From the desk of the Executive Director: August 2011
August 2, 2011 by admin · View 3 Comments
Greetings!
I appreciate conversation; I am not a big fan of monologue. So it is with cautious delight that I announce the availability of a book that Liz Swanson and I co-authored: Bridges to Grace. After extensive interviews with over two hundred recovery ministry leaders, Liz and I set out to begin a conversation by writing a book.
Conversations are lovely starting points, but at the NACR we are committed to moving beyond talk to action. I hope you will read Bridges to Grace and then join us on November 7th and 8th, 2011 in Dallas, Texas at an event we have dubbed “breathe” (click here to read more and to register). Space is limited. This isn’t a stereotypical conference where we try to cram as many people as possible into a large room and funnel copious information and inspirational messages into the listener’s ear. Our purpose is to gather a small number of passionate providers of services to the disenfranchised, marginalized, and suffering souls in our communities. Pastors, recovery ministry leaders, therapists – anyone who believes that they wake up each morning with a dream to tear off a corner of darkness in the world are invited to this conversation. We hope to provide attendees with:
- A space for reflection; a spiritual “time out” for those who spend time serving others.
- Opportunities for conversation and connecting; ministry can be both isolating and lonely.
- Inspiration that births renewed energy, creativity and opens us up to new ways of imagining our place in God’s story; it is easy to stagnate as we are daily assaulted by the tyranny of the urgent.
- An overview of the six key initiatives of the National Association for Christian Recovery. We hope that some who attend will leave the conference committed to joining us in providing resources, training and hope to recovery ministry leaders and other frontline responders to the addicted and their loved ones.
I learned recently about Maurice Ashley. He plays chess well. He was the first African American to be named an International Chess Grandmaster and he has leveraged this fame to collaborate and build networks for the greater good – including teaching disadvantaged kids life lessons as they learn the game of chess. I know that no one is going to name any of the front line responders doing recovery ministry a “grand” anything – but I do think we can come to a meeting of the minds and help one another improve our collective serve. Join us, not just for “breathe”, but also for a challenge – let’s seek to work together to provide accessible resources and sustainable ministries for anyone in need of recovery.
Blessings,
Teresa J. McBean,
Executive Director,
National Association for Christian Recovery
