(The purpose of Soul Care Conversation is to create a place to generate dialogue, initiate thoughtful consideration for the challenges our veterans face each day, share ideas of veteran and family well-being and healing, and spark within all of us a call to be engaged with the veteran and caregiver community. Click here to visit the forum and join the conversation!)

Last week, we continued our conversation on how to assist the veteran to seek a restorative path by looking at the second practice; restorative justice. This week we will discuss the first of four principles of restorative justice, accountability.

BACKGROUND

“Restorative justice is about offender accountability, victim healing, and community safety, through mediation and dialogue whenever possible.” Dr. Mark S. Umbreit, lecture at the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking, University of Minnesota School of Social Work, January 2006

Accountability in restorative justice is about creating a process that allows offenders to take responsibility for the harm created by their actions. It is also an opportunity for the community to recognize its role in contributing to the harm.

The connection to restorative justice is somewhat muddled when we link the practice with the veteran community. In the case of offender accountability, the veteran can be both the offender and a person harmed. This dichotomy can complicate the healing process. However,  we can simplify the process if we hold to two elements;

• taking responsibility for one’s own behavior
• taking action to repair the harm

Beyond the legal restorative justice process, accountability holds importance in our spiritual journey. God calls us to be accountable to God’s call for our lives and to be deeply connected with one another. Both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are filled with stories of people struggling with their accountability with God, and leaning on others for personal and spiritual development and growth. From Genesis through the letters to the churches, there are stories shared about the deep connections that help people through their darkest days and assist them to see what they cannot see on their own. We know of the stories of Moses and Aaron, David and Jonathan, Paul and Barnabas, and Silas and Timothy. In all of these stories and others, men and women of faith understood the importance to re-connect with God, one another, and with community by taking responsibility for their own behavior and then taking action to repair the harm.

FAITH COMMUNITY IMPLICATIONS

There are two essential components to accountability important to veterans;

• ability to relate
• trust

Ability to relate…Relating is the first step in accountability. When a group shares a common bond or its members have been through similar experiences, this often opens opportunities for developing a relationship. Veterans can relate to one another. They can empathize and share with understanding. They can feel comfortable sharing their experiences of combat no matter the circumstances and can feel totally accepted without the concern of judgment or fear of rejection.

Trust…Trust is difficult for veterans, especially trusting someone outside of the veteran community. Most often, a veteran will only trust another veteran. If the faith community understands and accepts that it will be difficult to establish trust and practice patience when it comes to developing trust, a deep and lasting relationship can be formed.

In order for the veteran to express responsibility to another, there needs to be trust. Trust can be established if the faith community;

• listens with one’s heart
• cares for each other

Listen with one’s heart…To listen with our heart has two essential aspects; active listening (“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19), and non-judgmental attitude (“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1)

Care for each other…Trust is sustained through the ability to be supportive, comforting and honest. As we care for one another, we motivate those who may be struggling with similar life circumstances. (“And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother and sister.” 1 John 4:21)

With this said, we know veterans feel more comfortable with other veterans and that they will trust another veteran readily, should we (the faith community) even try to pursue restorative justice through accountability?

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The first step to accountability is for the veteran and the faith community to live out these two essential elements: the ability to relate and to trust become the framework for developing and sustaining relationships, and opens doors of opportunity for accountability.

The second step is for the veteran and the faith community to use the process of;

• taking responsibility for one’s own behavior
• taking action to repair the harm

It is important that both the veteran and faith community accept responsibility because both have caused harm. The veteran has been to war. Violence and killing are timeless descriptions of war. In a way, the community of faith has culpability. We collectively sent the warrior into battle. War has been regarded as a gross consequence of human failure.

There are several accountability applications that reflect taking responsibility. Both the veteran and faith community can take responsibility for their behavior and actions by facing their anger, hurt, and misunderstanding by engaging the liturgy, rites, and spiritual disciplines of confession, repentance, mourning, and forgiveness. We will look at these in more detail in a few weeks.

Veterans can begin to take responsibility by;

• creating different goals
• explore ways to make amends

The faith community can take responsibility by;

• providing resources to the veteran to seek healing
• providing education and awareness of war and its affects on individuals, families and communities

In addition, the faith community can offer spiritual mentoring. As the veteran engages with a mentor, he/she takes responsibility for their actions, but they also seek ways to repair the harm they experienced. Veteran spiritual mentoring can accomplish the following;

• deepen and strengthen the veterans’ experience of and relationship to the Holy
• assist the veterans to name, understand and work through the harm they caused by using spiritual perspectives and practices
• guide veterans to take responsibility, not for all that happened to them, but how they choose to react
• discover ways to make amends

Veteran spiritual mentors serve as guides and companions to other veterans on their journey to wholeness and healing. See Soul Care webpage for specifics on how to establish a veteran spiritual mentoring experience.

Another important step toward accountability, taking action to repair harm.

The faith community can;

• empower the veterans to make amends
• encourage reconciliation
• explore spiritual practices and disciplines with veterans

Veterans can;

• connect with a community (either a faith community, VFW, American Legion, etc.)
• serve others (Team Rubicon, Grace Under Fire, Volunteers of America are all veteran groups serving others)
• experience a peace walk
• offer restitution (support a refuge charity, etc.)

These applications are only a few that will assist veterans, veteran families, and the faith community to experience support, comfort, and healing. Do you know of other applications for accountability in the faith community? Share your stories and offer your thoughts on how the faith community can journey with veterans through accountability.

Next week, we will delve into the second principle of practicing restorative justice; sharing the story. Until then, thank you for the conversation..

(The purpose of Soul Care Conversation is to create a place to generate dialogue, initiate thoughtful consideration for the challenges our veterans face each day, share ideas of veteran and family well-being and healing, and spark within all of us a call to be engaged with the veteran and caregiver community. Click here to visit the forum and join the conversation!)

Last week, we continued our conversation on how to assist the veteran to seek a restorative path by looking at the first practice; trauma care and healing. This week we will discuss the second practice; restorative justice.

BACKGROUND

About a month ago, we discussed one of the core capabilities the faith community has in journeying with the veteran and the veteran’s family toward healing; restorative justice. Just to re-cap our conversation, restorative justice is an integral part in God’s redemptive pursuit to wholeness.

While restorative justice may have its origins in legal principles, it has as its roots the biblical concept of justice that focuses on three entities; the victim, the offender, and the community. The end-state of restorative justice is the restoration of broken relationships so all may experience God’s wholeness. Restorative justice centers on God’s purpose in redeeming a broken world.

We also discovered that the Gospels remind us that healing and restorative justice remain at the center of God’s response. Jesus conveys the message for the faith community to be healers, peacemakers, and justice doers when faced with brokenness, emptiness, alienation, and violence. Through compassion, love, mercy, and forgiveness, Jesus models how to transform lives and restore dignity and purpose to the injured, broken and lost.

Jesus’ message focused on something radically different; those who know God’s mercy must share it with others. Jesus instructs his followers to do the same. The God of restorative justice works in and through the faith community to bring healing and wholeness.

LIVING LESSONS

As an Army chaplain, I received my endorsement from the United Methodist Church. Over the 30 years on active duty I maintained a connection with my denomination and specifically to my Bishop through reports, visits, and attendance at the annual conference. When I attended my annual conference I did so in uniform.

I often received words of appreciation and encouragement. Numerous clergy and lay persons shared their gratitude for military chaplains because they had sons, daughters, grandchildren, and other family members in the Guard, Reserves, or on active duty. Numerous local churches extended invitations to speak, especially Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

I received words of affirmation and gratitude when persons exclaimed, “Thank you for your service.” More importantly, I heard persons share that our veterans deserve our nation’s support for their sacrifice and service. But, sadly the sharing of God’s mercy ended with words.

I have witnessed the same for other veterans as well. It is easy to pay lip service, but much more difficult to actually engage in sharing God’s mercy as we care for our veterans. Seeking a restorative path is not just in words, but an action, where we practice justice for the veteran and the whole community. Jesus said, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) You see, Jesus states that we are to work for peace, not just speak about peace. Jesus’ followers should bring into all their relationships a quality that makes for unity and blessing.

THEOLOGICAL BASIS 

How can we practice justice? The Hebrew concept of justice has at its core the vision of shalom. Shalom generally translates as peace. Peace is much more much than the lack of conflict. Shalom is about what it does; fosters fruitful relationships between God, with each other, and with creation. Justice then seeks shalom.

What does God require of us? One of the most used verses with the faith community that promotes restorative justice is Micah 6:8, “No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what God requires; to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” The answer to Israel’s disobedience and broken relationship with God and one another was not more sacrifices, but something much deeper. The faith community is to act; do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

When a transgression occurs between people, shalom suffers. How can we restore relationship? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God; the community works to resolve the offence and resulting harm. When this occurs within the community, relationships are strengthened and the wounded healed. Peace yields individual and community well-being.

Practicing justice rebuilds and increases shalom for the affected individuals and society. Both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures reflect that the central actor of restorative justice is the community.

FAITH COMMUNITY

So, how can the faith community share God’s mercy with the veteran? The model for restorative justice practices can be found in prisons, schools (bullying), and in social and criminal justice systems. The faith community can practice justice as we adapt these principles in order to share God’s mercy.

So, how can the faith community live out the biblical imperative of justice? Lets look at several principles with a specific example;

• accountability (offer a spiritual mentoring program where veterans who have been on a healing journey can serve as a guide and companion to other veterans toward wholeness and healing)
• sharing the story (offer a peer to peer support group where veterans can share their sacred story and address personal concerns; emotional, spiritual, educational, vocational, transitional, and the needs of their families)
• repairing the harm (offer through the liturgy of worship, special healing services, pastoral counseling, reintegration services, and appreciation and recognition events; opportunities for healing)
• follow through (offer opportunities to develop resiliency through study, prayer, fellowship, and service)

Possibly you can think of others to share! Through restorative justice, the faith community is uniquely positioned to “be a blessing” to veterans and their families who have experienced a soul wound. Next week we will discuss the third practice; conflict transformation. Until then, thank you for the conversation…

RezVets is a Veterans outreach and educational organization designed to positively impact military members and their families and friends. Its mission is to help restore, reconcile and re-integrate veterans and their families to a holistic relationship within family and community including the community of faith.

The Richmond Times Dispatch highlights Boulder Crest Retreat, the nation’s first privately-funded rural wellness center dedicated exclusively to our nation’s combat veterans and their families.

Military Outreach USA is a national, community-based outreach program that celebrates, supports and networks with the Military Community. The organization connects our military community with churches by providing resources and referrals to help serve those who have served.

(The purpose of Soul Care Conversation is to create a place to generate dialogue, initiate thoughtful consideration for the challenges our veterans face each day, share ideas of veteran and family well-being and healing, and spark within all of us a call to be engaged with the veteran and caregiver community. Click here to visit the forum and join the conversation!)

Last week, we began a four week conversation on how to assist the veteran to seek a restorative path. We will discuss the first of the three practices in seeking a restorative path, trauma care and healing.

BACKGROUND

The reality of war is that many who step onto the battlefield will get wounded. Very few can escape either the physical, psychological, or spiritual wounds of war. Some of these wounds heal quickly. Others may last a lifetime. Some wounds can be seen. Others are invisible, like those to the mind and soul. These are the silent wounds of war.

Our veterans who experienced trauma encounter the most difficult challenges. Can one survive a bomb explosion that resulted in a brain injury, now having difficulty concentrating and feeling survivor’s guilt, not think that this has not affected them as a whole person? Can a veteran who lived on a forward operating base that received a daily barrage of rockets and mortar fire not get sweaty palms, feel threatened, and develop a sense of insecurity when they hear fireworks or a vehicle backfire? In previous conversations we discussed the effects of trauma on the whole person; the psychological , emotional, cognitive, physical, behavioral, and spiritual dynamics of one’s being.

One who has experienced trauma may feel abnormal. How can we not? No doubt we are different because of our war experience. To experience the sights, smells, sounds, and did what we did; how can we not return different? This is normal! It is normal to be affected by combat. It is normal to be affected by the horrors of war, the pain, the loss, and death.

Governmental, and non-profit agencies and partners have responded to the challenges our veterans face. The response largely encompasses only the physical and psychological needs of the veteran. However, maintaining health and wholeness includes a spiritual dimension as well.

How can the faith community respond? Walking with a veteran and their family on a healing journey is one practice toward seeking a restorative path.

TRAUMA AND THEOLOGY 

From Genesis through the Revelation, the Bible powerfully weaves the story of trauma. In fact, both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures were written by people who encountered trauma; the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt and devastated by Babylon, and the early Christians persecuted by Rome. From Cain’s murder of Abel to the crucifixion of Jesus, the Sacred Story is about people dealing with the profound crises in life and the resulting trauma experienced.

The Bible also weaves another story, God’s desire and work for restoration and healing. The Sacred Story reflects;

• God’s faithfulness (“‘Lord help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he (God) saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom…” Psalm 107:14)
• Community of faith’s role in care (“Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2)

The Scriptures say much about trauma and trauma care. For Christians, we recognize that Christ died a torturous death because of our brokenness and this is graphically symbolized in the images of war and its desolation.  “He descended into hell”, a phrase we Christians confess, reminds us of the Good News that even the hell of war is not beyond the grasp of God’s redeeming love through Jesus Christ our Lord.  The crucified Lord returned with forgiveness, healing, hope and the requirement for us to do likewise.

We would gain much if as we read the Sacred Story, we do so with trauma in mind. The Story reveals a God who remains faithful to us as well as the role of the faith community to care for those in trauma as we “share each other’s troubles and problems”.

Can the veteran experience healing if she or he re-connects with God and one another?

TRAUMA CARE AND HEALING – RE-CONNECTING WITH GOD

In the midst of trauma, I felt far from God. I asked questions like; can I trust God again, does God understand my shattered soul, will God heal my broken heart?  I could recall the various scriptures that emphatically stated that God was faithful and would heal my wounded soul. “He heals the brokenhearted binding up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3) I could say that God knew about my trauma because God experienced trauma. “But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped and we were healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

I knew the various texts pointing to God’s faithfulness, but I still felt far from God. So how could I re-connect with God? I was stuck. My therapist handed me a book about post traumatic growth. We talked about the fact that I would never be the same, and that is OK. I now had a choice. I could move beyond the trauma seeking growth, or remain stuck.

We read in the Gospel of John that the paralyzed man had numerous opportunities to get into the healing waters at Bethesda. But he was stuck. So Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:1-9) To heal from trauma we all must make a choice; remain stuck, or move toward growth and healing.

So how can we re-connect with God? I believe there are two important steps;

• the veteran must be open to growth and healing
• allow a fellow journeyer to walk with us

God can heal the wounded soul, but we have to take the step toward wellness. Wounded veterans need to allow the time for healing and trust that those who walk with them will be committed for the long journey.

As a community of faith journeyer, we must be committed to walk with the wounded however long the healing may take. Often the healing comes slowly.

God’s response to heal human brokenness is powerfully lived out in the midst of the faith community. The faith community’s role is to be a blessing to others as we serve as an instrument of Christ’s healing. Often the journey is long so we must relinquish our need for a “quick fix”. Sometimes, the faith community can feel ineffective and powerless.

The faith community can provide a critical role in equipping, encouraging, and empowering leaders and concerned persons to make a difference in the lives of our veterans and their families.

In a previous blog, we discovered that hospitality is central to the faith community’s role in trauma care and healing. The implication of hospitality is that all community members have a role. It is not just the clergy or faith community leaders, but all who interact, support, lead, and care for others. The role of the church is to invite all people to goodness, to sustenance, to solace, and to healing.

Steps of the faith community toward trauma care;

• equipping the community: train leadership in the dynamics of crisis and trauma and the signs and symptoms of spiritual injuries; develop military culture sensitivity and an awareness to transition challenges
• encouraging the community: enable peer support and accountability; walk with the veteran through the valley of their spiritual betrayal; discover their purpose; encourage their faith
• empowering the community: foster resiliency; experience the journey with the veteran from trauma to transformation

As you reflect on the practice of trauma care and healing, can you witness to the need to re-connect with God and one another? What have you done as a faith community in trauma care and healing? Next week we will look at the second practice, restorative justice. Until then, thank you for the conversation…

(The purpose of Soul Care Conversation is to create a place to generate dialogue, initiate thoughtful consideration for the challenges our veterans face each day, share ideas of veteran and family well-being and healing, and spark within all of us a call to be engaged with the veteran and caregiver community. Click here to visit the forum and join the conversation!)

Last week, we considered the second core response of the faith community; providing support. We discussed the use of liturgy and ritual, how to connect with community resources, and the practice of congregational and pastoral care. This week we will begin a four week discussion on how the faith community can respond by assisting the veteran to seek a restorative path. Our first topic will discuss the background of why this is important.

BACKGROUND

Walking with the injured, broken, and lost on a healing journey is a means of justice and the center of the faith community’s mission and ministry. We discussed in a previous blog the capabilities and strengths within the faith community for seeking justice. We discovered that Jesus conveys the message to be healers, peacemakers, and justice doers when faced with brokenness, emptiness, alienation, and violence. Through compassion, love, mercy, and forgiveness, Jesus models how to transform lives and restore dignity and purpose to the injured, broken and lost.

Jesus’ message focused on something radically different; those who know God’s mercy must share it with others. Jesus instructs his followers to do the same. The God of restorative justice works in and through the faith community to bring healing and wholeness.

In Hebrew the word for justice is “mishpat”, it means caring for those most in need within a society. Our communities have many who are in need. During this last year we have established the fact that the veteran community has many distinctive challenges. We also determined that the faith community is uniquely positioned to provide support and care.

How can the faith community seek a restorative path for the veteran and the veteran’s family? For the  veteran community, seeking a restorative path can include any or all three practices;

• trauma awareness and healing
• restorative justice
• conflict transformation

THE NEED IS GREAT

War’s violence press questions of faith into the lives of those who fight them.  When a warrior steps onto the battlefield he or she immediately is confronted by the kinds of horror and hardships that has moved humanity through the centuries to reach for the Holy. Many of our returning warriors have lingering fear from their experiences resulting in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some also struggle with guilt or shame from ethical and moral challenges that they faced resulting in moral injury. Others feel broken and hopeless so much that they agonize from a soul wound.

For many veterans, the war does not end when they come home. Most veterans who experience some form of trauma while in combat will exacerbate their trauma by making poor choices after their return home. It is a daily battle against an enemy who attacks the mind and spirit. Because of combat trauma, veterans are more vulnerable to experience a soul wound that may lead to self-medication, homelessness, and suicide.

As of 2014, the Veterans Administration estimated that there are 22 million veterans in the US. If you add the 1.4 million serving in military service to the veteran population, 7.4% of US citizens have or are serving. This is significant. Our neighbor may be a veteran or active service member and we do not know that they are because;

• the veteran has not identified him or herself as a veteran for various reasons
• the faith community does not know how to recognize that they are veterans or active military, or they lack empathy

Let’s look at each of these variables.

Veteran has not identified her or himself as a veteran – Understanding this reality will assist the faith community in its approach to the veteran community. Some of the reasons veterans are reluctant to identify themselves as veterans are;

• do not desire to be labeled a hero or zero
• do not want recognition
• do not want special considerations
• do not want to be set apart
• concern for being judged
• concern for their personal and family safety

Faith community does not know how to recognize veterans or lacks empathy – Some reasons may be;

• unaware of military/veteran cultural identity
• struggle with the realities of war and it’s complicity
• does not desire to compromise its “moral standard”
• does not feel “qualified” or has the skills to provide the required care and support
• does not know where to start
• does not really care (the warrior volunteered to serve, this was their choice…)

The result of this dynamic is that the veteran community is an under-served demographic often overlooked by the faith community in mission and ministry.

BRINGING LIGHT INTO THE DARK PLACES

The veteran community challenges are diverse and complex. The faith community can role model the ways to seek justice by caring for those in need as a way to restore relationships and support reconciliation.  Seeking justice alongside veterans and their families can be a way for communities of faith to more deeply explore and understand their needs.

So, how can the faith community bring light into the dark places where many of our veterans experience life? How can we journey with our veterans on a path toward healing, justice, and restoration? How can we explore the places and the processes that can bring light to those who struggle in the darkness of their souls? A warrior returning from war leaves the life of danger in combat only to experience a life of uncertainty at home.

By offering opportunities to seek a restorative path, the faith community extends to the veteran possibilities for healing and restoration by being;

• a place where the veteran can share the troubling experiences of war
• a place where the veteran can explore the difficult questions of faith
• a place where the veteran can question, grow, and gain resiliency
• a place where the veteran can experience community

Are there other ways? What have you done to seek justice with the veteran community? Next week, we will look at the first practice to seek justice; trauma awareness and healing. Until then, thank you for the conversation…