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 that 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: The class will be conducted on the Internet during a 10-week period aligned with Fuller's academic calendar. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material and each other through threaded discussions. Lectures for each lesson will be available online in both audio and video formats. Students will need regular access to a computer that is connected to the Internet and that has JavaScript, Flash Player and cookies enabled.

REQUIRED READING:

Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. AA World Services [first 164 pages].Available free at http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/ or order ISBN-13: 978-1893007161; $17.95.

May, Gerald. Addiction and Grace. Harper & Row, 1988 [208 pages]. ISBN-13: 978-0061122439; $14.99.

Peace, Richard. Conversion in the New Testament: Paul and the Twelve. Eerdmans, 2006 [416 pages]. ISBN-13: 978-0802842350; $36.00.

VanVonderen, Jeff, Dale Ryan, and Juanita Ryan. Soul Repair: Rebuilding a Spiritual Life. InterVarsity Press, 2008 [191 pages]. ISBN-13: 978-0830834976; $19.00.

1. Read all required texts plus additional reading for a total of at least 1200 pages. Submit brief critiques of each book read (15% of grade).

2. Write a 800-1000 word essay introducing yourself to other class participants (5% of grade).

3. Write a 2-3 page summary of an interview with a person in recovery about their spiritual journey (20%).

4. Research/Ministry Design Project. Either (a) develop a 10-12 page proposal for a new church start-up optimized to be responsive to the needs of the person you interviewed in assignment #3 or (b) pick a theological issue related to recovery--preferably not one we have covered in class--and submit a 10-12 page analysis of how this issue relates to recovery ministry (30% of grade).

5. Active participation in class discussions and activities (25%).

6. Completion of a variety of self and class evaluations (5% of grade).