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Addicted to Planting?

Church for addicts

This issue tells a story from Branson, Missouri in the US. Often referred to as the methamphetamine capital of the US, Branson's entertainment industry with its endless motels and restaurants draws alcoholics and drug addicts from all over the mid-west who can enjoy a three or four day drug or alcohol binge and know they can find work at the end of it. 

In 1998, Church Army USA sent in a pioneer leader to gather a team and establish a ministry to respond to this need. Since then, recovery workshops, recovery houses and a church for recovering alcoholics and addicts have been established. Their use of the AA 12 step programme in full, drawing on the original Christian teaching behind its conception, has been fundamental to their work. Admitting powerlessness, owning up to wrong doing, making amends and living to support others in need of recovery are all key stages in the process of an individual's recovery. 

The new church have had to grow from scratch authentic community that can cope with the demands of this kind of ministry; indigenous leadership that knows how an addict's mind works and methods of discipleship that won't break an already fragile person's spirit. These are a group of people who face their mess and brokenness daily but also experience God's forgiveness and grace daily. Order this issue which not only suggests ways forward for those working with recovering addicts but asks whether this is a kind of fresh expression of church that should challenge us all.