Recovery Foundations - Follow the Model

Luke 6:48
He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

Deck building is not something I do often - well not at all, actually. Yesterday, I was helping my friend Greg replace a deck at his home. While I do not have previous deck building experience, I was able to add some muscle to the project, and he was grateful for help in moving some sixteen foot posts that were to be support for the new structure.

By the time I arrived, Greg had already demolished the old deck and had poured concrete footings for the main support posts in the deck. As Greg discovered, this was not a one man project, and the new or existing Celebrate Recovery ministry at your church should not be either.

A firm foundation has been established in the recovery ministry at Saddleback Church, one that has stood the test for seventeen years, and has been instrumental in helping countless thousands around the globe receive God's healing grace at work in their lives.

If you are already running a ministry and have discovered you are slightly "off course" after attending the Summit, I want to encourage you to begin to make small changes to conform to the model successfully established at Saddleback. All too often I hear of churches that wish to make sweeping changes - but that, my friend, is also a hazard! Be gentle with your ministry volunteers as you seek to more nearly follow the model we imitate. Don't be hasty to change too much - too soon!

Work well with other members of your T.E.A.M.! It is great to have other eyes making sure the ministry you are running is an accurate representation of the model at Saddleback. This is not a ministry you run in isolation from your leaders, pastor, or church staff. Celebrate Recovery is intended to serve as another regular ministry of the church.

For the new Ministry Leaders among us - please accurately and faithfully follow the model from the beginning. If you have any questions about the 90 day kick off, and how to start this ministry in your church, remember that we have state representatives and regional directors who are capable of assisting you. We are here to help you grow a ministry that will serve your church and community for a long, long time.

Now back to Greg and the deck, I had to leave to take part in a Regional Director conference call. After we had the posts and main supports in place, Greg was in position to get the rest of the deck support in place on his own. While he was reluctant to ask for help at first, he was grateful to have extra hands available to assist at the key point of setting up the foundation.

I understand there are plans for extending the deck - but that is another project, scheduled for next year perhaps.

Don't do recovery alone - you have help available - use it!

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim