Out in the Parking Lot

It doesn’t matter where the dialog begins

The word of mouth “grapevine” had a way of spreading. Over time I was approached by a number of others in the church seeking help for loved ones under similar circumstances – almost invariably being approached in the church parking lot, after the Sunday service or some event. Occasionally, I would even get a call from clergy asking how familiar I was with the regular weekly AA meetings hosted by the church and whether I would be willing talk to somebody who might benefit.

At some point, out of sheer curiosity regarding the United Methodist Church’s take on recognizing and handling addictive disorders, I surfed the web and stumbled upon the church’s Special Program on Substance Abuse and Related Violence (SPSARV). I made a few calls.

Ultimately I was put in contact with Faith Partners.

After long discussions, I realized that the idea of bridging the divide between the congregation and the twelve step groups that met at the church was a natural fit. I enrolled in the leadership training and began to approach the church staff. I suggested that after some time of wandering the parking lot, talking about alcoholism and addiction, and the impact that it had on so many families in the church (including some who’d decided to leave the church out of shame, or guilt, or to seek help elsewhere) I thought maybe we should move this dialog from the asphalt and into the church. I was encouraged to see if this was indeed something that might either be useful or drive people away.

I asked around the church, inquiring if the idea of openly talking about addiction and recovery was alright in church, whether it was an appropriate topic, whether people might find it in some way offensive, and whether members might even leave. I received a minimum amount of pushback, with only a couple of people feeling that is was a risky idea, but for the broad majority saying it was not just a good idea, but an obvious one. I decided that having a few people wave a caution flag was a good thing. After all, I thought, if a recovery ministry was such a clear and obvious idea, why hadn’t one been put together years ago.

I was eventually put on the church calendar and introduced the idea to three separate services one Sunday. In my prepared 10 minute appeal, I spoke to probably 800 people, telling them of my personal adventures before, what happened, and the way my life had turned so miraculously around. I related how important it was to have close ties with the recovery community, why outreach was so significant for the community of believers, and whether there might be 1 or 2 sitting in those pews that felt similarly and would be interested in developing a ministry response. Privately, I felt that while talking one on one produced positive responses, I didn’t expect open appeals in church services to yield much at all. To my surprise, I received 46 inquiries and requests for information. For me it felt like Moses tapping the rock in Meribah, and water (volunteers) springing forth. We were on our way.

A couple years later, the composition of our church’s Faith Partners team has most of the same respondents, and a few additional ones. Our team commitment is growing even more, as we host regular meetings, discussion forums, build a burgeoning recovery library, develop an expansive directory of community resources, advocacy, a budding prison outreach, and outreach efforts aimed at addressing addiction among the indigent community. And of course, we talk. We talk to those in need, to primaries and to families, and to those who are just curious. We talk person to person, and on the phone, and through emails, and yes…we still talk out in the parking lot as well.

Rick Drewien
Faith Partners Coordinator
Mt Zion UMC

Mt Zion UMC Faith Partners

Chartered in September 2007, Mt Zion’s Faith Partners Recovery ministry works to educate, support, and transform the congregation and communities in which we live, the families whom we love, and the those directly afflicted and  impacted by addiction disorders.

These are whom we embrace by accepting them where they are, at their point of need and loving them as Christ loves. Faith Partners serves as a conduit for opening the dialog regarding alcoholism\addiction, a center for helpful resources and knowledge, a trained team that bridges the faith and recovery communities, supports local treatment practitioners, and reaches out to both those incarcerated and their loved ones. Healing through God’s grace becomes a genuine and realistic outcome. Link to Mt Zion UMC Faith Partners on Facebook.

Hope Begins with One Person

The referral process in our congregation began with one person, Jim, stepping forward after a Sunday morning worship service. He gave me his business card, introduced himself as a licensed addiction counselor and offered to serve as a resource if anyone needed help due to substance use. His help was soon needed. Over a few months, we ended up working together with several people.

A pastor well known in our city for his pastoral care in the recovery community retired and moved away. Jim asked if I would be willing to listen to 5th Steps due to this loss and the great need. I agreed to be trained by him. The retiring pastor also coached me.

It wasn’t long until a waiting list was formed. It was clear that my time could be consumed by listening to 5th Steps so I needed to limit the number of people I would see within a month.

I asked Jim if he would speak at one of our monthly clergy conference meetings to share the need for involvement. He agreed and we formed a panel of speakers who addressed the impact of substance abuse on our community. As a result of this program, additional members of the clergy offered to listen to 5th Steps.

Soon Jim was asked to be a speaker at our annual women’s salad luncheon. Shortly after that our quilters became involved in making fleece lap robes to be presented as gifts for people who complete their 5th Steps. These robes serve as a reminder of being “wrapped in God’s love” as people continue their journey through the Twelve Steps.

Jim chairs our congregations’ mutual ministry committee. As the vision of leadership became more focused on mission and outreach, this committee was invaluable at sharing that vision within the congregation as well as supporting the staff.

Another important aspect of our referral network was the development of an Outreach Recovery Ministry Task Force involving congregational members as well as community leaders who represent medical, judicial, educational, and various social service programs. A professor of neuroscience at the University of North Dakota’s Medical School, also a church member, agreed to chair the task force. She has spent the greater part of her life studying and providing needed research about women and alcoholism.

A group of members from the recovery community, chosen by the task force, planned worship services for the outreach ministry of the congregation. The task force also began conversations with our local university, with the hope that our church will host an outreach counseling ministry utilizing student interns working toward their master’s degree in counseling.

In January, Jim and I were asked to offer a workshop at Luther Seminary’s annual convocation on developing an outreach ministry to the recovering community. We provided the same workshop plus a workshop on listening to 5th Steps at our synod assembly. Again, Jim was invaluable in providing important, helpful information.

As a part of our system of referrals, I have been asked to speak on the topic of spirituality to several recovery groups. It is easy to proclaim the love and grace of God as we watch the blessings of this ministry unfold. It began with one person who was willing to step forward and use his experience, talents and vocation to help others. I thank God for his presence and desire to serve.

If you are a member of the recovery community or serve in a vocation that works with the recovery community, please speak to your pastor and/or other leaders in your congregation. If you are willing to help, you might be amazed how God will use your gifts to bless others.

Rev. Kathryn Ann Brown is pastor of Augustana Lutheran, Grand Forks, ND.