Open Share Group

Immediately following Large Group Worship Meeting we break out into small groups. Open Share Group meetings are a safe place to share your thoughts and feelings with others who are also struggling with similar issues on their journey to recovery. These groups are gender specific, confidentiality and anonymity are essential. Open share groups are an ideal place to find support from others, give support to others, and work together to find healing.

Newcomer’s 101- Men & Women
When you come to CR and decide for the first time to participate in Open Share Groups, we have a special meeting you can attend to become more familiar with how CR works. This group meets every Monday night at 7:30 after large group meeting.

Open Share Groups Offered Every Monday Evening at The Chapel in Marlboro:

1. Men’s Open Share- Various Issues

2. Women’s Open Share- Various Issues

The CR Small Group Guidelines

1. Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings.

   Not your spouse’s, someone you’re dating, or your family members’ hurts and hang-ups, but your own. Focusing on yourself will benefit your recovery as well as the ones around you. Stick to “I” or “me” statements, not “you” or “we” statements. 

   Limit your sharing to three to five minutes, so everyone has an opportunity to share — and to ensure that one person does not dominate the group sharing time.

2. There is NO cross-talk. Cross-talk is when two people engage in conversation excluding all others. Each person is free to express his or her feelings without interruptions. 

   Cross-talk is also making distracting comments or questions while someone is sharing. This includes speaking to another member of the group while someone is sharing, or responding to what someone has shared during his or her time of sharing.

3. We are here to support one another, not “fix” one another. This keeps us focused on our own issues. 

   We do not give advice or solve someone’s problem in our time of sharing or offer book referrals or counselor referrals! 
   
   We are not licensed counselors, psychologists, or therapists, nor are the group members. Celebrate Recovery groups are not designed for this. It is up to the participants to include outside counseling to their program when they’re ready.

4. Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. What is shared in the group stays in the group. The only exception is when someone threatens to injure themselves or others. 

   We are not to share information with our spouses/family/co-workers. This also means not discussing what is shared in the group among group members. This is called gossip. 
   
   Please be advised, if anyone threatens to hurt themselves or others, the Small Group Leader has the responsibility to report it to the Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader.

5. Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group. 

   Therefore, we ask that you please watch your language. The main issue here is that the Lord’s name is not used inappropriately. 
   
   We also avoid graphic descriptions. If anyone feels uncomfortable with how explicitly a speaker is sharing regarding his/her behaviors, then you may indicate so by simply raising your hand. The speaker will then respect your boundaries by being less specific in his/her descriptions. This will avoid potential triggers that could cause a person to act out.