This autumn, my Celebrate Recovery (CR) group at Jesmond Parish Church in Newcastle marked 20 years of God’s faithfulness. I’ve had the privilege of leading CR all of those years. Reflecting on this milestone was emotional – through every challenge, God’s faithfulness has sustained and strengthened CR. Not only are we still here, we’re looking forward with hope to the next 20 years!
To reflect on the 20 years, I’d like to share 20 things I love about Celebrate Recovery:
1. Jesus – It was Jesus’ love for me that started my own recovery journey. CR is centred on Him, our true hope.
2. Teamwork – Serving with others is a great joy. Not a ministry anyone can run alone, teamwork shares the load, strengthens the ministry, and brings fun and friendship along the way.
3. The structure – The weekly Large Group Time, Open Share Groups, and Fellowship Time create a safe, predictable rhythm to CR.
4. The lessons – Twenty years later, the 25 lessons still offer fresh insight. The fact they’re based on biblical truth means I’m confident to build my life on them and encourage others to do so too.
5. No cross-talk rule – This “no cross-talk” guideline takes away much fear in sharing. Where we may often have felt anxious about speaking up in groups – out of fear of being misunderstood, spoken over or judged – CR’s structure creates a safer environment.
6. Worship – Christians songs have played a key role for me in persevering in recovery and ministry. Worship keeps us looking to Jesus for the power to change, and reinforces biblical truths we need to trust.
7. Testimonies – Victory stories are possibly my favourite part of CR. Hearing how God is working in peoples’ lives never gets boring! Testimony sharing not only encourages the listener, it strengthens the sharer.
8. Celebrating – Despite bringing our pain to God, there is a genuine celebratory vibe to CR as faith in our good God is built, and as we rejoice in people’s progress.
9. Honesty –Nowhere else have I found such depth of honesty. Everyone at CR acknowledges a hurt, a hang-up or a habit in their life, and because the group guidelines prevent others from commenting on what we share, we enjoy a non-judgmental environment.
10. The UK CR family – Conferences especially are great for connecting us and reminding us we’re part of a bigger supportive network.
11. The global CR family – In fact, we’re part of a global family! Zoom calls with International Reps, and the two Summits I’ve attended, have built a supportive network with people serving in CR from all around the world.
12. Creating resources – Helping develop videos and materials has been fun, creative, and collaborative.
13. Easy Gospel sharing – It can be hard to tell other people about Jesus. Yet when I talk about CR, people see it as a good thing to help the hurting, and this naturally opens conversations about Jesus.
14. The principles – I stumbled and fumbled my ways onto the road to recovery. CR’s eight Principles set out a clear biblical path to healing and wholeness.
15. “Each other”– There’s a saying that ‘recovery is not meant to be done alone’. CR’s focus on group sharing, sponsors and accountability partners means people are finding a supportive community here. We need each other, and to many, CR feels like family.
16. It’s for all of us – CR supports anyone facing any kind of struggle – not just addictions.
17. I always feel better for being there – As the Ministry Leader, I have to go to CR each week – even when I’m tired. CR refreshes my spirit and refocuses me on what matters.
18. Not there to fix each other – This takes the pressure off leaders! God asks me to present the programme faithfully and to encourage where I can. None of us is there to take responsibility for another’s recovery. This is how we support each other: running the programme, sharing our ‘stuff’ and how we’re applying the Principles to find freedom, and listening to others.
19. Regularity – Meeting every week anchors our faith and recovery, keeping us on track.
20. Hope – I love seeing people grow in confidence as they find their hope in our faithful, loving and powerful God.
