Substance Abuse Ministries

Substance abuse is a concern faced in every community across North America.

• The use of Illicit drugs, tobacco, and alcohol costs Americans an estimated half a trillion dollars annually in health, crime, and productivity losses.
• 20.1 million Americans, 12 and older, describe themselves as current illicit drug users.
• The personal suffering, family struggles, and damage to children are immeasurable.

The good news--- healing is possible for people dealing with the destruction, despair, and hopelessness of substance abuse. Many addicts and families find restoration through the power and grace of Jesus Christ. Churches can declare the love of Christ and at the same time make a big difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities stricken by substance abuse. Many churches have members who have overcome similar struggles and may be resources to assist in creating a ministry to help others.

Here are some suggestions that may encourage your church to get involved:

1.       Help your congregation to become a warm, welcoming fellowship that is loving, open, inviting, understanding, and supportive. Churches with spiritually therapeutic environments are better able to help individuals living on the margins of life. These powerful traits are attractive and strongly show the character of Christ and reflect His example of love for all people. Teaching about Jesus’ personal encounters with the worst sinners of His day is a good place to begin. Encourage members who have overcome addictions to share testimonies of overcoming. An atmosphere of healing helps in every area of church ministry and encourages believers to become whole through the power of Jesus Christ.

 2.       Know your community. Being prepared to help is a major step toward being able to help. Do you know what to do when someone knocks on your door needing help with a substance abuse problem? Some effort will be required to visit and meet these helping professionals in your community. However, these are required steps for any church that has a heart to touch the needs of people within the congregation and within the community. The relationships that are developed will assist you to refer people into treatment, counseling, support, or detox. Do your homework up front. Be prepared. It is only a matter of time before your help is needed to assist someone with a substance abuse problem.

 3.       Begin a Support Group. Churches, by their very nature, provide a type of spiritual support. In the case of substance abusers, churches can provide spiritual tools for people who are battling a very specific disorder. Churches are using support groups to successfully reach out to their communities. Several models already exist, each with its own merits, strengths, and weaknesses. Training and materials are usually provided. Be sure to consider existing resources, personnel, expertise, and volunteers within your church. The greatest effect of a support group will likely be in reaching out to your community rather than just to those within your church. However, support groups offer a tremendous opportunity for members to be trained, discipled, and become involved personally in ministry. Here are a few places to begin your search:

http://www.celebraterecovery.com

http://www.overcomersoutreach.org

http://www.alcoholicsvictorious.org

 4.       Don’t forget about families. Substance abuse always leaves unintended victims in its wake. The church feels directed to begin an outreach that assists the innocents of substance abuse- most often, family members- spouses, children, parents, brothers and sisters. Embarrassment and shame may lead these victims to seclusion. However, churches can develop special ministries that address these needs. Helps may include household supplies, school supplies, safe havens, Bible study classes, welcoming friendships, and support groups like Al Anon.

 5.       Become a partner for recovery in your community. Community study and prayer may reveal that collaboration is the best approach for your congregation. Collaboration is to assist existing programs that operate successfully and with good results in your community. These programs may deal with awareness, treatment, intervention, or support. Most community providers are eager to establish strong community partnerships. However, some churches are reluctant to become community partners. Keep in mind that the vast majority of rehab programs understand and teach the importance of spirituality in personal recovery. Many agencies lack personnel to teach and mentor spirituality. Chaplaincy offers an excellent avenue through which your church can effectively strengthen community programs by teaching spirituality. To assisting in “step work” also provides a significant contribution to community programs. Clergy and other spiritual leaders are needed to assist recovering individuals as they work through the more spiritual (A.A.) steps (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11). Partnering may also mean providing worship services for programs, clinics, hospitals, and rescue missions.

For direct assistance in developing specific ministries for your community through your church or for more information about ministries related to substance abuse and recovery, you may submit an inquiry through this web site OR you may contact:

Dr. Tobey Pitman, National Ministry-Evangelism Missionary, at tpitman@namb.net or 504 782-6122.