Winter 2011/Pasadena
EV532
Ryan
EV532: RECOVERY MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH. Dale S. Ryan.
DESCRIPTION: This course will examine the theological foundations of recovery
ministry as well as the personal dynamics of recovery and practical
considerations for developing recovery ministries in the local church.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Ministry strategies which are poorly
informed about the dynamics of addiction, abuse, and trauma are not likely to
be very effective 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.
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 local church ministry.
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.
COURSE FORMAT: Two-hour sessions twice weekly; lecture, discussions, case
studies.
REQUIRED READING:
- Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. AA World Services [first
164 pages in 4th edition] ASIN: B001TK0W08, any edition acceptable, available
online for free at http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/.
- May, Gerald. Addiction and Grace. Harper & Row, 1988 [208 pages]
ISBN-10: 0061122432, List price $14.99.
- Peace, Richard. Conversion in the New Testament: Paul and the
Twelve. Eerdmans, 2006 [416 pages] ISBN-10: 0802842356, List price:
$36.00.
- VanVonderen, Jeff, Dale Ryan, and Juanita Ryan. Soul Repair: Rebuilding
a Spiritual Life. InterVarsity Press, 2008 [191 pages] ISBN-10: 0830834974,
List price $19.00.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Read all required texts plus additional
reading for a 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 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: Required for MA in Recovery Ministry and MDiv with
a concentration in Recovery Ministry.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (October 2010)