Confidential. Peer-led. Interfaith. Support is available.
A Word About Confidentiality
Because clergy addiction involves personal, professional, and ecclesial concerns, confidentiality matters. The Fellowship of Recovering Clergy honors the sensitivity of these conversations.
We do not replace denominational processes, legal counsel, treatment providers, or professional evaluation. We offer recovery-informed support, consultation, education, and connection.
Helping Church Leaders Respond to Clergy Addiction with Wisdom, Compassion, and Accountability
Clergy addiction is often hidden until it becomes a crisis. When it surfaces, denominational leaders are asked to respond quickly, wisely, pastorally, legally, and often publicly. The Fellowship of Recovering Clergy exists to help church leaders better understand addiction, support clergy in recovery, reduce shame, and create healthier pathways for restoration, accountability, and care.
Addiction among clergy is not rare, but it is often treated as if it is. Shame, fear of professional consequences, isolation, and lack of safe support can keep clergy from seeking help early. Denominational leaders are often left trying to balance compassion, accountability, congregational impact, public trust, and the wellbeing of the pastor and their family.
When clergy receive informed support, recovery is possible. Ministries can be restored. Congregations can heal. Leaders can respond with both truth and grace.
How the Fellowship Can Help
Denominational leaders may wish to contact the Fellowship when navigating questions such as:
How should we respond when a clergy person discloses addiction?
What support is appropriate after treatment?
What does healthy accountability look like?
How do we care for the pastor’s family?
When is restoration to ministry wise, and when is it not?
How can we reduce shame while still protecting congregations?
What should candidacy committees understand about addiction and recovery?
How do we support clergy before things become a crisis?
The Center for The Restoration of Impaired Clergy
CRIC, our partner organization, helps church governing bodies respond to clergy impairment with wisdom, structure, compassion, and accountability. Created through the work of the Fellowship of Recovering Clergy, CRIC supports denominational leaders in developing policies, training, and best practices for addressing addiction, mental health disorders, and other behavioral health issues that affect clergy and their ministries. Its Compassionate Accountability model seeks to support clergy recovery while also safeguarding congregations, families, and the wider church.
Suggested Resolution on the Addiction and Overdose Crisis
This adaptable resolution is offered for synods, districts, conferences, dioceses, assemblies, conventions, and other church voting bodies seeking to respond faithfully to the addiction and overdose crisis. It includes theological grounding, updated statistics, and practical recommendations for education, prevention, recovery support, and community partnerships.
Let’s Talk Before It Becomes a Crisis
If you are a denominational leader seeking guidance, resources, training, or confidential conversation about clergy addiction and recovery, we would be glad to connect.
Contact us to schedule a conversation: Pastor Ed Treat, 651 356-1073
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