Over the past few weeks I have been writing articles about the JIBC Transition House Mission and Ministry. The first article reviewed how we began the Transition House and how we measure success. The second article covered how the women are selected and the seven step process they go through to get into the house.
Today, we will try to address who is involved in the ministry. I am involved from the beginning of the interviewing process to the very end when they transition from the house. It is, as I have said, one of the toughest ministry/missions I have ever been associated with and one of the most rewarding. I have learned things you never want to know and have heard things I wish were not so. Such is the ministry of working with women in addiction. When we have residents in the house, I meet with them every week for a house meeting. Each week we go over and review their contract of what they have agreed to do to live in the house. They should never be surprised when they “give up their bed” and are asked to leave. They go over the contract with me every single week. They are often surprised that someone in their life would actually hold them responsible for their actions and follow through on consequences. In our weekly meetings we review contract, go over the 12 step study, address life skills like communication, how to express anger, etc. I teach them how to read the Bible and other spiritual disciplines. After all that is said and done, I am but one piece in this process.
They are required to attend Celebrate Recovery. So they get a good meal, great worship, a solid lesson on recovery and then a small group experience with other women. Our Celebrate Recovery is probably a 70/30 split between the number of women (70%) and the number of men (30%). They are required to have a female sponsor to serve as a mentor/guide to continued sobriety and serenity. We have a Women’s Connection Group that has agreed to serve as a Big Sister’s Class to offer friendship, encouragement as they become a part of our church family. They agree not to be in a relationship while they are in the Transition House. That is standard operating procedure for most people in recovery. They should be working on themselves, not a relationship. Several women in our CR and church family seem to gravitate toward loving our TH residents and building friendships with them. If they will take advantage of what is offered…and that is a BIG IF…they can have more mentors, accountability partners and female friends than most people will ever have.
The new residents are required to be in Bible Study on Sunday’s, worship on Sunday morning, and Celebrate Recovery Sunday night. Upon first arriving, we encourage them to make 90 meetings in their first 90 days. This can be very difficult if they come to us, as most of them do, with no transportation.
We only provide opportunity, training and support. The saying in recovery is: If I want your recovery more than you it will not work. They have to want it, every day, one day at a time. All of us have hurts, habits and hang-ups. Not all of us have addictions that so completely rule and ruin our lives. Only the power of the Gospel, the life of Jesus Christ, can set them free. Where else will they get this?
See you Sunday, good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
