Pastoring in the Context of Addictions
Thursday, November 20, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
How does a pastor provide pastoral care in the context of addictions? How does one provide appropriate care both to those exhibiting addictive behaviors and to others in the congregation affected by these addictions?
This daylong workshop will pay special attention to psychological understandings of addictions, theological reflection on the issue, appropriate pastoral responses, effects of addictive behaviors on congregational dynamics, and related available resources.
Presenter
Brice H. Balmer, D. Min., is Chaplaincy Director at House of Friendship in Kitchener, Ontario, and teaches occasionally at AMBS. In his chaplaincy role he developed and oversees a program of spiritual discovery groups for clients of House of Friendship, a non-profit agency specializing in addiction, community and family services. Brice earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Toronto School of Theology, where a significant focus of his work was male sexuality and spirituality, with a special emphasis on addiction.
Schedule
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Waltner Hall Lounge, with hot drinks provided. The Event begins at 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
| Time | Description | Location |
| 8:30 a.m. | Registration with hot drinks provided | Waltner Hall Lounge |
| 9:00 | Session 1 | TBA |
| 10:15 | Break | Waltner Hall Lounge |
| 10:30 | Session 2 | TBA |
| 11:45 | Lunch | Lambright Center Dining Hall |
| 1:00 p.m. | Session 3 | TBA |
| 3:00 | Dismissal |
Cost
Registration
$70 before November 4, 2008
$60 each, for three or more from one congregation, before November 4, 2008
$80 after November 4, 2008
Lunch
Lunch is available for an additional $5.00. Please pre-register for lunch or plan to eat off campus.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available for those who wish to attend this workshop. MMA, Goshen, Ind., provides grants to qualified Mennonite congregations for the pastor’s continuing education
opportunities.
Continuing Education Units
Participants earn 0.4 CEUs for attending this event.
Registration
Extreme Situations in the Congregation Series
This event is part of a series planned for pastors, exploring issues from the perspective of congregational dynamics. For information on upcoming events in the Pastoral Care Continuing Education Series, visit www.ambs.edu/programs-institutes/clc/workshops/extreme-situations. All pastors are invited and welcome to attend.
This continuing education event is offered in cooperation with Central District Conference and Indiana-Michigan Conference.
Questions?
Contact the Church Leadership Center
(574) 296-6269
ChurchLeadership@ambs.edu