How does the church approach an effective response with a heart of kindness and mercy? Can a response be informed by a new theological understanding based on the language of the recovery community? Why is it that those in need so often back away from the faith community? How can religious leaders be equipped to be helpers to others, to find the right resources, and to lead those in need “home to God”?

This video is a segment from the documentary, Recovering Nation. The full program is available free of charge to clergy, through the Hanley Center in West Palm Beach. Made Possible by the Hanley Family Foundation.

The Hanley Family Foundation, Inc. (HFF) was created to advance the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism, chemical dependency and addictive behavior, including support for related research and education.  

Additional inquiries and questions may  be directed to the Hanley Family Foundation here. 

More information about Hanley Center programs and orders for RECOVERING NATION, the documentary DVD that explores the complex relationship between addiction and religion, can be requested here.

This new book is the text for the Faith Partners Team building ministry. In recent years, Faith Partners has enhanced a team ministry model that engages lay congregational members in awareness, referral and support for individuals and families afflicted and affected by alcoholism and drug addiction. This book is the story of that work and a resource document for its replication. The authors bring a passion for this work drawn from abundant restoration of human potential and a skill for contextual program design and teaching. Trish Merrill, founder of Faith Partners, is a public health nurse with broad and varied experience in parish service and public policy. Johnny Allem, past-president for the Johnson Institute, brings a career in journalism, business, government, and non-profit management. 

• The accepted view of alcoholism as a treatable disease
•  Barriers to remove in order to facilitate healing
• How Faith Teams can work in a healing environment
• How to organize a team ministry
• Leadership training ideas for the team ministry
• How to deliver specific services to the congregation and community
• The role of pastors as coaches
• How to nurture change for everyone, especially people in difficulty
•  Ideas to honor the fact and people of recovery

To order your copy of “Healing Places” call 1-888-451-9527, or email Trish Merrill at trishmerrill@faith-partners.org or Drew Brooks at drewbrooks@faith-partners.org

The Reverend Anne Andert, Lutheran pastor who had also served as a parish nurse before she was ordained, and former pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Benson MN, shared these thoughts about items used in her ministry to individuals and families afflicted and affected by addiction. She keeps each item in quantity readily available in her office.

Recovery Bibles by the case

The Life Recovery Bible, with both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, has many features addressing recovery: 12 step devotionals; serenity prayer devotionals; and recovery profiles, notes, reflections, and themes.  In quantity (a case is only 14 Bibles) these Bibles are about half the price. This Bible is a good resource for individual alcoholics or addicts or family members who may want to use it themselves or give one to a family member in recovery.

Care Notes

These notes are available from Abbey Press, www.carenotes.com Samples:”Loving Someone with a Drinking or Drug Problem,” “In Sickness or in Health: When a Spouse is Ill,” “Getting Help with An Addiction,” “Feeling Trapped by Obsessive or Compulsive Habits.” Keep these small booklets available also on display racks around the church.  The Teen Notes related to drinking and using drugs have also proved very popular.  Teenagers can help themselves to titles that apply to their needs, or use them to give to a friend who is struggling.

Printed Prayers

Favorite prayers that acknowledge and name the overwhelming feelings, frustration, hope for healing, etc. These prayers are printed on small pieces of paper and can be used as bookmarks or pocket prayers. The Serenity Prayer is a good one to have available.

God Grant Me the Serenity to Accept the Things I Cannot Change, the Courage to Change the Things I Can and the Wisdom to Know the Difference.

Signs and Symbols of Awareness

A rock or plaque with the serenity prayer on it. A couple of visible AA slogans such as One Day at a Time or Let Go, Let God, something to let the visitor know you are aware of recovery language. Perhaps a sign in the building that announces the AlAnon meeting and it’s purpose. Also Alcoholics Anonymous literature.

List of Resources

Brochures or names of community intervention and treatment resources with phone numbers for both adults and adolescents. Meeting schedules for Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, AlAnon and Naranon. Contact information on a member who is willing to take someone to their first meeting.

Prayer Shawl

After listening to a fifth step of a person in recovery a prayer shawl around their shoulders for a closing prayer and blessing can be meaningful. Some congregations make these shawls available to people as a token of the congregation’s love and concern for them.

Another meaningful prayer to have printed and available – Thomas Merton

MY LORD GOD,

I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think that I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road

 though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always

though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

 -Thomas Merton, “Thoughts in Solitude”

Recently, Reverend Andert left her position with Our Redeemer Lutheran church and she acknowledged that her pastoral care and ministry to and with persons affected by addiction and in recovery has been some of the most meaningful work she has done, “Saying goodbye to the alcoholics I have worked with has been the most difficult of my goodbyes so far. I have heard numerous stories from those I have helped directly, and those families where I have provided counsel and resources. Such wonderful people!”