A ddictions of many kinds exist in today's society. Some 14 million people in the United States are addicted to alcohol alone. The Adventist Church, however, has not been quick to recognize or talk openly about addictions within its membership. Church leaders have found it particularly challenging to seek help for themselves or family members.
"As Seventh-day Adventists we tend to think these are somebody else's problems not ours so we are interested in 'fixing' other people rather than recognizing that we ourselves have an addiction," said Ray Nelson, coordinator of Adventist Regeneration Ministries a Christ-centered recovery program for addictions headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland. "We need to become better equipped as a church to help."
Nelson, who is also a pastor and the Church Ministries director for the Chesapeake Conference, noted that addictions can be physical, emotional, psychological, or physiological.
Nelson, who is also a pastor and the Church Ministries director for the Chesapeake Conference, noted that addictions can be physical, emotional, psychological, or physiological.
In July, an addiction conference is being sponsored by the North American Division (NAD) Health Ministries and Ministerial departments and the Adventist Theological Seminary. The goal of the conference is to raise awareness of addictions, both inside and outside the church, and to provide tools and resources for combating them. Focusing on both prevention and recovery, workshops will address food, gambling, sex, alcohol, and drug addictions, among others. It will also feature speakers who are professionals in their fields.
"Our intention is to assist our pastors, teachers, and others in creating safe places for them and their members or students to be able to share in a confidential way, and to know that they can find help," Nelson explained. "There are answers, and there are resources available to help them."
We live in an addictive society," NAD Health Ministries director DeWS. Williams explains. "No matter what profession you are in, addictions abecomingmuch more prevalent, and we believe this conference will provicthe tools needed for our members not only to overcome any addictio they may personally have but also to help others overcome theirs. It's feveryone pastors, teachers, lay members, health professionals, studentAll can benefit."
For more information or to register, go to www.plusline.org/events.php call 1-800-732-7587.
Sandra Blackmer, NEWS EDITOR OF Adventist World
