WHAT TO EXPECT

The first thing is, “Trust the process!”
Celebrate Recovery is a place that’s safe, a place that’s time-tested, and it’s a great place to feel like you belong. It’s not easy being the new guy or gal on the block. Well, relax! We all have been new one time or another. Let’s begin your journey and explore some helpful information that we’ve included on our website. If you are new to Celebrate Recovery, please read these FAQs below.

How did Celebrate Recovery start?
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 at Saddleback Church in California. Pastor Rick said, “Do it!” John did and Celebrate Recovery was born.

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 my life that I do that hurt 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.

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.

How is Celebrate Recovery different from other 12 Step programs?
At Celebrate Recovery, our Higher Power is Jesus Christ and the Word of God is our authority. Our Step Study guidebooks refer to Scripture references for instruction. Every Friday, we begin by worshiping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through music and prayer.

What is your thought about other 12 Step groups?
While most 12 Step groups are not Christian, you will find that many Christians are participants. Most meetings are also focused on specific issues and you will find fellow strugglers that have experience dealing with your issue. They can be very helpful.

Who are the leaders of Celebrate Recovery?
The leaders of Celebrate Recovery at Rock Point Church 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, referrals may be made.

What types of issues are dealt with at Celebrate Recovery?
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.

How long does Celebrate Recovery last?
Large group typically lasts one hour. It includes Worship, teaching, and a testimony every other week. Open share groups follow for an hour. Groups are gender specific. Most CR’s have a fellowship afterwards at the Cafe. Step Studies are usually offered as well. A Step Study is a long-term commitment to the members of the group. It will typically take six to twelve months to complete the study. After completing the Step Study, we hope you will join a CR in your area to find hope and minister to others dealing with their hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

Is there childcare available?
Yes, childcare is provided the entire time for children aged 18 months-12 years. Be sure to check with a CR leader for more detailed information on childcare times and procedures.

What if I can’t make it every week?
You are welcome to come when you can for worship, Large Group and Open 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.

Do I have to join a Church to attend?
No, Celebrate Recovery is a ministry outreach 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. Many attendees are not members of any church, but it is encouraged to be a part of a local fellowship.

What do you mean that Celebrate Recovery is a “safe place”?
We are diligent about confidentiality and anonymity – what you hear and who you see at Celebrate Recovery stays here. The 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.

Do I have to share?
Absolutely nothing ………. until you are ready. You can pass anytime you wish and for as long as it takes for you to become comfortable.

Do men and women meet together?
We all meet together for the Large Group meeting and then dismiss into the Open Groups, men with men and women with women. All Step Study meetings are gender specific.

What are Open Groups?
These groups meet for one hour every week. You meet with fellow strugglers on a specific issue (chemical, codependency, abuse, sexual addictions, to name a few.) You share your experience, strength and hope. Open Groups are gender specific.

Are there rules that are followed at Celebrate Recovery meetings?
Yes. To insure confidentiality and anonymity the following five Guidelines are followed at all times:
Rule 1 – Your sharing is focused on your own thoughts and feelings and is limited to 3 to 5 minutes.
Rule 2 – There is no cross talk. Cross talk is when two individuals engage in dialogue to the exclusion of others. Each person is free to express feelings without interruption.
Rule 3 – We are here to support one another. We will not attempt to “fix” another.
Rule 4 – Anonymity and confidentiality are essential requirements. What is shared in the group stays in the group.
Rule 5 – Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered group.
What is a Step Study?

Celebrate Recovery uses the Twelve Steps and Eight Principles as the Biblical model for living your life. A Step Study is a personal journey though each of these steps in community with a group lead by a facilitator, who has completed a study. We use Celebrate Recovery’s four participants’ guidebooks. When you finish the study you will have worked your hurts, habits, and hang-ups through each step. Step Studies are gender specific.

Accountability Partners and Sponsors
As a part of recovery it’s important to seek out those people that can hold you accountable and as God leads find someone you trust to be your sponsor. We will have teaching and discussions about the significance of doing life together and having accountability partners in our lives.