Traditions are the guidelines and values that we observe as part of our group ministry and serve as a roadmap for our recovery.

Tradition 1
We are guided by and follow only one authority- a loving God who manifests Himself to us through the lordship of His son, Jesus Christ-and the wisdom of His word as revealed in the Bible.

This tradition establishes Jesus Christ as the central and ultimate authority in any matters pertaining to the functioning of the support group. Any philosophy that is taught must be consistent with the Bible. Guidelines, traditions, and principles must reflect the truth of God revealed in Scripture. We cannot and do not seek to control what others may think, feel, or express as long as they recognize and respect the authority that we follow. The opening and closing prayers of our groups acknowledge God as the ultimate source of love and healing and Jesus Christ as Lord, whose grace is sufficient to meet all of our needs.

Tradition 2
The unity of the group is of primary importance. The common welfare of the group is not based on individual needs or personalities but comes from the purpose and principles of the group as a whole.

This tradition recognizes the sense of safety that the unity of the group provides. It is necessary if group members are to be honest and vulnerable and take the risks leading to healing. In this atmosphere group members can be ministered to. Psalm 133 declares that the unity is good and pleasant and associated with God's blessings. No one person, need, or personality will be allowed to disrupt that unity. If a person cannot dwell with the group in unity, that person will be asked to leave its fellowship. Of course, there will be differences in the group from time to time that can and must be worked through. But willingness, flexibility, and humble, teachable attitudes that allow unity to be restored and preserved must be present whenever conflict occurs

Tradition 3
Our fellowship is open to anyone who desires to change, grow, and heal and seeks our understanding, acceptance, and support. We require only a willingness to be open and honest.

This tradition reflects the unconditional love of God in Christ. We don't expect others to believe the way that we believe or to act the way that we would like for them to act. They have to please God, not us. Our fellowship is open to non-Christians as well as Christians. We ask and expect only that our beliefs be respected in the same manner that we respect their thoughts and feelings. We will not curtail the expression of our faith to make others comfortable, but we will not force our faith on them. We trust God through the Holy Spirit to convict and draw all people to Himself through Jesus Christ in His perfect time and way. We seek only to show the kindness and mercy of God to one another.

Tradition 4
Our primary purpose is to carry the message of faith, hope, and love to those who are suffering and share our pain.

This tradition calls on us to be single-minded in purpose. All that we do and talk about in our meetings concerns the single stated purpose of sharing our experiences in that area with one another to give one another faith, hope, and love to overcome. Nothing is as important as bearing one another's burdens and ministering to those who share our struggle and our pain. This tradition keeps us from spending our time, resources, and energy as a group on anything that does not accomplish our purpose of providing support to one another for the specific problem that has brought us together.

Tradition 5
No worldly problems, intellectual arguments, or spiritual debate should divert us from our spiritual aim and group purpose.

This tradition ensures that the group will not get caught up in things that will distract from its basic purpose and its foundational spiritual truths. It is not that we are apathetic to world problems, but in the group, we understand that the only thing that we can absolutely control and change to accomplish something positive and constructive in our lives in ourselves. Intellectual arguments and spiritual debates are useless and fruitless in that context as well. We don't attempt to sway anyone to our point of view. We simply offer our support by sharing our experience, strength, and hope.

Tradition 6
The group wisdom comes from within its members as God works in us and speaks through us and should not be entrusted to outside speakers or those who are not part of our fellowship.

This tradition protects the group from confusion and division. No one is allowed to lead the group, advise the group, or determine the needs of the group who has not been a faithful and committed member. No one is presented as an authority to the group meeting who has not been a part of its fellowship. Visitors from other support group fellowships may share in meetings. And speakers are invited for retreats, seminars, and special events. But wisdom and guidance regarding the needs of the group and the purpose and function of its meeting can come only from those who are an integral part of its fellowship.

Tradition 7
Our meeting together and the support and help that we provide to one another are paramount and should not be preempted by other meetings, events, or occasions, except as determined by group leadership.

This tradition ensures that group meetings will always be available to those who need them. Meetings are never canceled so that members can participate in another activity, no matter how appealing or relevant that activity may be. Regardless of how attendance at a meeting may be affected by other events, the meeting must be held for those who need its support. If a meeting is to be canceled, it must be anticipated in advance, discussed, and agreed upon through the group leadership and consensus, and then publicized and announced to the group prior to the meeting that will be canceled. A notice should be posted outside the group room advising when the group will resume meeting.

Tradition 8
This group is a part of the whole of the recovery ministry of Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church and accepts its spiritual leadership and guidance in matters pertaining to the common good and welfare of that ministry.

This tradition establishes the role and proper authority of the church in the affairs of the support groups that are a part of the recovery ministry. The unity and the well being of the recovery ministry as a whole are of primary importance, not the needs of any one group. All leadership and responsibility for the groups is ultimately conferred by God through the fellowship of this church and those designated as its leaders (i.e. the pastor, the deacons and the director). Any group that cannot operate under that spiritual covering will be discontinued as part of the church recovery ministry. Any group leader who cannot agree with and be spiritually accountable and loyal to the church's leadership will be asked to step down or be removed from a leadership role.

Tradition 9
We are nonprofessionals and provide no expertise other than our own experience, strength, and hope.

This tradition establishes the group's lay orientation. In these groups we do not provide treatment, counseling, or any professional advice or expertise to our group members. Professionals may be part of our fellowship, but they do not operate in any capacity other than as group members working on their own recovery. We do not attempt to give insight or advice about what group members should or should not do in their lives. We simply share our experience, strength, and hope with one another. God may use our experience to speak to others in the group, but it is their responsibility to choose and to carefully discern God's perfect will for their lives rather than looking to, asking for, and acting on the wisdom of imperfect group members.

Tradition 10
Confidentiality is the basis of trust and safety within the group, and it is the cornerstone of our well-being and ability to fulfill the purpose for which God has called us as a group.

This tradition establishes confidentiality in every regard concerning the group and its members. Confidentiality has already been established in the guidelines for what is shared during the meeting, but by establishing confidentiality as a tradition, we reaffirm it as the single most important element in maintaining a healthy and safe support group. The inability to maintain this tradition and to follow the same guideline is so damaging and destructive to a support group fellowship that any violation calls for immediate confrontation according to group principles and may result in expulsion from the group.