There is a lot of truth in an old slogan you sometimes hear in twelve step fellowships: "Talking about the spiritual part of the program is like talking about the wet part of the ocean". Recovery is an inherently spiritual journey. What people do when they do the twelve steps, for example, is a series of spiritual practices -- all of which have long histories in the Christian tradition (e.g … [Read more...] about Center for Spirituality and Recovery
Search Results for: Recovery from spiritual abuse
Recovery from Abuse Resource Center
Abuse is complicated. Painful. Recovery is also complicated. And often painful. But it is possible. Our hope is that you will find something here that is helpful. Our best advice is: Take what works and leave the rest. Classes Articles Lecture Notes for Recovery 101 … [Read more...] about Recovery from Abuse Resource Center
Recovery Groups and Small Groups
by Dale S. Ryan Not long ago I heard someone say: "I don't see any need for recovery groups in our congregation because we already have a very vital small group program." This comment started me thinking about the differences between traditional small groups in the local church and recovery groups. I have been a participant in small groups and small group ministries for a long time. I have … [Read more...] about Recovery Groups and Small Groups
Impact on Abused Persons
How the experience of abuse impacts an abused person is very difficult to predict. Severity It seems self-evident that some abuse is more severe than others -- but there is no way to be precise about this and the business of comparing severity of trauma is notoriously risky. For example, it seems self evident that both frequency of abuse and intensity of abuse contribute to the … [Read more...] about Impact on Abused Persons
Recovery from Sexual Addiction
an interview with Mark Laaser Mark Laaser, author of Faithful & True: Sexual Integrity in a Fallen World, has been a friend of the NACR since it's inception. He understands sexual addiction from both personal experience and from working with sex addicts in several treatment programs. In his books and seminars Mark has offered hope and healing to thousands of co-strugglers. We interviewed … [Read more...] about Recovery from Sexual Addiction
Chapter 1: Restoring the Church as a Primary Care Giver
Ten years ago, few of us would have considered chemical dependency, sexual addiction, or eating disorders suitable topics for polite conversation within the church community. These were among the "silent issues" in the church. Today, however, addiction, compulsive behavior and abuse are widely recognized as problems of enormous personal and social significance. … [Read more...] about Chapter 1: Restoring the Church as a Primary Care Giver
The Fear of Death and Recovery from Lust Addiction
by Ron J. I've often been puzzled by why "fear of death" in Hebrews 2:15 is connected with "lifelong bondage," that is, addiction. I could never connect fear of death with addiction, even though it struck a note. I think such puzzlement arose because I restricted the expression "fear of death" to fear of dying physically. But I think the author's concept of death is larger than the merely … [Read more...] about The Fear of Death and Recovery from Lust Addiction
Shame and Spiritual Abuse
Shame and Spiritual Abuse Last week I had a consulting gig at a church that had a recovery ministry blow up in grand fashion. Lack of leadership accountability, no small doses of codependency and maybe, perhaps, possibly a tiny bit of grandiose thinking and arrogance on the part of the church team that swooped in to clean up the debacle — all of this was stymying the work of restoration. And I … [Read more...] about Shame and Spiritual Abuse
Finding a Group
For many of us, finding a support group has been the single most important step we have taken in our recovery. Isolation is one of the most powerful and damaging effects of addiction and abuse. Participating in a support group can begin to reduce that isolation. It doesn't happen all at once - most of us have learned how to stay isolated even when we are in groups! But it can happen. And it can be … [Read more...] about Finding a Group
N.T. Overview: Gospels
There are a number of themes in the gospel narratives that are relevant to recovery from abuse. Peace/Nonviolence The birth of Jesus takes place in a pervasively violent context. The Roman military occupies Palestine. Shortly after Jesus' birth Herod orders a mass execution of children. ((Matt 2:16-18)) In spite of this the message from God in the coming of Jesus is about peace: 13 Suddenly a … [Read more...] about N.T. Overview: Gospels