CODEPENDENT CHRISTIANS - SOME ISSUES FOR CHURCH-BASED RECOVERY GROUPS

Codependents who are Christians often wrestle with theological as well as psychological issues in working through codependent behavior. In s uch cases, the church-based group can provide a unique setting for res tructuring belief systems that may incorporate Scripture. This environ ment can also provide a safe place for self-revelation among Christian s who share a community and a common faith. This article outlines an a pproach to the integration of scriptural and psychological principles in addressing codependence. Based on suggested biblical passages and C ermak & Brown's (1 982) five core issues of codependence control, trus t, personal needs, responsibility, and feeling-a framework is provided for discussion and intervention in the group setting. The authors not e the advantages of using this approach for both the group and the chu rch in which it is based.