12-Step Group
These are the ideas we discussed in the 12-step discussion group at the unconference on Sunday:
- The 12-steps are biblical, based on the Beatitudes.
- Some people think that the program ends after they have completed the 12 steps but it is a lifelong process.
- we do not want the group to be exclusive to one defect.
- We will take time to define the structure of the group.
- One thing that discouraged members in the past is when one person talks for too long, limiting the time others have to share. Sharing should be limited to 3-5 minutes.
- We would allow anyone to share but discourage “crosstalk” until after the meeting.
- People should feel safe in this meeting and feel comfortable to breakdown emotionally.
- Confidiantiality is a key component of this group.
- A 12-step guide book could be used.
- This group could be formed to support people with varying degrees of crisis, support or recovery for general issues.
- Stevens Ministry, where people are on call to pray for others in need could be a part of this group.
- Sponsors and accountability partners are encouraged.
- Would a 12-week program work where one step per week is covered? That way new members wouldnt have to jump in in the middle. They can just wait until the next Step 1 begins.
- A key part of recovery groups is reaching out to each other so a phone list would be provided.
- Personal testimonies give the group something to relate to and realize that they are not alone. They also facilitate new relationships between people with common issues. Revealing our struggles helps each other feel safe - not judged.
- Celebrate Recovery - A Christ centered recovery program came up a few times. The group was unsure if that is the kind of meeting we want to establish now.
- One suggestion was to establish sub-groups for each step so that when you have completed the step you would move to the next group.
- Open share group meeting and then work the steps with your sponsor.
- Are there enough qualified sponsors? Are they needed or could we just walk with each other through the steps? In what situations would a sponsor be required?
Could we also use this group
Could we also use this group to let other people know about other programs, such as Celebrate Recovery at FCC, where they can go deeper into the steps if they wish?
Maybe this could also be a forum to inform people of available programs of support where they can reach out as well as in our group.
Shauna S.
Phone/Email list
Betsy-
Super job summing up the first meeting…..have you ever thought of becoming a professional ‘Scribe’?
Seriously, we passed around a paper and collected 20 names, phone numbers, and email addresses of people who are willing to support each other in Recovery!! That’s an awesome start, and I can’t wait to see where this group goes! If anyone needs contact info. please write to me here or at: phil@philterstudios.com
Thanks again for everyones input!
Ever-seeking,
Philter
Re: 12-Step Group
I’m interested in coming back to The Journey after a long illness and now recovery. I would love to be part of this group. I need info on meeting times. I have truly missed the services and everyone always felt like family. Now that my surgeries and health situation is better I want to be a part of this growing community!
Congratulations on the New Journey “Talk In Church”!! What a new and inventive way to help the congregation get to know one another. God is Awesome how he is moving with this! Keep up the great work!
In His, Donna Thiemann
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. NLT John 3:16
12 Steps and Last Week
I really connected with last Sunday’s message: connecting with God. I saw a real parallel between the concepts of the message and the 11th step: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God…. Prayer and meditation. Last Sunday was an excellent opportunity to consider ways to do that. We could meditate on scripture, write and meditate on a prayer, take holy communion. Then there was the opportunity to write down the barriers between us and God, or our Higher Power. That reminds me a lot of “continuing to take personal inventory.” I like to notice and consider the 12 Steps and their connection to the messages I hear and the activities I participate in church. I’m not really interested in adding another meeting to my weekly schedule, but I would love to hear how others in recovery relate biblical teachings to the 12 Steps. I’d love to engage in blogs in which others discuss how the 12 Steps and church talk relate to our recovery.
T
Let's have a 12 Step Sunday
Hey.. .could we have a 12 Step Sunday…and all learn together about this process… have personal testimonies.. invite all the people we know from 12 step groups…I think that would be great.
!2-step Sunday!!
What a wonderful Idea!! I’d love to be there for a 12-step Sunday. The tradition of the 12-step program can apply to so many.
I move on to healthier living when following and doing the steps. It has been changing my life for the better and I don’t mind letting others know how God has moved in my life and improved my overall mental health as well as physical, spiritual health.
Maybe there are some folks like me who need to give up that deck of cards they have been trying to play for so long. It feels so good to get that monkey off my back and let Gods hand move in my life.
I’ve found that sharing my story helps others. It gives back what I have received in terms of mercy, acceptance. And maybe just maybe someone will let go of that past game and let God into their lives. How Awesome is that?? It will be Kewl to sit back and listen to the others speak and open their hearts to God!!
23rd Psalm for Those Recovering
The Lord is my sponsor, I shall not want.
He makes me to go to many meetings.
He leads me to sit back, relax, and listen with an open mind, He restores my soul, my sanity, and my health.
He leads me in the path of sobriety, serenity, and fellowship for my own sake.
He teaches me to think, to take it easy, to live and let live, and do first things first.
He makes me more humble and grateful.
He teaches me to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I can, and gives me the wisdom to know the difference.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of despair, frustration, guilt, and remorse, I will fear no evil.
For Thou are with me, your program, your way of life, your twelve steps, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: rationalization, fear, anxiety, self-pity, resentment.
You anoint my confused mind and jangled nerves with knowledge, understanding, and hope.
No longer am I alone, neither am I afraid, nor sickened, nor helpless, nor hopeless.
My cups runs over,
Surely sobriety and serenity shall follow me every day of my life, one day at a time, twenty-four hours at a time.
As I surrender my will to You and carry Your message to others, I will dwell in the house of Higher Power, as I understand him, one day at a time, forever and ever.
Amen
Blessings, Donna~
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. NLT John 3:16
Communion
I like Teresa’s idea of relating Sunday’s topic to the 12-steps. I experienced some of my own growth in the small group topic discussions Sunday morning and I am grateful for my recovery that I can be honest about my communion experience. In the past, I would have gone along with what Jeff was saying and agreed that I felt a spiritual charge or connection with God when I take communion. But, the truth is, it doesnt happen that way for me very often. I shared that with the people at my table and one person admitted that she felt the same way while others could at least relate to what I was saying. It’s such a gift to be able to be honest about my felings and by doing so, realizing that I am not alone. It’s not that I’m not connected with God. I feel a very intense relationship with Him. I express my gratitude for his sacrafice everyday. I understand what communion represents, its just that the act of drinking grape juice and eating bread doesn’t move me.
Tieing communion back to the 12-steps — I believe that in our own pain, shame and life experiences we also become passover lambs sacraficed so that we, and others, may live. When we admit our character defects to ourselves, God and to each other and ask for forgiveness we are made holy and pure by Gods grace. Jeff talked about communion as it relates to the past, present and future - In recovery we share our experience (past,) strength (present) and hope (future) with each other in order to stay sane (sober) and help each other.