Addiction, Recovery and the Church – Writing Contest

by Dr. Marilyn Elliott, Vice President for Spiritual Formation

The heartbreaking impact of addiction and compulsive behavior affects almost every family and community in America. The World Health Organization listed addiction as the number one health risk in the world. Seminary students and their families are not exempt from this struggle. Recent surveys revealed almost half of incoming students self identify as struggling with compulsive behaviors.

Asbury is committed to the formation of “sanctified, Spirit-filled” graduates who will impact the church and the world in life-giving ways. The process of formation often involves a personal journey of recovery and learning a new way of living.  Dealing with one’s own compulsive behaviors before entering leadership or ministry is paramount to future success.

For students who do not personally know the struggle with compulsion and addiction, ministry engagement will soon necessitate a deep understanding of addiction issues and tools to help engage those whose lives are impacted in all kinds of ways.

God is the God of the Exodus, bringing people out of slavery and into glorious freedom. Many of us know this from experience. Maybe you have a story which needs to be told.

September 16 – 20, during Holiness Week on the Wilmore campus, the spotlight will shine on Addiction, Recovery and the Church.  Our guests for the week are Kitty Harris, Dale Ryan, and Matthew Russell, each having noteworthy engagement in the area of recovery. Google these folks and read their heart and ministry in the field of recovery.

We want to engage our alumni in this focused week. We want to hear your stories.

Alumni Writing Contest:

Submit a paper, no more than 1000 words, on one of the following two categories. (Entries to both topics may be submitted.)

Category one – the story of my personal journey of recovery from addiction

Category two – the story of building a ministry of recovery in my local ministry setting

Prizes: One paper from each category will be chosen for presentation at the ‘Consultation on Addiction and Recovery’ being held in the morning of Wednesday, September 18^th. The author of the paper will receive transportation, lodging and board for (all or any part of) Holiness Week to enable them to read their paper to the community during that event.

Papers can be submitted to alumni@asburyseminary.edu until September 7^th.

All papers received will be posted on Seedbed as a resource and inspiration for others.