Winter 2017/Fuller Online
EV532
Russell
EV532: RECOVERY MINISTRY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH (4 Units: 160 hours). Matthew Russell.
DESCRIPTION: The modern addiction recovery movement is the largest, explicitly spiritual, popular culture social movement in the US since the second great awakening. Until recently, however, the Christian community has not seriously engaged with this emerging sub-culture. This course is designed to help students explore ways to do to creative, culturally sensitive ministry in this particular context. The class will draw on insights from a very diverse set of perspectives including historical, medical, psychological, sociological, theological and spiritual. The course will examine the cultural differences between recovery culture and Christian culture in the US. It will explore creative ways to ‘be Christian’ in recovery culture as well as ways to ‘be in recovery’ in Christian culture.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be able to (1) students will be well-informed about the ways in which the dynamics of addiction are likely to influence local church ministry; (2) students will understand the biblical, historical, and theological resources that might assist them to develop effective ministry to people struggling with these issues; and (3) that students will be better able to envision and develop effective recovery ministries in a variety of settings.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.
REQUIRED READING: 1200 total number of pages required.
Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. AA World Services, 2002. ISBN: 978-1893007178, Pub. Price $19.95. (Any edition acceptable). Available online for free at http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/. [first 164 pp. in 4th edition].
May, Gerald. Addiction and Grace. Harper & Row, 2007. ISBN: 978-0061122439, Pub. Price $15.99 [208 pp.].
One of the following memoirs:
Bullitt-Jones, Margaret. Holy Hunger: A Woman's Journey from Food Addiction to Spiritual Fulfillment. Vintage Books, 2000. ISBN: 978-0375700873, Pub. Price $16.00 [272 pp.].
Kopp, Heather. Sober Mercies: How Love Caught Up with a Christian Drunk. Jericho Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-1455527755, Pub. Price $16.00 [224 pp.].
Lamott, Anne. Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith. Anchor Books, 2000. ISBN: 978- 0385496094, Pub. Price $15.95 [275 pp.].
ARTICLES/CHAPTERS/MEDIA
Alexander, Bruce K. Dislocation Theory of Addiction: A Change of Venue for Addiction: From Medicine to Social Science. (25 pages) Available here: http://www.brucekalexander.com/articles-speeches/dislocation-theory-addiction/250-change-of-venue-3
Peace, Richard. Conversion in the New Testament: Paul and the Twelve. Chapter 12: “Process Evangelism: Theory,” pp. 309-329. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN: 978-0802842350.
White, William L. Pathways from the Culture of Addiction to the Culture of Recovery: A Travel Guide for Addiction Professionals. Chapter 11: “Core Elements in the Culture of Recovery,” pp. 267-381. Hazelden, 1996. ISBN: 978-1568381237.
The first Season of HBO’s “The Wire.” https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/the-wire-season-1/id279170604
Documentary: “The House I Live In.” http://www.thehouseilivein.org
A list of books that can be chosen to bring your total pages read up to 1200 will be available in the class syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Introduction Assignment: 500 words or 5 min of video. [4% of grade] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [2 hours].
View weekly online presentations and discuss them in the forums. Minimum expectation is to post one 250-word weekly post starting a new thread and one 250-word weekly reply to an existing thread [36% of grade] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, & 3] [45 hours].
Interview Assignment. Write a 1,000 word (roughly 4 page) summary of an interview with a person in recovery about their spiritual journey [10% of grade] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [4 hours].
Reading Assignment. Read all required texts plus additional reading for a total of 1,200 pages. Submit a reading log showing each book/article read [10% of grade] [This assignment is related learning outcomes 1,2 and 3]. [80 hours].
Visit an open AA meeting or local recovery ministry and write a 250 word reflection on the experience. Options will be discussed in class). [10% of grade] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [4 hours].
Theological Reflection Project. Submit a 2,500 word paper which reflects on how the
pneumatological, Christological and ecclesiological instincts which are common (if not always explicit) in recovery culture compare and contrast to similar instincts in your own theological tradition. How is the working of the Spirit, for example, understood/experienced in twelve step culture? And how is this different from or comparable to the views of your own tradition? Where do you see opportunities for mutual enrichment and where do you see potential for conflict? (30% of grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, & 3] [25 hours].
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets requirement in Recovery Ministry Emphasis.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.