Atlanta University Center DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center ETD Collection for AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library 4-1-2013 The church and alcoholism: a model for empowering Rivertown United Methodist Church to address the addiction of alcohol Rev. Steven D. Jones Interdenominational Theological Center Follow this and additional works at:http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations Part of theReligion Commons Recommended Citation Jones, Rev. Steven D., "The church and alcoholism: a model for empowering Rivertown United Methodist Church to address the addiction of alcohol" (2013).ETD Collection for AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library.Paper 2781. This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center. It has been accepted for inclusion in ETD Collection for AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center. For more information, please [email protected]. THE CHURCH AND ALCOHOLISM: A MODEL FOR EMPOWERING RIVERTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO ADDRESS THE ADDICTION OF ALCOHOL by Rev. Steven D. Jones Bachelor ofArts, Beulah Heights University, 1997 Master of Divinity, Interdenominational Theological Center, 2002 A Doctoral Dissertation submitted to the Faculties ofthe Schools of the Atlanta Theological Association in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements ofthe degree of Doctor of Ministry at Interdenominational Theological Center 2013 ABSTRACT THE CHURCH AND ALCOHOLISM: A MODEL FOR EMPOWERING RIVERTOWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO ADDRESS THE ADDICTION OF ALCOHOL by Steven 0. Jones April 2013 This Doctor of Ministry project is a study of A Model for Empowering Rivertown United Methodist Church (UMC) to Address the Addiction ofAlcohol in the church and the surrounding community. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate to Rivertown UMC and Rocky Head UMC how churches can reach out to the addicted community in order to assist the alcoholics with recovery from their addictions. This project will address the problems of alcohol addiction. The project includes members of Rivertown UMC, Rocky Head UMC and Rama Community Church of Palmetto, Georgia. The project was designed and implemented by the researcher. The project consisted of seven sessions of structured experiences at Rivertown UMC and three training sessions. Two of the training meetings were held at Brookhaven UMC located in Northeast Atlanta, Georgia, where Don Shannon leads three alcohol and drug recovery groups. V All other meetings were conducted at Rivertown UMC. The study has shown that a transformed church can impact the alcohol addicted community in an important and potentially transforming manner. The results of the model were evaluated by qualitative analysis and have shown that the participants grew in positive self image, self-confidence and self-worth. The Alcohol Recovery Project has provided a model of ministry that will continue to be active after the implementation and completion of this project. vi DEDICATION I thank God for the college education journey that began in 1963 at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where I was a student. Let me thank my aunt, Esther Jones, who helped me pay my tuition and student fees of $250.00. I dedicate this work to my mother, Naomi Jones, who encouraged me to attend college. I also dedicate this work to my grandfather William D. Jones, my brother Paul C. Jones, and my three aunts: Esther Jones, 93 years young; Ruth Jones, 90 years young and Marion Brooks, 98 years young. I also dedicate this work to my children Stephanie D. Jones, Zaneta N. Jones, Steven D. Jones II, and to the churches I have served: Rivertown UMC Fairburn, Georgia; Rocky Head UMC Atlanta, Georgia; St. Mary’s Road UMC Columbus, Georgia; Fairview Pine Log UMC, Pine Log, Georgia; Kaigler’s Chapel UMC Adairsville, Georgia; and Greater Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church, Decatur Georgia. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The researcher acknowledges all the wonderful church members and friends who have given him support and encouragement. I acknowledge and thank my wife, Linda Jones, who worked tirelessly to support my ministry at Kaigler’s Chapel in Adairsville, Georgia and Fairview Pine Log UMC in Rydal, Georgia. I thank God for the United Methodist Church and the wonderful people in the North and South Georgia Conferences. I would like to thank Bishop Watson, Bishop Davis, Bishop Swanson and Bishop Holston for giving me the chance to pastor as a full-time elder. I would also like to acknowledge the following people: Dr. Fred Smoot for allowing me to be a part of the Chaplaincy Program of the North Georgia Conference; Rev. Dr. Walter Kimbrough, Rev. Dr. Arutha Goss, Rev. Dr. Greg Williams, Rev. Emile Ennis, Rev. John Nash, Rev. Crawford Paggeff, Rev. Dr. Hubert F. Sheppard, and Rev. Dr. Deborah Holloway. Let me express my sincere gratitude also to Dr. Stephen Rasor, Dr. Marsha Snulligan-Haney, Mrs. Melody Berry and the entire Doctor of Ministry Department for supporting this endeavor. VIII TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT v . DEDICATION vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS viii Chapter I INTRODUCTION I a. Motivation for the Study 2 b. Historical and Personal History 4 c. Relationship ofthe Ministry Issue to the Author’s Model of Ministry 6 d. Contribution to the Local Congregation and the Church Universal 8 Chapter II THE MINISTRY CONTEXT 9 a. The Community 9 b. The Churches 9 c. The Ministry Issue 11 d. Motivation for the Research 12 Chapter III LITERATURE REVIEW and PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 14 Empirical Literature Review as it Relates to Problem Areas 14 Chapter IV DETAILED EMPIRICAL LITERATURE REVIEWS 17 Review of Gerald May’s Work 17 Review of Cecil Williams’ Work 24 Review of Stephen P. Apthorp’s Work 29 Review of Bucky Dann’s Work 31 x Review of Stephanie Brown and Virginia Lewis’ Work 34 Review of Ronald L. Rogers and Candler McMilIin’s Work 35 Review of Andrew Weaver’s and Harold Koenig’s Work 36 Transformational Learning 38 Summary of Detailed Empirical Literature Reviews 39 Biblical and Theological Reviews 41 Biblical Review 42 Theological Literature Review 54 Summary of Biblical and Theological Reviews 57 Chapter V THE MINISTRY PROJECT 60 A. Project Implementation Phase 60 1. Team Organization 62 2. Brookhaven Recovery Ministry 63 3. Celebration Recovery Ministry, Lithonia Georgia 65 4. Celebration Recovery Ministry Outline 66 5. Celebration Recovery 12 Steps and Scripture 67 6. Celebration Recovery 8 Principles 69 7. Assessment of Celebration Recovery Meeting 70 8. Rivertown UMC Alcohol Recovery Meeting Program Outline 72 9. Financing the Project 73 10. Resources used to Implement the Program 73 11. Other Resources Provided by Rivertown UMC and Rocky Head UMC 74 12. Ministry to the Community 74 13. Pantry Cabinet at Rivertown UMC 74 14. GOALS AND TIME Lines for Ministry Activities 75 xi B. Project Evaluation Phase 75 1. Reflection on the Work Done 76 2. Whatwas learned? 76 3. What might have been done differently9 77 4. What would strengthen the project’ 78 Chapter VI Summary and Conclusions 79 Proposed Next Steps 79 Conclusions 80 APPENDIXES 83 A. Don Shannon Brookhaven UMC 84 B. Rivertown UMC Alcohol Recovery Program Meetings 88 C. Celebration Recovery Power of Purpose Christian Center 91 D. U.S. Dept. of Health Alcohol Alert, Under Age Drinking 96 E. Christopher Kennedy Lawford Kick Any Habit Manage Any Addiction 102 F. CDC Vital Signs Bing Drinking 105 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 110 Xii