Recovery Ministry Information

Transcription

1 Recovery Ministry Information

2 The Problem Dear Friend, Addictive behavior is sweeping the globe at an increasing rate addiction to substances, to improper and inappropriate sexual activities, and even to excessive or compulsive conduct of seemingly normal activities. Such addictions create damaging cycles, not only in life of the addict, but also in the lives of those around them. Substance abuse continues to be a problem in America. Millions of Americans are affected by drug and alcohol use, including the abuse of prescription drugs, which is becoming popular among teenagers. Other addictions, such as eating disorders, gambling, and spending/shopping addictions are also behaviors with damaging consequences. Sexual addiction is a common cancer within today s society and churches. The Christian community is certainly not exempt from unhealthy and un-scriptural sexual behaviors such as pornography, compulsive masturbation, and adultery. Some sixty to ninety percent of Christian men, a significant number of Christian women, and from one-third to one-half of Christian pastors are reported to be involved with online pornography. Josh McDowell has emphasized that young people are increasingly becoming addicted to pornography, adding that it is the greatest threat to the body of Christ in 2000 years. A disappointing fact is that these conditions do not just affect the addict. The family of the addict is severely impacted as well, through financial troubles, relational disputes, and sometimes physical abuse. Children coming from homes impacted by addiction are more likely to have an addiction of their own a viral expansion of addiction from one generation to another. Many Christian men and women feel unable to fully participate in their church and community due to the guilt and shame of being in such bondage. The statistics show that this problem exists in your church, whether you recognize it or

3 not. L.I.F.E. Recovery provides an opportunity for you to be a part of the solution. The burden of organizing a ministry in your church is alleviated, as we have a time-tested model, biblically based resources, and available support to streamline the setup of this life-impacting ministry. Please prayerfully consider whether you and your church or ministry should join in our efforts to provide God s people with the resources and relationships to address these destructive behaviors. In the pages that follow, you will find information about the nature and extent of this pervasive problem and more details about the L.I.F.E. Recovery program. If you would like additional information, please visit www. freedomeveryday.org, us at info@freedomeveryday.org, or contact us at (866) 408-LIFE (5433). We are committed to helping God s children find freedom. We would love to have you join us! In His Unfailing Love, Johna Hale Johna Hale, Executive Director 9 out of 10 children between the ages of 8 and 16 have viewed pornography...

4 The Solution... L.I.F.E. Recovery About L.I.F.E. Recovery L.I.F.E. Recovery International is a Christ-centered support group ministry whose mission is to encourage, empower, and equip God s people to live every day in freedom from addiction. L.I.F.E., Living in Freedom Everyday, works with church and ministry leadership to offer a safe place for those who struggle to confront their addictive nature. Our ministry has assisted volunteers in organizations like yours to set up, promote, facilitate, and raise additional leadership for over a decade. We offer Christ-centered and relationally oriented support groups that incorporate spiritual discipline, small group accountability, and ongoing prayer and support to those affected by addiction. We also provide top quality recovery materials, written and edited by acclaimed experts like Dr. Mark Laaser and Dr. Ralph Spiller. One soul at a time, we retrieve those shrouded in the shame of the addiction cycle.

5 America has only 5% of the world population yet consumes over 60% of illegal drugs in the world. Endorsements L.I.F.E. Recovery International has taken on the issues of addiction recovery with wisdom and courage. I am confident that the teenager and young adults we refer to them are going to a safe place and will receive excellent care and mentoring. - Dawson McAllister Founder and President of The HopeLine L.I.F.E. Guides are among the most adaptable workbooks addressing the field of addiction on the market today. These workbooks may be used in support groups, mentoring one-onone, adapted by therapists for use in therapy groups, and may be used by churches and other ministry organizations for free standing support group ministry as part of a broader recovery ministry for other kinds of issues, as part of existing programs. While not a recommended procedure, if two people had no other resources available they could work the L.I.F.E. Guide together. There have not been many programs/series that have a utility this wide. - Ralph H. Spiller, Jr., PhD, LMHC L.I.F.E. Recovery International has taken their very succesful methodology, developed in conjunction with Dr. Mark Laaser, author of their sexual addiction resources, and applied it to the broad range of addictions in general. There is additional pionering work here, as this workbook [L.I.F.E. Guide for General Addictions] addresses the addictive condition itself and the core issues that underlie it, as the basis for recovery through a clinically sound and biblically based support group program. - Tim Clinton President, American Association of Christian Counselors 23+ Million Americans Age 12 or Older are Affected by Substance Abuse

6 Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters: I pray that you will find great benefit from the L.I.F.E. Recovery website. If you re reading this, you may be one of the countless people around the world who struggle with sexual lust and temptation or have a loved one who does. You ve tried many things to get through this, and you re discouraged and tired. I m excited to be a part of this ministry that has a real heart for helping people just like you. We believe that God s greatest healing power is manifested in the fellowship of others who struggle with the same issues. In fact, one of my most basic principles is that fellowship with other Christians is equal to freedom from lust. The reason for this is that the feelings of loneliness and isolation are the greatest contributors to sexual sin. God calls us together to minister to each other and to be accountable to each other in community. L.I.F.E. Recovery s mission is that you be able to find this kind of fellowship in the local church. The local church should be the place where we feel safe to get honest about our stories and to find God s grace and forgiveness. Too often, however, we have felt afraid to be honest at church. L.I.F.E. Groups are bringing safety back. We hope that our materials for men, women, spouses, singles, and couples will be sources of hope, strength, and encouragement to you. I encourage you to find a L.I.F.E. Group as soon as possible. Be of good courage. Get honest. Stop being alone. If you can t find a group in your area, let us help you to start one. We will be providing resources to do so. If you can find at least one other person who struggles like you do, you have a group. Remember that nothing separates us from the love of Christ. As Paul also reminds us, there is no sin, including sexual sin, that is not common to man. Sobriety is possible. Restoration of marriages is possible. The journey can be long. The ups and downs can be tiring. With help, we can find a new peace and serenity. Living in Freedom Everyday is possible. God bless you. Mark Laaser, PhD, CAS

7 Addiction Recovery Resources This workbook resource helps those battling drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other behavioral addictions. Recovery Materials for Addictive Behaviors Workbook Facilitator s Guide Recovery Materials for Sexual Addiction Workbooks for... Men Spouses Women Young Men Young Women Couples

8 Sexual Addiction Recovery Resources Men in Recovery L.I.F.E. Recovery Guide workbook Orientation Guide Facilitator s Guide Facilitating a L.I.F.E. Group DVD for Men Spouses of Addicts L.I.F.E. Recovery Guide workbook Facilitator s Guide Facilitating a L.I.F.E. Group DVD for Spouses

9 Couples Restoration L.I.F.E. Recovery Guide workbook in*ti*mate CD series Starter Kit 3 DVDs Facilitating a L.I.F.E. Group DVD for Men Facilitating a L.I.F.E. Group DVD for Spouses Ministry Presentation Package with DVD

10 Leadership Bob Hale, President Bob Hale is Cofounder and President of L.I.F.E. Recovery International. In this role, Bob draws from more than three decades of ministry experience to provide executive leadership, business management, and strategic direction. In addition to his position at L.I.F.E. Recovery, Bob serves as President of Living Water Ministries, a Christian counseling ministry operating in the Central Florida community. Bob holds a Masters in Business Administration from Auburn University and dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and in Business Management. In addition, Bob served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years in strategic missile and space development programs and retired at the rank of colonel. Bob has been active in the Promise Keepers and other men s ministry programs for a number of years and was recognized as an Ambassador within the Promise Keepers organization.. bhale@freedomeveryday.org 47% of families said pornography is a problem in their home An estimated 10 million individuals 12 to 20 years of age admitted to being drinkers; 6.5 million were binge drinkers and 2 million heavy drinkers.

11 Johna Hale, Executive Director Johna Hale is Cofounder of L.I.F.E. Recovery International. In her position as Executive Director, Johna directs the dayto-day activities and operations of the ministry. She has been involved in Christ-centered ministries since 1978, though prior to that she had struggled in sexual addiction herself to the point she felt she had to leave the church in shame for several years. She has a passion to provide a safe place within the Christian community to address such issues and provides Christian counseling specializing in addiction recovery under Living Water Ministries. Johna holds a Masters in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations and Speech Communication, both from the University of Kansas, in addition to holding an MA in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. An Ordained Minister in Counseling, she has done extensive work in Bowen Family Systems. Johna is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. jhale@freedomeveryday.org Stewardship of Finances L.I.F.E. Recovery International is committed to operating within the highest standards of financial integrity and accountability. We are dedicated to dealing honestly and fairly with other organizations; properly recording and presenting all transactions; making our financial statements available, as appropriate; and being faithful stewards of all that God entrusts to us. We encourage all patrons to tithe to their local church before making any contributions to L.I.F.E. Recovery. We pledge to be wise in our planning and diligent in our spending.

12 What Can I Do? Individual If you think that you may be dealing with an addiction, visit our website at You will find free articles, free downloads, directories of support groups, and all of our L.I.F.E. Recovery Guide workbooks and other resources. If you do not have access to a computer, you can call our 24- Hour Pre-Recorded Helpline at (866) 408-LIFE and learn more about addiction, recovery, and our ministry. If you are an individual concerned about this issue, you can help by Having your church publish information about a local group in the weekly bulletin. Find a local group by visiting our website and clicking Find a Group. Arrange to meet the group leader, and obtain permission before having the contact information published in your church bulletin. Having your church publish our 24-Hour Pre-Recorded Helpline so that members of your church have a safe place to learn more. Financially support L.I.F.E. Recovery s mission with a one-time or monthly tax-deductible contribution. Visit www. freedomeveryday.org/donations for more information. Ministry Leaders Spread the word to your congregation by placing announcements in your weekly bulletin. Or you can find a group leader in your area by visiting our website at and selecting Find a Group. Arrange to meet the group leader, and obtain permission before having the contact information published in your church bulletin. Or you can start a L.I.F.E. Recovery Group at your church...

13 How to Start a L.I.F.E. Recovery Group Getting Started Introduce L.I.F.E. Recovery to the Pastor/Leader of your organization. The Introduction to L.I.F.E. DVD, included in our Presentation Pack, would be an excellent tool. Choose a spiritual authority over the group. This person has the responsibility of spiritual oversight over the L.I.F.E. Recovery Group. Request prayer for the startup of your group and continued prayer that God will bring those who need this ministry in their lives. Select a Group Facilitator to facilitate group meetings. This person has the responsibility of implementing the L.I.F.E. Recovery Group. The facilitator will benefit from the assignment-by-assignment curriculum found in the Facilitator s Guide (currently available for general addictions, men, women, and spouses groups). More information at Purchase several L.I.F.E. Recovery Guides and other materials for your group inventory to retain interest when a new member signs up (they can start reviewing their guide immediately). Order online at resources. Setup a file box to hold extra workbooks, Facilitators Guide, envelopes for contributions, phone list (creates an easy hand-off if facilitator cannot make a meeting) Hundreds of people have overcome their addictions through L.I.F.E. Recovery, and a growing number of them now lead recovery groups for others

14 Spreading the Word Ask the Pastor/Leader to talk to the entire congregation or organization about addiction and recovery. Meet with leaders in your church to spread the word about the group. Have a table with material available after church service or other organizational functions, and display L.I.F.E. Recovery brochures at the church information station. Get referrals from prayer ministers or counseling teams affiliated with your organization. Visit smaller groups (i.e., Sunday School classes) to talk about L.I.F.E. Recovery and possibly give a testimony to the effectiveness of the groups. Request listing in the church bulletin and newsletters at your organization and at other churches in your area. Register your Group with L.I.F.E. Recovery International Visit and register your L.I.F.E. Group so that we can stay in contact with your group and list your group on our website so it can be found by others. Statement of Faith L.I.F.E. Recovery International believes that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are completely inspired by God and should be the single authority for instructions in healthy and godly living. We believe in one God who exists in three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father and that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of

15 the Virgin Mary, and lived a sinless life. He was crucified and buried and rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to the earth in power and glory. We believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life; and only through faith in him as Savior and Lord can a person enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

16 L.I.F.E. Recovery International Post Office Box Lake Mary, Florida (866)