by Rev. Michael Liimatta, Director of Education, AGRM
Section A - The Audio Presentations Seven of the talks used in A Guide to Effective Rescue Mission Recovery Programs were recorded during the 1992 and 1993 sessions of the Central District Training Institute for Men's Program Staff Members. This annual event is held at the Rock Creek Camp of The City Mission of Cleveland. While the event is primarily for individuals working in residential ministries for men, the principles Michael shares have broad application and are appropriate for work with women and youth, as well. The tapes are arranged is a progressive manner. Therefore, they should be heard in the prescribed sequence, since the topics build upon one another. Also included are hand-outs to use with the specific sessions and additional informational items that relate to the topics shared on the tape. When using the tapes in a group setting, permission is granted to photocopy these hand-outs for each of the participants.
In some instances, rescue missions embrace secular treatment and recovery models to such an extreme that their programs look little different than their non-Christian counterparts. There are certainly important methods and approaches that can be borrowed from the secular treatment community. But, rescue missions must never forget their primary purposes of evangelism and discipleship. This session focuses on the critical
elements that make a recovery program uniquely Christian. Michael shares some special
insights on critical recovery-related issues in the light of the Bible. He highlights the
fact that Christian counselors, who are equipped by the Holy Spirit and a working
knowledge of the Word of God, have much more to offer the suffering addict.
If we are to effectively work with alcoholics and the drug dependent, it is vital that we gain a truly scriptural understanding of addiction. Is addiction strictly a moral issue needing only a sincere repentance for deliverance? Are some people simply "predestined" to become addicts? In this session, Michael presents a truly
scriptural understanding of addiction that brings together some elements of both of these
concepts.
In light of the opportunities and
limitations of the rescue mission setting, just what is realistic in terms of providing
effective recovery-oriented services? In this session Michael outlines the most important
components necessary to provide a comprehensive approach to helping addicts to develop a
personal program of sobriety and spiritual growth.
Certainly, nothing is more frustrating to
the average staff member than the denial and resistance of most rescue mission clients. In
this session, Michael discusses the five "weapons" that mission staff members
and counselors can use to overcome a client's resistance and to help him to understand his
need for change. Included in this discussion is a look at the elements that promote a
"therapeutic environment" that maintains an atmosphere in a mission program that
promotes stability, honesty, and a desire for change.
In this talk, Michael focuses on the needs of the Christian worker. Many individuals are drawn to the ministry because of their own experiences with addiction and troubled family backgrounds. In most instances, this can be very positive, However, some are hindered in their efforts to minister to others because they are still experiencing on-going difficulties from growing up in dysfunctional families and unresolved issues from past addictions. This session is intended to equip other
Christian workers to assist such people by accurately identifying their symptoms and
knowing how to direct them to appropriate help. "Wounded warriors" who are still
"bleeding" cannot effectively work with those in need. On the other hand, those
who are experiencing healing can be the most valuable members of a mission's staff.
Because of their unique experience of the grace of God, they can be used in powerful ways.
In 1992, the
Knox Area Rescue Ministry commissioned a study of recovery from homelessness by the SRI Gallup organization. This survey identified six critical
"life themes" that separated those homeless people who recovered from those who
did not. In this session, Michael offers some suggestions on how rescue mission programs
can help their clients to be more successful by assisting them to develop these life
themes within themselves.
Michael outlines three very distinct
phases of early recovery in a rescue mission program. Each phase has unique
characteristics and "action steps." This talk includes practical guidance on how
the staff at a rescue mission can organize activities around these phases to help their
clients succeed in recovery.
In this talk, Michael describes the
practical steps that will help mission staff members to develop and utilize written
recovery plans. Developing a written recovery plan ("contract" or
"covenant") is one of the most effective means of meeting the special needs of
each individual in a rescue mission recovery program. By establishing attainable goals and
objectives, the written recovery plan can be used to effectively measure the personal
growth of program participants.
Michael explains with how addiction to
alcohol and drugs creates homelessness and how it prevents people from getting out of it.
In this talk, Michael highlights some
additional principles to support people in recovery that have come out of this intensive
study.
This is a discussion of how the 12 Steps can serve as a powerful outline for
leading people in recovery into life-changing spiritual experiences.
In this workshop, Michael focuses on
how support groups can form an important
part of the total process of bringing recovering people into a healthier life. It is also
a summary of the strategy of using a comprehensive intake procedure combined with a
written goal-oriented recovery plan as a means of managing the process of early recovery.
Section B - Supporting Documents and Other Information
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