“I appreciated everyone’s insight and honest comments. I thought many of the heartfelt conversations revealed a real need for open dialogue. I wonder how much of that would have occurred in a face-to-face meeting.”

—Rev. Bruce Frogge, pastor

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Fighting the Tiger:
The Psychological and Spiritual Effects
of Emotional Trauma

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October 6-24, 2008
Presenters: David Fair, Ph.D.
Chrys Parker, J.D.
and Barry Sharp, MSHP, CHES
12.0 contact hours

Modern day technology has placed wars, hurricanes, and sexual assaults in our living rooms. What used to be the unthinkable happens on a daily basis, leaving a path of psychological and spiritual trauma in its wake.  

Clergy members must deal with these traumas spilling over into church, hospital, and counseling settings.   Ill equipped to understand the issues and how to deal with them, clergy persons can do additional harm to already devastating situations.  

During these three weeks, experts in the areas of trauma stemming from natural disaster, sexual assault, and military deployment, will guide ministers through the process of becoming aware of traumatic stress and helping to facilitate the emotional and spiritual healing.   There will be discussion of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the DSM-IV relating to anxiety disorders, allowing participants a brief overview of clinical concepts of traumatic stress.

Presentations:

• The Enemy Within: Dealing with the Emotional
  and Spiritual Casualties of War
  by David Fair, D. Min., B.C.E.T.S., F.A.A.E.T.S.
• Reaching Out to Victims of Natural Disasters: Thoughts for
  Clergy and Faith-based Counselors
  by Barry Sharp, M.H.S.P., C.H.E.S.
• Hidden Wounds:  Understanding the Trauma of Sexual Assault
  by Rev. Dr. Chrysanthe L. Parker, J.D.

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Presenters/ Dialogue Facilitators:

David Fair, Ph.D., B.C.E.T.S., F.A.A.E.T.S.

Dave Fair holds a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling and Psychology from Bethel Bible College and Seminary and a Doctorate in Clinical Christian Counseling from Central Christian University. He was ordained to the Ministry in 1986, and is currently Vice Chairman of the Board of Elders, at Abundant Life Church.

Fair, is a Chaplain for the Texas Military Forces, Texas State Guard, and assigned to The Texas Army National Guard as a Battalion Chaplain for HHC, 111th Engineering Battalion, Camp Bowie, Brownwood, Texas. In addition to his duties for the 111th,, Chaplain Fair has assisted the Texas Combat Skills Training and Evaluation Battalion at the Camp Bowie Training Center in the training for deployment of soldiers in Combat Stress and Suicide Intervention.

He previously served eight year in the Texas State Guard as a Military Policeman.
Chaplain Fair also serves as Director of Chaplain Services for the Brownwood, Texas Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s Department where he is  a reserve deputy sheriff. Additionally he is a Senior Chaplain, Texas Department of Public Safety Region IV, Critical Incident Response Team, Austin, Texas. Fair has served 20 years as a Chaplain for the Brownwood Regional Medical Center, currently serving as Vice-President of Volunteer Chaplain Services. Chaplain Fair is President of the American Association of Police Officers. And Director of Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Studies for Chaplain Fellowship Ministries.

Fair is Board Certified by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, in Crisis Chaplaincy, Forensic Traumatology, School Crisis Response, and as an Expert in Traumatic Stress. He serves on the AAETS Board of Scientific and Professional Advisors.
Chaplain Fair is immediate past Chair of the Education Committee of the International Conference of Police Chaplains, having also served on its Board of Directors, currently serving on the Disaster Committee.

Rev. Dr. Chrys Parker, J.D.

Rev. Dr. Chrysanthe L. Parker, J.D. is the Executive and Clinical Director of the Texas Burn Survivor Society and the Director of Holistic Clinical Services of the Wesley Clinic. Working in secular, academic and medical venues, Rev. Dr. Parker's professional endeavors are devoted to servicing the specialized needs of survivors of sexual abuse and critical burn trauma. She possesses a broad base of interdisciplinary training in the fields of traumatology, pastoral counseling and psychotherapy, ministry and medical chaplaincy, bereavement facilitation, emergency medical care and law. Her professional experience in the care and treatment of trauma survivors has involved over 600 patients and exceeds 8000 treatment hours.

Barry Sharp, M.H.S.P., C.H.E.S.

Barry Sharp is a health educator with the Community Preparedness Section at the Texas Department of State Health Services. In this role he coordinates public health related exercises as part of the state’s planning for disaster management. In this role he works with disaster management and public health officials across the state to improve the level of response to local citizens during a disaster.

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