Alcoholics Anonymous
In ministry I have learned that everyone has problems. It is important for ministers to be informed and to have an open mind when ministering to people with different problems. I whole heartedly believe that the church is to be a place where people find God, find healing, strength, support and community.
As ministers and leaders of the church we must understand that even those who seem to have it right are sometimes powerless over things such as alcohol, drugs and other addict behaviors. I understand that some Christians view addiction as sin. Is it sin? Or an illness? Is there more factors that we should consider? Genetics and chemical imbalances in the brain play a role in what might cause someone to have an addiction, depression and other problems that we see many in congregations suffering with.
One drink for some people can cause that person to become an alcoholic. Why? The brain, family history, genetics. We must care about those who have addictions in our churches. We must understand that they need help to over come. Preaching, "Stop It! Sinner" wont cut it. We must be educated and lead and minister to those with addictions. I believe this is essential in making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Over the past year or so I have gone with one of our members who is an alcoholic. He has had other addictive behavior in the past as well; but alcohol has been his main struggle for many, many years. I have seen and heard testimonies of men and women who have been changed by Alcoholics anonymous and the 12 step program.
AA and the 12-step program does have a spiritual appeal to the person with the illness.
Questions to consider for discussion:
How wonderful it would be if the church would inform there members about AA and meetings. Even host them in their buildings. Take members of congregations to meetings and get them the help that they need. How would this effect those members with addiction. What message would it send? Does your church currently support or sponsor AA? Have you participated in the program with someone who needed help or even yourself? Would you like to share your testimony? Has the churches view been what it should when it comes to addiction? Have we done what we could for those with addictions? How has the church viewed the addict in the past and will it change in future? How should we?
Thank God for programs like AA and what a wonderful tool it can be for the church if we would use it.
If you would like more information you can check out the following sites:
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12-step_program
I hope this challenges us as ministers, church leaders and Christians to make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering from addiction.
Discuss and share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 3:41:00 PM
44 Comments:
Just this past weekend our congregation hosted a seminar geared towards addictions & those who are affected by the actions of an addict. Our guest speaker, a recovering addict, travels around the country to help congregations become "safer" for addicts. It was eye-opening for most of us, & I hope we are soon able to open our doors more widely for people struggling with addictions. The congregation where our guest speaker ministers has tripled in size since they began adopting some of his advice for welcoming addicts to the news of Jesus Christ. We have a lot to learn, but I agree with you that the church could & should be a great tool in helping addicts with their recovery.
Our church has offered a chemical recovery ministry for years. Those who have benefitted from it are a close knit, loyal group. And they are strong advocates of the program toward others with a similar need.
It is interesting and necessary to look at how the church can help and support people.
Every blessing
Maria in the UK
www.inhishands.co.uk
AA does a lot of good, I know of people who found the love there that was unfortunately absent from their church.
on the other side, I know of a family struggling with marital probls. The husband has mental health issues, they have been separated, the wife realized she is an alcoholic during the separation.
AA encourages her not to get back with her husband or even make a decision about the marriage until she has been sober a year. I worry about that type of advice.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Brian,
The advice sobber for one year before returning to a relationship that wasn't working. Say, they give her advice that some churches might give. Get back with your husband as soon as possible. She gets back into that relationship without being sober for a time and what is going to happen? She is going to fall right back into the pattern of alcohol abuse again when things get rough. Do we as the church rush healing? Do we understand that it takes time for healing to take place? Are we careful that our members don't fall back into the same pattern again? I think the advice from what I have seen among alcoholics is great advice. She has time to deal with issues, work through the steps (that takes time) find support, see what it is like to be sober, handling things again for the first time with a clear head. Find herself and put things into perspective. When she works through the steps she will make amends as that is a step toward recovery.
As leaders we must not rush and expect healing to happen in a short amount of time.
Preacherman,
I think it is grea that you are getting out the message about AA. We will never be effective if we don't change our methods (meant to say) in ministry.
Stan,
Didn't know if you were talking about Meth or Methods. :-)
Sorry I deleted your first comment. Didn't want this discussion going somewhere it shouldn't. I appreicat you adding to the discussion.
Lisa,
Thank you for your response and adding to the discussion. I believe that churches have to be more open as far as what is effective and what ministry and addiction healing is about. AA has been a great tool more many churches who are reaching out in their communities.
I believe it sends a message of "We care about you."
Thanks for your comments
Alan,
How wonderful that your church is reaching out to addicts.
Yes, I have seen recovery groups being very loyal and accountable to each other. It is wonderful to have that kind of unity and support.
Maria,
Thank you for stopping by and adding to the discussion. It is very interesting to see the different ways that a church can reach people and help them overcome.
Brian,
Another thought I had along the lines that you mentioned. As ministers we need to solve problems one at a time. With the woman who is an alcoholic we must solve that problem first before working on the marriage. Just my opinion. Great thoughts and thank you so much for adding to this discussion. I appreciate it.
Brian-
Are they (the couple) or is she (the wife) a Christian?
AW
You know, my big addiction is cigarettes.
I've been to churches who have just made me feel horrible about myself for smoking. It's nothing outright in most cases, but a unsaid distance that people keep.
The most annoying are people (like my dad) who say, "You don't need a 12 step program, you just need a touch from the Lord." Bless his heart, but that doesn't help either.
Praise God for your acceptance of people with struggles and addictions.
Thanks for bringing this up Preacherman.
Lisa, who is the person you are talking about? How would someone get in touch with them?
Alan, what church and how did the program begin?
Thanks again Preacherman.
A.W.,
I appreciate you stopping by and adding to the discussion. I don't think it should matter if she is a Christian or not. She has got get this addiction taken care of before she can be the mother, wife. That is where AA is coming from in giving her that advice. She has got to take care of herself first. Work through the steps, get sober. It goes with any alcoholic.
Josh,
Thanks for adding to the discussion and being honest with your addiction. Tabbacco addiction is deadly too and the idea that many Christians have of just let God break you of the habit doesn't work. So many preachers I believe have added to people problems with simple solutions and quick fixes. "Just pray to God. Read your Bible. Cast your anxiety on him. Endure it, things will get better." Sometimes it takes more than just the touch of the Lord. The church has go to get honest with real problems that members go through.
I believe it is time for ministers and church leaders willing to give members the "real" help that they need in life. Discipleship I have learned is going to the pit of hell sometimes with the person who needs us, Jesus, Grace and bringing them out better on the other side. Is that not what Christianity is about? Isn't that what ministry is about? Or is it just teaching class, preaching, and being the back slapper.
Again Josh,
Thank you for your honest, encouragement and adding to this discussion. Yes, Praise God of our acceptance of people with stuggles and addictions. I hope that the church of the 21st will understand what Jesus said, "that it is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick."
Darin,
I thanks, I believe it is important and time for ministers, church leaders, and Christians to talk about issues that really face the church.
Preacherman-
I recon I was just wonderin what Jesus would say to my congregation if we had 1,000 folks in our AA, NA, GA, WW meetings and 30 in the congregation and He was to just suddenly show up before they made amends?
Just one of those salvation before sobriety questions. That's All. Nothin real important. I didn't say sobriety and addiction wasn't important just wonder about their souls.
I recon we just need to pray that God will equate support with evangelism. See, down here folks dying outside of Christ is a pretty big addiction and a #1 issue really facing our congregation.
I try not to get folks too perfect [good mother, sister, husband, non-smoker, non-drinker, non-cusser, etc] before I teach 'em the gospel...tends to make that whole Jesus dying for their sins thing look not as important if they have to fix themselves up before they come to Him.
[["I don't think it should matter if she is a Christian or not.]]
That's all, just asking a simple question ... sorry...Thank you...
AW
AW,
I appreciate your comments, questions and adding to the discussion.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sorry you didn't get my point earlier.
I do think that God would equate support with evanglism. I think churches shouldn't expect perfection before evanglism or conversion as you mentioned. I even think we need to understnad that after conversion people aren't perfect. As Christians, because of God's grace and love we should strive to more like him everyday. All what I am saying is should we press staying in an unhealthy marriage when it would be no help to the alcoholic. If she doesn't get the help then when stressful times come in that relationship she will be right back in the same pattern of alocohol abuse. So nothing would be solved.
Evanglism is most important. Reaching the lost. Letting them see that the church cares about them both physically and spiritually.
I think AA is a great tool churches, ministers, leaders, Christians to get people the help they need. I have seen it save peoples lives (liver problems, stomach problems, sober drivers, etc), restore marriages, make people productive citizens.
Your comments are welcomed anytime.
Preacherman,
Great post.
I think if you look at the way Jesus did ministry, he met the physical needs before he talked about he spiritual needs. He fed before he taught. He healed before he taught. He accepted and forgave before he taught. We must do the same as ministers. Physical, then spiritual. When you meet the physical they are more open to listening the spiritual.
Preacherman, wonderful post. I appreciate the information.
Lisa,can you let us know the man's name and how to get in touch with him like Darin was asking.
And Yes, Alan, what church and how did it begin.
David,
Great point.
Do we pattern our ministries the way Jesus did? I believe the church in the past has ignored the physical needs and have just been about teaching, preaching and expectng people to just wake up one day and decide to come to church. The church has got look at new ways of doing ministry and reaching out to those who need Jesus.
If anyone wants to email me about the addictions seminar we had, I will get the contact info for our guest speaker. My email is llleichner@yahoo.com. I'm glad for your interest, I will highly recommend having this man to your congregations!
Thank you for the information Lisa.
David-
But why did Jesus do that?
Were there any hungry people in the world when God was on this earth?
Were there any hungy people when God left this earth?
Did God heal and cloth and feed everyone on earth and then come to earth?
Is there a single instance of God healing or feeding someone who was not already in a covenant relationship with God or [if not a Hebrew] whose faith wasn't first mentioned before healing or feeding?
I'm not saying not to help people. I'm not saying to help people just to preach to them.
I'm certainly not "anti".
I'm simply saying that no matter the situation God always considered their relationship with God BEFORE He healed them or fed them. And when I asked about the relationship of this couple with God I was chastised for putting that first.
And I certainly missed the whole point of the post "Alcoholics Anonymous" that was (as I am now told) about marriage & divorce &/or separation and forcing women to stay in dangerous relationships.
I just must be the dumbest man on earth or there is some kind of "blogger-speak" I don't know about.
DAVID AWAIT YOUR INSTRUCTIONS ON MY QUESTIONS.
Thank You
AW
AW,
Sorry, you felt chastised. As a minister I do care about peoples relationships with God. The point and focus was trying to stay on track of helping her with the addiction and benefit of the AA in helping her really over come her addiction with alcohol and not repeat the pattern of addiction.
The point of my post was informing churches, ministers, and others of the great ministry tool that AA can be for those of our number with addictions.
Marriage, Seperation & Divorce will be a future post. I hope we will keep the discussion focused on addiction and benefit of AA.
AA is a great ministry that is and has helped millions of people over come addictions. As I mentioned it has saved lives, has healed and restored relationships, making people a productive member of society once again.
___________________________________
The question I have: are churches and ministers willing to accept that people in their churches suffer from addictions? Are we going to do what it takes to help our members overcome the addictions in their lives? Are we willing to do real ministry or continue to offer simple solutions, quick fixes and quote fancy cliche's? How will addiction be viewed in the church in the future? How will our view of the addicts be? How should it be?
My name is Jose and I am an alcoholic.
I have been sober for 10 years. I was powerless over alcohol and came to understand and believe that only a higher power greater than my self could help me over come. I have given my will over to his as I understood him. AA has been such a help in my life and helped my relationship with God. You know. When I was drunk I didn't think about God, the only things I could think about was where and how to get the next drink. My AA support group, grapevine, The Big Book, and the Bible have been for the last 10 years the things that I live by and have helped me keep my sobriety. One day at a time. I does take time to work through the steps. I repeated steps several times because I hadn't really understood or work through them the way I should. In working with an alcoholic you must be patient. Now that I am a sponsor in the program, I have learned that you need patience. I am glad to see clery talking about this. Thank you brothers and sisters.
My name is Tom and I am an alcoholic. I want to thank preacherman for this post. I also want to say to Jose, one day at a time. One day at a time. I have been sober 5 years. I have been strengthed and healed mentally thorugh AA. All my thoughts were on wiskey. All day, every day. I would drink on the job, drink when I got home, went to church when I didn't have money to get drink the wine. Through AA I have found myself. Working through the steps I too came to undestand that I was powerless and that only God could restore my sanity. I think it is great that Christians are trying to be more open to alcoholism being a disease and helping alcoholics. Over the 5 years I have found God and attend church regularly. The big book, the Bible, and faith have helped me take one day at a time.
Jose and Tom,
I want to thank you for stopping by and sharing your testimony with us. I know many people are thankful for Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. How many lives have been saved because of these two men. Thanks again for sharing your testimony in what AA has done for you both.
Yes, one day at a time.
AW,
both are fairly new christians with lots of other baggage. obviously, I don't want to go into detail, but each has serious issues they need to work on, and unfortunately they are like gasoline and fire right now, and can't be around each other.
Preacherman,
you are right about not rushing, but I just worry that she might get the impression from AA that "it would be easier to fight this alcoholism if i wasn't married", and give up and move on, since the husband has been a stressor, instead of, "I need to overcome this problem, no matter how long it takes, so I can also do my part to save my marriage"
I hope she will strive towards working on her marriage also, not just overcome the alcoholism only at the expense of her marriage, or more simply said, "the easy way out"
I would suggest, preach, that every person in our churches suffers from an addiction, sin. Some are just more socially acceptable than others. It's okay to be a gossip or pride addict, as long as you aren't addicted to heroin or porn or alcohol.
Just like alcoholic is always an alcoholic even if they don't drink, we all can and probably will fall off the sin wagon at some point.
Preacherman,
Thank you for the links and information.
I just want to thank everyone for the discussion. A lot to think about on this topic.
I came back to check for a link and I found some interesting dialogue.
I personally find it to be healthy to get a lot of different POV’s on any topic.
I’ve been left with some challenging things to think about. Thanks to all for allowing me to read your discussion.
Darin asked:
> Alan, what church and how did
> the program begin?
It's the Central Gwinnett Ministry, one of the individual congregations formed out of the Atlanta Church of Christ.
The chemical recovery ministry was begun by the ACOC to meet the needs of some people who were converted with chemical dependency problems. I was not actually here when it started so I don't know a lot of the details about how it got off the ground.
One more thing on the chemical recovery program... Here is a web site describing the program:
chemicalrecovery.org
David-
? ? ?
AW(aiting)
AW,
I believe that the reason Jesus met the physical needs was to show that God cares about us. Wanting that relationship. AA, is a great way to show others that we care about them and take that step for them to have that relationship with Jesus Christ.
I honestly believe preacherman does care about their relationship with God he was just wanting the emphesis to be on the addcition. I know that my uncle has been sober for 4 years because of AA. With a sober head my uncle is a faithful man and has such a great relationship with God that he didn't have when he was drinking all the time.
You are right relationships with God is so important.
I stummbled across your blog from Grace focused ramblings, which I found from who knows where :) Anyway, if you are who I think you are, I believe I had spent many a time at your house with your two brothers in Abilene. I believe your dad even took us to see short cirquit in the theater. My Grandfather was preacher Pat who you grew up listening to at Woodlawn. So, every holiday and summer, my family would head to Abilene and spend many Sunday at Wednesday's at Woodlawn. Well, you have some great thoughts and truths to share...I will definitly mark this on my favorites! Laura
Duh! I just looked at your web adress at the top of the page and it says Kinney Mabry... So you are who I thought you were! :)
Laura,
Wow. It is such a small world.
I am so glad you found my blog.
I remember seeing short circuit in the movies. Preacher Pat is one main reasons I am a preacher todays. Is any of your family planning on going to Woodlawn'S 50th Anniversery on December 3?
Tell your family hello for us.
Love for you to stop by anytime.
Great hear from you again.
Kinney Mabry
AKA preacherman
Great work here, preacherman!
I have people on both sides of my family who have been plagued by alcoholism. On a personal level and as a result of being in ministry for about 25 years, I’m painfully aware that people who have grown up under this shadow also have many issues to be addressed and resolved. These can and are effectively addressed. One good resource is:
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/
BTW, it was my pleasure to add you to my blogroll. Keep up the good work!
Bill,
Thank you for you comments and for the resource. I greatly appreciate it. I am also honored to added to your blog roll.
Wow. A bunch of input on this one Preacherman. You hit a nerve here.
We are in the process of hosting some twelve-step groups beginning next year.
I think it is the right thing to do. Thanks for raising our awareness.
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