FAQ’S
Is Celebrate Recovery for me?
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:
• Are there things in your life that you do that hurt others?
• Is there something you wish you could live without?
• Is it time to crack your denial and admit you are not in control of your life?
• Do you have a painful habit or hang-up from which you need to be freed?
• Have you ever hurt anyone?
• Has anyone ever hurt you?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then we urge you to attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting to see if it is for you. Please check out our current recovery groups.
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. Using the tools of Celebrate Recovery will begin to move you toward wholeness. Some might say from bondage to freedom in Christ. Others might say from self-reliance to faith in Christ.
What is Codependency?
"Needy people needing needy people." ~John Townsend
How do I get started?
Just show up! We meet at Emmanuel Reformed Church at 6:30 PM in the Brick Building. No pre-enrollment is necessary.
Does it cost anything to attend?
Celebrate Recovery does not charge for this ministry. Free-will offerings are received on Wednesday evenings. Our Celebrate Recovery is self-supporting. Workbooks are utilized in the 12 Step Studies (page link) and are available at the Resource Table on Wednesday evenings.
What is the format of a meeting?
From 6:00PM to 6:30PM there is a time of fellowship. From 6:30PM to 7:30PM is a time for worship, announcements and a teaching or personal testimony is presented to the entire Celebrate Recovery group. At 7:30PM there are issue-specific and gender-specific open share groups that provide a safe place to start the healing process. No one is required to participate in the personal sharing. At 8:30PM the group meetings end and there is a time of desert and fellowship with other attendees.
What is the difference between AA and Celebrate Recovery?
The principle difference between AA (and other Twelve Step programs) and Celebrate Recovery is that Celebrate Recovery focuses on Jesus Christ as the one and only true Higher Power and uses God's Word as the authority in relation to the Twelve Steps. The Twelve Steps have a Christian heritage as they were modeled after the Oxford Society (see the AA Story). In order to reach people who would be offended by Jesus or the church, AA focused on a Higher Power. But Celebrate Recovery's 8 Principles to the Road to Recovery tie the Twelve Steps to Jesus Christ's teachings known as the Beatitudes given in The Sermon on the Mount.
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; WHAT you hear here STAYS HERE.
We are diligent about confidentiality and anonymity. The guidelines protect all of us from judgment and being “fixed”. This is a “safe place” where 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.
Who are the leaders of CR?
The leaders of Celebrate Recovery are men and women who have gone through similar hurts, hang-ups and habits and have been through this or a similar Recovery Program. The leaders are not counselors and do not offer any professional clinical advice. If professional advice is required, referrals may be made.
Do I have to be a member of Emmanuel Church 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 and habits. There are attendees who are not members and/or do not attend Emmanuel Church.
What are the small group guidelines?
To insure confidentiality and anonymity the following five small group guidelines are followed at all times:
1 – Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings and is limited to 3 – 5 minutes.
2 – There is no cross talk. Cross talk is when two individuals engage in dialogue excluding all others. Each person is free to express his or her feelings without interruption.
3 – We are here to support one another. We will not attempt to “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.
What is a 12 Step Study?
The 12 Step Study (page link) takes place on Tuesdays for both men and and women. 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 10-14 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 Wednesday night 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. However, 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 Recovery groups. However if you join a Step Study Group, you are expected to come each week until you complete it. As with any endeavor, the more effort you put into your recovery, the more benefit you will gain.