Avoiding Stress and Burnout in Celebrate Recovery

Ministry Leader, I  am often asked how one can continue leading year-after-year, and still be fresh and vital in the ministry of Celebrate Recovery?

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

Answering the Bell

 A historic and imperious church bell greeted those entering the One Day Training at Fishkill Baptist Church this past Saturday.  I could imagine it, years ago, swinging with reckless resonance- ringing out the call to morning service.  Though some were tempted to revive the ancient sound (I won’t mention any names!), the old landmark remained silent this weekend.

However, another bell for service was answered with incredible proficiency and grace during another memorable Celebrate Recovery event. 

“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…”  (2 Corinthians 9:13)

Our hosts in Fishkill, New York exemplified humble Christian service, responding with grace and proficiency throughout a very fruitful seminar.  I experienced and heard about men and women time and time again going the extra mile as volunteers, pulling off one of the most enjoyable CR trainings I’ve ever been involved with.

Larry Crabb recently made this astute observation; “I see no greater battle in the regenerate human soul than the too often hidden conflict between self-obsession and God-obsession.  It shows up in every relationship, every conversation, every sentence.  And I believe that the only path to real victory in this fierce battle is to become true servants.”

As each one of us grow into the ministry God has created us to fulfill, remember the example Christ set as our servant King as we fight this “good fight.”  Look for opportunities, as did those serving at Fishkill Baptist Church, to lose your “self” in imitating His attitude.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
   Who, being in very nature God,
       did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
   but made himself nothing,
       taking the very nature of a servant,
       being made in human likeness.”  - Philippians 2:5-7

-john

On The Road to Recovery - Heading to the CR Summit

Hi All!

Paula and I were enroute to Orange County and the Summit yesterday. As we landed in Dallas and walked to the next gate, we were surprised and delighted to see a CR State Rep and wife from the North East Region of the US. They were about to board the plane we were heading out of DFW on!

On your way to California, remain alert for the prospect of connecting with others who are headed to Lake Forest and Saddleback Church. I know it will be easy to spot fellow conference participants on the way home as many are sporting new CR hats or shirts, but how about making it easy on the way over??? Wear your church's CR shirt or a shirt you picked at an earlier CR conference so you stand out on the way.

Better yet - how about being prepared to answer the question "what is Celebrate Recovery, and why am I seeing all these shirts?".

Ministry Leader - you and your team are on the way to the world-wide celebration of God at work in our lives. This is the eleventh year for the Summit, and it is exciting to watch it grow year-by-year. 

We are making a difference in the lives of individuals, marriages, families and communities around the globe.

Looking forward to seeing you here on Wednesday morning! Drop by and say "hi!". Pastor John and the team are eagerly awaiting your arrival.

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim