So without wasting anytime I will give you our agenda for last Thursday:
6:30-7:00 Pot luck dinner (my favorite part) And, Man, do we have some good cooks! I even have a few pretty good Louisiana specialties myself.
7:00-7:10 Opening prayer and praise song
7:10-8:10 Address agenda items:
1. We wrote "love-o-grams" to a Celebrate Recovery family whose house burned down. This is a great way to begin our meeting with an outward focus.
2. During our church remodeling right now, Frank is the new CR "Chairman" over the chair moving committee. He will enlist others to serve in this area. We then addressed housekeeping needs, such as, which classes would have to be relocated and how all of us would do this with a smile and enthusiasm.
3. Discussed CR in the Park: This is an annual fellowship event with no teaching. Just great fun between all our local CRs and recovery houses. Last year we fed over 500 people and we exposed members of the community to what fun CR is. We're expecting a great turn out again this year. And I will tell you more about it after April 18th.
4. Update on recovery house: We opened our first recovery house, not across town, but on our own church campus this past month. We discussed how we can be the most effective in ministering to these men.
5. CRI update: 78 men will graduate in the second wave of Step Studies at a local prison on March 25th! The graduation will be open to anyone who wants to attend from our local CRs.
6. Encourager Coach notes: We complied a list of all who have donated to the recovery house to mail them thank-you cards.
7. Extra Mile Award: We gave a $25 gas card to the person who has went above and beyond this past month in CR service.
8:10-8:30 Devotional by Ministry Leader Apprentice
Josh told a powerful story from Purpose Driven magazine about a man who gave his kidney to someone he met in small group. I would love to share the whole story with you but the point boils down to CR is successful because we choose the "Get To" attitude!
Closed out with this verse:
"I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself up for me." (Gal. 2:20)
Leaders' meetings are a great way to set your group up for success!
Peace,
Mac
]]>The answer is to remain involved in your own recovery, to focus on your growth in Christ and recovery. It is highly important that every member of your TEAM and each volunteer in your Celebrate Recovery ministry keep in contact with the accountabiulity and support that got them where they are in the first place.
Some of the biggest disasters I've observed over the years have been leaders who focus on "doing" recovery, helping others, while neglecting their health and progress in their spiritual walk - and their walk of recovery.
No matter what happens, no matter the trials, ramain faithful to your call to Christ and recovery. You will be a success and you will overcome in His name.
Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim
]]>A couple of concerns I wanted to point out today have to do with Celebrate Recovery lessons, and Celebrate Recovery testimonies appearing in radio/tv/internet/blogs/podcasts and etcetera.
Regarding the lessons of Celebrate Recovery, you need to know that the Celebrate Recovery Leader’s Guide and the Participant Guides are both copyright protected resources of the Zondervan Publishing Company, and have the support of the trademark and copyright laws of our land. If you have, or are planning to post CR lessons in part or the whole, to the web, you have the potential to be violating the copyright laws intended to protect you and others for intellectual or property rights for resources developed.
Another question then surfaces about lessons posted to the web. If you lesson is totally original and does not contain the acrostics of the Celebrate Recovery lessons – what exactly are you doing in your Celebrate Recovery group? Are you running a local experiment under the name of Celebrate Recovery? Have you added outside resource or teaching, which indicates your group, is no longer an authentic representation of the ministry started at Saddleback Church over eighteen years ago?
If you have Celebrate Recovery lessons published to the web, you need to remove them now.
Regarding testimonies – it is great that you have leaders or participants willing to use their story to help others come to recovery. You need to be sure that every person you record is willing for you to record the testimony to use as you may, and that you have a signed release for every individual giving their consent.
Many of those sharing their testimony are comfortable with anyone hearing the great things God has done in their life, but you may have others who are happy to share in the local group, but not have their story broadcast through the internet.
Some of the testimony issues to consider would be with children at home, or those who may have pending issues with a separated or divorced spouse. There may be many other issues that would cause someone who may be perfectly happy sharing within the intimacy of a CR testimony, who may reconsider when told “your story is going out on the web or in the church bulletin”.
Ministry leader – it is key that you keep this ministry safe for all, and that you set the example for others of following trademark and copyright laws of the land.
]]>
Our National Encouraging Coaches have done well in educating you about FaceBook and Twitter, but I've recently seen postings, tweets, personal blogs that are a concern for the anonymity and confidentiality of participants attending Celebrate Recovery meetings.
In this age of accessability to so many forms of electronic communication, we are well served by Small Group Guideline #1 that encourages us to share "our own thoughts and feelings", especially when it comes to mentioning what happened at CR last night or this week.
Did you stop to consider that while someone might appreciate your attention at a meeting, it may be uncomfortable when you post "it was great to see Jim at Celebrate Recovery last night". The same thing applies to a personal Celebrate Recovery blog where the author starts talking about spouse/child/friend in need of joining them in a recovery meeting. A personal blog may not mention the spouse or child by name, but I'm pretty sure friends and followers don't have to work hard to figure out who is being mentioned.
Please consider the impact your words have in making the ministry of Celebrate Recovery safe for everyone. Be especially considerate when commenting about the recovery events of your life. If you have any question about mentioning a friend or family member by name in any of the above mentioned media - always ask them before you hit "send" or "post".
I just wanted to follow up on great advice from our Encourager Coaches regarding the use of any print or electronic media.
You can always learn more about the ministry of Celebrate Recovery by attending a One Day Seminar, or the Annual CR Summit at Saddleback Church. Visit http://www.celebrateraterecovery.com for the latest information on our training events.
Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim
]]>Dear (insert Ministry Leader’s name here),
Do you remember when you thought Celebrate Recovery was simply a place to share the life-giving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to hurting people? What happened?
Now at our last Large Group meeting you had to referee an ongoing squabble between (insert two Open Share leader’s names here). Then, right before worship started, you had to run to the grocery store to get more creamer because (insert new guy’s name here) showed up little “tipsy” and spilled it all over the carpet. How are you going to explain that one to (insert Senior Pastor’s name here)?… the BRAND NEW carpet was just installed last week! I know it wasn't easy convincing (insert new guy's name and new guy's wife's name here) to have you drive them home on the way to the grocery store due to their, ummm, mutual "tipsiness". I have to say, you sure showed them a lot of grace and love in a potentially explosive situation!
I sure am sorry that during worship , you had to set up all the rooms for our Open Share meetings because (insert extremely unreliable volunteer’s name here) didn’t show up. Then, during the Open Share, I heard you had the privilege of sitting in the nursery with eight screaming toddlers because (insert childcare worker’s name) kid threw up all over the (MORE BRAND NEW) carpet, and she had to take him home.
Well, I just want you to know I recognize all the hard work you do, and I appreciate you. You are making a difference, and, even though things get pretty crazy around here, the Gospel of Jesus Christ IS setting men and women free as a result of your obedience and sacrifice. I am praying for you today according to Ephesians 3:16, that “out of (God’s) glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”
God bless you, and please, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you carry the burden of this life-giving ministry of Celebrate Recovery. You don't have to do this alone.
(Sign Encourager Coach’s name here)
-john
]]>To get the picture, please read Big John 17:20-26 (Little John is in the back.) We read how Jesus says the only way the world will know that He was sent from the Father is for us, as believers, to be as one, just as Jesus the Son and God the Father are one.
What an order! Can it be done? Our Father wouldn't ask if it couldn't be done. We will not be effective in getting the word out if we are at odds in our own CR or if we are at odds with other CR's.
Where then do we begin? Leaders meetings! I can't begin to stress how important monthly meetings are. I have found groups that are struggling have one of two issues or both - not adhering to the guidelines & not having leaders meetings. Who wants to add another night to our already busy schedule, right?!
I hope you know by now, if I am writing about something, it's because I've been there! In the early days of our CR, I thought I knew enough about recovery and "running a group" that I didn't need to take up another night of my busy schedule with meetings.
The result was on Friday nights I would spend the majority of my time putting out fires. Taking care of everybody (codependent) was really hard work. That’s when I heard the voice of reason (Mary) who said we really ought to have leaders meetings and iron out problems before Friday.
So barely a year into our CR journey, we started doing what was suggested from the start (I am a little hard headed). Long story short, Mary was right, and now instead of putting out fires on Friday night, my big responsibility on Friday night is to show all our leaders and volunteers how much I love and appreciate what they do & welcome the Newcomer. It's still hard to believe I really "Get To" do this!
The first Thursday of every month is my favorite night of the month. That’s when I "Get To" dream and plan with others who can't keep quiet about what Jesus has done for them.
In taking this one simple step, the unity that Jesus talks about in Big John takes hold and grows into something even the world sees as incredible. People with many different backgrounds coming together for a common goal.
Next time I write I will describe to you how one of our leaders' meetings looks and share with you some of the ways we are discussing to "get The Word out" and how we can become more unified with other local CR'S.
Peace,
Mac
]]>In the afternoon, Cheryl Baker gave a personal greeting to The Advanced Leadership gathering. She received a warm welcome from the crowd. In addition, she asked the group in attendance how many years their ministry had been running? One? Almost every hand went up. Wow! Two, still most of the hands were raised. Three, Four, Five. Over half of the ministries represented had been in existence for five years. Some ministries had been running much longer. To see those hands raised was more than a little inspiring. Folks, the ministry of Celebrate is growing and maturing. Many lives are being changed as faithful leaders continue to reach out to those with hurts, habits and hang-ups year after year!
These same leaders spent a Saturday with seasoned Leaders to learn more about leading a CR ministry. They were networking with other ministries and gleaning bits of information from those who have been at the forefront of this ministry for years. These were experienced leaders still desiring to learn more! How exciting to see their enthusiasm and zeal for helping others!
Plan to attend a One Day Conference near you! Continue to grow your Leadership Team by attending an Advanced Leadership Training in your area! The next One Day Conference is in Houston, Texas on February 20. The Seven Keys Seminar will be presented as well as The Leadership Training Seminar. You have the opportunity to network with other ministries in your area and to learn something new! The upcoming events are listed on the Celebrate Recovery website. You can register by phone or on line! See you there!
May you be richly blessed as you reach out to the hurting in your community!
Paula
]]>
If you are new to CR, I would encourage you to go back and look at the archives of all the TEAM blogs for good ideas to becoming the most effective in reaching out to the lives God has and will bring into your life.
#2 Communication between Church Staff & CR TEAM
#4 Producing Your Own Newcomer's DVD
#6 Advertising - Spreading the Word
# 7 Ongoing Spot in Church Bulletin
#8 Helping the Newcomer Feel Welcome
#10 Attend a CR One Day Seminar
You worked hard all last year to make these things happen, right? So now it’s time to take a little breather, right? Are you kidding?! I know you better than that being an "A" coach. No, you are ready to hit the ground running! You know there is no better time of year when people are more ready to make a change in their lives than right now starting the new year.
God knew you would be right where you are in 2010. And He knew you & your CR group would be the ones to reach out to the people He is going to send your way!
I can’t wait to see how God is going to work through your ministry this year because you said YES.
Yield myself to God
Example is what is important
Serve others as Jesus Christ did
Peace,
Mac
]]>March 19, 1995 -5:23am The beginning of my life.
That's how it starts on page 1.
Thumbing forward a few weeks: Today, so far, has been full and inspired...
A couple months later: It has been a hectic week so far...
A few more months: I am starting the day well. I felt so lousy in the last couple weeks...
I have dozens of journals in this same box... including a positively ink-filled Celebrate Recovery Journal (what a great tool)! They each reflect thousands of victories, disappointments, triumphs and mistakes . Each holds hundreds of pages, and each page was once an empty space, a fresh clean inauguration of opportunity.
“... But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13, 14)
What are you going to do with this New Year, this new day, this new moment? C.S. Lewis wrote, “This moment contains all moments.”
Looking for an "encouraging" suggestion for a New Year's resolution? Get, and keep, a CR journal. Looking for an "encouraging" suggestion for a first entry in your CR Journal?
January 12, 2010 The beginning of my life.
-john
As we slide into the New Year, I would like to encourage you to be more creative in your planning. Think outside your 2009 box of experiences and do some new things for your CR ministry in the New Year. Have you had a girl's night out to play games, eat fun foods and laugh until your sides hurt? Have the guys had a night out - a time to attend a ball game locally or to bowl in your area bowling alley? Have your leaders gathered together, just them, to build their relationships? A special dinner out is always fun! Have you gathered your T.E.A.M. together for some special fellowship? Perhaps a retreat is a viable option for your ministry in this coming year. Whatever you do, have fun and enjoy those relationships!
Does the dinnertime before the meal need a boost? How about some inspirational music in the background? Is it time to change your decor or the menu? Do the leaders in your ministry need to be encouraged? What can you do to make them feel special and appreciated? E-cards don't cost anything and can be very inspirational! Are you praying for the Leaders? Have you told them that you are petitioning heaven on their behalf?
I pray that 2010 will be a blessed year for you and that you will be a blessing to many! The things that we consider so little are often very powerful in the lives of others! They are important! May the Lord God Almighty guide your every step in this coming year that you may be a blessing to many on this road to recovery!
Happy New Year to each of you!
Paula
]]>