Frequent Questions – Celebrate Recovery

CR is for anyone struggling with life. If you have ever had a hurt, if you have ever had a hang-up in life, or perhaps you have struggled with an addiction, then this ministry is for you. We all share one thing in common: hurt.

We are: a safe place, a refuge, a place of belonging, a place to care for others and be cared for, where respect is given to each member, where confidentiality is highly regarded, a place to learn, to grow and become strong again, where you can take off your mask, a place for healthy challenges and healthy risks, a possible turning point in your life
We are NOT: a place of selfish control, therapy, a place for secrets, a place to look for dating relationships, a place to rescue or be rescued by others, a place of perfection, a long-term commitment, a place to judge others, a quick fix

The entry point for Celebrate Recovery is to come to Sunday Night starting at 6 p.m. After the worship service we will have you go to a Newcomer group your first meeting. This will give you a feel for what to expect in the small groups. All you have to do is show up and we will walk you thru everything.

CR is one of the most loving environments you will be a part of. Everyone here is on the same road as you are, and though your issues may be differing in some ways we all are seeking truth in the same way. This is a safe environment where you can take your mask off and be who you are.

You are not required to attend all four components of Friday night (meal, worship service, open sharing, and “Solid Rock Cafe”), but we do recommend that you make it a priority. It beats a night out on the town! You will leave charged and refreshed through the fellowship and spiritual healing that come in the context of the Friday night experiences. That being said, we know that life happens and simply ask you to attend what is applicable and convenient for you.

Celebrate Recovery does not charge for this ministry. Free-will offerings are received on Sunday evenings. Our Celebrate Recovery is self-supporting. Workbooks are utilized in the Step Studies and are available at the Resource Center on Friday evenings. Prices for these materials range from $6 – $20.

The chips are simple, round plastic coins that are designed to give each person an opportunity to mark their individual recovery. If you don’t have an addiction that can be marked by sobriety easily, then we suggest you mark your journey from the day you pick up the blue chip, which is the first chip marking surrender in your life.

We cover this topic extensively whenever you join a step study group. However, in short, an accountability partner is anyone that you trust that is on the road with you in life. This person will be one for you to call and check-up with periodically. They can be trusted to point you to truth, to encourage your attendance to meetings, and walk with you on the road to recovery. A sponsor is an accountability partner who has completed the recovery process. Ideally, you want the sponsor to have recovery in issues similar to your own, so they can relate to you and your journey. All accountability partners and sponsors are to be the same gender.

In physical health, recovery refers to the process of moving from illness to wellness. Our hurts, habits and hang-ups are like an illness and using the tools of Celebrate Recovery we begin to move toward wholeness. Some might say from bondage to freedom in Christ. Others might say from self-reliance to faith in Christ.

John Baker started Celebrate Recovery with the main purpose of being able to talk about Jesus Christ as his Higher Power.

Celebrate Recovery offers a person the opportunity to participate in a group fellowship where love and hope combine with God’s purpose to mend our lives. Ask yourself… (1) Are there things in my life that I do that hurt others? (2) Is there something I wish I could live without? (3) Is it time to crack my denial and admit I am not in control of my life? (4) Do I have a painful habit or hang-up from which I need to be freed? If you answered “yes” to any of these statements then we urge you to attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting to see if it is for you.

Yes, Celebrate Recovery maintains strict confidentiality. This promotes an atmosphere of trust and enables recovery. We have a saying that is repeated in every Large Group meeting : WHO you see here. WHAT you hear here. WHEN you leave here. STAYS HERE. Hear! Hear! We are diligent about confidentiality and anonymity. The guidelines/rules protect all of us from judgment and being “fixed”. In a “safe place” you can take off your “mask” and be real and honest without fear. You are 100% in control of when and how much you participate.

No, Celebrate Recovery is a ministry for anyone who is interested in a Christ centered recovery program that will enable them to recover from life’s hurts, hang-ups, habits and addictions. There are attendees who are not members and/or do not attend First Church Of The Nazarene. You are welcomed by our loving fellowship of believers to visit with us on any of our additional weekend service on Sunday Morning.

The Step Study takes place on a night other than Fridays. Ours usually meet on Wednesday nights to take advantage of child care. Celebrate Recovery uses the Twelve Steps and its related Scripture as the biblical model for living your life. A Step Study is a personal journey though each of these steps in a confidential group lead by a facilitator who has completed a study. We use Celebrate Recovery’s four participants books. When you finish the study you will have worked your hurts, habits, and hang-ups through each step. A Step Study is a long-term commitment to the members of the group. It will typically take 12 months to complete the study. After completing the Step Study, we hope you will join with us as we minister to others dealing with their hurts, habits and hang-ups. We do have guidelines for the groups that are strictly followed. Learn more

In the Open Share Groups, absolutely not . . . until you are ready. You can pass anytime you wish and for as long as it takes for you to become comfortable. In the Step Studies everyone is required to share as the questions are answered.

You are welcome to come when you can for worship, large group and issue groups. However if you join a Step Study, you are expected to come each week until you complete it. As with any endeavor, the more effort you put into Celebrate Recovery, the more benefit you will gain.