by Bill Morris
adapted from The Complete Handbook for Recovery Ministry in the Church, Thomas Nelson, 1993.
1. To be Safe for One Another, Group Members. . .
maintain anonymity and confidentiality at all times.
do not minimize, criticize, judge, or condemn what another member may be thinking, feeling or doing.
do not permit direct confrontation or physical or verbal attacks.
do not attempt to fix other people’s situations, give advice, take other’s inventories, or tell others how to work their recovery programs.
follow the established format, guidelines, traditions and principles
2. To Accept One Another, Group Members. . .
listen attentively with open minds and hearts to whatever others share.
ask questions only to clarify and understand
affirm one another whenever anyone takes the risk of sharing and being honest
encourage one another to change, grow and overcome.
identify and relate to one another’s successes and failures
model recovery and are willing to sponsor others in their recovery
remind one another to be patient with the process of recovery and to be gentle with themselves and their mistakes.
do not interrupt or enter into side conversations while others are speaking
do not determine what others think, feel or need without checking it out with them.
do not interfere with the expression of painful feelings
3. To Be Responsible for Ourselves, Group Members. . .
speak only from personal experience
are committed to keeping the focus on ourselves and our recovery
speak the truth honestly and appropriately
are willing to risk being honest, vulnerable, and trusting of others and God in order to change and grow.
put awareness and acceptance into action to take steps to recovery
remain humble and teachable, being open to insight and wisdom from others and from God.
accept that God’s timing is individual and perfect.
do not try to fix one another or solve one another’s problems.
do not try to convict or change one another’s behavior
do not blame others or circumstances for our problems, realizing that to do so makes us victims and leaves us powerless