Church on a Rescue Mission: Transforming Addiction and Trauma with Grace and Truth

We have all heard the term ROI (Return on Investment). But as Christ-followers, what if we changed the meaning behind the acronym in our faith walk? Instead of Return on Investment, what if we thought of it as the Rescuing of Image Bearers? I recently attended a conference where former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow shared this idea. He also stated that as a Christian, “Now that you’ve been rescued, you’re now on the rescue team.” That short statement carries profound spiritual implications! What if we truly functioned as though we were on a rescue team? How much more of a Kingdom impact might we have if we all adopted this mentality?

In Mark’s gospel (Mark 2:1-12), we see the depiction of a paralytic man desperate to reach Jesus. Due to his condition and the massive crowd surrounding the house in which Jesus was teaching, his friends removed the roof and lowered the paralytic down to Jesus where he was healed.

I often reflect on this passage when thinking about our work at Ashes to Glory Foundation, assisting those enslaved by the effects of trauma and addiction to access the quality care they desperately need. Amid the struggle, those suffering often cannot hear the Gospel clearly because addiction and life’s hurts create barriers that cloud their thinking. This is where we, as the Church, need to take on the urgency of a rescue team, just like the friends of the paralytic, to help remove those barriers.

Here are three tangible ways we can start to have a greater ROI—Rescuing of Image Bearers.

The first step in solving a problem is recognizing it exists. If we are honest with ourselves, we often think of addiction as an issue affecting only non-Christians. But that is a myth. Below are just a few staggering statistics:

• 29% of all U.S. families (1 in 4) have someone impacted by addiction.
• Drug overdoses are among the leading causes of death among Americans under 50
• 69% of American men and 40% of American women (3 in 5 adults total) report pornography consumption.
• Half of porn users say no one knows about their usage, with 84% stating they have no one helping them avoid it.
• 67% of U.S. pastors have a personal history of pornography use, with nearly one in five (18%) currently struggling with it.
• Only 10% of U.S. Christians say their church offers programs to help those struggling with pornography.

And it does not stop there.  These are just the more “obvious” and less socially acceptable addictions. Many more socially accepted addictions, termed process addictions, include compulsions related to eating, work, sex, exercise, gambling, shopping, and technology. Any of these activities can become vices or taskmasters, functioning like chemical dependencies, and leading to highs, lows, cravings, escape, and withdrawal. In the Church, we often call these “idols.”

Church, it is time to be realistic. Addiction is not an “out there” issue. The question is not whether you will encounter someone struggling with addiction, but how will you respond when you do?

Most of us have formed narratives in our head surrounding addiction, many of which have little grounding from personal knowledge. We base them solely on what we’ve seen in the media or stereotypes.  Studies have shown that Americans are more inclined to view addiction as a sign of moral failing than they are other mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. We view addiction as the problem, or worse yet, the individual as the problem.

Through my addiction journey and working with families, one truth has become clear: addiction is not the problem but a symptom of a deeper issue.  On the surface, we see substance use, pornography, or compulsive behaviors. But those are often the best solutions people have found to soothe deep-rooted trauma. Many addicts have experienced childhood trauma such as physical, verbal, emotional, spiritual, or sexual abuse. I once heard a former heroin user say that heroin was not his problem—it was simply the best solution he had found to numb the pain of his childhood trauma.

Yet, too often, Christian circles can be the most judgmental, viewing addiction only as a moral failing instead of a cry for help. The person sitting in church, hungover or smelling like smoke, makes us feel uncomfortable.  Allow others to see your brokenness and you will be reprimanded for being too open. We dislike faith which threatens the status quo. But threatening the status quo is partially what sent Jesus to the cross.

In The Recovery-Minded Church: Loving and Ministering to People with Addiction, Jonathan Benz shares heartbreaking responses from a survey about the messages people received from the church, whether directly or indirectly. Here are just a few of their answers:

• Go to church more and you will do better. Pray more, tithe more, or read your bible more
• I am the chief of sinners and God would never love me.
• I am a horrible person because I cannot control my drinking.
• I have broken every commandment.
• You are doing this to yourself. It is your fault. If you really wanted to, you would stop.

These responses highlight a critical issue: many see the Church as a place of shame rather than grace and hope in Christ. While we should never condone sin, we need to take a healthy, biblical position among the grace and truth continuum. I love what Randy Alcorn states in The Grace and Truth Paradox:

Church, we do not need to be addiction experts, but we must begin acknowledging and openly discussing mental health. Instead of seeing those who struggle as a threat or an offense to the body of Christ, we must approach them with compassion, not condemnation. They are individuals in deep need of Jesus—just like you and I. And often, Jesus is calling us to be His hands and feet to help bring them closer to Him.

In his book Messy Spirituality, Michael Yaconelli describes an unfortunate reality in many religious circles: an unwritten rule to pretend. Pretend that everything is fine, that we have it all together, that we never doubt God’s control, and definitely do not admit that we struggle with sin. I assume that all of us can relate.

The Biblical Call to Authenticity

Scripture is clear—God values truth and sincerity. Jesus modeled authenticity, meeting people where they were, from the woman at the well (John 4) to His disciples. He condemned hypocrisy (Matthew 23) and called us to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Paul urged us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Authenticity is not optional, it is essential. A faith that is honest, open, and rooted in grace reflects God’s heart and strengthens the church.

Breaking Down Barriers to Authenticity

Despite the clear biblical call to authenticity, many of us struggle to be real—especially in the church. Fear of judgment, pride, cultural expectations, and pressure to appear “put together” keep us from sharing our struggles. But the Church should be a place where grace is greater than shame, where honesty is met with love, and where no struggle is too big to bring into the light.

Authenticity starts with leadership.  When pastors and leaders model vulnerability, they create a culture where others feel safe to do the same. Addressing real-life issues like doubt, addiction, and mental health breaks down barriers and reminds us that God’s grace meets us where we are.

The Power of an Authentic Community

Authenticity is not about perfection; it is about honesty, humility, and a willingness to be real with God and one another.

Most importantly, authenticity also fosters spiritual growth. When people are free to confess their struggles and seek support, they open themselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. The church becomes a sanctuary where brokenness is met with grace, lives are continually renewed, and the sanctifying power of God shapes us into His image. As we commit to living authentically, we will reflect the heart of God and become the kind of community that profoundly changes lives by pointing them to Jesus.

Church, we can no longer sit on the sidelines. We cannot fear the uncomfortable any longer.  We must recognize that addiction and the effects of trauma are not only external issues but deeply rooted within our communities and congregations. By acknowledging the problem, changing the narrative, and fostering a culture of authenticity, we create a space where people feel seen and supported. As Christ-followers, we are called to act with compassion and urgency, just as the friends of the paralytic did, extending both grace and truth. By embracing our role in God’s rescue team, we start breaking down barriers to healing and ensure that those who struggle know they are loved. Through these actions, we embody the Gospel and make a lasting impact in the Kingdom of God, moving from passive observation to active participation.