My visit to Celebrate Recovery

I actually went through with it last night, and went to Celebrate Recovery. I have actually been in the church before delivering, but wasn't sure how long it would take from my house.. I left plenty early. Turns out it is only 17 miles, and took me 26 minutes to get there. I gave myself an hour as I wanted to be early.

The guy who runs it, and another guy who helps in it both introduced themselves and welcomed me shortly after I walked in.

They had a table with information about CR, and pamphlets for men and women on different issues. I was surprised to see one for same-sex attraction. I grabbed one of those and a couple of others that applied to me, and glanced over them some while I waited for some people to gather in the sanctuary.... I didn't want to be the first one. When I went in, I sat back as far as I could....... they have seats roped off so people have to sit up closer the front.

I would guess there were at least 70 some people there, though I was told they run around 100, so there may have been more than my estimate. It started with a welcome, then a young guy with a guitar led several praise and worship songs.

Someone else got up and gave a little more info about what they do and gave some guidelines. There was a short lesson on confession and a few other things were done. They gave out chips to anyone who wanted them. Anyone can get a blue chip for surrendering something to God, then they have chips for so many days "sober": 30 day, 90, 120, 6 months, a year, etc. We sang more, and they asked anyone who wanted to pray to come up. One side of the altar was designated for people who wanted to pray alone, the other for those who wanted someone to pray with them.

After an hour in large group, they split into small groups. The new people were sent to a room to learn more about CR. Each week, they trade off who does that, but last night it was the couple in charge of the CR for this church. They played a video that had testimonies of people who had been in the program, and interestingly one of them was a guy who struggled with homosexuality. Then the couple gave their testimony, explained more about the program, and asked for questions.

CR is a 12-step program, but based on the Bible. It is to be a safe place for people to come who are struggling with any hurt or habit.

After that, they said they wanted to simulate how the small groups work, so she took the one woman with her, and me and the other 4 guys stayed with the guy in charge. We had to go around the room, introduce ourselves, and tell what brought us there. I had a hard time saying I struggled with homosexuality and porn, but I did it, and no one ran out of the room. He explained a bit more about how the small groups worked and the do's and don'ts, then dismissed us for fellowship in the cafe'. I was the last guy to turn in my paper with my information on it (name, phone, areas of struggle), and ended up talking to the guy that was in charge for about 25 minutes. He commended me for coming and for saying what I dealt with, and we talked about that issue. He asked if he could pray for me, and put his hand on my shoulder and prayed.

By the time we got out to the cafe', it was 8:55 and I needed to head home. I got my free beverage - I think just free the first time, and headed home.

I liked what I saw and heard, and though I was nervous, plan on going back. The only drawback......I saw two people I know, though no one is supposed to tell anything about who is there and what they say. One of them, I don't know well. His brother goes to my church. The other, she used to go to my church. Granted, she for sure won't be in my small group, and he may not be either, but still makes me a bit nervous.