Winter 2006/Pasadena
EV532
Ryan
EV532: RECOVERY MINISTRY AND OUTREACH IN THE LOCAL CHURCH. Dale S. Ryan.
DESCRIPTION: This course will examine recovery ministry as a tool for
evangelism. The theological foundations of recovery ministry will be covered as
well as the personal dynamics of recovery and practical considerations for
developing recovery ministries in the local church.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: There are three objectives for this
course. First, that students will be well-informed about the ways in which the
dynamics of addiction, abuse and trauma are likely to influence outreach
programs. Second, that students will understand the biblical, historical and
theological resources that might assist them to develop effective ministry to
people struggling with these issues. And third, that students will be better
able to envision and develop effective recovery ministries in a variety of
settings.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Ministry strategies which are poorly informed about
the dynamics of addiction, abuse and trauma are not likely to be very
successful with people who struggle with these issues. Fortunately, the
fundamentals of recovery ministry are deeply rooted in Christian convictions
and many churches are now in the process of developing distinctively Christian
recovery ministries. The lessons learned from recovery-oriented models for
evangelistic outreach provide a good illustration of the general principles of
effective evangelism.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions. Class
sessions will consist of lecture, discussions, case study analysis and small
group participation.
REQUIRED READING:
- Green, Michael. Evangelism in the Early Church. Eerdmans,
1970. [474 pages]
- Kallenberg, Brad. Live To Tell. Brazos, 2002. [127 pages]
- May, Gerald. Addiction and Grace. Harper & Row, 1988. [208
pp.]
RECOMMENDED READING (additional options will be listed in the course
syllabus):
- Evangelism:
- Abraham, William. The Logic of Evangelism.
Eerdmans, 1989.
- McLaren, Brian. More Ready Than You Realize. Zondervan, 2002.
- Peace, Richard. Conversion in the New Testament. Eerdmans,
1999.
- Recovery:
- Bullitt-Jones, Margaret. Holy Hunger. Vintage
Books, 2000.
- Lamott, Anne. Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith. Anchor
Books, 2000.
- Miller, Keith. A Hunger for Healing. HarperSanFrancisco, 1991.
- Nelson, James B. Thirst: God and the Alcoholic Experience ,
Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
- VanVonderen, Jeff. Good News for the Chemically Dependent. Thomas
Nelson, 1985.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Read all required texts plus additional reading for a
combined total of at least 1200 pages. Submit brief critiques of each book read
(20% of grade). (2) Submit a two-page summary of an interview with a person in
recovery about their spiritual journey (25% of grade). (3) Write a 10-12 page
research paper. This can be a reflection on the theological and biblical
foundations for some aspect of recovery ministry or it can be a design for an
outreach-oriented recovery ministry in your current ministry setting (45% of
grade). (4) Active participation in class discussions and activities (10% of
grade).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Evangelism (MIN 3).
Required for MA in Recovery Ministry and MDiv with a concentration in Recovery
Ministry.
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.