Making Your Group Safe for All - Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader's Chief Commission

Last week we were in Pennsylvania for a One Day Seminar, including the Seven Keys of Recovery and the Advanced Leadership Training. Many thanks to Ron and his team of great volunteers. I also made a new friend on Face Book!

I enjoy Face Book and the opportunities it brings to "stay in touch" with family and friends on a social level. I also have fun with the creative use of YouTube for promotions about Celebrate Recovery world-wide. There are many other creative ways technology connects us and raises awareness of CR in the public eye - and techchnology is great - most of the time!

One area of concern regarding our advanced means of technology is that of anonymity and confidentiality. I've seen and heard examples of someone filming or photographing all or part of a Celebrate Recovery meeting, and then displaying it somewhere on the web.

As a Ministry Leader, your first obligation is to make Celebrate Recovery a safe place for all participants. Letting a camera, camera equipped cell phone , or other video recording device into your meeting can be a violation of the sacred trust of confidentiality or anonymity.

A leader may point out that "I got a signed waver from all concerned". My concern is for that individual who walks in without giving their consent, or the person who later changes their mind and later says, "I didn't really want to sign, but everyone else did".

Two points regarding technology use in a Celebrate Recovery meeting - then I'll let you evaluate where your group stands.

1.) Recording the lessons of Celebrate Recovery is something you should not be doing. The body of the lesson, including the acrostic, is copyrighted material and should not be duplicated for public consumption.

2.) Perhaps the best use of still or video photography is in the promotion of your CR ministry. Think of the "WORDS" video, or the DVD included in the Basic Leadership Kit. A local promotional video is usually shot once, then used for specific purposes in the local church.

In addition, regular or weekly photography or video taping should not be a part of your Celebrate Recovery ministry. The use of camera or cell phone photography should be STRONGLY discouraged in your Celebrate Recovery ministry. If you are recording Celebrate Recovery lessons for inclusion on the web - you're going to have to stop.

Serving as a Ministry Leader, you've likely thrown personal anonymity and confidentiality out the door a long time ago. I wish to encourage you to make CR a safe place for all - and keep the cameras out of the meeting unless there for specific purposes of promoting your ministry.

On another note - this Friday is the last day to take advantage of early registration for the 2009 Summit at Saddleback Church. You may register by visiting us online at Celebrate Recovery .

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

Always for the Newcomer - Keep your Celebrate Recovery meeting Open Year Round!

I just have to begin the New Year with a bicycle story! I woke up late, thought it "too cold", or "they are too fast for me" - and decided for a number a number of reasons not to take the New Year's Day ride with the local CFC - "Cycling for Christ" group that began a ride from a near by bicycle shop at 8 a.m. today.

A little later in the day, I went on a ride on my own and nearly got side-tracked when a large black shepherd mix chased me down. This was funny to watch, as this big dog has apparently had "fun" with other cyclists in the neighboring community of Cedar Park.

I was riding along, minding my own business, when I saw this dog quickly charge from one side of the street to the other. He was hiding near a large bush in his front yard, but then sprang from cover at the appropriate time. He was huge - about the length of my bicycle frame - and fast. Did I mention fast!

Having graduated from the Road One Bicycling course, I knew that when dealing with a fast dog, you do not try to outrun it - just makes them more aggressive. Instead I hopped off the bike and kept it between me and the dog, all the while telling him he was a "bad dog", and "go home". He finally gave up as I slowly backed down the street.

I was reminded that when we are trying to do good, to develop a good habit, it is not unlike the enemy to side track us.

Tonight I went to my home CR group, our first meeting of 2009. Many of the regular attenders were present even in this season of holiday plans and travel, but we had one newcomer walk through the doors. I am so happy the leadership of my local CR made a commitment to continue meeting, though our regular meeting day put us on Christmas day and New Years day this year.

Three new participants joined us in the past week because we kept to the regular meeting schedule. Keep in mind that we have the large group meeting night for the new person who may come through the door - unexpected or unannounced.

Remember the hurts, habits, and hang-ups that bring members from your church or community to your recovery meeting - don't take breaks.

Blessings to you and your ministry team as you keep the doors open for anyone who may drop by to start on the "road to recovery".

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim

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

Summit is Completed for this Year - Join us August 12 - 14, 2009

Summit 2008 was a great time for all. Adding the opportunity for participants to be baptized was a new feature this year, and we had 63 folks from across the country proclaim their faith in Christ for the first time - or rededicate their lives at this conference.

The power of a transformed life was displayed again as we heard two great testimonies today - one this morning and the other at CR tonight.

As I was walking across the campus and the ministry center patio after large group this evening, it was incredible to see several circles of men gathered for open share. I know there were many great groups taking place in other locations across campus too.

Many thanks to ALL of the Saddleback volunteers who gave so generously of their time through the week, and especially with the prospect of hosting quite a few more men/women in the open share groups tonight. We appreciate you generous heart of service more than you can ever know. On behalf of all the Summit participants, I believe I can safely say to the Saddleback CR volunteers, WE LOVE YOU SADDLEBACK!!!

"Good-byes" were said across the campus as participants were getting ready to head back to hotels to pack bags for the trip home tomorrow. I really wish my plans included going to the airport tomorrow - for past experience has shown that the "celebration" of CR will carry into the airport waiting areas and onto planes heading to all points. It is fun to see the CR shirts, hats, and items identifying one another as part of this world-wide movement to bring hope and healing to others.

For the new group leaders, I pray God's blessings as you plant new groups in communities across the country and around the world. For the existing group leaders - my hope is that you have learned something this week that will help every member of your team excel at hosting Celebrate Recovery at your church.

Thanks for dropping by to say "hi" - I enjoyed meeting many of you at the Summit. Thanks for your commitment to keep to the model of recovery established at Saddleback Church. It will bring growth and change to your church and community.

Visit the Celebrate Recovery website to locate One Day and Advanced Leadership Training seminars coming to a location near you. Better yet - add next years Summit, August 12 - 14 to your calendar. We'll see you next year!

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim