Cleverley Easter
RLGN 489-D01
Leadership Development Strategy
Liberty University
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Introduction
Successful leadership development may seem so simple to start and support. If you are
successful, your role in leadership might go unnoticed. Leadership evolves in stages, in this
paper it will discuss the stages and footwork that goes into leadership development of a Women’s
faith-based rehabilitation facility. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 best describes leadership for my field;
“Dear sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you
and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their
work. And live peacefully with each other.”
Philosophy
The Philosophy behind a faith-based rehabilitation center and leadership, is a non-profit,
Christ-centered program dedicated to helping women break free and heal from the effects of
alcohol and drug addiction. There are many beliefs used to study and describe leaders and
leadership. Romans 7:23b-25a has been used quite a bit in addiction. “I see a very different
principle at work in my bodily members, and it is at war with my mind; I have become a prisoner
in this war to the rule of sin in my body. I am absolutely miserable! Is there anyone who can free
me from this body where sin and death reign so supremely? I am thankful to God for the freedom
that comes through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!” Recovery from addiction is not an
incident, but an ongoing process. Recovery and leadership in recovery is to provide a range of
proven treatment services for women and their families affected by drug addiction, alcohol
addiction, mental illness, trauma and/or incarceration, with Christ-centered compassionate care.
Substance abuse and other addictive problems are prevalent in every segment of society today.
The issues and concerns that are created cross all ethnic, cultural, educational, socioeconomic,
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gender, and age barriers.1 Leaders should strive for the best, continuously improving quality in
all our activities. Using their skills, creativity, energy and loyalty as resources for effective and
quality services in every community and each setting in which we serve. Leaders should provide
gentle, compassionate care, always emphasizing the dignity of the person. As a leader or in the
position of leadership you should always show transparency and take pride in empowering
women with the skills they need to break free from addiction. Leadership enrichens the ability of
an organization. Leadership is not easy nor is it perfect. Leadership is always being willing to
bend and adjust with each situation and circumstance. Leadership also can be one of the most
rewarding and satisfying things you will ever do.
Structure
These words are the encouragement in building a place for women in find healing. Isaiah 61:1-3
“The Spirit of the Lord, the Eternal, is on me. The Lord has appointed me for a special purpose.
He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to repair broken hearts, and
to declare to those who are held captive and bound in prison, “Be free from your imprisonment!”
He has sent me to announce the year of jubilee, the season of the Eternal’s favor: for our
enemies it will be a day of God’s wrath; For those who mourn it will be a time of comfort.[a] As
for those who grieve over Zion, God has sent me to give them a beautiful crown in exchange for
ashes. To anoint them with gladness instead of sorrow, to wrap them in victory, joy, and praise
instead of depression and sadness. People will call them magnificent, like great towering trees
standing for what is right. They stand to the glory of the Eternal who planted them.” In a non-
profit, Christ-centered rehabilitation program for Women, there are lots of different roles and
1 Clinton, Timothy E. The Quick-Reference Guide to Addictions and Recovery
Counseling: 40 Topics, Spiritual Insights, and Easy-to-Use Action Steps.2013.
Implementation
2 Corinthians 7:10-11 says; “Now this type of deep sorrow, godly sorrow, is not so much
about regret; but it is about producing a change of mind and behavior[a] that ultimately leads to
salvation. But the other type of sorrow, worldly sorrow, often is fleeting and only brings death.
Look at what is happening among you! Notice how authentic and diligent you have become
because this godly sorrow has been at work in your community. But there’s more: your desire to
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programs. There will be a variety of positions paid and volunteer. Positions consist of Program
Director, Program Manager, Resident Manager, Resident Assistant, Counselor, Bible Study
leader, 12 step coaches, Mentors, Sponsors, and Volunteers. In the beginning most may start off
as a volunteer state but hopefully would grow to have mostly paid positions. Some of the best
volunteers can be recruited from a variety of sources: churches, halfway houses, substance abuse
or mental health service providers, correctional facilities, celebrate recovery, community
hangouts – in short, wherever people in recovery are. The resident would consist of ten to 15
women in recovery, with a additional five to ten in a form of a half way house program. There
will be phases that these women will go through and therefore different sets of leaders during
each phase. There also may be leaders or mentors who walk with the same lady throughout her
program.
In recovery and ministry, it helps to have walked the same path as those you are trying to lead
and help. Therefore, if possible that will be one thing considered in this ministry. The ministry
and heart of recovery is to live out our faith by providing a continuum of evidence-based services
for women and them families impacted by addiction, mental illness, trauma and/or incarceration.
To have a strong and continually growing team behind you, is the best thing you can do.
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clear your name, your righteous anger, your respect, your longing, your zeal, and your concern
for justice. All these demonstrate how you have been made clean”
Women with addiction issues have grown up in homes that gave little protection, safety,
and support, a leader should be responsive and affirming, rather than distant or judgmental. The
leader should be aware and understanding that the women have a high level of vulnerability and
need support, particularly in the early stage of treatment. There will be training and meetings on
how to handle each situation. Leaders who are helping with 12 step programs or mentoring the
women, requires effective, approachable leaders who keep the women on task, and ensure they
are engaged continuously and meaningfully with each other. One thing a leader should not do, is
make it just about themselves. They will need to give grace space to breathe, even if there is
silence. The leader chooses how much leadership to exercise, how to structure the group, when
to intervene, how to affect a successful intervention, under the supervision f the program director
or manager. Although the attributes of an effective interpersonal process group leader treating
substance abuse are not strikingly different from traits needed to work successfully with other
client populations, some of the variations in approach make a big difference.2 There will be a
process that each leader or volunteer will have to get through. A meet and greet, this will be a
time where they can meet the women and get the fill of the house. An application and
background check, this will consist of a few simple questions and basics, also is in recovery, how
long. Then will be training and meeting to go over all the rules and guidelines for the leaders and
volunteer, also to see where their strengths are and where they would be best suited in the house.
Some of the rules and missions statements are; Keep all information regarding staff, residents,
diagnosis, group information, etc. confidential and documented always. Work as a necessary part
2 Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy.
Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2005
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of the team effort. Participate in ongoing meetings and trainings as required by the leadership.
Parts of Training will include: Life skills training, Leadership training, Communication training.
Also, lastly; Model ethical and professional behavior at all times. Leadership takes time, but
above anything the leaders and volunteers should set a Godly example for the women. They
should be walking with God daily and show that in their lifestyle. Jesus being the perfect
example for a leader, He walked in humble admiration. He wanted for nothing but to give
healing, love, grace and peace. As a leader in a Christ centered rehab that will be the one thing
everyone will strive for.
Su mmar y
One word: Encouragement! Hebrews 10:24 “Let us consider how to inspire each other to
greater love and to righteous deeds” To keep and maintain great leadership and a great ministry,
you have to encourage. Even when there is hard times and dark spots, we have to find our
encouragement in God. There are characteristics that make for a good leader. I found these in a
book on support groups by Linda Klein (2000): (1) someone who likes being with people, (2)
someone with good verbal skills who can engage people and create group interaction, (3)
someone who understands group dynamics, (4) someone who is organized and can create group
structure, (5) someone who is a good listener and can accept differences without bias, (6)
someone who can question and summarize to build group discussion, (7) someone able to
resolve group conflict, (8) someone with a sense of humor, (9) someone committed to the value
of peer support.3 Consistently treat residents and co-workers with the utmost respect. Be creative
3 Kurtz, Linda Farris. 2014. Recovery Groups : A Guide to Creating, Leading, and
Working with Groups for Addictions and Mental Health Conditions. Oxford: Oxford University
Press
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and assist leadership with ideas for improving the overall quality of the services and environment
for the residents. Always include leadership and if possible volunteers in meetings and decision
making. As I have said in an earlier section, to recruit, you need to look where others will meet.
There are so many in recovery that want to help those who are just starting their journey in
recovery. It is one of the best outlets for leader and resident. For someone who has walked
through addiction, to come along side someone walking through addiction and mentor them, is
truly amazing. As the saying goes, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called”.
Conclusion
Leadership development in faith-based women’s rehabilitation is necessary to address
worldwide problems that we face. Having a leadership development strategy allows
straightforward and immediate purpose of help and beliefs. It also can be an important way to
encourage lasting leadership throughout its entirety. In this ministry you must show lots of
encouragement, love, grace, understanding and most of all God.
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Works Cited
Clinton, Timothy E. The Quick-Reference Guide to Addictions and Recovery Counseling: 40
Topics, Spiritual Insights, and Easy-to-Use Action Steps.2013.
https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781441244604
The Voice Bible 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy. Rockville
(MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2005.
(Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 41.) 6 Group Leadership, Concepts,
and Techniques. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64211/
Kurtz, Linda Farris. 2014. Recovery Groups : A Guide to Creating, Leading, and Working with
Groups for Addictions and Mental Health Conditions. Oxford: Oxford University Press,
Incorporated. Accessed April 24, 2018. ProQuest Ebook Central.
Created from liberty on 2018-04-24 16:00:50.
