When Fellowship Feels Just Like Another Bar

Finding Authenticity in Faith-Based Recovery

For many who have left addiction behind and are seeking to rebuild their lives, church or fellowship should be as a refuge. It needs to be a place of healing, acceptance, community, and spiritual renewal. But what happens when church starts to feel like the bar you left behind? What do you do when the environment that should be offering hope instead feels judgmental, insincere, or even triggering?

If you’ve ever walked into a church, Bible study, or other Christian fellowship, and felt out of place, like you had to pretend to have it all together, you’re not alone. It’s a very serious problem in these times of last days Biblical history in the making. Many people in faith-based recovery struggle with finding an authentic Christian community where they can be honest about their past, their struggles, and their journey toward transformation. Here’s how you may be able to navigate these challenges and hopefully find authenticity in faith-based recovery.

1. Recognize the Problem

Bars and churches may seem like opposites, but for many in recovery, they can feel eerily similar. In a bar, people often put on masks that hide pain behind a drink, laughter, or casual conversation. Unfortunately, some churches can be the same way. If a church culture discourages vulnerability and emphasizes appearance over authenticity, it may leave you feeling like you don’t belong, and possibly no true believer belongs amidst that type of behavior.

Instead of pretending to be perfect, a true Christian community should allow space for brokenness, healing, and real transformation. If you feel like you can’t be honest in your church, it’s worth asking yourself, Is this the right place for my spiritual growth, comfort, encouragement, and healing?

2. Seek Genuine Fellowship

The Bible emphasizes the importance of fellowship, but not just any fellowship. It must be one that’s built on truth, grace, and accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.” Finding the right church or small group means looking for fellowship where people are open about their struggles, non-judgmental, and committed to walking alongside each other.

Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt at plugging into a fellowship doesn’t feel right. Visit different groups, connect with people one-on-one, and pray for God to lead you to a place where you can grow in faith, recovery, and victory. Verify that the people you’re fellowshipping with believes that Jesus Christ has the power to heal for a lifetime.

3. Embrace Honest Worship

Worship isn’t just about singing feel good songs. Woship is about coming before God as you are. In addiction, many people seek escape through substances or destructive behaviors. In recovery, worship becomes a new way to surrender… to let go of burdens, praise God for His grace, and embrace His presence.

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” True worship is an act of honesty, bringing your brokenness before God and trusting Him to heal you.

4. Be the Change You Want to See

If your church doesn’t feel or act authentic, consider how you can model the kind of authenticity you crave. Be open about your testimony, share your struggles, and show grace to others who are on their own journeys. When people see genuine transformation in your life, it may encourage them to take off their own masks and seek God in a deeper way. If you feel your spiritual growth isn’t ready for this type of leadership quite yet, then it’s time to continue on your search for the right fellowship.

5. Remember Who You Belong To

Ultimately, your faith isn’t found in a building, at someone’s Bible study, or some group. Your faith is strictly about your relationship with Christ. Remember that Jesus welcomed the broken, the outcast, and the sinners. He never asked them to clean themselves up before coming to Him; He simply said, “Come.”

If a church doesn’t reflect His love and grace, don’t let it push you away from your faith. Instead, ask God to guide you to a place where you can experience His love fully and continue growing during your recovery and thereafter.

In Summary

Faith-based recovery isn’t about pretending to be perfect. It’s about walking in the freedom and power that Jesus Christ provides. If fellowship feels like a bar, don’t give up on God. Instead, seek out a community of believers who are committed to real transformation and total healing… and remember that your identity isn’t in your past but in who Christ is creating you to be. Authentic faith and complmete recovery go hand in hand when you’re surrounded by those who are willing to walk in truth and grace alongside you. Philippians 1:6 has a powerful message for you right below.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Have a blessed rest of your day as you walk in victory and have the confidence that Jesus will complete the work He began in you. Hope to see you in my next post. If you have an experience such as described in this post, I encourage you to share it. Bye for now!