Robert H Albers

This book explores the relationship of clergy to Twelve Step programs. Field research of pastors in the Florida Keys found that they are unsure if addiction is a disease or a sin, and whether the Twelve Steps are based on Christianity. Lessons learned include the validity of both traditional Twelve Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Christ-centered programs such as Celebrate Recovery, the coherence of sin and disease explanations of addiction, and the significance of modern addiction theory. The specific outcome of this study is the development of a course syllabus for clergy on addiction recovery through Twelve Step philosophy. ""The consequence of this carefully designed research project is to extrapolate from what was learned, to create a syllabus that takes into consideration the history, the scientific research done on addiction and recovery as well as the theological framework articulated from a Christian perspective. The author does an excellent job of defining his intent and purpose and providing data from his research to make a strong case for educating clergy who are on the front lines of this battle with one of the nation's most devastating problems."" --Robert H. Albers, Distinguished Visiting Professor of Pastoral Care at United Theological Seminary, Twin Cities ""Anonymous Christians is a valuable resource for pastors and Christian educators seeking to better understand, and partner with, Twelve Step groups in the support of individuals struggling with addiction. Through his research and writing, Hudson has provided us with a long-awaited, much-needed guide to better equip current and future church leaders."" --Julie Russo, Program Director of the Counseling Department, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School ""Hudson's long personal engagement in addiction-recovery ministry has enabled a thoughtful and articulate history and field study of the church's use of the Twelve Step addiction model. Readers will find not only biblical, theological, and historical context for the subject, but loads of critical reflection and application for their own work and teaching in addiction-recovery."" --James R. Moore, Associate Professor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School ""A much needed, hope filled and readily accessible resource for equipping pastors to address one of the most challenging epidemics of our day. A gift to the Church "" --Bill Donahue, Director of Professional Doctoral Programs, Trinity International University Herbert E. Hudson IV, known to friends as Terry, is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister residing in Key Largo, Florida. He has engaged in a parachurch addiction-recovery ministry for forty-five years. He also has a background as an educator, is a professor emeritus from SUNY at Cortland, and currently serves as an adjunct professor at Trinity International University. Dr. Hudson holds a DMin degree from Trinity Evangelical and Divinity School.

This book explores the relationship of clergy to Twelve Step programs. Field research of pastors in the Florida Keys found that they are unsure if addiction is a disease or a sin, and whether the Twelve Steps are based on Christianity. Lessons learned include the validity of both traditional Twelve Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Christ-centered programs such as Celebrate Recovery, the coherence of sin and disease explanations of addiction, and the significance of modern addiction theory. The specific outcome of this study is the development of a course syllabus for clergy on addiction recovery through Twelve Step philosophy. ""The consequence of this carefully designed research project is to extrapolate from what was learned, to create a syllabus that takes into consideration the history, the scientific research done on addiction and recovery as well as the theological framework articulated from a Christian perspective. The author does an excellent job of defining his intent and purpose and providing data from his research to make a strong case for educating clergy who are on the front lines of this battle with one of the nation's most devastating problems."" --Robert H. Albers, Distinguished Visiting Professor of Pastoral Care at United Theological Seminary, Twin Cities ""Anonymous Christians is a valuable resource for pastors and Christian educators seeking to better understand, and partner with, Twelve Step groups in the support of individuals struggling with addiction. Through his research and writing, Hudson has provided us with a long-awaited, much-needed guide to better equip current and future church leaders."" --Julie Russo, Program Director of the Counseling Department, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School ""Hudson's long personal engagement in addiction-recovery ministry has enabled a thoughtful and articulate history and field study of the church's use of the Twelve Step addiction model. Readers will find not only biblical, theological, and historical context for the subject, but loads of critical reflection and application for their own work and teaching in addiction-recovery."" --James R. Moore, Associate Professor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School ""A much needed, hope filled and readily accessible resource for equipping pastors to address one of the most challenging epidemics of our day. A gift to the Church "" --Bill Donahue, Director of Professional Doctoral Programs, Trinity International University Herbert E. Hudson IV, known to friends as Terry, is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister residing in Key Largo, Florida. He has engaged in a parachurch addiction-recovery ministry for forty-five years. He also has a background as an educator, is a professor emeritus from SUNY at Cortland, and currently serves as an adjunct professor at Trinity International University. Dr. Hudson holds a DMin degree from Trinity Evangelical and Divinity School.

Those who are afflicted as well as those who are adversely affected by mental illness often live lives of "quiet desperation" without recourse to appropriate assistance. Most caregivers confronted with these illnesses in the work of ministry have had no training or accurate information about mental illnesses, so frequently they do nothing, resulting in further harm and damage. Others may operate out of a theological system that does not adequately account for the nature, severity, or treatment of these illnesses. In Ministry with Persons with Mental Illness and Their Families, Second Edition, psychiatrists and pastoral theologians come together in an interdisciplinary, collaborative effort to ensure accuracy of information concerning the medical dimensions of mental illness, interpret these illnesses from a faith perspective, and make suggestions relative to effective ministry. Readers will learn how science and a faith tradition can not only co-exist but work in tandem to alleviate the pain of the afflicted and affected.

In this new guidebook, designated as one of the Top Ten Books of the Year for 1996 by The Journal of the Academy of Parish Clergy, author Robert H. Albers provides both an analysis of and a Biblical and theological reflection upon the human experience of disgrace shame. Albers approaches the subject from a pastoral perspective from which he makes suggestions on how this phenomenon can be dealt with from the background of a faith tradition. He develops and explores new and existing valuable conceptual and pastoral resources to aid people in dealing effectively with the debilitating experiences of disgrace shame.Shame: A Faith Perspective is unique in that it incorporates deliberate theological reflection upon the human experience of disgrace shame. Its value is in ”naming” this phenomenon, analyzing it, and identifying the resources for dealing effectively with this experience. It assists clergy and counselors in identifying this phenomenon and provides conceptual and practical suggestions on how to deal most effectively with disgrace shame. Clergy as well as laypeople can find answers to their questions about the nature of shame and become better equipped to facilitate the process of healing.Utilizing the findings of social sciences, the author provides specific information on shame including:Distinctions between shame and guilt Distinctions between ”discretionary” shame and ”disgrace” shame Identification of the dynamics of disgrace shame Analysis of the defenses used in dealing with disgrace shame Identification of the resources available from the Judeo-Christian tradition in reflecting theologically on the issue of disgrace shame Suggestions for ways in which disgrace shame might be dismantled from the perspective of faithFor parish pastors and priests, counselors and therapists, seminary professors teaching pastoral care, and nonordained people within the Christian community, Shame: A Faith Perspective provides a theologically informed method for addressing issues of disgrace shame. Readers can begin to distinguish between guilt and shame in human experience, search out theological resources for understanding, and learn to deal effectively with the experience of disgrace shame.

In this new guidebook, designated as one of the Top Ten Books of the Year for 1996 by The Journal of the Academy of Parish Clergy, author Robert H. Albers provides both an analysis of and a Biblical and theological reflection upon the human experience of disgrace shame. Albers approaches the subject from a pastoral perspective from which he makes suggestions on how this phenomenon can be dealt with from the background of a faith tradition. He develops and explores new and existing valuable conceptual and pastoral resources to aid people in dealing effectively with the debilitating experiences of disgrace shame.Shame: A Faith Perspective is unique in that it incorporates deliberate theological reflection upon the human experience of disgrace shame. Its value is in ”naming” this phenomenon, analyzing it, and identifying the resources for dealing effectively with this experience. It assists clergy and counselors in identifying this phenomenon and provides conceptual and practical suggestions on how to deal most effectively with disgrace shame. Clergy as well as laypeople can find answers to their questions about the nature of shame and become better equipped to facilitate the process of healing.Utilizing the findings of social sciences, the author provides specific information on shame including:Distinctions between shame and guilt Distinctions between ”discretionary” shame and ”disgrace” shame Identification of the dynamics of disgrace shame Analysis of the defenses used in dealing with disgrace shame Identification of the resources available from the Judeo-Christian tradition in reflecting theologically on the issue of disgrace shame Suggestions for ways in which disgrace shame might be dismantled from the perspective of faithFor parish pastors and priests, counselors and therapists, seminary professors teaching pastoral care, and nonordained people within the Christian community, Shame: A Faith Perspective provides a theologically informed method for addressing issues of disgrace shame. Readers can begin to distinguish between guilt and shame in human experience, search out theological resources for understanding, and learn to deal effectively with the experience of disgrace shame.