Planning to Divide and Share at the Saddleback CR Summit

WOW! Registration for the 2009 Celebrate Recovery Summit is 2147 at the close of last week. It appears that we are heading toward another full and exciting Summit experience for all who are able to attend.

Ministry Leader - you will soon have an opportunity to preview the schedule for the 3 days of events that make up the Summit. In years past, and I'm sure this year too, Tina Davis will post a blog concerning the daily agenda for the Summit.

By planning ahead, you will be able to let others traveling with you have an opportunity to decide which workshops they should attend. It has been fun in the past, when I have attended with members of my CR, to plan to take in a variety of workshops and then share notes on the return home. Advance planning provides a way for the entire team to benefit from the experiences of all .

My hope is that you will make new friends in recovery while at the Summit. My prayer is that you have opportunities to also connect with "old friends" you've made along this road to recovery. The power of friendship and fellowship is evident as you see folks call or wave to one another across the Saddleback plaza during the three days of the Celebrate Recovery Summit.

If you have the opportunity to stay over for Saturday or Sunday services - all the better. It is fun to see the fellowship carry over to the weekend services - with new and existing leaders recognizing each other by new CR shirts or hats.

Be prepared to look for fellow conference attenders at the airport on the way home too! The celebration continues -right up to departure from Orange County or other area airports.

Get ready and start your planning to get the most out of your Summit experience. We'll see you soon in Orange County and Saddleback Church. Don't wait any longer. Sign up now at Celebrate Recovery . You'll be glad you did!

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim

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

Be Ready for the Newcomer - Provide help and encouragement in recovery from Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups!

Today I learned a lesson in being prepared, and it happened on a tennis court! Bear in mind today marks the first time I've been on a court in about six months - a long time since I've even hit a ball.

Three others from church and I met at the home court of one of the men in our group. The guy that made today's match a possibility said " this is Jerry's (name changed - of course this is anonymous!!!) court, and one of his 'home court rules' is you get four opportunities your first time to serve". In other words - I had to be ready because any one of the first four balls served by another player, or myself, could be the opening shot of a game the FIRST TIME each player got to serve. No unlimited warm up serves - in other words. How about a little pressure the first time back on a court in months???

I've learned in many areas of life and ministry, it always pays to be alert.

God's word has many exhortations to preparedness in our spiritual journey and the opportunities that come our way. One is found in 2 Timothy 4:2 , where were are encouraged to Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Ministry leader - I've found in life and in recovery, we have to be open and sensitive to the opportunities the Holy Spirit sends our way. With the awesome responsibity we have to lead this life-transforming ministry, we undoubtedly have a unique advantage to speak His word of healing into the lives of newcomers showing up at THEIR appointed time. We have to be sensitive in what to share, and how to share as we point individuals to the help, strength, and hope they will soon discover in Celebrate Recovery.

One thing I've learned over the years is that someone showing up for their first recovery meeting may not be ready "to be preached at". The first thing a newcomer needs from you and your team is unconditional love and acceptance, to find their place in recovery, and an opportunity to experience Christ's love through us (CR leaders and volunteers).

My greatest joy has been to see a newcomer, perhaps a little uncertain of coming to church in the first place, feel welcomed and accepted by the Celebrate Recovery family. Through establishing growing relationships in recovery, I've seen many participants later enter church through the door of recovery. Many churches across the country see this happening, and frequently discovery CR can become one of the most effective outreach ministries of the church.

Back to that part regarding "being ready". I had the opportunity to share "my two minute testimony" with the other players between sets on a tennis court today, and it led to an appointment. The appointment to share Christ and recovery to one of my partner's family members.

Hope to see you at an upcoming One Day Seminar, or the Eleventh Annual Celebrate Recovery Summit on August 12 - 14. You can sign up for either by visiting Celebrate Recovery , where you will find registration for the Summit is open. REGISTER EARLY - we often fill up FAST!

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim

Independence Day Celebration - Freedom in Celebrate Recovery for All!

Today, March 2,2009 marks a special day in the lives of all Texans. Nearly a native, I better take part in it as well. Happy Texas Independence Day, Y'all!!! I've lived here since I was 4, and even hardy life-long citizens of the state tell me I've been here long enough to call the Lone Star State "home". I've been told my accent gives me away - so I guess I blend in by now.

"Remember the Alamo!", "Remember Goliad!", and victory at San Jacinto! I know many Texans and those who love this State take special note of this day.

Today marks another independence day as God's word assures us in Isaiah 61 that He has come to proclaim liberty in the year of the Lord's favor.

Isaiah 61: 1 - 3
The Year of the LORD's Favor 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a] 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

This evening my new home church is beginning the ministry of Celebrate Recovery! Leaders and a worship team have been recruited and trained, meeting spaces have been reserved, and the excitement is building. We're meeting on a night of the week that has every opportunity to support Celebrate Recovery meeting in other churches across the Austin area network.

I can't help but believe that today will be a day of independence when brothers and sisters in my home church and community will be released from chains of the past as they fully move toward the life that God has intended for them to lead. I'm excited to know that many will begin this road to recovery and enjoy freedom from the hurts, habits, and hang-ups of their past. Best wishes to Pastor Sol and the rest of the ministry team as you begin a ministry that has great potential for our church and the area in which we live.

Can't tell folks often enough - join us at the next Celebrate Recovery One Day Seminar. This one is the Seven Keys - only! It is not too late to walk-in and register at Celebration Church in Metarie, LA this Saturday, March 7. I hope to see you there!

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim

- a note added March 3, 2009 - there were 100 in attendance at our first meeting. Next Sunday's church bulletin is all CR & we're looking for a strong show of support our second night out. - jk