“Why does my church need a recovery ministry when we know that Jesus died to set us free from the bondage of sin?”

“Once we accept Jesus Christ, we should be whole, freed from our addictions. There should be no need for a recovery ministry. Those struggling with hurts, hang-ups and habits have not fully committed their lives to Jesus Christ.”

Such is the reasoning of some who see no need for a recovery ministry in the local church. The reality is, while Jesus saves from sin, we still experience the effects of sin. Thus, a ministry of recovery is needed in the local church for believers to realize healing from the lingering consequences of addictive behaviors, hurts or hang-ups. Such a ministry also offers hope for non-believers who struggle with similar issues.

Many struggle on a daily basis with anger, unresolved hurt, false guilt, eating or spending habits. Some struggle with lust, pornography and sexual addictions. Sadly, many in the church cannot admit to these struggles without being made to feel less than Christian. Two choices remain: Continue living in denial or choose to face the issues head-on through a Christ-centered recovery program.

For some, the idea of a recovery ministry in the church is uncomfortable for reasons previously stated. Some Christians might contend that addicts are sinners who need their lives cleaned up before they can be part of the community of believers. Some Christians may support a recovery program through offerings or prayer, but they are uncomfortable with such a ministry in their church. Considering that Jesus was condemned often by the religious establishment for associating with the “worst of sinners,” it seems safe to draw some assumptions regarding how he would view a recovery ministry within a local church today.

Matthew 9:9-13 recounts the event of Jesus eating with Matthew and other tax collectors. The religious leaders questioned Jesus’ association with such people. Jesus responded: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (9:12-13, NIV). Note two things in this passage: The sick need a doctor and Jesus desires mercy above sacrifice. The church must follow Jesus’ lead and be a place where those who are sick with hurts, habits, and hang-ups can find mercy and experience healing. In so doing, questions and some condemnation from others should not come as a surprise.

One of the myths of a recovery program is that it is only for people who struggle with substance abuse. Unfortunately, other forms of addiction such as, food, sex, co-dependency, etc., often are regarded as bad (sinful) habits which could be stopped at any time with proper self-discipline. Yet people continue telling themselves they can stop whenever they chose, yet their lives fall apart without a firm grasp of practical ways to end the struggle.

Truthfully, many in the church also struggle with addictions. Addictions of prescription drugs, food, sex, pornography, same-sex attraction, unhealthy love relationships,* anger, or spending are only some of the effects of hurts and hang-ups. Many of these destructive patterns are rooted in past experiences which continue to disrupt or control lives. Even forgiven, committed followers of Christ may struggle privately with addictions. Surely, the church should provide a safe place to help believers have victory over the issues and painful areas that plague them.

A recovery ministry within the church must be unapologetically Christcentered. From that foundation, the purpose is two-fold: (1) To address and facilitate healing of the hurts, hang-ups and habits with which many continue to struggle even after becoming Christian; and (2) to extend the reach of the ministry to those outside the church.

While many can testify to God’s miraculous deliverance from hurts, hang-ups and habits, such miracles are the exception rather than the norm. Most people must daily work through these issues. James Wilhoit, in his book, Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered, states, “People who care for us and hold us accountable are one of God’s greatest means of grace.” A Christ-centered recovery ministry within the supportive environment of a local church provides amazing opportunities for God’s grace to overflow.

I offer four suggestions for a successful recovery ministry:

• The lead pastor's support is essential. If the lead pastor does not wholeheartedly support this ministry, it is unlikely to survive, let alone thrive. This is not a traditional ministry, such as missions, evangelism, Sunday school or small groups. A recovery ministry is different, and initially, may be uncomfortable. The lead pastor will need to be head cheerleader or fan to convince the members to embrace and support this ministry.

I recall a meeting in the spring of 2006 when our lead pastor shared that God had impressed upon him the need to start some kind of recovery ministry. At the time, he had no idea what this would look like. Today, we have a vibrant, effective Christ-centered recovery ministry which has been embraced and nurtured within our local church.

• From day one, the recovery ministry should be regarded on equal terms with all other ministries of the church. This means greater engagement than merely supporting the ministry with prayer and an occasional offering. Traditionally, one of two outcomes seems common among churches that have not fully embraced the recovery ministry as an equal among other ministries. Either the recovery ministry is short-lived, or it becomes a non-profit organization, supported by prayer and an occasional offering, but disconnected from the vital life of the local congregation.

• The leaders of the recoveryr ministry should have completed a recovery program themselves, or should recognize the need to become immersed in the process of recovery. The ministry will not succeed if leaders see their role only as administering a program for others who have problems. While there is a program to be administered, this is done most effectively by leaders who participate in the ministry for personal recovery as well. After all, who of us does not have some hurt, habit or a hang-up?

• Give recovery ministry prime time. Allow local church participants who have received help to share their stories of recovery during the Sunday morning service. Let the recovery ministry team occasionally lead a Sunday morning service. Allow for an open forum, hosted by the recovery ministry, for members of the church to asked questions about the ministry. This conveys to the church that this ministry is a part of the life of the congregation, and the people involved in this ministry are part of the local body.

A successful recovery ministry will have two foci: Divine and practical. A Christ-centered recovery ministry is the divine focus; the Word of God is central, prayer and praise is normal. The practical focus entails group participation, working through the 12-steps, and having a sponsor and an accountability partner.

Why should the church strive to have a Christ-centered recovery program? For one, it offers hope to the addict looking in; it says that the church cares. Furthermore, the church stands to gain the recognition and trust of the community by addressing real social ills. The church may also gain the trust of the court system, which may refer parolees to participate as part of release programs. A recovery ministry also offers help for struggling believers to be set free from hurts, habits and hang-ups. Most importantly, a Christ-centered recovery program will lead many into the Kingdom and nurture many others within the Kingdom.

by Errol Carrim
Training Coach for Celebrate Recovery Ministry
Nampa First Church of the Nazarene