Senior Pastor Support

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus. Romans 15:4

Hi Everyone

I was asked the other day on how the senior pastor can support a Celebrate Recovery. Senior Pastor support is one of the seven keys that is vital for a successful Celebrate Recovery ministry, without it doesn't work. Listed below is the support that is required by the Senior Pastor and what you can do as a TEAM to encourage them.



SENIOR PASTOR SUPPORT



1. How can the CR Team ENCOURAGE the Senior Pastor?


• Pray together for the pastor and his/her family, ministry, walk with God, etc.
• Include the Senior Pastor in mailings, invitations, meetings, etc recognizing that he/she has a busy schedule.
• Remember your Senior Pastor during Pastor’s Appreciation Month, October.
• Drop him/her an atta-boy/atta-girl note periodically.


2. List how the CR Ministry Leader can ENCOURAGE the Senior Pastor?


• Meet regularly with the Senior Pastor.
• Invite the Senior Pastor to give a lesson or testimony regularly (at least once a quarter).
• Invite the Senior Pastor to give a leadership lesson at TEAM meetings or trainings.
• Invite the Senior Pastor to the CR Summit or one day training.
• Recognize that the Senior Pastor has a broader vision of the churches ministry.
CR is only one ministry (though a very vital one) among many.


3. Name a few ways the Sr. Pastor can ENCOURAGE a CR Team?


• Identify and name his/her own hurts, habits and hang ups publicly.
• Include CR as one of ministries of the church.
• Give messages on CR themes using CR testimonies.
• Every few years dedicate a whole series to CR.
• Come to monthly trainings. Teach when invited by Ministry Leader.
• Mention CR in printed and email materials.


4. How can the Sr. Pastor ENCOURAGE the CR Ministry Leader?


• Meet regularly with the Ministry Leader especially during the start up and in the first year.
• Send the Ministry Leader to great training (i.e. CR Summit, One Day Training, leadership events, etc)
• Publicly acknowledge the leadership of the Ministry Leader in worship and publications.
• Send them atta-boy/atta-girl notes.
• Be an accountability person. Ask about their relationship with God, family and self regularly.


5. How does the Sr. Pastor ENCOURAGE the regular Sunday attender to attend
CR?


• Name his/her own hurt, habit or hang up publicly.
• Use the language of CR in messages and other publications regularly.
• Give messages on CR themes using CR testimonies.
• Every few years dedicate a whole series to CR.
• Include CR worship as one of the weekly worship services in your church.
• Announce CR every week during worship.
• Encourage a CR info table to be set up every week manned by CR people.


6. How can the Sr. Pastor ENCOURAGE other Pastors to start CR in their
Church?


• Tell the story again and again and again. The proof is in the pudding!
• Invite other Senior Pastors to visit your CR ministry.
• Video tape testimonies and send them to other pastors


7. List ways a Sr. Pastor can ENCOURAGE other Sr. Pastors with established
CR’s.


• Remind them that ministry is messy and that CR is very messy, but worthwhile when you see the Kingdom fruit!
• Share resources, stories,etc…



Please don't forgot that I am here to encourage you, so just drop me a line and let me know how your CR is going and any help or prayer you need.


Christ's love



Penny

Encourager Checklist

1 Thessalonians 5:11 " So encourage each other and build each other up.."


Hi Everyone...

I pray that your Celebrate Recovery's are going well and that you are encouraged and amazed from what God is doing through changed lives.

I was thinking about what to write in this blog and it came to me to just share my experience. Weeks before I left for the Celebrate Recovery at Saddleback , I was left enormously discouraged by devastating news that affected me to the core. One of my worst fears had come true and it truly shook me. Once again I was brought to the position of powerlessness and that it was making my life unmanageable. I was so discouraged that no matter what I did I couldn't encourage anyone. Thank God I work Celebrate Recovery and these principles are an integral way of life and that I have the wonderful friends who helped me through my season of pain as God has once again ignited that fire and desire in me for people just like me. God removed the 'pink elephants' from my life where I had just to focus on Him and draw from his word.

One of the key scriptures I drew from is 1 Thessalonians 15:11-23. I came to the realisation that this is a great checklist for Encourager's and also for the discouraged as it gets you out of discouragement! So here is how you can encourage each other in your ministries

1Thess 5: 11 Build each other up -tell someone a quality you appreciate

5:12 Honour your leaders -Look for ways to encourage your CR
leaders

5:13 Show respect to your CR leaders and volunteers - hold back critical comments about those in positions of responsibility .Say 'thankyou' for their efforts

5:14 Encourage the shy -Encourage those who are shy by reminding them of God's promises and what he can do their lives! Be sensitive!

Help the weak -Support the hurting and weak by loving them and praying for them.

Be patient -Think of something that tries your patience and plan ahead of time and
pray ahead of time to keep you calm

5:16 Be joyful -Remember that even in the midst of our own turmoil when we become
discouraged , God is in control! Let go and let God!

5: 17 Pray continually -God is aways with you- talk to Him!

5:18 Give thanks- make a gratitude list of what God has done in your life

Finally I want to finish with to count on God's constant help. Realise that our lives are not to be lived through our own strength but through God's. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 " Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again." What I love about CR is that we are not alone on our recovery journey's- we need Christ and we also need to continue to encourage and build each other up so we can share our loads together as TEAM's.

Be encouraged! Encourage someone else today!

Penny