Celebrating Recovery Program

[HUBIE]

Wondering if anyone else on the Forum has had any experience with the Shadow Mountain (Rick Warren) Churches "Celebrating Recovery" Program.

We tried it at our church for Sunday School. There were 3 of us for about three months, but we could never seem to interest anyone else. All three of us are men and alcoholic, but the program was a Christian Twelve Step Program that is supposed to be for any recovery; alcohol, drugs, sex, etc.

I was okay with it, but not overly enthused about the whole thing. I guess I was disappointed that they used like 12 different translations of scripture. When I see that, my antenna go way up.

Just curious if anyone else has tried to use it.

Thanks - Joe

 

[madison1101]

Hi Joe,
Most Celebrate Recovery groups meet one evening a week, and the word about the meetings spreads to believers in other churches, which means the groups grow.

I have never participated in it, as I am happy in AA, and find the Celebrate Recovery meetings to be too far away for me to drive at night.

Have you been to AA? I have been in and out for 22 years now. I am definitely in for good now.

Trish

 

[HUBIE]

Hey Trish,

Yes, I'm a regular at AA now.

Boy, this place is kinda quite isn't it?

 

[over the rainbow]

x

 

[Javanwarbler]

I've gone to CR where I live in Montana. they meet once a week and people frommany other churches from the area attend; that's how it gets its numbers. It was good but I work in a different state temporarily now and I feel like I need one on one counseling at this point.
I definitely recommend it to any believer who's struggling with any addiction, mental strongholds, and emotional problems.

 

[michaelwriting]

I've been doing CR for three years now. I've been to a number of groups in our area. I also do Al-Anon and Codependents Anonymous (and whatever else works). I find something helpful and unique from each program. It is sort of nice to shake things up a bit, try different things, see different people, etc.

I didn't know what I needed, but CR saved me and gave me a new life. I was a Christian for 15 years, struggling in a very abusive relationship with no way out. The church had no answers for what I was dealing with. Pray and read the bible. I tried reading books, watching videos, going on retreats, everything.

One Sunday at church, a guy gets up during the announcements and says "Hi, my name is John and I'm an alcoholic." I was thinking, what the heck is this guy doing?!?! Aren't you supposed to be 'buttoned up' and pretend like you have everything together (put on the happy smile and act 'Christian'). But here's this guy talking about being an alcoholic in front of the entire congregation. He started talking about the CR program. I didn't know what I needed, but I was desperate to try anything. I went to the table and spent some time talking with a woman about the program. And it has completely revolutionized both my life and my Christian walk.

I started off with a marriage problem. I learned that I had a leadership problem, that I had to learn how to conquer codependency, how to become responsible and strong. I had to learn how to manage emotions and deal with a lot of 'character defects' that I never even knew I had. Unfortunately, I still have a lot of defects to deal with, but apparently God is patient with me. I have also enjoyed the experience of living worry free. I used to obsess about certain things. That is completely gone. I used to have issues with pornography which are gone. And I feel like I have a closer relationship with Christ and feel like I am 'living the scriptures' in many ways. Things from the bible that made no sense, now seem to make sense to me. And I feel empowered for living. Still a long way to go, but I definitely endorse the program.

Do you guys watch the CR 'Testimonies To Go' videos? Those are amazing, and they often leave people on the edge of crying. Very encouraging. If you are not using them in your group, I would recommend getting them from the CR website.

 

[Apostle Trevor]

I would love to speak more about cr we teach a meeting on Wednesday we try to teach against secular programs and against the doctrines they teach that do not come from the bible I would love to hear your opinion