What is the format of a typical Celebrate Recovery meeting?
Each Monday night meeting begins promptly at 6:30pm. From 6:30-7:30pm we meet in the Chapel for worship and large group teaching. Small Groups meet from 7:30-8:30pm. From 6-6:30pm, join us in Fellowship Hall for a light dinner and fellowship.
Do I have to be a member of Elmbrook 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.
Do men and women meet together?
We all meet together for the worship time and large group meeting and then dismiss into Open Share issue groups. All Open Share issue group meetings are gender-specific.
What is the difference between Open Share and Step Study groups?
Open Share: These groups are organized by gender and focus on many types of hurt and habits. You are not required to share in the discussion in these groups. You can pass anytime you wish and for as long as it takes for you to become comfortable with participating in the discussion.
Step Study: A Step Study group is a personal journey through the spiritual steps in a confidential group led by a facilitator. There are specific workbooks that are used to complete the study. When you finish the study, you will have worked your hurts, habits and hang-ups through each step. A Step Study is a long-term commitment to the members of the group. In the Step Studies everyone is encouraged to share in the discussion as the questions are asked.
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 Monday we begin by worshiping our Lord through music and prayer.
Do other 12 Step programs work?
While most 12 Step groups are not Christian, you will find that many Christians are participants. Most meetings are focused on specific issues and you will find fellow strugglers that have experience dealing with your issue. While Celebrate Recovery is not meant to replace any existing programs, we encourage everyone to evaluate what is shared and discussed in light of the Scriptures.
What do we mean when we say 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.
I don’t have an addiction. Can Celebrate Recovery help me?
Only about one-third of the people attending Celebrate Recovery are dealing with chemical dependencies. As Pastor Rick Warren says, “We all have sinned, we’ve all fallen short, we’ve all been hurt, and we’ve all hurt others. Everybody needs recovery.” Celebrate Recovery offers a safe place to pursue freedom from your hurts, habits and hang-ups.
What are the guidelines for Small Groups?
Our guidelines are designed to provide a safe and productive meeting for everyone in both Open Share Groups and Step Study Groups. Everyone must honor these guidelines throughout the meetings:
• Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts, feelings, and the workbook questions. Please limit your sharing to 3-5 minutes.
• There is NO cross talk please. Cross talk is when two people engage in a dialogue during the meeting. Each person is free to express feelings without interruptions.
• We are here to support one another. We will not attempt to “fix” another.
• Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. What’s shared in the group stays in the group. The only exception is when someone threatens to injure themselves or others.
• Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group, including no graphic descriptions.
What Small Groups does Elmbrook offer?
- Men's Newcomers
- Men's Hurts, Habits and Hangups
- Men's Sexual Integrity
- Men's Alcohol and Drug Addiction
- Women's Newcomers
- Women's Hurts, Habits and Hangups
- Women's Alcohol and Drug Addiction
The Hurts/Habits/Hang-ups groups address many different issues. Each week we also offer a Newcomers 101 group for men and women attending their first Celebrate Recovery meeting.
Is childcare available?
Not at this time.
Is there any cost to participate?
NO! There are no dues or fees to participate in Celebrate Recovery. As a not-for-profit ministry, we do accept free-will donations to cover some of our costs for refreshments. Workbooks and Celebrate Recovery Bibles are utilized in some aspects of the program and are available for sale in the Elmbrook Bookstore.
Is Celebrate Recovery confidential?
Yes, Celebrate Recovery maintains strict confidentiality. This promotes an atmosphere of trust, facilitates growth and enables recovery. Who is in the meeting and what is said in the meeting, stays in the meeting.
Do I need a Bible?
You don’t need a Bible to participate, but you may find it useful for looking up scriptural references and making notes. If you don’t own a Bible, ask one of our Ministry Team… we’ll be glad to give you one to own.
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.
How do I get started?
Just show up at Elmbrook Church, located at 777 S. Barker Road, Brookfield, WI 53045. [view map] Worship starts at 6:30 pm, and small groups begin at 7:30 pm.
Other Local CR Meetings
In recovery from our hurts, habits and hang-ups, "one day at a time" is good, but "one meeting a week" may not be enough.