Winter 2007/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 for
evangelistic outreach provide a good illustration of the general principles of
effective evangelism.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Class
sessions will consist of lecture, discussions, case study analysis, and small
group participation.
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.