A timely resource treating addiction holistically as both a spiritual and a pathological condition Substance addictions present a unique set of challenges for pastoral care. In this book Sonia Waters weaves together personal stories, research, and theological reflection to offer helpful tools for ministers, counselors, chaplains, and anyone else called to care pastorally for those struggling with addiction. Waters uses the story of the Gerasene demoniac in Mark’s Gospel to reframe addiction as a “soul-sickness” that arises from a legion of individual and social vulnerabilities. She includes pastoral reflections on oppression, the War on Drugs, trauma, guilt, discipleship, and identity. The final chapters focus on practical-care skills that address the challenges of recovery, especially ambivalence and resistance to change.
Addiction can take many forms and there can hardly be a minister, or a prison, college or schools’ chaplain who will not have encountered its damaging effects on individuals, their families and local communities. This handbook, from an experienced pastoral practitioner, aids those on the front line of caring for addicts and their families.
Lyrically evoking the Española Valley and its residents through conversations, encounters, and recollections, The Pastoral Clinic is at once a devastating portrait of addiction, a rich ethnography of place, and an eloquent call for a new ethics of care. --amazon.com.
Companionship for the lifelong journey of recovery In Addiction and Recovery: A Spiritual Pilgrimage, Martha Postlethwaite--pastor and a person in recovery--reflects on her pilgrimage of healing through valleys of despair and vistas of resurrection. Addiction and Recovery is not just Postlethwaite's story, though. She also draws on the wisdom of pilgrims who have walked other paths to explore themes such as surrender, truth telling, shame, powerlessness, grace, forgiveness, and resurrection. Together, these chronicles bring hope to people who struggle with the disease of addiction and to those who love them. Each chapter ends with questions to reflect on with conversation partners or in a journal, and a spiritual practice. The spiritual practices are related to the chapter themes and serve as samplers, but they can be woven into the reader's own pilgrimage. Readers will recognize themselves in these stories and reflections, learn that they are not alone, and find reasons to hope as they make their own pilgrimage.
You want to have vibrant relationships with those who struggle with addiction in your church and community. This practical resource for church leaders and congregations answers your pressing questions about addiction and recovery, through real-life stories, the latest insights from medical science and a biblical framework for how to love the addicts in your midst.
Pastor T. C. Ryan narrates the unsettling story of his lifelong struggle with sexual addiction, one that predated and pervaded his pastoral ministry--one that went on for years in secrecy and isolation. In light of his full experience of exile and healing, Ryan calls the church to a ministry of unsettling grace that is the worthy of the gospel.
The newest addition to the popular Quick-Reference Guide collection, The Quick-Reference Guide to Addictions and Recovery Counseling focuses on the widespread problem of addictions of all kinds. It is an A-Z guide for assisting pastors, professional counselors, and everyday believers to easily access a full array of information to aid them in formal and informal counseling situations. Each of the forty topics covered follows a helpful eight-part outline and identifies (1) typical symptoms and patterns, (2) definitions and key thoughts, (3) questions to ask, (4) directions for the conversation, (5) action steps, (6) biblical insights, (7) prayer starters, and (8) recommended resources.
Serves as a resource to help you provide better care for those suffering from the most common problems, such as: depression, Alzheimer's disease, anorexia, addiction to drugs or alcohol, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anti-social personality disorder.
Every church is filled with people who are struggling--often secretly--with addictions of all kinds. Porn, pills, food, money, alcohol, social media, body image, status, sex, anxiety--the list goes on and on. John Elmore is no stranger to addiction. Fifteen years ago, he put a loaded shotgun to his head and later had three doctors tell him he was going to die of alcoholism. More than 15 sober years later, he leads the world's largest weekly recovery gathering, re:generation, where people journey toward healing in Christ. In Freedom Starts Today, he makes a huge promise to the addicted: you can be free from your struggle, and much sooner than you may think. Through easily digestible readings grounded in Scripture and the practice of daily surrender, Elmore shows you how to break the cycle of addiction, make war against sin, and find your identity in who you are and not the shame of what you have done--one day at a time. Leave behind struggles, addiction, and shame as you walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the love, mercy, and forgiveness of the God who is not only by your side but on your side. **************************** "Revival is a hard thing to quantify, but it always includes a growing devotion to the Lord and repenting of sin. And that is the fire God will start in you as you live out what you'll read within the pages of this book."--Jennie Allen, New York Times bestselling author of Get Out of Your Head; founder and visionary of IF:Gathering "John has walked the road of recovery and helped countless others do the same. I am thrilled that he has put a resource in our hands that can help all of us!"--Ben Stuart, pastor of Passion City Church DC; author of Single, Dating, Engaged, Married "I've personally witnessed God use John Elmore to set prisoners free by the thousands. The methods in Freedom Starts Today are proven and effective at helping anyone walk in the abundant life that Jesus promises."--Jonathan Pokluda, bestselling author of Welcome to Adulting; host of Becoming Something podcast; pastor of Harris Creek in Waco, TX
1. who are alcoholics and drug addicted persons some working definitions 2. multiple causes of addiction, multiple levels of prevention 3. understanding drug dependence 4. behavioral or process addictions: understanding an dhelping 5. understanding and helping those at special risk of addiction 6. hwo religion helps low bottom alcoholics and drug addicts 7. alcoholics anonymous: still our greatest resource 8. other paths to recovery and beyond 9. the psychosocial dynamics of religious approaches to alcoholism and other drug addictions 10. understanding ethical issues in addiction and recovery 11. preparation for cousneling alcoholics and other addicted persons 12. counseling for recovery and beyond: motivating and beginning the process 13. counseling for recovery and beyond: basic methods 14. counseling with families for recovery: a systems approach to codependency 15. developing effective addiction treatment and prevention rpgorams: a strategic opportunity for religious organizations.
