You've undoubtedly heard the expression, "time heals all wounds." Unfortunately, it isn't true! The truth is, time often makes things worse. Wounds that are left untended fester and spread infection throughout the entire body. Time only extends the pain if the problem isn't dealt with. -Pastor Rick Warren
Celebrate Recovery
The purpose of Grace Church´s Celebrate Recovery ministry is to fellowship and celebrate God´s healing power in our lives through the "8 Recovery Principles." This experience allows us to "be changed." We open the door by sharing our experiences, strengths and hopes with one another. In addition, we become willing to accept God´s grace in solving our lives´ problems. By working and applying these Biblical principles, we begin to grow spiritually. We become free from our addictive, compulsive and dysfunctional behaviors. This freedom creates peace, serenity, joy and most importantly, a stronger personal relationship with God and others. As we progress through the program we discover our personal, loving and forgiving Higher Power - Jesus Christ, the one and only true Higher Power.
For more information about Grace Church's Celebrate Recovery, send us an e-mail or call us at (515) 265-0199.
What is Celebrate Recovery?
This program is a life-changing Christian lay-ministry, based on the 12-Step process of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 8 Principles of Christ's Sermon on the Mount. This biblical program is designed to help people recover from life's hurts, hang-ups, habits and addictions.
Celebrate Recovery was created by Rick Warren, Senior Pastor, and John Baker, Pastor of Ministries, at Saddleback Church in California in 1991. Thousands of lives have been literally transformed through the work of the Holy Spirit in this program and people have been helped to grow toward full Christlike maturity.
Who is Celebrate Recovery for?
"The Bible clearly states, 'all have sinned.' It is my nature to sin, and it is yours too. None of us is untainted. Because we sin, we've all hurt ourselves, we've all hurt other people, and others have hurt us. This means each of us needs repentance and recovery in order to live our lives the way God intended." -Pastor Rick Warren
Celebrate Recovery is for hurting people and those dealing with addiction throughout our community. Those experiencing any of the following will find help through this program:
- Low Self-esteem
- Depression
- Isolation
- Hopelessness
- Hurts
- Misplaced loyalty
- Anxiety or lack of trust
- Over-responsibility
- Need to control
- Irresponsibility
- Victimization
- Impulsiveness
- Fear of rejection
- Shame Perfectionism
- Fear of abandonment
- Chemical dependence
- Lack of emotional intimacy
- Addictive behaviors
This recovery program :
- Is based on Gods Word, the Bible
- Is 'Forward Looking'
- Emphasizes personal responsibility
- Emphasizes a spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ
- Utilizes the truth that we need each other in order to grow spiritually & emotionally
- Addresses all types of problems and addictions
- Is not based on age, sex, race or religious background
Celebrate Recovery's Eight Principals:
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Realize I'm not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable. ["Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor"]
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Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. ["Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted"]
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Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control. ["Happy are the meek"]
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Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to another person whom I trust. ["Happy are the pure in heart"]
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Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life. ["Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires"]
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Evaluate all my relationships; Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others when possible, without expecting any reward. ["Happy are the merciful" "Happy are the peacemakers"]
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Reserve a daily time with God for prayer, Bible reading, and self-examination in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow his will.
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Yield myself to be used by God to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words. ["Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires"]
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THINGS WE ARE
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THINGS WE ARE NOT
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A safe place to share.
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A refuge.
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A place of belonging.
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A place to care for others and be cared for.
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Where respect is given to each member.
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Where confidentiality is highly regarded.
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A place to learn.
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A place to demonstrate genuine love.
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A place to grow and become strong again.
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A place for progress.
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Where you can take off your mask and allow
others to know who you are.
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A place for healthy challenges and healthy risks.
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A possible turning point in your life.
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A place for selfish control.
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Therapy.
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A place for secrets.
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A place to look for dating relationships.
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A place to rescue or be rescued by others.
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A place for perfection.
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A long-term commitment.
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A place to judge others.
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A quick fix.
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CELEBRATE RECOVERY
RULES AND WHY's
OTHER FOCUS:
Concentrating on others needs and problems. Analyzing their motives and behavior.
Asking questions of others. Telling stories about what he/she did
NEGATIVE RESULTS: Violates trust and safety. Makes members afraid to share risky material.
NEGATIVE RESULTS: Helps us avoid our own issues. Makes us observers, not participants. Puts a safe (and lonely) distance between ourselves and others.
RULE 1: Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings. Please limit your sharing to 3-5 minutes.
RULE 2: We are here to support one another. We will not attempt to "fix" one another.
GOALS: Work on self. Share personal needs, feelings, ideas and problems. Allow time for all those who need share.
RULE 3: Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. What is shared in the group stays in the group.
GOALS: Celebrate Recovery is a safe place.
CROSS-TALK
Interrupting people, asking questions,
having a dialogue with one other member of the group.
NEGATIVE RESULTS: Members fear that they won't be able to finish sharing, that their ideas are not valued, or that they won't get a chance to speak.
RULE 4: There will be no cross-talk please. Cross-talk is when two individuals engage in a dialogue, excluding all others. Each person is free to express feelings without interruption.
RULE 5: Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group.
GOALS: Listen respectfully to what others choose to share.
Every Friday Night at Grace
Celebrate Grace Café
Room 210
6:15 to 7:00 p.m.
Large-group Meeting
Room 204
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Open Share Groups
8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Dessert / Fellowship
9:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Recovery Groups
Chemical Dependency-Men
Chemical Dependency-Women
Sex Addiction-Men
Healing Damaged Emotions-Men
Healing Damaged Emotions-Women
Intimate Issues-Women
Childcare provided
For more information on Celebrate Recovery,
contact Pastor Chuck Morris, (515) 265-0199
BREAKING CONFIDENTIALITY:
Telling outsiders what was said or done in group.
Gossip disguised as a prayer request.
