Discipling a Culture of Trauma and Chaos: A Discipleship Paradigm for Police Subculture

Abstract

The nature of police work frequently requires officers to engage in a world full of suffering and evil. Exposure to horrific acts of violence and disorder in society, such as murder, death, rape, and child abuse, are ordinary experiences for police officers. However, officers are not immune to the malevolence and chaos in their subculture. Instead, it can negatively affect their well-being and create obstacles for discipleship transformation to thrive. Consequently, Christians wanting to pursue discipleship in a police subculture full of trauma and chaos must be appropriately equipped. This article will offer a sociological perspective on how Christians can pursue discipleship for police officers in a subculture characterized by trauma and chaos. It defines intercultural discipleship and provides an overview of police work as a subculture in close relationship with trauma and chaos, and its negative effects. Sociologists recognize that religion can positively affect mental health, and Christianity provides a set of beliefs and practices that can be helpful for the police community. For Christians seeking discipleship in the subculture, some useful missiological tools include contextualizing Christian beliefs, developing the meaning behind communion for officers, and understanding the importance of relationship building.