From the Desk of the Executive Director: December 2011

Christmas greetings from the National Association for Christian Recovery!

As a mom and minister, the special preparations surrounding the Christmas season seem intense and the actual experience short-lived.  When my children were young, I was amazed at how long it took to gather the gifts, wrap the packages, fill the stockings with care, prepare the Christmas feast and bake all those sugar cookies and other delectable treats that we try to avoid eating the other 364 days of the year.   Church isn’t much different.  We decorate the sanctuary, dig through closets to find the holiday trimmings and advent wreath.  In our recovery community, we provide special events and good food for the brave souls who will spend Christmas in treatment, jail or on the streets.  Our November “breathe” conference was a similar experience – months of preparation, with the event itself flying by in a flash.  It was a privilege and blessing to spend two days with 70 other men and women who are passionate about recovery.  Here are some of the “takeaways” from our time together:

• We want more experiences like “breathe…”.

Our time was short, but our intuitions were confirmed.  Helpers need time to get away and recharge their spiritual batteries.  In 2012, we hope to provide a modified version of “breathe” in various regions across the country.  Our dream is to provide resources and training for recovery ministry leaders, pastors, therapists and others, at a location within driving distance of their fields of service.  Let us know if you would like to host a “breathe” experience in your community!

• We want more connection and time to talk about the practical, day-to-day problems and opportunities that arise when we serve the addicted and those who love them.

It was fascinating to sit with fellow conference attendees and hear so many different perspectives.  People gathered from Alaska, Canada, California, Virginia and even down the street (in Texas).  One couple came hoping for a word of encouragement about how to begin a ministry to their addiction-ridden community.   Others came with decades of experience, eager to share what they’ve learned with those who need to know how to address the profound needs uncovered in their congregation, at work, and sadly, also at home.   Some were therapists; others were pastors.  We even had a couple of lawyers and a CEO in attendance.  One common frustration was our limited time together.  Some wanted a longer time for personal renewal; others desired more time to think strategically.

A suggestion was made that perhaps we could focus our efforts by dividing us up into experience levels – and we will look into that. Several people expressed appreciation for the chance to hear from people whose experiences were quite diverse from their own. We all agreed that we want MORE!   We’re working to find affordable, accessible ways for us to gather and learn from one another.  Our new website will be up and running soon, we’ve got some webinars in the works, we’re having interesting conversations with many of you who are willing to join the NACR and help fulfill its dream to provide a way to get more materials, more education, more consulting services, more curriculum, more opportunities for discussion.

We’ve only just begun…stay tuned!  Blessings to you and yours this holiday season,

Teresa