"Restoration" begins this week for former megachurch pastor Ted Haggard. His counselling team of three pastors has set out to guide him through what may be a long process toward recovery from a drugs and gay-sex scandal that shocked the nation.

Haggard's first step in restoration is to acknowledge any addictions and come to an honest understanding of his sexuality, the Los Angeles Times reported. After the counselling team assesses his spiritual, emotional and mental condition, a "restoration plan" will require Haggard to go through hours of counselling, Bible study, prayer and frank talks each week.

Also joining Haggard in his restoration process is his wife Gayle, who has committed to stay with him until "death do us part," which she stated in a letter to the women of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"Ted remains humbly submitted to the authority of the overseers, and he and Gayle are trusting God for healing and direction," Ross Parsley, acting senior pastor for New Life, told the congregants in a Nov. 30 e-mail.