Celebrate Recovery in Nampa, Idaho

Many thanks to Pastor Kent Conrad and his Ministry Leaders Barry and Eunice Lucas. They had a great group of volunteers working to make sure the last Celebrate Recovery Seminar of the Spring / Summer season was a success.

Many new and potential new ministries were represented when Pastor John and Cheryl asked "how many are here for the first time?" Hands were raised all across the worship center, indicating potential growth across Idaho and the North West region of the United States.

The leadership of Celebrate Recovery is now preparing for the upcoming Summit at Saddleback Church, August 12 - 14, 2009. The registration for this event was over 2300 at the end of last week.

If you are planning to join us, make plans now to register at Celebrate Recovery. Hurry up - for the Saddleback worship center fills up fast!

Now is a great time to connect with your Celebrate Recovery State Representative to let them know you will be attending. Building relationships with other leaders from your area is a large part of what the Summit is about. Start making connections now. See you soon!

Celebrating Recovery - each day in Christ! - Jim

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

Comfortable, Familiar, at Home in Celebrate Recovery

It has been a couple of weeks in a row since I've been able to fellowship at my home church in Austin, Texas. While traveling home from the recent CR seminars in Tulsa and Greenville, I've been on the road or in the air on Sunday, and have missed my church. This morning as Paula and I arrived to take our position as greeters during the first service, we were walking down a hall, I felt a sense of peace and satisfaction and commented "It sure feels good to be here today!".

The sense of "being at home" is something I so desire for your Celebrate Recovery participants when they happen to visit another group.

The Trademark and DNA of Celebrate Recovery are discussed in all of our training events for the purpose of making sure that visitors from other CR ministries from across the country or from the other side of the globe always feel "at home" when they walk through your door. It is always a concern to hear that someone visited another CR, and left confused because it did not match the structure and best practices adopted from the model we find at Saddleback Church.

Whether your ministry is hosting dozens or hundreds of individuals, you can and should follow the model that is taught in all of our training events. We expect that, as a church offers
Celebrate Recovery, it will be an authentic representation of the original - home to participants familiar with the training we provide.

If you need assistance in understanding any part of the Leader's Guide or Seminar workbooks, we have a great group of volunteers in the US, and a growing number of recognized ministry leaders internationally, who are more than willing to answer questions you have about starting and growing a healthy Celebrate Recovery ministry.

There are three more One Day Seminars featuring the Seven Keys and the Advanced Leadership Training between now and June. I'd also like to get in a reminder that we are ahead of registration numbers posted this time last year for the soon coming Celebrate Recovery Summit. You can find registration information for any of our events by visiting Celebrate Recovery . Bless you on this Road to 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

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