How to restore an addict?

[etexas]

I was a HEAVY drinker when I became a Christian, the physical addiction did not "just go away", I was under a wise Pastor at the time and he had me call him anytime day or night, I quietly did outpatient therapy for my addiction, there were bumps, and slips, but under Godly love and prayer I finally put away the booze. I don't know if this helps, but it is the experience of this former addict. (In regard to a few things I saw posted) it can be VERY dangerous to tell a heavy drinker to just STOP without medical care. There can be convulsions and in some cases death. We must use wisdom when dealing with such an issue.

Let me make this perfectly clear: I was not talking about overall treatment of addicts. I was addressing the role of the church in the addicts' recovery. It is the pastor's duty (and the duty of leadership) to shepherd the church BUT know their limits and know when to refer the person to medical or mental health professionals when the issue requires further treatment. It is NOT the church's proper role to address any medical consequences or anything directly related to the substance abuse and the physical impacts.

It IS however appropriate for the church to pray for and love a brother or sister and handle NON medical issues with proper application of church discipline (which will mean handling cases with prayer AND understanding of the person and where they are at mentally and physically). If an addict shows up to a church function physically or mentally impaired due to their addiction, the session has the right and indeed must address this behavior. They do have the duty to recommend treatment and sanction the church member for their behavior at this function. The session would hopefully take the person's addiction into account as a factor when deciding how to handle the situation. It is like having an employee who comes to work high or drunk. For the sake of everyone else in the facility/church, that person needs to be dealt with.

REALLY! Not the role of the Church to be the Christian factor in recover of one who is a physical addict, odd. Rather unloving as well, if it had not been for the grace and wisdom shown by my pastor as I came out from that shadow Hell, I would probably be dead. Have a nice day Madam.

 

[calgal]

I was a HEAVY drinker when I became a Christian, the physical addiction did not "just go away", I was under a wise Pastor at the time and he had me call him anytime day or night, I quietly did outpatient therapy for my addiction, there were bumps, and slips, but under Godly love and prayer I finally put away the booze. I don't know if this helps, but it is the experience of this former addict. (In regard to a few things I saw posted) it can be VERY dangerous to tell a heavy drinker to just STOP without medical care. There can be convulsions and in some cases death. We must use wisdom when dealing with such an issue.

Let me make this perfectly clear: I was not talking about overall treatment of addicts. I was addressing the role of the church in the addicts' recovery. It is the pastor's duty (and the duty of leadership) to shepherd the church BUT know their limits and know when to refer the person to medical or mental health professionals when the issue requires further treatment. It is NOT the church's proper role to address any medical consequences or anything directly related to the substance abuse and the physical impacts.

It IS however appropriate for the church to pray for and love a brother or sister and handle NON medical issues with proper application of church discipline (which will mean handling cases with prayer AND understanding of the person and where they are at mentally and physically). If an addict shows up to a church function physically or mentally impaired due to their addiction, the session has the right and indeed must address this behavior. They do have the duty to recommend treatment and sanction the church member for their behavior at this function. The session would hopefully take the person's addiction into account as a factor when deciding how to handle the situation. It is like having an employee who comes to work high or drunk. For the sake of everyone else in the facility/church, that person needs to be dealt with.

REALLY! Not the role of the Church to be the Christian factor in recover of one who is a physical addict, odd. Rather unloving as well, if it had not been for the grace and wisdom shown by my pastor as I came out from that shadow Hell, I would probably be dead. Have a nice day Madam.

I think you are reading something into my posts that simply does not exist. The OP was asking how the church can administer correction and restoration to long term addicts. That will involve prayer first and loving the person but may also involve the Session/Consistory referring the addict in a loving way to outside help (an inpatient or outpatient rehab group or a 12 step group). It means that church leaders know their limits and what they can and cannot provide to a person. I would expect the same kind of assistance for a person with any other medical condition. Of COURSE the role of the church IS SUPPOSED to be the Christian factor. Where did I say the church was not to be the Christian factor? I do think that the church can and must support addicts as much as they should support any other hurting person within the fellowship or a stranger.

 

[moral necessity]

So, we both seem to agree that the issue needs to be addressed, and that the person may need to be removed from certain functions in certain situations. And, we seem to be saying that wisdom and prudence needs to be used in how we go about minsitry to the person. It's not as easy as applying a 3-step formula and chalking his excommunication up to his rebellion.

I hope God provides many wise ministers for believers out dealing with the strongholds of sin, especially as in these latter days, the opportunities to be bound by such strongholds are nearer than before. I heard it said that the extent of knowledge that Jonathan Edwards knew of the world beyond his town, for his entire life, could be fit into a single newspaper. After the invention of electricity, the hours that people kept began to progress later into the evenings, and the opportunity for carousing increased, and time with family and wife was pushed aside, and the number of alcoholics and other addictions increased. We live in an age where options for our time are near immeasurable. And so, opportunities for sin are immeasurable as well. What used to be available only in the big city is now abailable in your own basement in front of the computer. The number of addictions will rise in accordance with the ease of availability, and as substances are often turned to during stressful situations and coping with relational problems, and are more readily available during such times. Extreme discernment is imperative for ministers, to decipher how to untangle the knots of sin.

That's why I brought this up, to see if any others have worked through these thoughts before, who have already been there in their ministry towards others. And, to see if they approach those with certain strongholds differently in regard to "church discipline".

Blessings to you all for your thoughts!