11. Discipleship and the Twelve Steps, with Kaye Schneider

Kaye Schneider cares about spiritual transformation. So often, churches focus primarily on giving people information—theology, apologetics, Bible studies, etc.  Information is good, but information doesn’t necessarily lead to deep transformation. In this episode, Kaye Schneider shares about how the Twelve Steps have deepened her own discipleship and how she now uses the Twelve Step process to help others experience deep, spiritual inner life transformation. THIS EPISODE’S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Kaye Schneider is a Marriage and Family Life Educator.If Kaye’s life were a book it would be titled From Grief to Gratitude.The title of the current chapter of Kaye’s life would be “In the Wilderness.”Kaye was “thrown” into the recovery process in the unfolding of a 5-year divorce after a 27-year “Christian” marriage that was filled with addiction.Kaye has started several recovery groups focused on discipleship in Pasadena, Chula Vista, and Coronado (San Diego).Kaye’s ministry, Vital Connections, is focused on helping people stay “vitally connected” to God and others through a Twelve Step process.The Twelve steps are action, not concepts or principles. Steps 1-3: Deal with one’s relationship with God.Steps 4-6: Deal with looking at one’s inner self.Steps 7-9: Focus on confession and making amends with others.Steps 10-12: Deal with strengthening what has been accomplished in the first nine steps.The Twelve Steps aren’t about giving people information (about God, about spirituality, about theology, etc.), but about transformation. Information is good, but information alone doesn’t lead to transformation.Addictive thinking is black or white, all or nothing. She lived this kind of thinking out in her marriage. She “submitted” to her husband in a way that was extremely unhealthy.It is frustrating to try to introduce this kind of deep spirituality into the church. Most churches just want information or programs.Churches generally don’t allow for transparency and honesty when it comes to our sin and brokenness.Kaye Schneider’s Vital Connections groups are open groups, meaning anyone can join at any time.Kaye Schneider's website is www.lydiacompany.com.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Kaye Schneider Vital Connections website: https://www.lydiacompany.com/E-mail: [email protected] Spiritual Kindergarten: Christian Perspectives on the Twelve Steps, by Dale Ryan National Association for Christian Recovery website:  https://www.nacr.org/Instructions to leave a review of Spiritual Life and Leadership:Click HERE.Click on the link that says, "Listen on Apple Podcasts."In the window that opens, click the button that says, "Open Link."  This will open iTunes.To the right of the Spiritual Life and Leadership logo, click "Ratings and Reviews."Under the heading, "Customer Reviews," click on the button that says, "Write a Review."Select the number of stars and write your review.Click submit.I'd be so grateful if you did this.  Thank you!— Links to Amazon are affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through any of these links, I’ll receive a small commission–which will help pay for the Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast!Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.