Since 1997 I have been a member of SA and a minister of a church. I have seen some members who have trouble with sobriety because they do not see the difference between religion and spirituality. Some want to rely on prayer to take away the addiction, and they don’t do the steps. Some go to “church” recovery groups which can be helpful, but rigorous honesty is very difficult in a group of mixed addictions. Some are angry at God because He hasn’t cured them. They declare that Jesus is their Savior and rely on that to cure them.

Spirituality in SA is not connected to any religion but calls for a personal relationship to one’s God, a God who cares and does not judge. Spirituality is different from religion. Religion means a church, rites, doctrines, and creeds, all of which can be helpful in recovery. Spirituality means a personal relationship with one’s God, personal prayer, the making of amends, changing one’s self to what one wants to be, honesty, meetings, and sharing.

God has helped me get and stay sober for the last 21 years, but God has also required me to work the program, the Steps, and to avoid situations and places that threaten my sobriety. God is willing to help me, but I must cooperate with God by doing the actions that I need to do to get and maintain sobriety.

My growth in spirituality has been through SA and my church. As a minister I preside at services, preach, counsel, etc. But my spiritual growth with the help of SA has made my ministry and life richer. I pray several times a day, attend three SA meetings a week, sponsor others, do service work at the local, regional, and international level, and go to international conventions. All of this helps me say the Third Step prayer and mean each word:

“God, I offer myself to Thee to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties so that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!” (SA 95)

I am not sure if one can grow in personal spirituality without being a member of a church, but I do know that I cannot. I also know that church membership and participation are not enough for me to find my God and to grow in relationship with my God, or to get and maintain SA sobriety.