Encouraging Assimilation

Last Saturday was the annual Clarksburg 10K and 2 mile run/walk held on the streets of our humble city.

I had decided some months before to use this event as an opportunity to raise funds for those wishing to attend this year’s Celebrate Recovery Summit. So, we made up some t-shirts, and handed out registration forms and pledge sheets to ALL those interested in taking on the challenge of the run/walk.

What a glorious morning it turned out to be. Our bright red shirts seemed to be everywhere. Many in our CR group, and many from outside our CR ministry took part in this cooperative experience. Even our ultra-supportive Pastor and his wife walked the two mile course with the silver letters emblazoned on the front of their shirts declaring “RUN FOR THE SUMMIT!” The race director approached him and asked about all these CR shirts he was seeing, and our Pastor gladly filled him in on the life-changing ministry of Celebrate Recovery.

We had a cookout back at the church later that afternoon where we thanked all those who participated, and handed out certificates for certain accomplishments earned during the race.

Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Church writes, “vision is the ability to see opportunities within your current circumstances.” As an encourager coach, it is vital not only to create events for fellowship, but to integrate fellowship into existing events within your church and community.

Working together with your Assimilation Coach, look at your church and community calendars to find avenues to include your Celebrate Recovery ministry in the mix of local events. Whether it is serving food monthly at your local Rescue Mission, or setting up a CR table at the county fair, these assimilating opportunities can also be some of the most encouraging fellowship events on your CR calendar.

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." (Col 4:5)

-john

FACEBOOK - The Place to Connect with the CR National Facebook Page

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog about Facebook and the possibilities for networking via this popular tool!  I also posted some warnings about security while using Facebook.  I continue to be amazed at the number of folks using this ever growing media to connect and network about Celebrate Recovery and share their lives, changed lives. 

Mac Owen, our National Assimulation Coach, wrote a blog about the networking successes he has personally witnessed via Facebook and the numbers of folks showing up at his local CR because of Facebook conversations or connections.  Wow, God can use anything in a big way, if we just invite Him to do something miraculous!  That is what we are seeing, God at work as we connect with friends and family. Go God!

I want to encourage you to connect with us on the National Celebrate Recovery Facebook page. The National Team is using it as another means to keep people informed about what is happening across the country.  It is so inspiring to read the reports of individual ministries and also uplifting to read the testimonies of individuals who have posted sobriety dates.  Others offer words of encouragement to the readers. 

There is also an increased  presence of state, regional and individual Celebrate Recovery pages. Pages have been started by various individuals wanting to connect with smaller and more specific audiences.  Some are using it to connect with just the leaders in their ministry and others to network ministries in larger cities or even states.  How exciting that we can encourage one another in so many ways.

Well, I hope you can tell that I am excited about the wave that Facebook is creating in and of itself.  Remember to keep the confidentiality when sharing information.  Facebook is not the place for deep sharing, but a place of social connection.  

God bless each of you as you begin your week!

Paula 

Enjoy the Moments and the People Around You

We just returned from the Gig Harbor One Day Conference last evening.  It was a powerful Conference, lots of enthusiasm and passion for hurting souls.  Along the way, there were lots of little fun moments, conversations and giggles with old and new friends.  Each time that we get together with CR family, it is special to us. Jim and I have a good time!

I am sure your CR family is special to you too.  Those times together build relationships. I attended my first cupcake party this past weekend.  What an idea for a social event.  There was a little shop down the way from our hotel where cupcakes were purchased.  We cut them into halves and had a tasting party.  How much fun!  The cupcakes were delicious, but the fellowship was even better.  Even simple events can be loads of fun!

As the E Coach, you can plan a party or get-together with some simple idea and have lots of fun. It is not so much WHAT you do, but that you do SOMETHING to get folks together.  Do you have an interesting idea that you would like to share?  John and I would love to hear from you. 

Have a blessed day!

Paula

How Does The CR Encourager Coach Encourage Others? - Part 1

During this past Summit, on Wednesday evening, four workshops for the T.E.A.M. were held. It was our second year to present these times of connection. One meeting was designated for each of the T.E.A.M. positions (Training, Encouraging, Assimulating, Ministry Leader). Many of you attended. It certainly encouraged the National T.E.A.M. to see the fantastic turnout for each of these meetings after a long day at the Summit. I heard that all of the meetings rooms were full. I know ours was!

During the Encourager Coach Connection Time, cards were provided for those in attendance to write their one burning question.   This was followed by  a brief question-and-answer time at the end of the meeting.  Of course, all of the questions could not be addressed in that short meeting. 

Some of you were so new to Celebrate Recovery that you had no idea what question to ask. Other individuals shared questions which came out of struggles or confusion.  I would hope that many of your questions were answered during later workshops that you attended. 

Ken addressed many of the foundational questions in his most recent post.  He described the giftings of the Encourager Coach and what an Encourager Coach does, as well as some ideas for encouraging others. 

In these next few weeks, I would like to address some of those questions from that Encourager Coach Connection time. 

If you are in the Northeast area of the country, come join us  October 11 for the scheduled One Day Seminar!

Be blessed as you encourage others! - Paula

REMEMBER The 2008 Celebrate Recovery Summit

The excitement from the 2008 Summit is now dispersed all over the country, you took it home with you!!!  If you were there, you know what I mean. What you do with that bubble of joy and expectancy for Celebrate Recovery for the upcoming year is important! 

Don't let your excitement die.  REMEMBER!  Think back on the events during those three days and get stirred up for CR again and again.  Let God continue to fuel the flames of passion for the ministry of Celebrate Recovery! Those of you who could not join us this year, rub shoulders with someone who did. That excitement is contagious, to say the least.

Some CR leaders are working their steps with a renewed intensity, aware that there is another level of healing that God has for them. Some laid down their barriers or stumbling blocks on the cross, that were preventing them from going forward! Some CR leaders became aware that their ministry needs some adjustments to come in line with the model, and they are eager to bring those changes.  Others may have discovered that it is time to step up and join the T.E.A.M. Still other CR leaders, who may have attended the Summit for the first time, now understand the nuts and bolts of a Celebrate Recovery Ministry for the first time and are ready to get started!  All of these areas are important to the continued advancing of this ministry. Be sure and share with others what God did in you during the Summit. These types of testimony are very powerful.

Are you feeling a little bit of a " let down" after all of the excitement that you experienced?  We ARE back to reality and the day to day living, aren't we?  I invite you to REMEMBER! Stir up the excitement all over again and move forward!

God bless you in your ministry!

PK