The CRG (Congregational Resource Guide) is an online tool designed to help leaders of all congregations find the right resources to address their unique challenges and needs.
Visit The CRGLifting up stories from across the state is critical to building connections, forging a stronger congregational community, and helping others grow. Has Center for Congregations helped you navigate a challenge or opportunity? Please share your story with us.
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About UsCenter for Congregations
303 North Alabama Street, Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Note: Workshop times are listed in Eastern Time (ET).
Many congregations are seeing an increase in challenging behaviors among children, often without understanding the root causes. Trauma—whether from family instability, community violence, poverty, or global crises—deeply impacts how kids behave, relate, and engage in congregational life. Without trauma awareness, well-meaning leaders may misinterpret a child’s actions and unintentionally push them away.
This workshop helps children’s ministry leaders, youth leaders, pastors, and volunteers become safer, more welcoming places where all children—including those carrying hidden wounds—can connect, grow, and experience God’s love. This workshop uses real-life ministry examples, emphasizing that you don’t need to be a therapist to be therapeutic. By creating safe, consistent, and empowering environments, congregations can become places of healing and hope for every child.
Participants will learn to:
Dr. Robert Crosby is the executive director of Reach Hurting Kids Institute and Professor of Psychology at California Baptist University. A former youth pastor with nearly 30 years’ experience in children’s and youth ministry, he holds a PhD in educational psychology and is one of the world’s leading scholars in the field of children’s ministry research. Dr. Crosby is co-author of “Trauma-Informed Children’s Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reaching Hurting Kids.”
The Center for Congregations is funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. and is a supporting organization of the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.