Approach to Ministry
The Stauros Foundation does not have a set programme for alcoholics or drugs addicts to follow. Instead we endeavour to adopt the general principles of pastoral care that Jesus used in dealing with people. He never ministered in a predetermined way, but rather took each one as an individual. This is not to say that He did not have a clear goal, or that He had no direction in His conversations. He seemed to adopt fundamental principles which allowed Him flexibility in dealing with various situations. Jesus didn't have a programme, but He did have an approach, a way with people. It is our belief that any Christian can, with God's help, reach out effectively to people who have addictions, because it is God who alone can change a person's heart and mind, bring healing to past hurts, forgiveness for past sins and power to live as He intended.
The
Stauros approach seeks to apply the principles of pastoral care found in
the Bible in a way that demonstrates the love and character of God. This
approach can be outlined in four steps:
- Being clear about the precise role of the person offering pastoral support or care
- Building as clear a picture as possible of a contact's physical, mental, emotional, social, moral and spiritual condition
- Prioritising issues to be "worked through" prayerfully to bring release, healing and victory over time
- To evangelise and ultimately disciple a person in the Christian faith to help them "Stay on track"
Once
an addict is clean or sober the true needs become clear, just like the picture
of the iceberg seven eighths of the problem is under water. That which is
above the water is what people see, the drinking, drug taking, gambling
etc. Below the surface lies the unresolved difficulties that support their
addiction.
Dealing with the drug problem is not just getting the person off the drug, it is identifying the problems that, if left buried will soon result in relapse and a return to past methods of coping.
Understanding addiction is one thing, but dealing with the myriad of reasons why people take drugs is quite another. The reasons people start to dabble can differ from the reasons that an addict continues to drink or use. From teenage experimentation to complex self-esteem or guilt issues, these reasons will differ from individual to individual. Getting people sober or clean is the first step to recovery, dealing with the underlying problems is another.
Stauros, with God's help, seeks to befriend the addict and to identify the areas which keep them in bondage to their addiction. The triggers, which if unresolved can lead to relapse, are defused through biblical teaching, one to one ministry and discipleship. It's not a question of getting them sober, it's a directive from the Lord Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations. Bringing men and women to the cross where the variety of need prevalent in our society today can be met in the experience of conversion to Jesus Christ.
Our Aims
- To promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ
- To evangelise, help and offer fellowship to those suffering and recovering from addiction, to their families and to any one else who feels they could benefit from our straight forward and practical approach
- To educate society in general and the Christian Church in particular, about the dangers of all drugs used in a social or recreational way
- To train the local Christian churches to initiate the Stauros model of ministry as part of their programme
- To encourage a witness of abstinence from the social or recreational use of all drugs, including alcohol
- To promote a society free from drug dependence