UMs urged to start alcohol, drug ministries

Clergy and congregational leaders are invited to attend a one-day training session to initiate an alcohol and other drug team ministry. The training is scheduled for May 11 at St. John’s UMC, Austin.
In December 2005 James Winkler, general secretary of the General Board of Church and Society, sent a letter to all bishops. He urged them to encourage clergy leaders and congregational representatives to attend the Faith Partners Team Ministry Leadership training.
“The Rush Center of the Johnson Institute provides excellent leadership, and I believe that the team approach for congregations is an effective and sustainable way to provide prevention, education, early intervention and recovery support,” Winkler wrote.
The 2004 General Conference changed the wording of the Social Principles to include a much broader area of education for United Methodists concerning alcohol. Instead of focusing only on abstinence or addiction, there is now a conceptual framework for thinking about alcohol-related problems and issues. The gap between abstinence and addiction has been closed, using the entire Bible as the ethical guide.
United Methodists are encouraged to learn about healthy guidelines to guide decisions about the use of alcohol. They are also encouraged to prevent alcohol-related problems as well as support treatment and rehabilitation for those who become addicted. Collectively, United Methodists are encouraged to become advocates to support public policy that encourages legislators to place health and safety concerns ahead of the alcohol industry’s profitability.
Every congregation has members with expertise or life experience to lead this effort. Every congregation has the capacity to respond in some way. Help is available to start an effective and sustainable ministry responding to the needs of the whole congregation. Call Trish Merrill at (512) 451-9504 with your questions or to register.