Post 94
PART I:
TRIED AND
TRUE OUTREACH TO GAMBLERS & LOVED ONES
WITHIN THE FAITH COMMUNITY
With the growing number of persons completing the 4-Module Trainings toward IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister
Certification,** interest in ideas for individual Class Projects is
mounting. A side note,
here, is that instead of a written final
examination, one of the requirements for certification is an originally designed
and completed Class Project, compatible with the areas of gambling addiction
prevention, education, awareness, and spiritual outreach care.
May's edition of the GRM Blog highlights ideas that include the
goals of this certification that can be achieved within the actual faith-based
community. Next month, Part 2 will feature
ideas for outreach to the community, in general.
ALL OF THESE IDEAS CAN BE UTILIZED WITHIN PLACES OF WORSHIP even
if you are not going for IGCCB Certification!
(** International Gambling Counselor
Certification Board: Clergy/Lay Minister Certification in
Gambling Addiction Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Spiritual Outreach
Care)
WHAT CAN I AND MY FAITH
COMMUNITY DO?
SPIRITUAL OUTREACH
POSSIBILITIES
With
the Clergy/Lay Ministers Certification, it is basically important that
spiritual outreach to the faith community be a key focus. Below is a listing of ideas to help engage
faith-based communities in understanding and ministering to persons impacted by
problem gambling and recovery issues.
- · Publish news and informational items in your faith-based community’s newsletter and/or worship bulletin
· Initiate a confidential prayer group specifically formed to pray for persons
impacted by addiction
· Invite Speakers from GA and/or Gam-Anon for programs
·
Invite GA and/or Gam-Anon Speakers to give their testimonies of recovery during
Worship Service(s)
·
Initiate 12 Step Ministries: Sunday/Sabbath Day Classes, Support Groups,
Sacred Writings/Bible Studies
·
List GA and Gam-Anon Hotlines in worship bulletins/newsletters
·
List GA and Gam-Anon Meetings in worship bulletins/newsletters
·
Welcome
GA and Gam-Anon Meetings to be held in your faith-based
facility
·
Set up a “Free Library” with brochures, pamphlets, fact sheets, etc., about
problem gambling and recovery (and possibly other addictions too)
· Set up a Lending Library of books, CDs, and other reference materials
featuring recovery from gambling addiction
·
Preach
a sermon/series of sermons on 12 Steps, including information
about gambling addiction and recovery issues within these Steps
·
Present a special report about problem
gambling and recovery issues to your faith community’s social concerns committee
·
Create and facilitate a special “Recovery Service” for a regular
worship service or special worship service
· Provide problem gambling information
materials to parish nursing staff
members
Final Note!
Each of the above ideas
can generate hope and help to persons affected by problem gambling – directly
and indirectly. Even a Helpline
notice regularly appearing in a corner of a Worship Bulletin says volumes! Those in attendance see the faithful
message: you’re not hopeless; you don’t have to stay stuck; here is help; try it
and call for help!
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
For more information on
problem gambling and recovery, visit:
