Post 61
Declining
Churches and Ministry to GamblersThis month, we are celebrating our one year anniversary of establishing a resource ministry "outpost" at Christ Ministry Center in San Diego, California. It's a modest start ... but from the beginning, Rev. Dr. Bill Jenkins, CMC Director, has referred to our two fully stocked mini-libraries (located within the Center) as the "West Coast Headquarters for Gambling Recovery Ministries".
(see GRM Blog Post 42 at www.grmumc.org )
Throughout the year, I have appreciated Bill's encouraging support and welcome mat to GRM. Not long ago, he extended - again - a welcome for Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon Meetings to meet at the Center. Actually, we toured several nice rooms that would be quite suitable and very accommodating for weekly meetings. As we walked the halls and visited the spaces, the vision of a resource center - with room for meetings, consultations, drop-in discussions and a library brimming with free take-home materials on problem gambling - filled my mind. Now, I am committing this to concerted prayer ... that the Lord will bring the people and resources together to create such a center of outreach and safe harbor to seek help for recovery.
In the early ‘90’s, before God’s Call for me to enter the ministry, I was actively involved in mission at the parish level. My pastor, at the time, shared with me a personal revelation, derived from scripture: without a vision, the people perish. Before “visioning” ever became pop terminology, I was asked to head up a “Vision Committee” for our local church. We met regularly for almost two years with amazing discussions and planning sessions. It was an experience that, later, encouraged me, as a pastor, to utilize visioning in church settings and with Gambling Recovery Ministries. Now – again – I pray for God’s visions: for GRM and the new Clergy/Lay Ministers Certification program of the American Compulsive Gambling Counselor Certification Board (see Post 60 of the GRM Blog www.grmumc.org ).
Back to Christ Ministry Center … the facility was not always a multi-use/multi-ministry/multi-church neighborhood center. The original structure, built during the 1950’s, housed First Evangelical United Brethren Church of San Diego, a mega church for its time. Fast forward fifty years, along with church membership dwindling to the point of serious door-closing discussions, the call for visioning came. Yes, eventually the Church discontinued in 2011 AND yes, Christ Ministry Center was born to bring hope, help, love, care, and resurrection-power to all entering the doors. Now, CMC is the home for 12 churches and multiple ministries and agencies of help - including Gambling Recovery Ministries!
So I continue to pray for vision – not mine, but God’s. How can GRM most effectively serve problem gamblers and their loved ones, not only in San Diego and Indiana, but wherever those impacted by gambling addiction are? Will you join me in prayer … for Divine vision and direction … to expand this pioneering outreach of hope and help … to those on the margins of care.
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
NOTE!! The recent, fascinating article “Officially Closed, but Open to New Ministry” on Christ Ministry Center has been written by Linda Bloom, foremost journalist for the United Methodist News Service (national/international audience). A thumbnail history describing Dr. Bill Jenkins’ work with the Center’s development is an excellent read. The message of hope and resurrection is evident and the tone is clearly one of inspiration! Included, as well, is Dr. Jenkins’ listing of advisory suggestions for those considering the re-birthing of a “dying” church. Check it out!
To read the article, visit:
www.umc.org/news-and-media/officially-closed-but-open-to-new-ministry
For more information about Christ United Methodist Ministry Center, go to www.christsd.com
