I Am Here to Claim My Seat

The gift of coalitions

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women leading a group of people

My life through seminary and into the pulpit has been one of struggles with mental health and addiction. I had to learn ministry and caring for those suffering from mental health issues by traveling on a difficult road. No matter what, I would not trade my path for an easier or softer way. It has helped me become the minister that I am today.

A big part of this journey was meeting Bill, a friend in recovery and a man in his 80s who still had a spark to help any addict in need. When I first met Bill, I was working the Alcoholic Anonymous program. Knowing that I was a pastor, he asked me about a plan that he had to get the various bishops of West Virginia (WV) together, wondering if I could talk with my bishop about substance use disorder prevention.

I was thinking to myself: “I have been a pastor for two to three years; what can I offer?” Over the next year, Bill’s encounter with my bishop and other church leaders that my bishop brought to the table was amazing to witness. There was no plan given to the church leaders except do what you know to do. Bill trusted those with concerns around addiction.

In this action, group consciousness occurred. It was something amazing to witness one man bring a group of people together with no other goal except that we need to do something about the opioid epidemic and prevention. I just watched as the Faith Team of the Impact Coalition reignited.

Group consciousness in the Impact Coalition

The Impact Coalition is a group of individuals and organizations working together to deal with the impact of the opioid epidemic and substance use disorder. There are multiple teams working in the coalition. 

With the emergence of a more dedicated Faith Team, Bishop Ralph Dunkin and Reverend Jeff Allen (Director of WV Council of Churches) worked together with the Impact Coalition and other faith leaders to develop the WV Day of Hope. 

Watching them work on a plan and organize a goal of having events across the state was powerful. The Holy Spirit was definitely at work. The Day of Hope reached out to the Governor’s Office and the Mayor of Wheeling’s Office for proclamations. One of the members of the reinvigorated Faith Team was a City Council Member. It was a beautiful demonstration of coalitions at work.

Technique: Motivational interviewing

While I was there in the beginning, my personal involvement with this group increased as I wrote the litany of prayers in the past and started the 12 Steps Recovery Awareness Mass for the local group of pastors in Wheeling, West Virginia, as our response to the Day of Hope. The opportunity for substance use prevention ministry emerged here for me.

In addition, I began to learn a new language through motivational interviewing. It taught me that people truly do want help with addictions, yet it takes learning new techniques to increase the ability to help people more effectively. This led me to taking multiple courses with Sky Kerschner out of Charleston, West Virginia.

As someone looking to help people recover from addiction and prevent others from addiction, this new skill set was helpful in giving me a new outlook. One video that still resonates with me about motivational interviewing is called “It’s Not About the Nail.” As you watch this video, it becomes obvious to an observer that the nail in the forehead is the problem, so let’s remove the nail from the forehead. We have to care for the individual with the nail, before we can even converse about the nail with them. This really gave me insight into helping others with addiction. Helping involves learning a new language and caring for the person first, not trying to fix their problem.

This blossoming allowed me to grow into new roles in ministry, leading to panel discussions on the opioid crisis and plenty of opportunities in ministry.

What I had learned from Bill was a simple thing: different individuals need to be at the table to work with each other. I don’t have to control the outcome, yet bringing people together is the key of coalition and group consciousness. The power of this approach involves understanding that one party doesn’t have all the tools to resolve the issue. By working together we are able to go a long way. That is often when the Holy Spirit shows up.

Technique: Seek out people already involved

From my experience, strength, and hope, I have moved on from West Virginia to Ohio. These principles have helped me become involved in homelessness issues and mental health issues in Wilmington. What I learned is: If your heart is in these issues, it is wise to pursue the people already involved in discovering solutions. Currently I have emerged as chair of the local homelessness coalition. My previous coalition work has helped me. This has allowed me to participate in 12 Steps ministry and  recovery awareness in Wilmington.

Where might you start? Follow your heart to the people already engaged in mental health issues and ministries. It is possible there is a coalition near you. If not, seek out homeless ministries as they are already working on these issues. There may be opportunities and most are looking for help. 

Work to find where the table is. In recovery rooms, there is a phrase, that “I am here to claim my seat.” Once you find your seat, listen for opportunities to grow, to learn and to help. Claiming our seat is about showing up and knowing that we belong in this room of healing, then letting God do the work.

The power of the Holy Spirit through group consciousness is mind blowing to watch. The whole Day of Hope and reinvigorated Faith Team started with one man bringing people to the table knowing that they could address the problem. They were willing as a team to let go of the outcome, and to trust God. When we do this, the Spirit will surprise us. This is truly the gift of coalitions.

  • Joel Richter

    Pastor Joel Richter serves a congregation in Wilmington, Ohio. It has been a wonderful surprise and blessing in his career to have worked with people on the edge of the street, suffering from addictions and other mental illnesses. He is also a trained Spiritual Director in the Franciscan Tradition.

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