by Dale Ryan Not long ago I spent an afternoon with a faculty member at one of the most respected evangelical theological seminaries in America. After discussing a number of topics he surprised me with the following statement: "I have never met a person whose personal problems couldn't be solved in five hours. You just need the discernment to recognize which demonic influences are present and … [Read more...] about On Quick Fixes
Search Results for: shame
Getting Help
by Dale Wolery It is so unequivocal. Straightforward. Obvious. The answer is not a complicated one at all. What is the question? Why would any one get help? Why would anyone choose to go to a recovery group meeting? If only your spouse knows about it, why go to group? Why would a normal person like me call a therapist? Why would a successful pastor see a counselor? Why get help? The answer? … [Read more...] about Getting Help
Finding a Church to Support Your Recovery
Because recovery is a spiritual journey, it will result in spiritual changes as well as emotional and physical ones. That is one reason, among many, why having a supportive faith community during recovery can be helpful. In addition to the resources of a therapist and/or a support group, having a safe community of people with whom to worship and learn can be a big help. … [Read more...] about Finding a Church to Support Your Recovery
Bible Studies by Dale and Juanita Ryan
Two series of Bible study guides by Dale & Juanita Ryan are available here: The Life Recovery Guide series and the Letting God Be God series. Both were originally published by InterVarsity Press and are now out of print. The studies have been reformatted to 8.5x11 and are photo-copy ready. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open these files. Acrobat Reader is free from Adobe. The Life … [Read more...] about Bible Studies by Dale and Juanita Ryan
Chapter 7: Working With a Recovery Partner
The Living Free Program has been developed to help individuals look at painful experiences from their past that are continuing to influence their lives today. Participants in the program have an opportunity to redefine their knowledge and understanding of themselves through writing about and sharing their progress in recovery. A Christ-centered version of the Twelve Steps, as adapted from … [Read more...] about Chapter 7: Working With a Recovery Partner
Clerical Abuse
Because this site is primarily for clergy and other religious professionals it is particularly important to emphasize that clergy are at elevated risk for becoming perpetrators of some kinds of abuse -- and also at elevated risk for becoming victims of some other kinds of abuse. Religious Professionals as Abusers While public focus is generally limited to sexual abuse, there are other kinds … [Read more...] about Clerical Abuse
Impact on Family Members
The impact of abuse on non-offending family members and friends (secondary victims?) has not been studied very extensively. Most of what is available is focused on partners of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. And most of that is about 'how you can help the abused person' rather than about 'how you can work more productively on your own trauma'. What is clear is that the impact of abuse on … [Read more...] about Impact on Family Members
Old Testament Overview
Violence is one of the central preoccupations of the biblical text. The book is full of violence. It is not a G-rated book. Not even PG. I doubt that it would get an R. It's just way too over-the-top violent for that. It is possible that you have not noticed this. Or perhaps not paid attention to it. It is very common for Christian communities to experience the violence in the biblical text as … [Read more...] about Old Testament Overview
Worship
Recommended Reading: William H. Willimon Worship As Pastoral Care (Abingdon Press, 1979) Communion Communion services can be powerful opportunities to emphasize themes that will be both intelligible and helpful to survivors of abuse. For example: Memory. We all have difficult, sometimes terrifying memories. Our memories often compete inside us for our attention. They compete to … [Read more...] about Worship
By the Book: Step 5
“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to anotherhuman being the exact nature of our wrongs.” VIEW: [13:36] READ: PRAYDear God,I'm going to need some help here.It's one thing to write that inventory in private.But 'admitting my wrongs' to another person?What if they are just shocked? Or shame me? Or reject me?Guess I should add this to me fear inventory, right?Help me … [Read more...] about By the Book: Step 5