Christian Recovery
Entrusting The Healing to Jesus.

Christian recovery programs for alcoholism and other addictions are not uncommon components of the church today. The church has come a long way in this regard. At one time, the notion of a recovery program to help alcoholics would have been unthinkable, at least to some church members. That's what A.A. is for, right?

As a recovering alcoholic, I have first hand experience with both Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian recovery program, Celebrate Recovery. Both programs emphasize the Twelve Steps of Recovery. Is one better or more effective than the other? No . . . Not really. They're just different.

If you have read my story of alcoholism and recovery, you know that I needed all the support I could get in the early days of my sobriety.

Most alcoholics do. Christian recovery We simply cannot recover alone. We need an addiction treatment program or daily doses of Alcoholics Anonymous.

A.A. suggests that new members strive to attend

90 meetings in 90 days. Sounds like a lot, huh?

By going to daily meetings, we receive the direction, encouragement, and distraction we need to keep from taking a drink. As one day turns to the next, we grow stronger in our new-found sobriety by establishing relationships with those who offer us hope. This lays that all-important foundation for long-term recovery. Daily attendance is one of the keys to the success rate of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Christian recovery is quite a different story. Most Christian recovery programs meet once a week. My opinion: That's simply not enough for those who are new in alcoholism recovery. A weekly support program can be very beneficial to people seeking help for other recovery issues, but not for us alcoholics. Just my opinion.

This can be very discouraging news for Christians who are seeking help for a problem with alcohol. As Christians, they want a Christian recovery program. Many are reluctant to attend A.A. because of preconceived ideas about its secular nature. They have heard about A.A.'s “Higher Power” and how each person forms his or her own opinion about what that is.

To the Christian, there is only one “Higher Power”, and that is the God of Bible — God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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Keeping An Open Mind

As you have read in these pages, I am proud to call myself a Christian. Jesus Christ is indeed my Higher Power. He is who I look to for help, guidance, forgiveness, everything.

I think back on all the years I was drinking to excess, and at the time I considered myself a Christian. I had an understanding and a belief in God. For me, though, it took Alcoholics Anonymous and working through the Twelve Steps to really develop a true relationship with God. It was only then that I felt a yearning to learn more about the God of the Bible and to grow as a Christian, a practice I continue to this day.

In A.A., you hear the acronym, “H-O-W”. It stands for the principles contained in the first three steps: honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness. My suggestion for the Christian who is hesitant to attend A.A. is to remember “H-O-W”. Be honest with yourself about your powerlessness over alcohol and how unmanageable your life has become.

Be OPEN to attending A.A. meetings and willing to learn from sober alcoholics.

Christian recovery programs can be a wonderful supplement to your recovery program. But if it meets once a week at church, it's simply not enough.

Remember what we're up against: Alcoholism — cunning, baffling and powerful. Without constant help and support in the beginning, it is too much for us.

My Suggestion . . .

Get grounded in a good, healthy A.A. group. Get a good sponsor and work through the Twelve Steps. Keep It Simple. If there is a weekly recovery program at a local church, by all means get involved. Just work diligently toward achieving sobriety and a New Life in Recovery!!

Celebrate Recovery

You can read more about a wonderful Christian recovery program called Celebrate Recovery in these pages. I was blessed to be part of this program as both a participant and a leader, and I even attended the annual Summit at Saddleback Church in California in 2006.

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