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The International Christian
Recovery Coalition is an informal, international fellowship comprised of
Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena, together with Christians in
recovery and others seeking the power and love of God as a means of recovering
from the ravages of alcoholism, addictions, and other life-controlling problems.
Our Mission Statement
Mission Statement: "To glorify God by: (1) sharing accurate information with
Christian leaders, workers, newcomers, and other participants in the recovery arena about the roles played
by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.'s astonishing successes; and (2) showing Christian
leaders and workers in the recovery arena how they can substantially enhance their effectiveness by
including in their recovery efforts the ‘old-school’ principles and practices of First Century
Christianity employed by the Christian pioneers of early Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian Recovery
Movement.”
International
Christian Recovery Coalition
“We Christians in the Recovery Arena Are Not Alone”
www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com
Who We Are
An
informal, worldwide fellowship of Christians who care about carrying an
accurate, effective, message about the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and
the Bible played in the origins, history, founding, original program, and
astonishing successes of the early Alcoholics Anonymous “Christian fellowship”
founded in Akron in 1935. And who also inform others about the role that God,
His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible can play today among those who want God’s
help in overcoming, and reducing the impact of, alcoholism, addictions, and
other life-controlling problems—and who are willing to go to any length to
believe, seek, receive, and pass along the long-held good news about the power
and love of Almighty God. Telling others the words that Peter spoke:
Acts 10:38-39a (KJV):
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went
about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was
with him.
And we are witnesses of all things which he did . . .
Acts 4:9, 10, 12 (KJV):
If we this day be examined of the good deed done unto the impotent man, by what
means he is made whole;
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead,
even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Where We Are
In many
parts of the world.
What Does It Cost to Be Listed as a
Participant
$0.00.
It's free. No charge!
How To Join
Send your
name and regular mail address (and affiliation or ministry, if desired) to:
Dick B.
PO Box 837
Kihei, HI 96753-0837
Or call Dick B., the Executive
Director of the Coalition at (808) 874-4876
Or send Dick B. an email message at
DickB@DickB.com
This Is Your Invitation to
Participate!
In His
Service,
Richard
G. Burns, J.D., CDAAC
Executive Director, International Christian Recovery Coalition
Main Office: Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
U.S. mainland office: Huntington Beach, California
Stick with the Winners!
How to Conduct
More Effective
12-Step Recovery Meetings
Using
Conference-Approved Literature
A
Dick B. Guide
for Christian Leaders and Workers
in the Recovery Arena
By Dick B. and Ken B. (2012)
Please click
here for more information
Stick with the Winners Opening
Statement by Dick B.
A Few Remarks about the Conference, Our
Mission, and Our Approach
First of all,
this is not an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. It is not a church conference or
religious retreat. It is not a Dick B. seminar or event. It is a Conference of
the International Christian Recovery Coalition, graciously hosted by His Place
Church at Westminster, California. The mission statement of International
Christian Recovery Coalition is as follows:
To glorify God by: (1) carrying, to those who still suffer,
an accurate message as to the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and
the Bible in early A.A.’s astonishing successes; and (2) helping Christian
leaders and workers in the recovery arena substantially enhance their
effectiveness by incorporating in their recovery work the lessons learned by
the early A.A. pioneers.
Second, the
International Christian Recovery Coalition was organized in July of 2009 just
after the major conference held at Mariners Church Community Center in Irvine,
California, among Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena. Those
attending expressed an almost unanimous, if not universal, belief that recovery
from alcoholism, addiction, and other life-controlling problems is best
achieved, and produces maximum results and blessings, when it adopts and
follows the principles and practices of the First Century Christian believers,
as described in the Book of Acts, and as applied by the original Akron A.A.
“Christian fellowship.”
To those who
attended the initial conference in 2009, this meant that they needed documented
history establishing exactly what the early AAs did and what their Christian
technique was. This also meant that they needed to learn that history, openly
describe their own application of it, and be free from intimidation,
suppression, and acrimony as they did so. It was premised on the conviction that
they need not, should not, and would not abandon, reject, or try to excuse their
own tested Christian approaches. Rather, that they strive for, and collaborate
in an informed, well-planned, widely-disseminated, and well-trained presentation
of their approaches that would have serving God and helping others still
suffering as the primary focuses.
Third, the
conferees approved of the concept “We Christians in the recovery arena are not
alone.” They often used the expression that the Coalition and its participants
were and would be “Bible-friendly, History-friendly, Recovery-friendly, 12
Step-friendly, Newcomer-friendly, and just plain friendly.”
Fourth, their
approach has been and is that complete recovery from, and the healing of,
alcoholism and addiction can best be achieved by reliance on the Creator, coming
to Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and implementing today’s recovery work and
endeavors with Christian programs, practices, and models. Efforts that draw on
the support of Christians within A.A., N.A., and other 12 Step programs;
participants in such Christian programs as Celebrate Recovery, Teen Challenge,
Alcoholics Victorious, Overcomers Outreach Inc., CityTeam International, and
Youth with a Mission. And also those Christian recovery fellowships and
Christian outreach efforts being furthered, sponsored, or initiated by
churches, religious organizations, prison ministries, homeless ministries,
chaplains, clergy, recovery pastors, and retreats.
Finally, we
believe that Coalition participants espouse and pursue the cardinal attitude is
that little is gained by bashing, trashing, criticizing, ostracizing, ignoring,
condemning, or intimidating any suffering individual seeking God’s help; or any
organization that cooperates in such work. Nor by focusing on and broadcasting
the shortcomings, faults, deeds, and particular beliefs of alcoholics, addicts,
their families, their founders, their diverse origins and ways, their variety of
actions, or their failures. For, as A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob put it, the major
godly principle is “Love and Service.” As Bill W. advocated in his Tenth Step
Big Book instructions, the A.A. code is “Love and Tolerance.” And, as we view
it, neither doctors, nor nurses, nor historians, nor academics, nor therapists,
nor clergy, nor counselors, nor program directors, nor social workers, nor
others in the recovery arena, nor alcoholics, nor addicts, add or do anything
to, or further, the treatment, recovery, and cure of, suffering people by:
Refusing to associate with, help, borrow from, or cooperate
with anyone who adopts and implements the basic approach of: (a) helping
suffering people establish a relationship with God, (b) helping them seek
and find the way to fellowship with God, and His Son Jesus Christ, and other
believers, and (c) helping them adhere to and walk according to the precepts
of God’s Word and such commandments as God chooses to impart to His children
in many other ways.
The Theme of This Conference
We are gathered
here with the major objective of hearing, learning, commenting to each other
upon, and enhancing the present-day efforts and programs of each leader and
worker in a wide variety of Christian recovery leadership, efforts, and
approaches. We hope to hear in this Conference from as many as possible of those
present just what they are doing today, what they plan to do, what they have to
say about the projects of the International Christian Recovery Coalition, and
how they view and would improve our present plans for training trainers, holding
meetings, and disseminating information suggested in our new guide book, Dick B.
and Ken B., Stick with the Winners!: How to Conduct
More Effective 12-Step Recovery
Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide
for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena.
www.DickB.com.
And supplemented by the companion 25 videos on the subject, available for
$29.95 for all 25 of
the videos on
www.ChristianRecoveryRadio.com.
Pre-Event Statements
about
Speakers and the
Format for
the “Stick with the
Winners!” Workshops and Conferences
May 18-19, 2012, at
His Place Church, Westminster, California
Presented by
The International
Christian Recovery Coalition
Dick B., Executive
Director
© 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved
[This memo
is being circulated to Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena whom
we understand will probably be at the First 2012 North American Conference of
the International Christian Recovery Conference May 18-19 at His Place Church in
Westminster, California. We are sending this announcement to the three principal
Conference speakers. And we are also sending it to many of you to whom we hope
to make available ample time for you to share, suggest, and ask godly questions
during the Conference. Your input is invited and essential!]
Friday, May 18, Overview:
On Friday
evening, at the beginning of our two and a half hours of Conference time
(between 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm), with appropriate breaks, Dick B. and Ken B. will
first speak on the mission, the theme, and the planned Conference events. The
remainder of the evening will, if possible, be conducted with the help of a
panel (Russell Spatz, James Moody, Robert Tucker, Danny Simmons, and Bob Noonan)
as a roundtable-audience participation meeting.
We hope
that those attending will share their present Christian recovery program
activities, their plans for the future of moving Christian Recovery forward,
their suggestions for the International Christian Recovery Coalition, and their
evaluation of our new “Stick with the Winners!” project furthering “old-school,”
First Century “Christian fellowship” techniques like those described in the Book
of Acts and utilized by the original Akron A.A. “Christian fellowship” itself.
Among
those Christian Recovery leaders and workers we understand will probably be
participating will be: Russell Spatz of Miami, Florida; Wally Lowe of Vero Beach
Florida; Richard S. of New York; James Moody of Jamestown, Tennessee; Gary
Moates of Houston, Texas; Rev. Bill Wigmore of Austin, Texas; Rev. Michael
Liimatta of Kansas City, Missouri; Gary Seymour of Escondido, California; Bobby
Nicholl of Celebrate a New Life at Hope by the Sea of San Juan Capistrano,
California; Bob Noonan of Orange, California; Dr. Robert Tucker of Huntington
Beach, California; Gary Martin of Irvine, California; Danny Simmons of Costa
Mesa, California; Roger McDiarmid of Huntington Beach, California; Dale Marsh of
Oroville, California; Dominic D. of the Turning Point Group of New Hope
Ministries of Cornerstone Fellowship—Livermore Campus of Livermore, California;
Matt Pierce of New Hope Ministry of Golden Hills Community Church of Brentwood,
California; Rick S. of San Jose, California; Larry Webb of Laguna Beach,
California; Joey Delgado of West Covina, California; and a number of other
Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena.
Saturday, May 19, Overview:
Our main
speaker on Saturday will be Russell Spatz who will be staying in Orange County
and will be available for some chats.
1.
We will have two other Christian recovery leaders as speakers on Saturday—Dale
Marsh of Oroville, California; and Roger McDiarmid of Huntington Beach,
California—both of whom are on the Speakers Bureau of the International
Christian Recovery Coalition.
2.
Dick B. and Ken B. will introduce material on “old-school,” First Century
Christian A.A. through the use of A.A. General Service Conference-approved
literature, historical research, guidebooks, videos, books, and articles,
Russell Spatz will be explaining exactly how he has been carrying the Christian
message and doing so in A.A. with success.
3.
Dale Marsh and Roger McDiarmid will speak in the afternoon on what they have
been doing to advance Christian Recovery in their areas of effort in California,
how they view the new emphasis of the International Christian Recovery
Coalition, and what suggestions they may have.
4.
We will probably have panels with questions and answers and comments from
Christian Recovery leaders on both Friday and Saturday; and I visualize that the
panelists will, with Ken and myself, conduct the panels—with the composition of
the panels perhaps being different on the two different days, depending on who
else might be able to contribute.
5.
This plethora of good people—all strong Christian leaders and workers in the
recovery arena--that are emerging suggests there will be less time for
unrestricted general audience participation and more time for the type of
workshop sharing of views that we found so useful at Golden Hills Community
Church in Brentwood, and at Cornerstone Fellowship—Livermore Campus in
Livermore.
6.
Your best preparation will involve: (a) Bringing your Bible. (b) Bringing a copy
of the Dover Publications reprint of the First Edition Big Book with the Dick B.
introduction. (c) A download for $9.95 of the new Stick with the Winners!
Guide. And (d) full access for $29.95 to all of the more than 25 videos that we
have completed to support the Stick with the Winners! book by Dick B. and
Ken B. (2012). Godly suggestions are always welcome.
Contact Ken B. at (808) 276-4945; Dick B. at (808) 874-4876; and
both at
DickB@DickB.com
Gloria Deo
The International Christian Recovery
Coalition
Presents
The First 2012 North American
Conference
May 18-19, 2012
His Place Church, 14061 Chestnut St.,
Westminster, CA 92683
Conference Theme:
“Stick with the Winners”
“Living First Century Christianity in
Recovery Today;
Rediscovering ‘Old-School’ A.A. in
Conference-Approved Literature”
Conference Schedule
Session One: Friday, May 18, 2012
Doors
Open: 6:00 PM
Registration,
Music, Displays, Networking 6:00 to 6:20 PM
Conference
Start 6:20 to 6:35 PM
Prayer: Rev. Ken B.
Introduction: Roger McDiarmid
Conference Overview: Rev. Ken B.
Focus One:
6:40 to 7:00 PM
Dick B., Executive
Director of the International Christian Recovery Coalition and author of more
than 40 titles on A.A. history, A.A.’s Christian predecessors, and applying
early A.A. principles in modern Christian Recovery efforts—together with his son
and coauthor, Ken B.--will present key passages from A.A. General Service
Conference-approved literature and other authoritative resources showing that
the original Akron A.A. “Christian fellowship”—from the summer of 1935 until at
least April 10, 1939, when the Big Book was published—was amazingly successful
in helping “seemingly-hopeless,” “medically-incurable” alcoholics recover
primarily because the group, in many ways, was “living” the Book of Acts.
Break:
Visit Display Tables & and Network 7:00 to 7:15 PM
Focus Two:
7:15 to 8:55 PM
Dick B. and Ken B.,
along with volunteer leaders, will elaborate on points made during Part One; and
Dick B. and Ken B. will receive and respond to godly questions and suggestions
from the audience through the use of an “Ask-It” basket. This is a real
opportunity for leaders to share how they are implementing their Christian
Recovery Movement programs right now!
[Depending on the
size of the audience attending, we may well use the same technique recently
employed in Northern California at the workshops, question and answer, and
round-table participation by leaders and others attending]
Wrap-Up and
Closing Prayer: Rev. Ken B. 8:55 to 9:00 PM
Session Two: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Doors
Open: 9:00 AM
Final
Registration, Music, Displays, Networking 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM
Conference
Start 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Prayer: Rev. Ken B.
Introduction by Host Church: Roger McDiarmid
Conference Overview: Rev. Ken B.
Purposes of the Conference:
To enable participants: (1) to hear speakers on how to
apply “old-school” A.A. principles and practices today; (2) to get acquainted
with Conference-approved literature, “old-school” resources, and a training
plan; (3) to partake in refreshments and lunch; (4) to share with a panel of
speakers by presenting godly “Ask-It” basket questions and suggestions; and (5)
to hear the comments of Christian leaders and workers who are “in the trenches”
of Christian Recovery efforts today.
Keynote Speaker:
– Russell Spatz, attorney,
Alive Again, Miami, Florida 10:00 to 10:50 AM
Break: View displays and networking 10:50
to 11:10 PM
Second Speakers
Dick B. and Ken B. 11:10 to 12:1 PM
International Christian Recovery
Coalition plan for training
meetings, a Guide, and Videos
presenting the application of
“old-school” A.A. and First Century
Christianity principles and
practices in modern Christian Recovery
efforts
Lunch:
(Eat on premises), view displays, network 12:10 to
1:00 PM
Catered courtesy of Roman Cucina, Orange County,
CA.
Break: View displays and network
2:10 to 2:25 PM
Third Speaker: Dale Marsh,
Recovery Pastor, Serenity Group, Oroville Church of the Nazarene, Christian
Recovery efforts in Northern California Area 2:30 to
3:05 PM
Roger
McDiarmid, MEN @ HIS PLACE, Christian Recovery efforts in Southern California
Area 3:05 to 3:40 PM
Break:
View displays and network 3:40 to 4:00 PM
Panel Discussion
and Audience Participation: 4:00 to 5:40 PM
Panelists: Dick
B., Ken B., Russell Spatz, Dale Marsh, Rev. Bill Wigmore, Roger McDiarmid
Godly
audience questions and comments via “Ask-It” basket, and recognized
participants in the audience
Final Speakers:
Dick B. and Ken B. 5:40 to 5:55 PM
International Christian Recovery
Coalition Plans,
Challenges, and Announcements
Closing
Prayer: Rev. Ken B. 5:55 to
6:00 PM
Conference
Registration: $25.00 donation
To register for the conference, or for
more information, please contact:
Ken B.: Email:
kcb00799@gmail.com
Cell:
(808)
276-4945
Important Additional Announcements
·
Throughout the Conference Trip period from May 16 to May 21, Dick
B. and Ken B. will be in Orange County, California. They will be staying at the
Marriott Costa Mesa Hotel.
·
Dick and Ken highly value personal meetings, contacts, and
discussions with individuals and groups throughout the May 16 to 21 period
(except for a family event for three hours May 20 beginning noon). These may
include: (1) Meetings and or meals with individual leaders and others at the
Marriott Costa Mesa Hotel where we will be staying. (2) Visiting churches,
groups, fellowships, panels, and offices in the area. (3) Conducting review of,
and displaying the new “Stick with the Winners” Guide, accompanying exhibits,
and accompanying film clips – to stimulate organization and establishment of
Classes and/or special study meetings for AAs, NAs, Al-Anons, and other support
or 12 Step fellowships, and Christian recovery-related programs, fellowships,
meetings, classes, and pastoral and chaplain settings.
·
Please contact us either before or during the May 16-21 period to
arrange to arrange a personal meeting. Please contact Dick B. by email at
DickB@DickB.com until May 12, or Ken B. by
email at
kcb00799@gmail.com or on his cell phone at
(808) 276-4945 before or during May 14-21.
Exhibits
Available for Viewing During Dick B. and Ken B. Visit and at the Conferences
Selected
A.A. History books donated by Hazelden Educational Services, Center City, MN.
Selected
Oxford Group and Rev. Samuel Shoemaker Reprints prepared and donated by Tuchy
Palmieri, Healing-Habits, CT
Books by
Interventionists Jeff and Debra Jay, Grosse Point, MI
Selected
Books by Dick B. and Ken B. on A.A. History and the Christian Recovery Movement,
Kihei, HI
A.A.
Conference-approved literature donated by Roger McDiarmid
Sponsors of
These Meetings and Conferences
·
Hazelden: Treating Addiction, Transforming Lives, Center City, MN
·
Episcopal Diocese of Texas Recovery Committee, Rev. Bill Wigmore,
Chair, Austin, TX
·
Rock Recovery Ministries, ABC Sober Living, Soledad House, David
Powers, San Diego, CA
·
New Hope Ministry, Golden Hills Community Church, Brentwood, CA:
Matt Pierce, Recovery Pastor; David Sadler Group Leader
·
Good Book-Big Book Group, Cornerstone Fellowship—Livermore Campus,
CA: Dominic D., Group Leader
·
Good Book Publishing Company, Maui, HI
·
His Place Church, Joe Furey, Pastor, Westminster, CA
·
Wally Lowe, Businessman, Christian Recovery Resource Center, Vero
Beach, FL
·
Richard Skolnik, Addiction Counselor Assistant, Christian Recovery
Resource Center, NY
·
Bob J., Believer, Philanthropist, Maui, HI
·
Rick S., Believer, Businessman, San Jose, CA
·
Anonymous, UT
·
Robert Turner, M.D., Professor Medical University of South
Carolina
·
Sean L., Recovered believer, Seattle, WA
·
Dale Marsh, Serenity Pastor, Oroville Church of the Nazarene;
International Christian Recovery Coalition Speakers Bureau, Oroville, CA
·
Roger McDiarmid, Salesman, International Christian Recovery
Coalition Speakers Bureau, Huntington Beach, CA
·
Jeff and Debra Jay, Love First: A Family’s Guide to
Intervention, Grosse Point, MI
Announcing the New Stick with the
Winners! Guide
Dick B. and Ken B., Stick with the
Winners!: How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using
Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and
Workers in the Recovery Arena (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications,
Inc., 2012)
[This new book is available at
www.DickB.com
right now for $9.95]
By the time the May conference arrives, we
will have: (1) published this book in Print-On-Demand form; (2) completed a
series of about twenty-five videos relating to the topics in the book; and (3)
made available the resource exhibits that form a training package relating to
this book. Already, this book—in spiral-bound form—has been presented to a
number of Christian recovery leaders and workers participating in the
International Christian Recovery Coalition in several parts of the United States
and Canada. In addition, it will enhance recovery efforts already underway at
Oroville Church of the Nazarene in Oroville, CA; at New Life Spirit Recovery,
Inc., in Huntington Beach, CA; in the Good Book-Big Book Group at Cornerstone
Fellowship—Livermore Campus in Livermore, CA; at New Hope Ministry, Golden Hills
Community Church in Brentwood, CA; and at several other locations.
This book and the videos will be the center
piece for viewing, discussion, class workshops, and training at the First 2012
North American Conference of the International Christian Recovery Coalition, and
at other meeting places in Orange County, California.
Gloria Deo
A Christian Recovery Package That All
Can Use
By Dick B.
© 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved
The Present, Diverse Approaches That Leave Many
Christians Baffled
There are many fine approaches
that help Christians recover from alcoholism, addiction, and other
life-controlling problems. The problem is that almost all lack long-term or
life-long, and certainly not sustainable, recovery efforts. Almost all operate
independently of other effective Christian recovery efforts. They are frequently
uncoordinated, lacking in an agreed solution, and resting on varied subjective
theories—rather than a solid biblical foundation.
And almost all modern approaches
fail to provide a simple package of Christian Recovery tools that will answer
the endless queries we receive daily from newcomers, from families, from
church-affiliated recovery workers, from those who have wandered into
independent programs that are proliferating, and from those who just plain want
to get back to the First Century Christianity approaches that worked so well
from the 1850’s forward. Approaches with which many were acquainted during the
boyhood of A.A.’s cofounders, Bill W. and Dr. Bob. Approaches attracting
hundreds of thousands to the revivals and conversion meetings of famous
evangelists. Approaches that were honed to produce effective results through the
techniques of Young Men’s Christian Association lay brethren, the rescue
missions, the Salvation Army, and the Young People’s Society of Christian
Endeavor. Even many of the approaches of “A First Century Christian
Fellowship”—also known as “the Oxford Group”—in its early days, the organization
in which its founder, Dr. Frank Buchman, and the American Episcopal Rector
Samuel M. Shoemaker labored in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Our simple aim is to provide
approaches patterned after First Century Christianity as found in the Book of
Acts. These approaches are easily recognizable, and were and highly effective,
in the initial, “old-school” Akron A.A. “Christian fellowship” founded by Bill
W. and Dr. Bob in June of 1935. Approaches that incorporate many of the
principles and practices of the Apostles as reported in the Book of Acts. They
stem from a divine source and have proven results.
Why is there such diversity among
most modern, Christian-oriented recovery approaches? It lies not necessarily in
doctrinal, denominational, or religious differences. It lies rather in the wide
variety of stop-gap programs that have grown up in the face of shortcomings.
Instead of a single solution based on the power of God, they emerged from the
“broad highway” inadequacies of the dozens of 12 Step, Anonymous, Mutual
Support, Self-help, medical model, behavior-oriented schools of thought that are
so prevalent today.
What are the most prominent of
these efforts that operate almost independently of one another?
They include treatment programs
labeling themselves as Christian treatment programs. Christian-Track programs
that try to combine secular and faith-based plans under one roof.
Christian counseling,
life-coaching, peer plans, and therapy groups that often battle the difficult
requirements of government licensing and secular ownerships which oppose
“religious” practitioners. They include a wide variety Christian recovery
fellowships, church-sponsored recovery programs, and independent Christian
organizations like Celebrate Recovery, Teen Challenge, the Salvation Army, and
the Gospel rescue missions. They also include interventionists, detox
specialists, emergency specialists, and managers of transitional and sober
living housing.
Our Suggestion Is That There Is but One Common
Denominator
upon Which All Concerned Christians Can Agree, and That
Still Needs to Be Added
Our experiences with churches,
Bible fellowships, Twelve Step programs, Christian fellowships, Christian
counseling organizations, interventionists, psychological treatment groups,
research organizations, and medical-scientific groups strongly suggest that
almost all may leave the puzzled “wet drunk,” “practicing addict,” secretive
“pill dependent” individual, concerned family or other helper no clear cut
starting point for Christian recovery. Christian recovery that is founded on the
successes of earlier organizations who relied primarily on the power of God.
Christian recovery that emanated from the simple healing and witnessing
fellowships of the First Century Christians. And affordable Christian recovery
that seeks to meet three fundamental needs that will help the addicted and
afflicted folks who don’t know where to begin, where to go, and whom to follow
in order to: (1) rely on the Creator—coming to Him through His Son Jesus Christ;
(2) achieve immediate, long-term, life-long relief from the ravages and
destruction that have brought them all to their knees in desperation; and (3)
become a new person in Christ—delivered from the power of darkness, translated
into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, and assured of both everlasting life and the
opportunity available to those in Christ who choose to walk by the spirit of
God.
We Recommend to Those Seeking God’s Help and Long-term
Victory
a Five-Item Package Containing the Following Items:
Dick B. and Ken B., The Dick B.
Christian Recovery Guide, 4th ed. (2012)
Dick B. with Ken B., The Dick
B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide (2011)
Dick B., The Good Book and The
Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible
Dick B., The James Club and the
Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials
Dick B. and Ken B., How to
Conduct “Old-School” 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-approved
Literature (New! 2012)
What Dick B. and Ken B. Are Available to Do:
·
Train the trainers by providing the
foregoing resources, meeting and speaking with those trainers, and helping them
establish meetings to effectuate “old-school” recovery.
·
Appear at conferences, make information
available on the Internet, and write introductions for those who already conduct
Christian recovery programs and want a “First Century Christianity” element—as
seen in early A.A.—in those efforts.
·
Consult with Christian leaders and
workers in the recovery arena who want to start programs, groups, or resource
centers incorporating the “old-school” values and successes.
·
Meet in person with any and all of the
foregoing, either at one of our locations in Maui, Hawaii, or elsewhere during
events where travel, meals, and lodging expenses are covered.
Dick B. and Ken B. have been
engaged in this research and providing of content for 22 years; and there are
now 43 published titles and over 800 articles filling in the details.
Dick B.
PO Box 837, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
96753-0837
1-808-874-4876
DickB@DickB.com
www.DickB.com
Gloria Deo
Christian Recovery Resource Centers
A Project of the International
Christian Recovery Coalition
Dick B., Executive Director
Explanation and Purpose
Across the globe today, there
are an estimated twenty million alcoholics and drug addicts who don’t know where
to turn to get information about, find resources for, and overcome objections
to, their seeking the help of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible.
There is no lack of Christian
resources for recovery. The “depth” of the resources may be another matter
entirely.
There is a relentless
opposition to the seeking, mention of, and reliance upon such resources in the
recovery arena today. Twelve Step Fellowship members frequently eschew mention
of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, church, and religion. Many among them have
swallowed the idea that they can invent their own idea of a “power greater than
themselves.” They tend to invent a self-made religion which claims to be
“spiritual but not religious.” They frequently espouse the idea that there is a
“higher power” that can help. They then go on to claim that this “higher power”
can be a tree, a chair, a light bulb, a radiator, Santa Claus, the Great
Pumpkin, Something, Somebody—any thing or “power” other than the Creator of the
heavens and the earth. They leave their fellowships in droves—some relapsing,
some turning to other alternatives, and some actually aligning themselves with
some sort of Christian alternative. Even there, they often hear that any Twelve
Step recovery effort is contrary to the Bible, dangerous for Christians, and
ineffective in result.
Yet there are tens, if not
hundreds, of thousands of Christian leaders, afflicted in recovery, and
concerned others who want to stick with God. They don’t want to reject
fellowships. They want to be healed, forgiven, delivered, loved, empowered, and
assured of an everlasting life. They don’t want “manufactured” Christian
programs with a spot of prayer, a spot of Bible, unlicensed Christian
counselors, or lack of connections with vibrant church activities, dynamic
Christian recovery fellowships, and skilled Christian Bible teachers, prayer
leaders, and healing experts.
Mothers, brothers, spouses,
grandparents, uncles, other relatives, and friends contact us almost daily with
messages of bewilderment and despair. They say that they are dealing with an
alcoholic or drug addict. They say that afflicted person does not want to quit.
They say he is despondent and depressed. They say he gets into endless
troubles—criminal, family, child-custody, tax, imprisonment, debt, divorce, and
health, even suicide attempts. When asked if there is belief in God and a
Christian affiliation, they may yes. But where can they find Christian help!
This plan attempts to provide
an effective answer today. www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com
How to become a "Christian Recovery Resource Center or Person"
The "Christian Recovery Resource Centers and Persons" new
Participant package includes a "site license" for the "Introductory Foundations
for Christian Recovery" ("IFCR") class for Groups and Organizations
(2010) by Dick B. & Ken B. on four DVD's.
The "site license" for the IFCR class for Groups and
Organizations includes:
a. The
four IFCR class DVDs (about one hour each);
b. One
hard copy of the IFCR Class Guide for Students (8 1/2" x 11", spiral
bound);
c. One
hard copy of the IFCR Class Instructor's Guide (8 1/2" x 11", spiral
bound); and
d. One
hard copy of The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., by Dick B.
and Ken B. (8 1/2" x 11", spiral bound).
The "site license" for the IFCR class for Groups and
Organizations also comes with limited reproduction rights for the books in
the class--specifically, the right to duplicate one (1) copy per class
instructor of: (1) the IFCR Class Instructor's Guide; and (2) The Dick
B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed. In addition, you may reproduce as many
copies of the IFCR Class Guide for Students as will be necessary so that
each student in any class you personally oversee may have one (1) copy of that
Guide.
In addition, the "Christian Recovery Resource Center" new
Participant package also includes The Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery
Resource Centers Worldwide by Dick B. with Ken B. (2011) in 8 1/2" x 11",
spiral bound, format.
And we have just added to the new Participant package one (1)
complete set of the 29-volume "Dick B. Christian Recovery Reference Set"--a
$672.55 value (i.e., the total of the full retail list prices of each of the 29
volumes in the Reference Set), at no extra charge!
Finally, the new Participant package includes a free case (box) of a
title by Dick B. that you may use for free distribution or for resale to support
your Christian recovery work. [While supplies last!]
There is a one-time-only donation of $500.00 required to
become a "Christian Recovery Resource Center or Person."
To become a “Christian Recovery Resource Center or Person” or for
further information, please contact Ken B. on his cell phone at 1-808-276-4945
or by email at
kcb00799@gmail.com.
It's Finally Here!
“Introductory Foundations for
Christian Recovery”
By Dick B. and Ken B.
A Four-Session Class on DVD
Available now
for Christian organizations, leaders, and workers in the recovery arena!
You may have heard
that early A.A. claimed a 75% success rate among "seemingly-hopeless,"
"medically-incurable," "last-gasp-case," "real," alcoholics who thoroughly
followed the original Akron A.A. "Christian fellowship" program developed by A.A.
cofounders Bill W. and Dr. Bob beginning during the summer of 1935. (Please see
page xx of Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed.) If so, you may also
be aware of Dick B.'s 20 years of research into the roles played by God, His
Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in early A.A.'s astonishing successes—especially
in Akron, Ohio (and later in Cleveland, Ohio, beginning shortly after the First
Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous—the "Big Book"—was published in April
1939). You may have already read one or more of Dick B.'s 39 books (such as his
best-selling title, The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible),
read some of his more-than-300 published articles, heard one or more of his
recorded "audio talks," and/or attended one or more of his live seminars or
conferences. Your study group, church recovery group, or other
Christian-oriented recovery efforts may have already even incorporated some of
Dick B.'s findings into your program. Perhaps this is your first visit to
this web site,
or you would simple like to know, "What is the bottom line?" or "Is there a
short version?"
The "Introductory
Foundations for Christian Recovery" class focuses on the power and love of God:
(1) in Christian individuals and organizations before A.A. began in 1935 that
had a heart for helping alcoholics, addicts, and those with other
life-controlling problems, and whose principles found their way into A.A.; and
(2) in early A.A. pioneers—especially in Akron (and later in Cleveland)—who
discovered what they called a "cure" for worst-case, "medically-incurable"
alcoholism. And that same power and love of God is available today to help those
who still suffer. Please
click
here
to learn more about this class, and whether it might be right for you, or your
Christian group or organization.
To obtain a license for this class for yourself, or
for your Christian group or organization now, please
click here.
Completing the Dr. Bob Core Library and Dr. Bob
Biography
This is currently the "top priority" project for the International Christian
Recovery Coalition.
Please click here for details on this project.
Summary of International Christian Recovery Coalition
Objectives
To establish, publicize, and
complete the stocking and funding of existing recovery resource libraries, which
are focused on the roles played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in
the astonishing successes of early A.A., such as:
-
The Wilson House/Griffith House
Library in East Dorset, Vermont;
-
The Dr. Bob Core Library in St.
Johnsbury, Vermont;
-
The St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
A.A.-related library in Akron, Ohio;
and
-
The Sam Shoemaker Archives Room at the
Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
To establish and fund with a
Coalition participant or entity in Southern California a Christian-oriented
recovery information center, with a view to housing, displaying, and
disseminating throughout the world:
-
The Christian recovery resources
developed by participants in the International Christian Recovery Coalition;
-
The “Dick B. Historical Treasures”
[e.g., the photocopy of the complete, pre-publication manuscript of DR. BOB
and the Good Oldtimers; photocopies of (most, if not all, of the) numerous
pre-publication drafts of Lois Remembers; and a photocopy of the
manuscript of Anne Smith’s personal journal(s) she kept between 1933 and 1939,
and read parts of to Bill W. and Dr. Bob during the summer of 1935] displayed at
“A Nationwide Recovery Conference with Dick B.” in May 2009;
-
The Dick B. Christian Recovery
Guide by Dick B. and Ken B.
developed in conjunction with a presentation to International Christian Recovery
Coalition participants at a July 2009 Conference in Orange County, California.
Learn
More!
-
DVDs,
booklets, tri-fold brochures, and other materials that inform Coalition
participants and others of successful Christian efforts to carry effectively the
message to those who still suffer with life-controlling problems and
self-destructive behaviors such as alcoholism and drug abuse; and
-
Books—such
as those by Dick B.—and historical documents which the establish the
integrity of statements made by Dick B. and other Christian writers and speakers
as to the roles actually played by God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible in
the astonishing successes in early A.A. in curing “seemingly-hopeless,”
“medically-incurable,” “real” alcoholics who thoroughly followed the Akron A.A.
program developed in Akron, Ohio, beginning in the summer of 1935 by Bill W. and
Dr. Bob. (For example, benefactors made possible the distribution of entire
cases of historical books by Dick B. to all 14 prisons in the State of Hawaii
correctional program.)
To provide publicity on the
“International Christian Recovery Coalition” web site (www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com)
and on of individual Coalition participants that:
·
provides an attractive text description
of each Coalition participant’s program(s), contributions, and resources;
·
allows an opportunity for banner displays
on the Coalition’s web site to the same effect; and
·
enables other web sites to incorporate,
link to, and publicize the common and individual efforts.
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