Helping the Newcomer Feel Welcome - Part 2

We just got back from the 100th One Day seminar with 24 of our CR family. We had a great time to say the least. Every time we attend a One Day, we come back more excited than ever, not to mention, just having fun celebrating recovery together.

We asked everyone that went with us, “What was the most important thing you learned?” It was a resounding, “It’s all about the newcomer!” In my last post, I shared the story of the visitor sitting in their car. We are seriously thinking about having Parking Lot Greeters as our first line of welcome.

I also shared, “It is VITAL that we are conscience of those who are around us. It’s so easy to fellowship with those we know and let the Newcomer fend for themself.”

You may say, “We would never do that!” Well, I was at a CR recently. They were wondering why they weren’t growing. They said they were doing everything right but just couldn’t get visitors to come. Now this next part is going to seem so extreme you’ll wonder, “Is he making this up to make a point?” NO, this actually happened.

The first thing I noticed was in large group no one read the 8 Principles or 12Steps, which was a little odd, but I thought they might be nervous because the state rep was there giving his testimony. Or maybe they just wanted to give me more time in case I had more to share with them.

At small group everything was discussed from fishing to the weather. Finally one guy said, “It’s hot in here and Martha made a good looking pie. Let’s go get some.” About that time a man raised his hand and said, “Can I say something? This is my first time here. Thanks for letting me come. I’ve been looking for a Christian recovery group.”

The visitor was in there midst and they didn’t even recognize him!!

I’m glad to say this group decided to take a break to refocus and start over.

As the Assimilation coach, your greatest responsibility is making sure your group remembers what’s most important “It’s all about the Newcomer!”

This is the time of year when we, as a country, take time to reflect on how much we have been blessed. I believe that we, in Celebrate Recovery, have more to be thankful for than anyone. We “get to” share the hope we’ve found in Jesus saving lives one at a time!

#9 Fellowship/Outreach Events

Trunk Or Treak 2007

My Top Ten list is in no particular order and they’re kinda like the Fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5 ---the fruit is not plural. It’s a packaged deal. God expects us to have all these in our lives to some degree. The same with this Top Ten list, you may be stronger in some areas than others. But all these ideas will be ways to help your Celebrate Recovery produce fruit.

We were part of two impacting events this past weekend. Our church hosts Trunk or Treat annually and invites the community to join us. Our CR really gets involved. Everyone parks their vehicles in the parking lot to form a huge circle. We bring our grills and of course bring candy for the kids. Last year CR members dressed up as The Recovery Tribe. We all made up names associated with recovery and wore our badges with our recovery tribe names. I was “Chief Intervention”and Mary was “Walk On Eggshells No More”. This year our CR family was a band of pirates with “Walk The Plank” aka dunkin booth as a highlight hosted by Celebrate Recovery. The goal is for visitors to come back on Fri. night which they do after seeing CR represented as a part of our church---not just something for “those people”.

The second event was in Harrisburg, Illinois. Williams Hill Pass OHV Park hosted a Christian ATV rally with the help of CR from First Baptist Church in Harrisburg to introduce CR to people who love 4 wheeling and the outdoors. Creative! They invited people from all over the state as well as the Christian Motorcycles Association. Harrisburg CR is a group of people who are really excited about sharing Jesus through CR.

Trail Ride

Jimi Williams, the “A” coach for Harrisonburg CR organized this event. Mary & I, as well as Scott Kemp, Illinois CR State Rep., who was there with his wife, Veronica, shared our testimonies overlooking majestic mountains with an array of Fall foliage. And yes, there are mountains in Illinois! It was a great blessing to be outside enjoying God’s creation while sharing how the Creator has made us anew. Scott made some good contacts with people who are interested in starting CR at their churches. All because Jimi had the vision, of not only helping their CR grow in Harrisburg, but expand all over Illinois.

Harrisburg, IL CR Leaders

So work on being creative in your fellowship/outreach events. You never know who may show up. It may be the next “Paul” who overcame many hurts, hang-ups, and habits. And in doing so he brought many to a relationship with Jesus Christ!

We would love to hear your ideas!