Recovery = Spiritual Growth

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Mark McAdow
Mark McAdowI had the great privilege of attending the Celebrate Recovery Summit last week in Southern California with seven other First Church members (Tracey, Nanci, Gerry, Kristin, Gaylon, Mary, and Malinda). Thanks to Kirk for filling in for me with his "frog in the kettle" analogy concerning the subtleties of sin—how very true. Thanks to Tracey Hipley for being our "designated driver" in CA. I was his co-pilot and we only ended up in one unique situation—I had always wanted to see Camp Pendleton (thankfully no rifles were drawn on us!). One thing I did note was how comfortable Tracey was driving 80 miles per hour across seven lanes of traffic!

The CR Summit was held at one of America's largest churches—Saddleback Church, led by Pastor Rick Warren. You may recognize him as the author of the best selling book, The Purpose Driven Life. Celebrate Recovery actually began in his church 16 years ago by a man named John Baker. He saw the value in 12-step recovery programs, but believed the Christian Church could offer more hope by directly using biblical principles (The Beatitudes), and identifying our Higher Power clearly as Jesus Christ! Over 3,200 people attended the Conference from all 50 states, including representatives from 15 different countries. The worship was the most enthusiastic I have ever seen, and the testimonies of changed lives were incredible. I enjoyed hearing from Rick Warren especially, as well as Christian psychologists, John Townsend and Henry Cloud, of Boundaries fame. Rick said "recovery" was simply another word for spiritual growth, and I couldn't agree more. As Bo pointed out Sunday with the words he showed on the screen, we all have hurts, hang-ups or habits that need addressing in our lives. Everyone. If you don't think you do, ask someone close to you—if there is anyone!

When I found out that I would be coming to First Church as your pastor, I was so pleased to know you had a Celebrate Recovery Ministry in place. I have seen personally lives that have been transformed by Jesus through CR. That's what the Christian life is all about—transformed lives. Asbury Church in Tulsa has a vibrant CR ministry and I had the privilege of being a part of a Pastor's CR Group this past Spring.

This Friday we celebrate the first anniversary of First Church's Celebrate Recovery Ministry. I hope you and your family will come to Harris Hall for a fun evening of eating, worship, hearing some powerful testimonies, and blessing. The festivities begin at 5:30pm. I'll see you there!

Yours in Christ,
Mark

P.S. Sorry the monsoon rains of last Sunday prevented many of you from getting to First Church. I look forward to sharing God's Word with you again this Sunday! Come _____ or high water! Blessings!

4 comments (Add your own)

1. Leslie Parks wrote:
I love CR! It is a Christian program where honesty and openness about one's life and struggles are encouraged, in fact, expected. Most of us come to church acting holy and controlled (unless we're dealing with some type of serious health, family, or employment issue. Only then does "church culture" allow a person to appear to be broken and in pain.)
I'm thankful that I don't have the big, painful problems I used to have (Praise God!) But I still need a regular dose of being able to tell a small group of understanding women about what went wrong, how I messed up, and what hurt me recently. CR presents that opportunity.

John Wesley would have loved Celebrate Recovery!

Thankful for all God has done for me through FirstChurch,
Leslie Parks

August 23, 2007 @ 4:55 PM

2. Bob and Jan wrote:
I believe the word is heck, or something like that.


Jan and I plan to attend the thing tomorrow evening to see what CR is all about.

August 23, 2007 @ 5:45 PM

3. Deb wrote:
When I walked out of the treatment facility in May, 1999 after 3 weeks and 4 days, I searched for 12 step meetings where there was a 95% or more belief that the only Higher Power was God, His Son, Jesus Christ, and where the proof of this was faith carried on the wings of the Holy Spirit. It always amazed me, and a lot of times terrified me, what individuals in recovery would chose to replace their drug of choice with as a higher power. I searched for a group for a long time but could never quite find one that filled my need in this way. When CR started at First Church, it was an answer to a long time prayer. The blessing of knowing a House of God is the vessel chosen to spread this message reaches far beyond the doors of Harris Hall and outside the time of 5:30-9:30 one night a week.

Blessings and prayerful thanks to all involved in this special ministry.

August 24, 2007 @ 10:59 PM

4. Alison Sisson wrote:
Good Afternoon Mark. I hope your day is going well. This is my first time on the blog website. It's very neat. The whole website is beautifully done. Anyway, on the subject of CR. CR is such a wonderful program to those in need to find thier way to Christ and sometimes to find thier way "back" to Christ. I'm so glad we have this at First Church, I have attended a few times with a friend that I'm trying to help, with patience and the love of Christ, my friend will find her way home. I think CR is a wonderful program. God Bless!

August 27, 2007 @ 4:08 PM

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