What is Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a powerful craving for alcohol which often results in the compulsive consumption of alcohol, an addiction. The cause of this craving is heavily debated, but the most ...
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Celebrate Recovery |
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| URL: | http://www.celebraterecovery.com/?p... | ||||
| Added by: | SoberDaddyPhil | ||||
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Celebrate Recovery (CR) has been a big part of my program. My first impression was that it was "AA Lite". :) My church started a CR ministry soon after I started attending the church. I went for 3 reasons: 1) to support the ministry; 2) they had child care; and 3) free pizza.
It turned out to be great. It's the real deal, not an easier and softer way. It's not a ripoff of AA so much as a faithful adaptation of the 12 steps, acknowledging Christ as our Higher Power. I think a non-Christian would find it very uncomfortable and not helpful; for a Christian (or Christ-curious) the explicit link to our faith and biblical precepts enriches our recovery enormously. One unexpected benefit for me is that it includes all kinds of issues, not just alcohol or drugs. Food addiction, sex addiction, codependency, anger. I found common experience with, and learned a lot from, brothers and sisters who had different issues from me. On the other hand, there were not many alcoholics in this CR, and I really started missing the connection with other alcoholics. I've since started going to another CR with more "substance" guys. A couple things I really dislike about CR (and the reasons I don't give it 5 stars). The biggest is homophobia. Officially, homosexuality is one of the "hurts, habits and hangups" that Saddleback encourages CR ministries to address. Fortunately that doesn't seem to get much traction at the grassroots level. The second thing I dislike is that it's hierarchical. For instance, it has designated leaders (who are generally, but not necessarily, well-grounded in AA and other "secular" recovery groups); testimony has to be approved before it's shared at a meeting; and "outside" materials (such as the Big Book!!) are discouraged. They clearly don't get that the Traditions of AA are a big part of what has made it work for a lot of people. I would be happy to answer any questions people may have about CR -- send me a PM! Phil |
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Phil,
I've asked my church to consider starting a CR program. There are two within a half hour from where I live, but with two young children, that's a drive! I'm disappointment a little with our church..."Lebanon Area Evangelical Free"... while it has an excellent youth program and great missions, it has next to no help for addicts, etc. I've tried to get help through them, and they havn't been very responsive. I'm glad to see that it has been useful for you! As it only meets one time a week, do you attend other churches who have the program on different days, or do you supplement with AA? Renee 
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Phil,
My church uses Overcomers Outreach. It has been around for about 25 years or so, and uses the 12 steps and the church as a Bridge to AA. Jesus Christ is our Higher Power and we discuss scriptures as they relate to the 12 steps. We use the Recovery Bible as our Big Book, it is a wonderful tool to use alongside AA, NA, or any other Support program. I have found that it is a great way to do service work, and tell others about how God is working in my life today. http://www.overcomersoutreach.org/
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Well, I love the AA recovery bible. It is an amazing tool. My too favorite books are the AA big book and my recovery bible. I have a higher power of my understanding...which was hard for me at first being alcoholic and lesbian. But, i actually keep my sexuality out of my sobriety at this point. I wouldn't be interested in a group that judged me based solely on my sexuality or try to change that. I also don't think I would like a group with the hierarchical system either. We are all on level playing ground in the program. I enjoy integrating my spirituality in my program, but I believe that no one can get through to an alcoholic as well as another alcoholic and I believe in the 'our leaders are but trusted servants". It is fantastic to have plenty of options, but, I am very protective of my sobriety and the AA program that is helping me obtain that.
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Free pizza!!!, count me in.
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I saw a church right down the street from me advertising their meeting...I think I'll check it out...Thanks!
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I think this would be a great addition to anyone's recovery as long as a person goes to AA and keeps AA number one in their life.
As real alcoholics must have a primary purpose and be able to do 12 Step work with other alcoholics if they want to stay sober. This not from me, but from those who put together the BB and the AA program. They weren't concerned about cornering the market on Alcoholism, they just wrote down precisely what works for real alcoholics.
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Thanks for posting this Phil!
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