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Recovery Support Group Ministries Every day, recovering people meet at a variety of locations—churches, homes and community centers. No pre-registration is required for these meetings. Interested individuals simply locate a group that focuses on their particular problem and then attend the meeting. Group participants remain essentially anonymous; they need not reveal any personal information except their first names. During the meetings, they are free to speak openly and honestly about current issues in their lives or to remain silent and listen to others. In this environment, participants don't have to pretend their lives are perfect and free of problems. Recovery support group meetings vary in format, cover many different subjects and utilize different types of materials. The most important factor for a person to consider in choosing a group is to find one that is compatible with his or her values and beliefs. Such a group can provide a solid foundation for initiating the healing process. Through group meetings, participants are encouraged to identify and focus on a Higher Power of their choice. There is usually little or no reference to Jesus Christ as this Higher Power. As churches become more involved in the recovery movement, Christians are beginning to form Christ-centered recovery support groups. In these groups, Christ is identified as the Higher Power. Based on the same concepts as secular support groups, these groups constitute a voluntary social network of people organized around common needs and a process of mutual aid. Unlike secular groups, however, Christ-centered groups encourage participants to focus on Christ and his teachings as a vital part of their recovery. Types of Christian Recovery Support Groups Most recovery support group meetings are based on an adaptation of the Twelve Steps. Beyond this common denominator, however, meetings can vary widely. At some meetings, participants who want to talk can share thoughts and feelings with the group. At designated speaker meetings, one person speaks about an event or talks about his or her personal history. Some meetings follow a specific workbook format, while others focus on reading and discussing a pertinent book. Recovery support group meetings can be open or closed; some are open for the first several weeks and then closed to newcomers. Following is a brief description of the most common types of meetings. Drug and Alcohol Groups Drug and alcohol groups provide Christian love, support and direction to people suffering from chemical dependency or compulsive behavior. Participants are nurtured toward a balanced lifestyle of Christian discipleship and accountability, using scripture and the Twelve Steps as the basis for achieving sobriety and serenity. Codependency Groups Codependency groups provide Christian love, support and direction to those individuals who engage in compulsive behaviors which were learned by family members in order to survive in a family that is experiencing great emotional pain and stress. Participants have the opportunity to share their experience, strength and hope with one another in order to find a healthier way of living. Adult Children Groups Adult children groups provide a safe place for adults to become whole in Christ. Children from dysfunctional families often grow up ill equipped for adulthood, either emotionally or spiritually. Because of their dysfunctional upbringing, they may be unable to establish a satisfying relationship with God. As a result, it is often difficult for them to realize His unconditional love and forgiveness. General Recovery Groups General recovery groups are designed to introduce people to the healing process and help participants discover biblical aspects of recovery. These meetings are based on four basic convictions: people are in need of recovery; recovery is a commitment to change; recovery is possible; and the Bible can be a significant resource for recovery. Networks of Support Groups for Addicts and Families A number of ministries are available to churches planning to establish Christ-centered recovery support groups. These groups provide a wide range of methods for establishing recovery support groups in the church. Following is a brief description of some of these ministries: Confident Kids is a training program and support group that teaches healthy life skills to entire families. This ministry helps family members build self-esteem and establish a sense of mutual trust. While elementary-age children are learning positive behaviors through games, skits, prayer and small group discussion, parents are instructed to encourage these behaviors at home. The program strengthens each participant's relationship with God and teaches them to use prayer and scripture as resources in dealing with life circumstances. Confident Kids AC is an inter-denominational, non profit, Christian fellowship that ministers to three groups: Alcoholics or Substance abusers, Family members- those who relate regularly with an alcoholic or substance abuser, and Adult Children- individuals who were raised in alcoholic, substance abuse or dysfunctional families, AC ministries is dedicated to the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as sharing His burden for the lost and hurting individuals. Alcoholics for Christ Founded in 1948, Alcoholics Victorious support groups offer a safe environment where recovering people who recognize Jesus Christ as their "Higher Power" gather together and share their experience, strength and hope. Both the 12 Steps and the Alcoholics Victorious Creed are used at most AV meetings. 1045 Swift Street Living Free is a model for Christ-centered support group meetings designed by and for people reared in an addictive, emotionally repressive, or dysfunctional family. The program is designed to help pastors and church leaders support hurting people within their congregation. The materials provide participants with tools to develop behaviors that promote a healthy, positive lifestyle. More information on this program is contained in Chapter Five. Living Free NET Ministries NET Ministries is a Florida based network of more than 100 ministries offering support groups, family education seminars and outpatient counseling to Christians reared in an addictive or dysfunctional family. Although each ministry is independent, leaders meet together bi-monthly in regional gatherings to discuss issues that arise in their respective ministries. This network works closely with Faith Farms and Dunklin Memorial Camp, facilities that have provided Christian hope and direction to alcoholics and addicts for over 40 years. NET Ministries. Overcomers Outreach is a lay ministry consisting of support group meetings within evangelical Christian churches. This ministry includes twelve-step support groups designed to combat the fear, guilt, anger, loneliness, confusion and frustration experienced by addicts, chemical dependents and their families. These groups allow individuals to study the Twelve Steps and related scripture, share experience, strength and hope, and pray specifically for each other's needs. There are numerous meetings throughout the United States. Overcomers Outreach, Inc. On-line Resources The following resources provide support to individuals establishing or participating in Christ-centered recovery support groups. They contain practical, useful information for Christians on the path toward healing and wholeness. CRI is an online ministry to help people who struggle with addictions to grow spiritually and emotionally through a Biblical understanding of the Twelve Steps. CRI also provides loved ones, counselors, and ministers with information to equip them to more effectively support people in recovery and to help those who suffer from addictions. The CRI web site is especially dedicated to assisting professionals who work full-time for agencies and ministries that help addicts and alcoholics. CRI maintains the Christian Recovery Professionals E-mail Discussion List for members of the clergy, chaplains in various institutional ministries, substance abuse educators, and Christian counselors and therapists. This site contains over 500 pages of information and resources, much of it Christian, to help you help yourself. These are available free of charge! In addition, there is a large Members Only Area which provides a safe and loving atmosphere, offers Private Chat Rooms, Daily Scheduled Recovery Meetings, Email Groups, Message Boards, 12 Step Bible Studies and more. The Christians In Recovery vision is not just recovery but to go well beyond recovery so you can fully discover, explore and magnify all possibilities God intends for you as an individual. Almost everyone has the need to recover from or overcome something in their lives. Christians in Recovery, Inc. (CIR) is an organization dedicated to mutual sharing of strength and hope as we live each day in recovery. We work to regain and maintain balance and order in our lives through active discussion of the 12 Steps, the Bible, and experiences in our own recovery from abuse, family dysfunction, depression, anxiety, grief, relationships and/or addictions of alcohol, drugs, food, pornography etc. National Association for Christian Recovery (NACR) NACR is a ministry of the Christian Recovery International, a non-profit, corporation with headquarters in Brea, California. The association encourages the development of organizations that seek to provide the church with Christ-centered and outreach-oriented recovery strategies. NACR helps Christians integrate recovery with faith and provides support for those involved in the growing recovery network. The organization publishes Steps, a quarterly magazine containing information on Christian support groups, workshops and conferences. National Association for Christian Recovery Re-Entry Prison and Jail Ministry Re-Entry Jail and Prison Ministry (RPJM) is a San Diego based ministry dedicated to helping those who are ex-offenders. The primary purpose of this site is to offer resource information to chaplains and jail ministers who assist and disciple ex-offenders. Check out our Quick Index for an entire listing of services available on this website. See our news letter for information on our monthly meetings. Thank you for visiting our site and please take some time to fill out our guest book. For more information regarding the nature of this site, see the vision of RPJM. We can use your help. Click here for information on how to become a Sponsor for RPJM. Follow this link to submit a resource for our directory. Please feel free to e-mail me at reentry@reentry.org |
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