Introduction
In the introduction, Scott Floyd states the thesis of his book: “Knowing how to provide crisis care is essential, then, to any type of effective ministry.”[1] He begins his introduction with a series of catastrophizes that would demand crisis counseling. Floyd reviewed the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, which killed 168 people; the 1997 Columbine High School, where thirteen students and a teacher were killed; the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center building, massacring almost three thousand civilians, and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans which causes 1,836 fatalities. After listing these disasters, Floyd asks, “Are we dealing with a new problem? He answers his question by referring to examples given by Jesus recorded in Luke 13:1-5. Jesus refers to natural and moral evil. The moral evil was Pilate murdering a group of worshippers. The natural evil was the tower of Siloam falling and killing eighteen individuals. Albert Mohler has a good article describing the difference and even overlap of natural and moral evil: The Reality of Natural Evil and Moral Evil: Devastating Earthquake in Afghanistan, Genocidal Attack in Israel (click to open). Floyd concludes, “Crises and traumatic events have been a part of human experience since the creation.”[2]
There is a new aspect to the old problems of suffering. Floyd highlights some unique dimensions of twenty-first-century disasters. “First, we live in an information age, a time of immediate, graphic, and detailed news about tragedies that occur any place in the world.”[3] This technological wonder can overwhelm the emotions of people. “Another seeming difference in modern society is the character of human violence--- often extreme, rapid, and cruel.”[4] Not only can one’s system be overwhelmed, but shocked. The October 7th Hamas slaughter of Israeli women, infants, and the elderly could be traumatic. “Those who work in ministry must be prepared to offer help when such incidents take place.”[5]
Floyd quotes Jesus’ purpose of his public ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight of the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Lk 4:18-19).
Floyd provides a helpful picture of this ministry: As I looked at my spiritual gifts, what I enjoyed doing, and even at my career path, I realized that I was a white blood cell in the body of Christ. In the human body, certain foreign invaders create illness and disease. White blood cells were created by God as the body's means of attacking these invaders, which have the potential of doing much harm. In the body of Christ, individuals are often attacked by crises or traumatic experiences. For some individuals, such crises threaten to rob them of peace, destroy human relationships, and may even hinder their relationship with God. Those who provide crisis ministry function in much the same manner as white blood cells.[6]
Floyd closes with Galatians 6:10, where Paul exhorts believers, saying, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (NIV). The task of crisis ministry is to do good in ministering to believers and nonbelievers alike, battling those aspects of crisis and trauma that are devastating to so many.[7]
Chapter 1 Crisis
Scott Floyd defines different kinds of crises, such as Crises as Problematic States, which include the inability to cope. This is a crisis, which is a turning point or time of great decision which can be negative, such as suicide, or positive, which leads to growth. Floyd advocated that “understanding the elements of a crisis may give the helping individual an idea of where to intervene when working with a person in crisis.”
Floyd discussed the Types of Crises
The different types of crises include developmental [like growing puberty], situational [such as the death of a loved one], and existential ... as well as interpersonal and spiritual crises [In some instances, a crisis may precipitate a decision to follow Christ, as was the case for Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-19) and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:29-30)].[8]
Floyd next discusses The Bible and Crises
While the word “crisis” is not in Scripture, “We do find in Scripture terms that parallel crisis-trial, tribulation, test, persecution, and affliction.”[9] “In 1 Peter 4:12, for example, Peter tells believers to "not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange was happening to you" (NIV).”[10]
There are Biblical Examples of Crises
“From Genesis to Revelation, we see examples of children of God as they face crises. Sometimes, these events result from disobedience to God; on other occasions, individuals who are truly following God end up in difficult circumstances. A few examples follow.”[11]
The first crisis in Scripture was the crisis of Adam and Eve disobeying God in Genesis 3 and “their resulting shame, and their attempt to hide from God. Because they choose to rebel against God, this couple faces the first crisis in Scripture.”[12] Floyd lists Jacob, Moses and his family, the nation of Israel, David, Esther, Daniel, Jeremiah, Joseph and Mary, the Disciples, the ill and diseased who came to Jesus for healing, Paul, and John.
Floyd deals with factors determining the impact of crises.
The process moves from the crisis event to the person to the positive or negative outcome.
“The Crisis Event produces clear and recognizable crises. Being fired from a job, receiving information that a loved one needs immediate surgery, having a child born with a serious birth defect, discovering that your spouse is having an affair and wants to divorce, having your car totaled by an uninsured.”[13]
The Person in Crisis
“The extent of the impact produced by a crisis depends, too, on factors related to the individual undergoing the crisis. These factors include the person's coping skills, perception of the event, support received from others, and additional stressors of the person experiencing the crisis event.”[14]
Floyd concludes with a Christian caregiver's help: “The Christian caregiver must be careful, however, when working with those in trying circumstances stances to avoid viewing crises from a purely human perspective. In concluding this chapter, I offer a few observations on crises from a Christian perspective.”[15]
1. Being a Christian doesn't exempt us from all crises.
2. A crisis to us isn't a crisis to God.
3. God comforts and promises to be present.
4. A crisis will not last forever.
5. Hope is resident in crises.
Floyd closes with a passage of great encouragement for believers in a crisis: “In Romans 5:3-5, Paul acknowledges that believers will have struggles, but difficult times do not have to dictate negative outcomes: ‘But we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.’"[16]
[1] Scott Floyd, Crisis Counseling: A Guide for Pastors and Professionals (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2008), 15.
[2] Ibid., 16.
[3] Ibid., 16.
[4] Ibid., 16.
[5] Ibid., 17.
[6] Ibid., 21.
[7] Ibid., 21.
[8] Ibid., 27.
[9] Ibid., 27.
[10] Ibid., 28.
[11] Ibid., 28.
[12] Ibid., 29.
[13] Ibid., 33.
[14] Ibid., 36.
[15] Ibid., 38.
[16] Ibid., 39.