Been blogging on Restoring the Fallen and some of its ideas. Chapter 5 of the book is entitled, “What is restoration?” This is a key question we counselors face. The book really addresses this topic through many chapters but I want to highlight some of the points in this chapter:
1. “An effective restoration process must deal not only with the ruin of the disaster, but also with the internal weaknesses that caused it.” (p. 42). “…major lifestyle adjustments can be readily identified by team members as desirable goals, and these often become the focal point of restoration. They are not, however, what restoration is all about. If they are all that is addressed, the real work will not get done.” (p. 43)
2. “The foundation for restoration is reconciliation with God…For someone to desire restoration, he or she needs a renews view of God’s mercy and his demand for personal holiness.” (p. 44-5).
3. Restoration (healing, strengthening, rebuilding) is a choice. Either the person will choose not to repent, feign repentance, or repent and chose restoration.
4. They do a nice job of describing pseudo-restoration
a. “lets just get this behind us” mentality
b. excuse making and justifying by pointing to circumstances
c. ignoring the impact on the family; ignoring the devastation to others
d. stopping with confession; then focusing on getting forgiven
Choosing restoration means,
a. confession of all secrets (a process NOT an event)
b. shunning denial and defensiveness
c. submitting to the care of others; giving up control for decisions
Of course, restoration in this context means restoration to God and to the people of God. It does not necessarily refer to restoration to former positions, careers, etc.
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
Christian leaders who abuse their flock to enhance their power are driving Americans away from churches by the millions. Many folk have vowed never to return to institutionalized Christianity. I care for the elderly in their homes. Virtually all of them have lost contact with church, without regret! The abusing clergy use their power to intimidate truth-tellers, drive away those who understand their problem and seek to lovingly counsel them toward genuine Christlike grace-filled leadership. This must break our Lord’s heart! However, my clients all respond with joy when they learn that they can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, without the help of professional clergy! You are 100 percent correct when you define abusive clergy restoration as requiring complete repentance, confession and submission to the care of others.