Rising from Ashes

When I was a kid in Sunday school, I quickly learned something about “getting it right.” Whenever a question started with “Who…” Jesus was usually the right answer.

While Old Testament stories were about old guys, such as Moses, who refused to ask for directions and took his followers on a long detour; Noah, who decided it was a good idea to open a zoo on a boat; or poor Jonah, who became fish food, my New Testament go-to answer was Jesus.  

It is this simple principle that is at the core of the program called Celebrate Recovery: Jesus is the answer.

“My name is Kyle and I am a believer in Jesus Christ who struggles with multiple addictions and anger.” With variations in the name and the struggles, this phrase has begun every meeting of Celebrate Recovery at for the past 10 years.

Rising out of the ashes of broken lives, Saddleback Church in southern California mushroomed from a handful of Jesus-followers 30 years ago to a megachurch of tens of thousands that employs (Purpose Driven) Rick Warren as senior pastor. Much of this growth can be attributed to Celebrate Recovery, a program based on the original 12-steps and edified by eight principles from the Beatitudes, and replicated in churches from Australia to Alaska to here in Woodbury.

Unlike traditional 12-step programs, which refer to an unnamed, personal Higher Power, Celebrate Recovery points to Jesus Christ as the only Higher Power. And, in an "inside-out approach" to recovery, while the unified answer is always Jesus, the issues vary from one participant to the next.

Unlike traditional 12-step groups, where the meetings are limited to a singleness of purpose, e.g., drug addiction (NA), alcohol (AA), codependency (AL Anon), and so on, CR meetings are open to all issues. These issues range from specific addictions to co-dependency, compulsivity, anger, depression, and any other “hurt, habit or hang-up” that holds a person in bondage and keeps them free from developing strong, personal relationships with God and others.   

Like the original program at Saddleback, Celebrate Recovery at Woodbury Lutheran is led by lay people, themselves in recovery, who help participants rise out of the fires of destructive behaviors and the ashes of broken relationships to reestablish their lives in wholeness, joy and peace built on the promises of Jesus Christ.

The Thursday evening meetings begin with an optional dinner at 6 p.m. After dinner, 6:45 worship, and a step presentation, participants are invited to join any one of several groups that break out by issue and by gender. These groups are facilitated by lay leaders who have struggled with their own issues and who willingly share their own personal stories of hope. The evening ends with coffee at the Solid Rock Cafe. 

Woodbury Lutheran is marking the 10th anniversary of its Celebrate Recovery program with a special evening of worship and testimonies on Friday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. The event, open to the public, will be followed by a reception.

If you or someone you know is struggling with brokeness, the event organizers invite you to see and hear firsthand how Celebrate Recovery has changed and continues to change lives. No registration is required.

For more information on Celebrate Recovery, visit Woodbury Lutheran's website.