Celebrate Recovery Fellowship

One of the benefits of offering fellowship is to create a place where we can develop healthy relationships.  I couldn't help but remember my first steps interacting with others, in a social setting; sober... I felt so intimidated.  CR fellowship gave me a safe place to practice being social.  Eventually my CR fellowship began to extend outside the ministry. I started attending church, joined a bible study and went to all kinds of different events with my CR friends.

Offering a BBQ and Solid Rock Café encourages individuals to meet either before or after or both as they develop new healthy relationships. Eventually these relationships will grow into a support team of sponsors and accountability partners.   

At the CR model we charge for dinner and desserts.  The charge is based on our cost. We never make a profit but strive to break even.  Even with charging we sometimes end up in the red.  The only free item we offer is our fabulous church coffee and entry to our Solid Rock Café.  This way no one will ever feel left out from attending fellowship after Open Share group time.  In any event, if you have not been charging and now find yourself in a situation where your budget can no longer cover your food expenses here is a suggested transition from free to fee.

During your large group announcements, make a general announcement saying, “to help cover our dinner costs, we have created a new menu price list.”  Another option is, “We are committed to offering a safe place for fellowship, to help us continue to offer dinner and desserts, we have created a new menu price list” Provide a bulletin insert with your menu and prices.  After your initial announcement you would not necessarily have to make another announcement the following week because the newcomer does not know there was a charge.  However, if someone who has not attended your CR for a while shows up for dinner and has no money, consider giving him/her a free dinner just for that night.  Another case to consider giving out a free meal is to a newcomer who was unaware that there was a cost and does not have money to pay for the meal.    

For participants who attend on a weekly basis who cannot afford to purchase dinner, keep in mind that what you do for one you must be prepared to do for everyone.  Don’t forget why you needed to start charging in the first place. 

One last thought, volunteers who serve your dinner should not expect to eat for free.  If they are eating for free they are not serving.  To this day, for the past 20 years, Pastor John Baker has paid for every meal and every dessert he has ever eaten at CR.  He’s so awesome!

I hope this helps you decide what is best for your CR Group.

Tina Davis

National Training Coach

What Will I Do Next Year for Celebrate Recovery?

It is the season when we tend to process the year which lies yet before us! The approaching New Year presents a clean calendar and a story yet untold. As Encourager Coaches in Celebrate Recovery, we are always looking for creative ways to present a social event, to foster fellowship, and to minister to our Leaders!  Do you have some fresh ideas that you are considering?

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