MERCY CELBRATE RECOVERY FAQ’S

We’ve hurt ourselves and hurt others too.  Some of us are still carrying around hurts from years ago and time often makes things worse.  Most people are familiar with the classic 12-Step program of AA and other groups. 

This program is unlike any other recovery program.

1. What is Celebrate Recovery?
Celebrate Recovery is a program adopted from a church in California called Saddleback Valley Church.  John Baker, a believer who struggles with alcoholism, found help through Alcoholics Anonymous and began healing.  He found emptiness at AA because he could not refer to his personal Higher Power, Jesus Christ.  He presented a plan to start a Christian 12 Step Recovery program to his pastor, Rick Warren.  Pastor Rick said, “Do it!”  John did and Celebrate Recovery was born.

Celebrate Recovery is based on God’s Word, the Bible.  When Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount, He began by stating eight ways to be happy.  Today we call them the “Beatitudes.”  From a secular standpoint, these statements don’t make sense but when you realize what Jesus is saying, you’ll realize that these eight principles are God’s road to recovery, wholeness, growth and spiritual maturity.

2.What happens at Celebrate Recovery each week?
We meet on Thursday nights with a free meal beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Worship, teaching, and testimonies are from 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.  Gender and issue specific open sharing groups meet from 7:15 – 8:15 p.m.  We close with dessert and coffee in the Compassion Cafe.  

3.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.

4.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 hurts 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.



5.How does Celebrate Recovery deal with past hurts?
Celebrate Recovery is forward looking.  Rather than wallowing in the past or rehashing and rehearsing painful memories over and over, Celebrate Recovery focuses on the future.  Regardless of what has already happened, the solution is to start making wise choices now and depend on Christ’s power to help make those changes.
 

6.What types of issues does Celebrate Recovery address?
Celebrate Recovery addresses all types of habits, hurts, and hang-ups.  Some recovery programs deal only with alcohol or drugs or another single problem.  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, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, perfectionism, broken relationships, and abuse. 

7.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 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.  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.

8.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 books.  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 us as we help others dealing with their hurts, habits, and hang-ups.  We do have guidelines for the groups.  All Step Study meetings are gender specific. 

9.What is an open share group?
These groups are gender specific and issue specific and meet with fellow strugglers to discuss a common topic, receive support and accountability, and offer you experience, strength, and hope.  New groups will be added as the need is presented & God provides a small group leader.


10.How is an Open Share Group different than a Step Study Group?
These groups are organized by gender and focus on many types of hurt and habits.  You are not required to share in the discussion in these groups.  You can pass anytime you wish and for as long as it takes for you to become comfortable with participating in the discussion.

11.Is Celebrate Recovery confidential?
Yes, Celebrate Recovery maintains strict confidentiality.  This promotes an atmosphere of trust and enables recovery.  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. 

12.Do I have to share?
In the 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. 

13.Does it cost anything to attend?
Celebrate Recovery does not charge for this ministry.  Anyone may choose to give if they like on Saturday evenings.  Our Celebrate Recovery is self-supporting.  Workbooks are utilized in the Step Studies and are available at the Resource Table on Saturday evenings.  Prices for these materials are about $5 each. 

14.How do I get started?
Just show up!  We meet at the Mercy Place located in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church.

15.Do I have to be a member of First United Methodist Church?
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 United Methodist Church.  You are welcomed by our loving group of believers to visit with us on Sunday mornings at 8:45 or 11:00 a.m.

16.Who are the leaders of Celebrate Recovery?
The leaders of Celebrate Recovery are men and women who have gone through similar addictions, hurts, hang-ups and harmful behaviors 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, recommendations may be made.

17.How often does Celebrate Recovery meet?
Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday evening with the exception of major holidays.  The meetings re designed so that a person may begin on the road to recovery at anytime; you need not wait for a start date to begin your recovery.

18.What if I can’t make it every week?
You are welcome to come when you can for worship, large groups 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. 

19.Is there child care available?
Free childcare is available for newborns up to 12 years old.  Children of all ages are also welcome to study in our homework lab.


HOW TO CONTACT US?

For more information visit our website  www.themercyplace.orgEmail your questions, comments, or volunteer information to; themercyplace@yahoo.com. 

You can also call the FUMC office at 256-574-2545.