Celebrate Recovery State Reps Are Here to Serve

Many thanks to Pastor Gary and his ministry leader (and MN State Rep) Wade, for an outstanding job of hosting the One Day Seminar and Advanced Leadership Training at Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, MN last weekend. Everyone had a great time, and the church and recovery community provided wonderful volunters to host the event.

One question surfaced in conversation that lead me to believe many local Ministry Leaders somehow missed the help and support available through the CR Regional Director and State Representative system that has long been part of our structure. On occasion in other parts of the country I've heard similar remarks, and thought I better address it here.

I talked with several folks attending their first training event who mentioned "I did not know I had a state rep!".

As a ministry leader in your local church and community, help get the word out to new and potential new ministries. Let them know Celebrate Recovery provides training through One Day Seminars and the Summit, and a support system through recognized leaders, to help start and grow a successful CR ministry. While it is great a nearby church may visit your group to understand the "how to, or why" of running a successful model of recovery, it is vitally important you help connect others to the system of support and connection that our representatives provide.

Our Regional Directors and State Reps are here to serve YOU. Don't hesitate to call or e-mail any of us with questions about growing this ministry in your church.

Speaking of networking - in 72 days, there will be awesome networking opportunities with people from across the country and around the world. Recovery leaders and potential recovery leaders will soon be gathering on the campus of Saddleback Church for the Eleventh Annual Celebrate Recovery Summit.

The Network Connection Tents will be set up and we will have representatives from the six regions of the United States, Celebrate Recovery Inside, and Celebrate Recovery International available to answer any questions you have concerning the growth of this Christ-centered ministry in your part of the world.

Come now and make plans now to join us for the WORLD -WIDE CELEBRATION of recovery that is found in Celebrate Recovery. Drop by and say "Hi!". Pastor John, Cheryl and the rest of the team are looking forward to seeing you there.

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim

Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader Connection to the Church

When the Ministry Leaders in my home town gather, they often bring up a point that is of concern in Celebrate Recovery ministries across the country. Senior Pastor Support!

As the Ministry Leader of the recovery ministry in your church, I challenge you to keep a regular on-going dialog with your Senior Pastor. In some churches this may include the Pastoral Care Director, or Staff Pastor given the opportunity oversee the ministry of Celebrate Recovery.
It is important to keep communication open for a many reasons, and here are just a few:

1.) Ongoing reports alert the Pastor and staff to the WAVE, the momentum, that is building in this recovery ministry. This includes the coming "recovery experience" that is going to be promoted in the Fall edition of the Purpose Driven Connection magazine. Pastor John has mentioned the excitement building for the fall edition of this new ministry magazine. If you haven't see this new publication, check it out now - get ready for the recovery focus this Fall!

2.) Share with the Pastor how Celebrate Recovery functions as another "door" into the church. You can do so by providing general information about participants now calling your church "home". I've always encouraged brothers and sisters in recovery to let the Pastor know that CR was the means by which they discovered Christ and the church. Many have been bold to say "Pastor, I am here because of Celebrate Recovery!".

3.) As Christ and recovery is first the avenue of change for people IN THE CHURCH, the focus then changes to OUTREACH in the community. Let the Pastor know of community impact or prison outreach that comes from the health and growth of Celebrate Recovery in your church.

At the One Day Seminar in South Carolina, Pastor Rick Warren recorded a message specifically for those attending the Seven Keys and Advanced Leadership Training. In the message, he noted national concerns about the economy and fears over job loss - concerns that are real and felt world-wide. One comment Pastor Rick shared, that really registered with the audience, is his belief that "national recovery begins with personal recovery".

As the Ministry Leader of Celebrate Recovery in your church, prepare your leadership to make a difference in the lives of men and women who are coming through the doors each week. As you help participants encounter personal recovery, their stories will encourage family and friends to find the hope that is available in Christ alone. We are making a difference!!!

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim

Honesty, Integrity, and Generosity - Applies to Celebrate Recovery Leaders

Hi All! We just concluded the first CR One Day Seminar of the year in San Jose, California. It was a great event hosted by West Regional Director, Mindy Scratch and her wonderful volunteers from Family Community Church. Nearly 800 leaders were in attendance at this event. It was exciting for all.

When introducing the assembled members of the National and State CR teams, I referenced Rick Warren's prayer on Inauguration Day. It very much reflected points of his sermon following the Civil Forum last August. The keys of his sermon last summer and the prayer earlier this month apply to those who serve you - and those who serve with you.

As Celebrate Recovery ministry leaders do you demonstrate the following in your ministry?

Honesty - This quality is key when considering leaders and volunteers for ANY leader at any level. It is crucial for a recovery leader to exhibit honesty in all their relationships, but absolutely vital they are honest in their spiritual growth and their walk on this road to recovery.

Integrity - Integrity we have learned through many ministries and movements within the church, points to CONSISTENCY in all areas of life. As a ministry leader do you and others trusted to your care demonstrate the same character at home, church, and in the community?

Generosity - You are serving with many who unselfishly give to serve others through the weekly meetings of Celebrate Recovery. Ministry Leader - I wish to point out that your success as the coordinator of all things CR - is directly tied to your ability to share the ministry and the vision of Celebrate Recovery in as many ways possible with as many people as possible. In recovery and in all areas of life, I encourage you to be as generous as possible.

The next One Day/Advanced Leadership Training is scheduled for the Seattle area on February 7. Early registration has closed, but there is time to register your team - or use walk-in registration in a little over a week-and-a-half. Blessings!

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim

Anniversary Time - Great Rejoicing in Celebrate Recovery

This past November, Pastor John and Cheryl Baker celebrated SEVENTEEN years of loving and serving people at Saddleback Church's Celebrate Recovery ministry. A great time was had by all, whether part of leadership for years, or showing up the first time as a newcomer.

All year long, there are many other anniversary celebrations in CR ministries across the country and around the globe.

On many occasions I've had the opportunity to drop a note of congratulations to the ministry leader and team who are working hard to faithfully operate a ministry that is meeting the needs of people from the church and community every week of the year.

Last week, Paula and I had a great opportunity to join Marty and Carri Kennedy, friends through CR who were celebrating a four year anniversary at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX (pictured above). It was an awesome evening rejoicing with 300 people who were there to mark a special occasion in the life of a recovery ministry serving one of the largest churches in East Texas. National Assimilation Coach, Mac Owen and his wife Mary , were part of the celebration as well.

You will often be encouraged in CR with the concept "we are better together". The leadership of the ministry at Green Acres is formed with the help and encouragement of several churches that have banded together to provide the volunteer manpower necessary to carry out the large group and open share on Monday night, along with step studies that occur other times during the week.

Through networking and cooperation, Marty and his team have successfully raised other leaders who have since started Celebrate Recovery at several churches in and near the Tyler area.

Ministry leader - I know many of us put the name of our church on the shirts we design for the leaders or participants of our ministries, but this team thinks so much of community networking, the shirts that are provided to the leaders and participants say "Celebrate Recovery - Tyler Texas". Truly a sign they are a community minded resource. - looking well beyond the walls of the church to meet the needs around them.

Another observation is that Celebrate Recovery functions as another door to the church, noting that many of the Celebrate Recovery participants seek a growing relationship with Christ through the great Bible teaching of Green Acres.

If you have leaders who have never been to a One Day Seminar, if you have experienced leaders who need to go to the Advanced Leadership track, please drop by CelebrateRecovery.COM

to check out upcoming training opportunities for Winter and Spring 2009. Drop by and say "hi!" when you come to any of these events!

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim

jimk@saddleback.com

Kentucky One Day/ALT - 100th Celebrate Recovery One Day Seminar Coming Soon!

Last weekend, we were in Lexington, KY for a Celebrate Recovery One Day / Advanced Leadership Training at Southland Christian Church. Many thanks to Allen and Shirley Conner and their great team of volunteers for their wonderful support of this event! You were outstanding hosts, and we appreciated the hospitality of your church.

During a break, after setting up the conference, we had an opportunity to drive south through the Kentucky River Palisades to the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill. It was interesting to visit this remnant of Shaker life in Kentucky. Modern day craftsmen have done well in restoring and preserving the village.

The last One Day / Advanced Leadership Training of the year is coming up in Dallas, on November 15. This also happens to be the One Hundredth conference event that CR founders, John and Cheryl Baker, have presented These conferences have provided a means to introduce potential new groups to this ministry of hope and restoration. I'm amazed a ministry intended to help folks at a church in Orange County California, has now criss-crossed the globe, helping countless thousands find freedom from our hurts and habits.

Join us for the One Hundredth event, if you can, but also check the Celebrate Recovery website for events coming in Winter and Spring 2009. While you are at it, mark your calendar for the next Celebrate Recovery Summit on August 12-14. Registration will open before you know. It is important to get the date on your calendar and begin making plans to join the world-wide celebration of CR at Saddleback Church. I know many ministry leaders who are now encouraging members of their team to start setting aside funds for the trip, or have begun gathering support from the local church to take a group to the Summit. Plan ahead now.

Drop by to say "hi!" if you are in Dallas at Covenant Church on the 15th. See you there.

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim