About Counselor and Clergy Resources
Counselor and Clergy Resources was organized to provide counselors and clergy with tools that support clinical and ministry skill in addressing substance misuse and dependence as it affects individuals and families. Of particular interest are problems that children and adolescents have in coping with parents or other adult family members who are addicted.
When hardships develop in families and by individuals due to substance misuse, clergy and other pastoral ministers in faith groups are often called upon for help. The willingness of pastoral caregivers to lend spiritual support is without question, yet they may find themselves under-prepared to assist families who are affected by the painful difficulties addiction disease presents.
Clergy and congregational pastoral ministers need:
- An understanding about substance misuse, chemical dependence and addiction.
- Information on the affects of substance dependence upon family members.
- Guidance about the ministry steps in giving pastoral care, and the actions to avoid.
- Recognition of the signs of addiction, and when and where to refer family members and chemically-involved persons for professional help.
- Knowledge of community-based recovery support resources.
- Awareness about how pastoral ministry with addicted persons and their families can benefit the general community.
- Sensitivity to the spiritual benefits from guiding a faith group toward a supportive attitude and caring ministry to families and individuals with addiction.
The self-guided course Studies in the Twelve Core Competencies for Clergy and Other Pastoral Ministers helps ministry caregivers to become more informed and skillfully prepared in responding to the problem of addiction with individuals and within families. Without focus on a particular faith group, the study course presents the realistic face of addiction and the devastating impacts on adults, adolescents and children, while giving guidance for pastoral care about this very human problem.