Monologue by Nick Stumbo discussing recovery ministries in churches. He explains that Celebrate Recovery (CR) documentation recommends 12-step groups for people stuck in addiction, and proposes that Pure Desire groups—an alternative not based on the 12 steps—can serve as an alternative within churches; he argues Pure Desire requires higher commitment, delves deeper into personal story and trauma, and has been effective in church contexts.
As I think about churches who celebrate recovery, I've often told them that the ministry is really well named because it's a place we go to celebrate recovery, that we're walking in a level of recovery. And the share groups that happen after the main group time are really kind of more open form. They're kind of at will come when you can share as much as you're willing. But if someone is in need of recovery, and this is actually in the CR charter language, and so that might be a step for you as well, is to find that in the CR documentation that says if someone is stuck in their addiction, they are going to need a 12 step group would be CR's recommendation in addition to the group night. And so what we've been able to say to churches is the Pure Desire groups could be an alternative offering for the 12 step groups. Because Pure Desire is not based around the 12 steps. And we've talked about that in other episodes. But I think it's more effective. It has higher levels of commitment and requirement. It takes someone deeper into their story and their trauma. And I've seen that just work really well and.
