Winter 2008/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.

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 provide a good illustration of the general principles of both effective evangelism and discipleship.

COURSE FORMAT: Two-hour sessions twice weekly; lecture, discussions, case studies, small group work.

REQUIRED READING:

Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. AA World Services [first 164 pages].

May, Gerald. Addiction and Grace. Harper & Row, 1988 [208 pp.].

Peace, Richard. Conversion in the New Testament: Paul and the Twelve. Eerdmans, 2006 [416 pp.].

Course Reader.

RECOMMENDED READING (additional options will be listed in the course syllabus):
Evangelism:
Abraham, William. The Logic of Evangelism. Eerdmans, 1989.

Green, Michael. Evangelism in the Early Church. Eerdmans, 1970 [474 pages].

Kallenberg, Brad. Live to Tell. Brazos, 2002.

McLaren, Brian. More Ready Than You Realize. Zondervan, 2002.
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, 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 (15%). (2) Submit a 2-page summary of an interview with a person in recovery about their spiritual journey (20%). (3) View the videos about the twelve steps of AA at www.recoveryu.com/steps and write a 2-3 page report explaining the assumptions about the conversion process found therein and assessing them as a tool for Christian ministry in your own faith tradition (20%). (4) Write a 10-12 page research paper, either a reflection on the theological and biblical foundations for some aspect of recovery ministry or a design for a recovery ministry in your current ministry setting (35%). (5) Active participation in class discussions and activities (10%).

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.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (10/07)