer.

Fun fact: I am a dual citizen of both Narnia and Middle Earth, having read and re-read The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings countless times. I know these stories by heart, and they inform my creativity.

Resources

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Patreon

Books:

• My Bright Abyss by Christian Wiman
• My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church by Amy Kenny
• The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World by Tiffany Yu
• Disability and the Gospel: How God Uses Our Brokenness to Display His Grace by Michael S. Beates
• Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century edited by Alice Wong