Every Thursday at 7 p.m., Unity San Diego continues to run the Spiritual Recovery Group to learn spiritual principles and share members’ experiences so they can mature in recovery every Thursday.
The church’s website noted that the said group is not a therapy or a 12-step meeting. They aim to mature spiritually and grow in their connection with God. They wanted to improve the quality of their lives by looking genuinely at who they are. Also, they want to level up by learning from listening and sharing. The website added that they also surrender their lives to God and engage in healthier behaviors in all aspects of their lives.
Spiritually Supportive Recovery
According to its website, Unity San Diego’s Recovery Ministry is based on a spiritual support program. The church supported the said ministry as a way to let people know the metaphysical and spiritual principles. Also, they wanted their members to be aware of how they help the recovery with their mind, body, and emotions.
There would be more opportunities for the participants to draw closer to God through the said ministry. They mentioned that it is a spiritual gathering designed to complement and not ignore other recovery or twelve-step groups.
The church also urges the congregation to attend other recovery groups that fit their circumstances. They encourage them to invite friends. So they could experience some of the merits they could get from joining the spiritual program with their other gatherings.
Church Recovery Programs, Not Therapy
In a blog post by Ronald Keener on the Church Executive website on Feb. 1, 2012, he stated that the church might seem more like a clinic than a church with numerous recovery programs.
He added that it is more likely about therapy than salvation. But, Liz Swanson and Teresa McBean, authors of a review of such programs in their book Bridges to Grace (Zondervan, 2011)
Mcbean noted that the aforementioned programs are not focused on therapy. Most of the time, she added, it is more about salvation than some other areas of the church. A Recovery gathering does not advise; instead, it gives a safe place for storytelling, connecting, and knowing God. Individuals talk about how God has worked in them, and it motivates others. She mentioned that therapy doesn’t work with recovery because she believes that only God can heal these pains.
Recovery Program Importance
The same blog post emphasized that if all churches concentrated on spreading God’s message of hope and healing to their members in a way that they would value and experience healing in their lives daily.
Besides, they said that recovery needs a high level of commitment to one person for whom there is no assurance of success. They said that an individual needs to open up his story sincerely and genuinely. Also, they need a simple and consistent message.
Those individuals who would like to recover should not also be triggered by shame as much as possible. The church, for many triggers, is not a refuge to run to during a storm, the website revealed.
The blogger hoped there would be a moment when they would not need the said programs, but as long as there are people who cannot access Jesus’ healing, the church has the responsibility to consider their needs.
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