April’s ES Gathering will take place on Wednesday April 7, 2010 at Ha Ha’s Grillhouse. Please be sure to RSVP, spread the word and read the following paragraph by Eric Blauer, which will be guide our conversation.
Illegal drug & alcohol abuse is a reality within all of our congregations. It’s a cultural problem that has long lasting consequences for individuals, families, children and our communities. As leaders who embrace a gospel of grace, and enjoy the freedom it allows, as it relates to responsible use of God given pleasures; I wrestle with what this looks like among the addicted and those in recovery. Most recovery models or programs are “abstinence based”, which isn’t always consistent with the message of learning “moderation in all things” as a gospel value, that I often teach. I also find many other elements within recovery ministries that seem out of harmony with the gospel…i.e. fear based accountability, legalism, law focused teaching, defilement anxiety vs. sanctifying power, habit vs. transformation, works over grace, man focused vs. God focused, determinism vs. new life.
I am interested in discovering a recovery model or program that embodies a healthy balance of truth and grace that enables addicts to truly experience the power of God for change. Helping people find and live in wisdom and freedom that empowers them to not be “mastered by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12). How are you approaching these issues personally and within your church community? ,We’ll put these questions and the topic of recovery on the table as we gather in April.
Looking forward to it. Thanks for the topic, Eric!
I’ll be there as well.
ditto, and you are welcome
I’m in.
I’m comming
All be there.
Hope to make the meeting–if not caddying that day.
Blessings
I expect to come, bringing a colleague.