Recovering Christian alcoholic and addict proposes starting a Christian Recovery Church in metro are
WASHINGTON – My wife and I are seriously considering and praying about starting a Christian recovery church in the metro Washington area. Why? Because my heart cries out for people just like me, or who were just like me: 1) Christians new to Twelve Step programs 2) Christians who stay away from Twelve Step programs because they have been badly hurt by some Twelve Steppers who don’t understand Christians, or Christians who resent the fact they can’t use Jesus’ name in meetings 3) Christians who stay away from church because they have been badly hurt by some Christians who do not understand addiction 4) seekers in Twelve Step groups who are not sure if Jesus Christ is the Higher Power, but can’t get past the church’s glaring imperfections to give Jesus a try, and 5) Christians, who are Twelve Steppers, but don’t go to church.
I have been every one of these type of believers or non-believers, and yet I am still 12 years sober from alcohol and drugs. I want to help you stay sober and grow in Christ, too. I want to help you strengthen your sobriety and spiritual life, forgive the people who hurt you in the church and Twelve Step programs, support your continuation in Twelve Step programs, and equip you to share the message of sobriety and eternal life in Jesus Christ with fellow sufferers. Besides my personal experience, strength and hope, I will be drawing upon the combined 12 years experience of two other men who have started recovery churches in America, one in Charlotte, N.C. and one in Hobe Sound, Florida. They both offered to share their wisdom and counsel with me. They have succeeded, and we can, too.
Our experience, strength and hope
I have been a Christian for 15 years. I have been sober from alcohol and drugs by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of Twelve Step programs — both non-Christian and Christian — since Sept. 2, 1988. I have started three Twelve Step support group meetings, and helped plant a small church. I attended and graduated from a boot camp on church planting, offered through my seminary. I will receive my master’s degree from a Christian university in May. My wife has been a Christian for more than 20 years, in recovery for five years, and she has the gift of counseling. We both attended and graduated from a boot camp on group counseling, and we both successfully completed a 50 week class, called The Twelve Steps- A Spiritual Journey, at our former church in Colorado. We have attended several thousand Twelve Step meetings, and several hundred church services, and have served in leadership positions. We are currently members in good standing of a church in Alexandria, Va.
Now that we have the formalities out of the way — some people need credentials and I can’t blame them for that — from the depths of our heart and experience we want you to know…
You are not alone, fellow Christian and recovering addict
If you are a Christian in recovery who doesn’t quite feel at home in Twelve Step programs or the church, you are not alone. I love the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Anyone who has read the history of A.A. knows that they are biblically-based, and that the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous were Christian. I know and love Jesus Christ, but…
Much the same has occurred in A.A. over the years that has occurred in the church, the foundational beliefs have been watered down. That seems to makes a Christian addict a “Jesus freak” in some A.A. meetings, and a freak in some churches. It seems every Higher Power in the world is allowed to be named or quoted in Twelve Step meetings — except Jesus Christ. As for the church, the Apostle Paul boasted in his weaknesses so that the power of Christ would rest on him (2 Cor. 12). However, these days, admitting a weakness, or a struggle, can be taken by some evangelical churches as a sign of a backslidden, or even apostate, believer. People dare not admit a weakness.
The Twelve Steps are not from a cult, and Christians do still sin
Some evangelical churches label Twelve Step programs as a “cult” and tell Christians struggling from addictions to stay away. Or, the church offers their own Twelve Step program. Some of these are very good; however, many of them turn into Bible studies or classes where addicts can hide their problems and slips by quoting Bible verses promising victory, or by letting the teacher do what teachers love to do — teach. That’s great, but the Bible makes confession the cornerstone of any growth in Christ. The gospel is “repent and believe,” not just believe. There will be an ultimate victory, but many of us still struggle with our flesh. The Apostle Paul lamented, “Why do I do the things I do not want to do.” Are we any better than Paul? There are some who are instantly healed and delivered from an addiction, but for most of us it is a process, just as sanctification is a process. For most addicts, victory comes one day at a time, through Christ’s power and fellowship with those who are like-minded..
I have suffered my share of pain and hurt in A.A. and the church for being a “religious fanatic” in A.A. and “the sinner” in the church. However, I love A.A. meetings, and I have found a good church. I have met many good souls in A.A. and the church. I would not be sober from alcohol if not for A.A. However, it has taken me 15 years as a Christian to heal from some of the spiritual abuse I received from some people in both groups. I am very fortunate that I stayed with both the church and A.A. But, , I often wonder how many didn’t and what they are doing now? Are they sober? Are they alive? Did they slip through the cracks. Are they back on crack? It is these people I feel called to help.
The church and A.A. mean well — and help many
I have come to believe that some well-meaning souls in A.A. and the church simply do not know any better. They sincerely believe they are helping people by giving them the advice to steer clear of Jesus in A.A. meetings, or to steer clear of A.A. if you are in the church. This advice works for non-Christians in A.A., and non-addicts in the church, but we are both — Christians and addicts. What are we to do?
There are good Twelve Step Christian programs out there, and I would never discourage an addict from attending a Christian or non-Christian Twelve Step meeting. In fact, I strongly encourage fellow addicts to attend Twelve Step meetings. But, wouldn’t it be great if we had our own church, and if we had at least one addiction meeting a week of our own? For some nay-sayers who say we are being exclusive in this church, I ask you, “How can one from one of the hundreds of denominations, or thousands or independent churches, say we are being exclusive by having a church only for addicts when we all know we attend a church where we feel the most comfortable with the people and the doctrine?”
Why not have a recovery church?
There are those, too, who will probably say we are attempting to break A.A. Traditions by combining the Twelve Steps with a religious sect or denomination. However, I will not break the traditions. I will never publicly identify myself, and my affiliation with Twelve Step programs at the level of level of press, radio, TV and films. Besides, the Twelve Steps have been adopted and adapted by everyone — treatment centers, support groups, Rational Recovery, gender-orientation groups, and now even some churches. Why not one in Washington? This church will be protected from becoming a sect or a religion or money making scheme because we will draw on the Twelve Traditions. We will be but a spiritual group of fellow Christians in recovery who meet to pray, testify, hear the Word, and sing on Sundays, and meet at least once a week to confess our sins and pray for one another that we may be healed (James 5:16).
Some of us may already have good churches and good Christian recovery groups
Some of you may be blessed by a church and a pastor that understands you and recovery, and has solid recovery groups. Great. Stay there. I am not looking to steal sheep, but to pick up sheep who are lost, or have run away from the church or Twelve Step programs, or are just wondering or wandering in Twelve Step programs or the church.
I am also looking for some of the great pastors of God, who do exist, at the churches to admit their weaknesses — perhaps they are not gifted in counseling or just don’t know how to deal with alcoholics. My pastor is a man like that, and he sends the addicts my way. I ask that you do the same. Pastors, if you want to talk to me and ask me questions, or need references, please do not hesitate to e-mail me.
If you want to share the vision, you must contact us
I am not going to share my complete vision because — frankly — addicts would find some excuse for not trying this out. We are addicts, after all. I am suggesting addicts attend at least six of our recovery services before making up their minds — isn’t that what we ask in Twelve Step programs? Of course, you can come to one or none. I am only suggesting you attend six.
But, first there must be an initial meeting. I am looking for a group of Christians in — or out of — recovery who believe in this type of church as much as I do. You do not have to be perfect, sinless or even beating your addiction at this time. You just must be willing. If you are interested in attending a Christian recovery church, please e-mail me. Just give me your first name. I will acknowledge your response immediately and then let you know when the first meeting will be. However, there will be no first meeting if you do not contact me. I have to know this is God’s will and not mine, and I am asking Him to confirm this church plant, and I am asking you to confirm it. Click here and send me a brief e-mail telling me you would like to attend our Christian Recovery Church preview service.
Sincerely,
Anonymous