What is Recovery?
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.
Who started Celebrate Recovery?
John Baker started Celebrate Recovery with the main purpose of being able to talk about Jesus Christ as his Higher Power. For the history of Celebrate Recovery see John Baker's Testimony.
Is Celebrate Recovery for me?
Celebrate Recovery offers a person the opportunity to participate in a group where love and hope combine with God’s purpose to mend our lives. Ask yourself:
• Are there things in my life that I do that hurt others?
• Is there something I wish I could live without?
• Is it time to crack my denial and admit I am not in control of my life?
• 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.
Does it cost anything to attend?
Celebrate Recovery does not charge for this ministry. Celebrate Recovery is a self supported ministry and freewill offerings are accepted. Workbooks are utilized in the step studies and are available at the Resource Table on Thursday evenings. Prices for these materials range from $5 - $20.
What is the difference between AA and Celebrate Recovery?
The principal difference between AA (and other Twelve-Step programs) and Celebrate Recovery is that Celebrate Recovery focuses on Jesus Christ as the true Higher Power and uses the Bible as the authority in relation to the Twelve Steps. In order to reach people who would be offended by Jesus or the church, AA focused on a Higher Power. But Celebrate Recovery's eight principals tie the Twelve Steps to Jesus Christ's teachings (known as the Beatitudes) given in The Sermon on the Mount.
How is Celebrate Recovery different from other Twelve-Step programs?
At Celebrate Recovery our Higher Power is Jesus Christ and the Bible is our authority. Our Step Study guidebooks draw on Scripture references for instruction. We begin our large group time by worshiping Christ through music and prayer.
Is Celebrate Recovery confidential?
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
We are diligent about confidentiality and anonymity. The guidelines 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.
What are the Open Share group guidelines?
1. Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings. Limit your sharing to three or five minutes.
2. There is NO cross talk. Cross talk is when two individuals engage in conversation excluding all others. Each person is free to express his or her feelings without interruptions.
3. We are here to support one another, not "fix" another.
4. Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. What is shared in the group stays in the group. The only exception is when someone threatens to injure themselves or others.
5. Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group.
Do I have to be a member of Preston Trail to attend?
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 PTCC. You are welcomed by our loving community of believers to visit with us on Sunday mornings.
What is a Step Study?
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 participant’s 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.
Do I have to share?
In the Issue Groups, absolutely not . . . until you are ready. You can pass anytime you wish 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.
What if I can't make it every week?
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 anything, the more effort you put into Celebrate Recovery, the more benefit you will gain.
What is the format of a meeting?
Large group starts with a time of worship and singing. A teaching or personal story is presented to the entire Celebrate Recovery group, and after large group, there are gender-specific open share issue groups that provide a format for open sharing. No one is required to participate in the personal sharing. All groups are a safe place to get healing!
What types of issues are dealt with at Celebrate Recovery?
A wide variety of hurts, hang ups and harmful behaviors are represented at Celebrate Recovery. Examples include dependency on alcohol or drugs, pornography, low self-esteem, need to control, depression, anger, co-dependency, depression, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, perfectionism, broken relationships, and abuse.
Do men and women meet together?
We all meet together for the Worship Time and Large Group meeting and then dismiss into the Open Issue Groups. All Step Study meetings are gender-specific.