Training Clergy for Crisis

Belmont Collaboration Empowers Nashville’s Faith Leaders to Support Schools

What happens when a conversation between colleagues becomes the spark for transformative community service? At Belmont, it becomes an opportunity to live out the mission of equipping servant leaders to make a difference where it matters most.

This spring, a collaborative initiative between Belmont’s College of Pharmacy and Health Science’s (CPHS) School of Mental Health Counseling and the Operation Andrew Group brought together more than 70 pastors from across Nashville for a training in school crisis response. The event was designed to equip local clergy with foundational skills to support school communities in times of crisis — drawing on decades of expertise, current research and a shared commitment to serve.

The idea began with a conversation between Dr. Steve Berry, a seasoned crisis responder with more than 30 years of experience, and PhD student Cory Bishop. Reflecting on how clergy often play a critical role in school crisis situations, Dr. Berry shared a long-standing dream: to provide specialized training that would empower clergy to respond even more effectively. Bishop, recognizing the potential, suggested partnering with the Operation Andrew Group — a local organization that bridges relationships between over 200 churches and schools in the Nashville area. Bishop’s personal connection with Adam Buzard, a leader at Operation Andrew, helped turn the idea into action.

“It really took off from there,” said Dr. Berry. “Cory set up the meeting and once we began planning, the enthusiasm from the faith community was overwhelming.”

Joining Dr. Berry and Bishop in leading the event was Malcolm McDole, a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling student with deep roots in Nashville and valuable congregational experience. Together, the team delivered an evening of practical training grounded in clinical knowledge and lived wisdom.

Participants learned essential crisis response techniques, including how to stay regulated and grounded during emotionally intense situations — skills that help clergy remain present and supportive for students, teachers and staff. One of the most important takeaways was the emphasis on building long-term, trusting relationships with schools before a crisis happens — an area where the Operation Andrew Group continues to play a pivotal role.

This initiative not only strengthened CPHS’s commitment to impactful service and transformational practice, but it also beautifully reflected the University’s larger mission of developing leaders of character, purpose and wisdom.

“This event brought pastors from different races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds and denominations together in one space to learn and grow,” said Bishop. “That’s a powerful reflection of Belmont’s vision to be radical champions for human flourishing.”

Looking ahead, plans are already underway to expand the training. Conversations are in progress for a follow-up session in the fall, which will build upon this first foundational experience.

As Belmont continues to champion whole-person formation, inclusive excellence and community-based innovation, partnerships like this one serve as a compelling reminder: true impact often starts with a question, a connection and a shared calling to serve.