REGULAR CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday morning 10:30 AM
Thursday evening 7:00 PM

Deliverance is offered after each church service.

MEN’S PRAYER MEETING

Saturday morning 8:00 AM

WORKSHOPS

The Hegewisch Baptist Church workshops are designed to teach the fundamentals of the Deliverance Ministry while also offering time for participants to receive one on one deliverance prayer.  Teaching people about Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance and then not offering a time to pray is likened to, ”being doers of the Word and not Hearers only.”  

The Hegewisch Baptist Church holds four (4) Deliverance Workshops annually. One of these Workshops is a Men’s Leadership Conference held in January of each year. The Men’s Conference is designed to keep the Men together in a relaxed atmosphere of fellowship and education concerning the Deliverance Ministry. HBC caters in the evening meals on Friday and Saturday to help keep the fellowship as intimate as possible.

Our three regular Workshops are held in April, July and October each year.  These are Family Workshops and all are welcome to attend.

For details on past Workshop events see,  WORKSHOP ARCHIVES. 

UPCOMING 2009 DELIVERANCE WORKSHOPS

 ___________________________________

 
APRIL 23-26, 2009 WORKSHOP # 89

THURSDAY APRIL 23, 2009

7:00 p.m.   “SATAN, WHO?” – PASTOR MICHAEL THIERER (HBC)

8:30 p.m.   Deliverance Session

FRIDAY  APRIL 24, 2009

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Video Tapes of Previous Workshops  (bookroom will be open during the day)

7:00 p.m.    “PERSEVERANCE & ENDURANCE – SATAN’S WORST ENEMY” – PASTOR MOBLEY (CHICAGO)

8:30 p.m.    Deliverance Session  

SATURDAY  APRIL 25, 2009

8:10 a.m.     Please join us for coffee & donuts downstairs in our Fellowship Hall

9:30 a.m.     “GET OUT FROM UNDER THE BED & FIGHT LIKE A CHRISTIAN! – PASTOR THIERER (HBC)

11:00 a.m.    “DEMONS; AN INVALID EXCUSE TO NOT DEAL WITH YOUR SIN  – PHIL WALMA (HBC)

12:00 p.m.   LUNCH BREAK
 
1:30 p.m.     “SHACKLED BY DOUBT-AHOLISM AND UNBELIEF” – PASTOR JOHN ‘PJ’ GOGUEN (NEW YORK)

3:00 p.m.    “THE DAYS OF NOAH HAVE ARRIVED, ARE YOU READY?” – PASTOR  THIERER

5:00 p.m.    DINNER BREAK

7:00 p.m.    MASS DELIVERANCE 

SUNDAY  APRIL 26, 2009

10:30 a.m.  Song Sermon Sung by Pastor Win Worley

Workshop Badges will be required for Friday morning through Saturday night.  Thursday evening & Sunday morning will be regular services.  There will be NO Sunday evening service.  Deliverance will be ministered Thursday, Friday & Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  Parents:  Workshop sessions are planned for individuals mature enough to participate in the studies.  We will be in the House of the Lord, so please wear appropriate attire.  Those inappropriately dressed will be dismissed from the workshop.
 
Registration Form - (Payment must accompany form to pre-register)

Name________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________

City, State, Zip_________________________________________________

Registration fees     Adult (13 years & up)       3 to 12 Years Old
                                                        $20.00                          $10.00
       
# of people (13-adult) __________________     (age 3-12) ____________         Total Enclosed ___________

There is no charge for children under three.  Registration fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.  (Canadian & foreign postal money orders in U.S. Funds Only)  Make registration donations payable to HBC and mail to:   HBC PO BOX 9327 Highland, IN  46322
Names of registrants as you would like them to appear on name badge - Please print clearly.

_______________________________________________________________
                     
WEB SITE  WWW.HBCDELIVERS.ORG    MAIL  HBCDELIVERS@GMAIL.COM

Stay current with HBC services, prayer meetings and workshops.

REGULAR CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday morning 10:30 AM
Thursday evening 7:00 PM

Deliverance is offered after each church service.

MEN’S PRAYER MEETING

Saturday morning 8:00 AM

WORKSHOPS

The Hegewisch Baptist Church workshops are designed to teach the fundamentals of the Deliverance Ministry while also offering time for participants to receive one on one deliverance prayer.  Teaching people about Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance and then not offering a time to pray is likened to, ”being doers of the Word and not Hearers only.”  

The Hegewisch Baptist Church holds four (4) Deliverance Workshops annually. One of these Workshops is a Men’s Leadership Conference held in January of each year. The Men’s Conference is designed to keep the Men together in a relaxed atmosphere of fellowship and education concerning the Deliverance Ministry. HBC caters in the evening meals on Friday and Saturday to help keep the fellowship as intimate as possible.

Our three regular Workshops are held in April, July and October each year.  These are Family Workshops and all are welcome to attend.

For details on past Workshop events see,  WORKSHOP ARCHIVES. 

UPCOMING 2009 DELIVERANCE WORKSHOPS

 ___________________________________

 
APRIL 23-26, 2009 WORKSHOP # 89

THURSDAY APRIL 23, 2009

7:00 p.m.   “SATAN, WHO?” – PASTOR MICHAEL THIERER (HBC)

8:30 p.m.   Deliverance Session

FRIDAY  APRIL 24, 2009

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Video Tapes of Previous Workshops  (bookroom will be open during the day)

7:00 p.m.    “PERSEVERANCE & ENDURANCE – SATAN’S WORST ENEMY” – PASTOR MOBLEY (CHICAGO)

8:30 p.m.    Deliverance Session  

SATURDAY  APRIL 25, 2009

8:10 a.m.     Please join us for coffee & donuts downstairs in our Fellowship Hall

9:30 a.m.     “GET OUT FROM UNDER THE BED & FIGHT LIKE A CHRISTIAN! – PASTOR THIERER (HBC)

11:00 a.m.    “DEMONS; AN INVALID EXCUSE TO NOT DEAL WITH YOUR SIN  – PHIL WALMA (HBC)

12:00 p.m.   LUNCH BREAK
 
1:30 p.m.     “SHACKLED BY DOUBT-AHOLISM AND UNBELIEF” – PASTOR JOHN ‘PJ’ GOGUEN (NEW YORK)

3:00 p.m.    “THE DAYS OF NOAH HAVE ARRIVED, ARE YOU READY?” – PASTOR  THIERER

5:00 p.m.    DINNER BREAK

7:00 p.m.    MASS DELIVERANCE 

SUNDAY  APRIL 26, 2009

10:30 a.m.  Song Sermon Sung by Pastor Win Worley

Workshop Badges will be required for Friday morning through Saturday night.  Thursday evening & Sunday morning will be regular services.  There will be NO Sunday evening service.  Deliverance will be ministered Thursday, Friday & Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  Parents:  Workshop sessions are planned for individuals mature enough to participate in the studies.  We will be in the House of the Lord, so please wear appropriate attire.  Those inappropriately dressed will be dismissed from the workshop.
 
Registration Form - (Payment must accompany form to pre-register)

Name________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________

City, State, Zip_________________________________________________

Registration fees     Adult (13 years & up)       3 to 12 Years Old
                                                        $20.00                          $10.00
       
# of people (13-adult) __________________     (age 3-12) ____________         Total Enclosed ___________

There is no charge for children under three.  Registration fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.  (Canadian & foreign postal money orders in U.S. Funds Only)  Make registration donations payable to HBC and mail to:   HBC PO BOX 9327 Highland, IN  46322
Names of registrants as you would like them to appear on name badge - Please print clearly.

_______________________________________________________________
                     
WEB SITE  WWW.HBCDELIVERS.ORG    MAIL  HBCDELIVERS@GMAIL.COM

In the name of Jesus Christ, we command Satan’s demons to fight against and destroy each other (Eph3:10).  Specifically, we command all marriage breaking spirits and family hindering demons to attack the spirits of Ahab and Jezebel.

We command the demons of power and control to attack the spirits of pornography and Eros; the spirits of violence and torture to attack all the spirits of human subjection, degradation and submission.

 We command the spirits of riches and wealth by greed and covetousness to attack the spirits of lust for one world rulership, one world currency, and total control of the world system.  And the spirits of anti-capitalism to attack the spirits of poverty, hatred for believers, and anti-Americanism in Jesus name.

Let the spirits of war between the nations and the spirits of  destruction, hatred and anger attack the spirits of political and spiritual blindness, rage, mockery, vengeance, evil political science and influence, the Illuminati and Communism in Jesus name. Let the spirits of Antichrist, 666 and false religions attack the spirits of Roman Catholicism, and Masonry, the spirits of infirmities, sicknesses, weaknesses, deformities and accidents.  Lord let them attack the spirits of alcohol, drugs, nicotine, bad nutrition and abortion.  Let them destroy the spirits of mind control and darkness and attack the spirits of Leviathan and pride.

Heavenly Father, we ask You to loose burning, judgment and destruction upon all disobedient and reluctant spirits that fail to follow these commands promptly.

By Lisa Miller
NEWSWEEK
Updated: 1:24 PM ET Dec 8, 2007
You need only go back to the first chapter of Genesis to see how elemental water is to the observance of faith: “And the Spirit of God,” the Bible says, “moved upon the face of the waters.” In the Torah, water is used to ordain priests and to purify the sons of Aaron before they enter the temple. In the New Testament, John baptizes Jesus with water from the Jordan River. Observant Muslims wash hands and feet before they pray, orthodox Jewish women take ritual baths once a month—and every Christian denomination still uses water as part of its sacred rites. Mormons, when they take the weekly sacrament, drink water instead of wine.

So it’s not surprising that a few savvy marketers would seize on this universal symbol of purity for financial gain. Inspired, perhaps, by vitamin and energy waters, a number of new companies have begun making more explicit claims: their water doesn’t just promote good health, it actually makes you good. Holy Drinking Water, produced by a California-based company called Wayne Enterprises, is blessed in the warehouse by an Anglican or Roman Catholic priest (after a thorough background check). Like a crucifix or a rosary, a bottle of Holy Drinking Water is a daily reminder to be kind to others, says Brian Germann, Wayne’s CEO. Another company makes Liquid OM, superpurified bottled water containing vibrations that promote a positive outlook. Invented by Kenny Mazursky, a sound therapist in Chicago, the water purportedly possesses an energy field that Mazursky makes by striking a giant gong and Tibetan bowls in its vicinity. He says the good energy can be felt not just after you drink the water but before, when you’re holding the bottle.

The most recent entry in this niche is Spiritual Water. It’s purified municipal water, sold with 10 different Christian labels. The Virgin Mary bottle, for example, has the Hail Mary prayer printed on the back in English and Spanish. Spiritual Water helps people to “stay focused, believe in yourself and believe in God,” says Elicko Taieb, the Florida-based company’s founder who was formerly in the pest-control business. All three companies give a portion of their profits to charity.

This small band of feel-good entrepreneurs may face objections from a surprising quarter. Some religious believers, also convinced of the elemental importance of water, are campaigning against its ubiquitous sale and packaging on the grounds that the practice is neither ethical nor good for the environment. “Water is life,” says Sister Mary Zirbes, a nun in the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minn. “It really should not be a commodity to be bought.” The Franciscan Sisters, together with a community of Benedictine nuns nearby, have launched a letter-writing campaign against the largest producers of bottled water and they’ve designed coasters to encourage people to drink glasses, not bottles, of water from the tap. The Vineyard church in Boise, Idaho, sells slim reusable plastic bottles in its bookstore, and it has placed water stations throughout the church. “In a world where a billion people have no reliable source of drinking water, where 3,000 children die every day of waterborne diseases, let’s be clear: bottled water is not a sin, but it sure is a choice,” says Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals. “Spending $15 billion a year on bottled water is a testimony to our conspicuous consumption, our culture of indulgence.” Taieb calmly refutes the implication that his Spiritual Water is bad for the planet. People put fewer of his bottles in the trash, he says, because they don’t want to discard images of Jesus or Mary. Instead, they refill them with other beverages. Obviously, even do-gooders can disagree. Some believe that water is life, while others believe that water is their livelihood.

URL: http://www.newsweek.com/id/74380©   Newsweek Mag

The report from Compass Direct cited statistics compiled by the All India Christian Council in confirming that the number of attacks on Christians in 2007 surpassed 1,000 for the first time in India’s history.

At least 200 anti-Christian attacks, including four murders, had been documented before the recent violence erupted in Orissa State’s Kandhamal district, the report said. There, at least another four Christians were killed and about 800 attacks were reported. At least 730 homes and 95 churches were burned, the report said.

“In all the villages we have visited, people testify that the attacks, destruction and looting was done in the presence of the police,” the report continued, with Hindu extremists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad suspected in many of the gun, knife and bomb assaults.

There exists a “conspiracy to hide the bodies of Christians killed by VHP cadre to destroy evidence… Many are missing - both adults and children - in every village,” the report said.

In one area around the Barakhama village, 415 of the 450 homes belonging to tribal Christians were burned, the AICC wrote. A Christian, Bhogra Naik of Barakhama, was “cut into three pieces” by attackers after his house was destroyed, the report said.

Compass Direct reported between 1950 and 1998, government figures show there were only 50 anti-Christian attacks. In 2000, that reached 100, and the tally has been continuing to rise.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59636

Dear Brothers and Friends in Christ:

Let’s be frank, Satan and his henchmen (demons) have made tremendous inroads into the church and the body of Christ.  Not only is the Word of God being watered down, but the Word is also being changed to say something that the scripture isn’t saying.  These slick Snake Oil salesmen are running around as if they have some kind of special hotline with God.  They masquerade themselves teaching things they know not.  In reality, Satan is working behind these doctrines of devils teachings us how to curse ourselves just as Balaam taught Balak to do the same. 

There is one so-called Christian leader who used fifteen different translations and/or paraphrases of the bible to write his very popular book.  By doing so, he “changed the Word of God into a lie” and made the Word say what he wanted it to say, not what the Word was actually saying.  This mindset is being promoted in many institutions (churches) today.  There are other Charlatans and Christian Carnival Barkers that are teaching damnable (cursed) heresies and doctrines of devils; such as “Jesus Died Spiritually”.  The teachers in the Word Faith(less) movement proclaim this teaching as “The Gospel Truth”.  However, to believe that Jesus died Spiritually is to deny the blood sacrifice.  On The Cross, Jesus said, “it was finished” i.e. Jesus paid for our sins by the shedding of his blood.  But the Word Faith(less) leaders say that after the cross, Jesus had to go into the pit of hell to be “kicked around by the devil and his demons” for three days and nights. They go on to say that because Jesus won this fight he (Jesus) became born again at that time.  So, it was not Calvary’s victory that redeemed us from our sins, but Satan’s so-called defeat in hell.  Brothers, there is no bible to back this up, yet thousands embrace these erroneous doctrines and miss out on real Salvation.  Make no mistake, this is rank heresy, error and false doctrine.  If we believe this false teaching we effectively deny the blood sacrifice, (Calvary and Calvary alone) and we are still in our sins!!!  2Corinthians 11:13-15 calls those that teach this, “Satan’s ministers of righteousness”.  How many thousands are following these heretics?  I’m afraid that many of them are going to slide to hell from their church pews.  God forbid!  Lord Jesus help us! 

These doctrines of demons and those that are in cahoots with Satan must be exposed.  One of the best ways to do this is to submit ourselves for deliverance.  Get cleaned up and then join in battle against the wiles of the devil. The fight is on brothers; This epic battle of the ages isn’t going to be won by the church choir nor by the elder or deacon boards.  God is looking for men (us) to go forth with the real Word Of God and take the fight to Satan. Learn how to speak back to the devil through the Word Of God. Learn how to pray real Spiritual Warfare.  If we are faithful to do our part, God will be faithful to His Word and give us victory over the Adversary.  Maybe there is a need in your life to have your soul, mind-will-emotions restored (Psa 23:3). I know that I need mine restored… how bout you?  The days are growing darker and darker and the hour is very late.  Come join us on January 24-27 for GREAT fellowship, solid bible teaching and for many victories to be won in Jesus name.  We will not only be teaching the correct principles of Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare but we will also be praying deliverance every evening during the Conference. HOPE TO SEE Y’ALL AT THE CHURCH!

Yours to make Christ known, loved and enjoyed.

Pastor Michael Thierer

_______________________________________

2008, 21st MEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

THURSDAY, January 24, 2008
 
7:00 p.m.   “Deliverance IS The Children’s Bread” - Pastor Michael Thierer (HBC)

8:30 p.m.    Deliverance Session

FRIDAY, January 25, 2008
 
1:30 p.m.     “The Deliverance Worker vs. Brother Hireling” - Pastor Michael Thierer (HBC)

3:00 p.m.     “Wanted: Barking Watchmen Ready For Battle!”-” – Pastor Michael Thierer  (HBC)

5:00 p.m.      DINNER WILL BE SERVED IN FELLOWSHIP HALL AT HBC

7:00 p.m.     “Satan’s 3D Show; Destruction, Devastation & Disaster” – Pastor Mobley (IL)
 
8:30 p.m.     Deliverance Session

SATURDAY, January 26, 2008
 
10:30 a.m.  “To Be Announced”

12:00 p.m.  LUNCH BREAK
 
1:30 p.m.    “Deliverance Rewards” - Pastor John Goguen (NY)

3:00 p.m.   “Satan’s Feminization Of The Church – Revisited - Pastor Michael Thierer (HBC)

4:00 p.m.    Question & Answer Session

5:00 p.m.    DINNER WILL BE SERVED IN FELLOWSHIP HALL AT HBC

7:00 p.m.    Mass Deliverance  

SUNDAY, January 27, 2008
 
10:30 a.m.  “Delivering Yourself From The Spirit of Presumption” - Pastor Michael Thierer (HBC)

Workshop Badges will be required for Friday morning through Saturday night.  Thursday evening & Sunday morning will be regular services.  There will be NO Sunday evening service.  Deliverance will be ministered Thursday and Friday Evening, Saturday evening and Sunday morning only.  Fathers: Leadership sessions are planned for individuals mature enough to participate in the studies.  We will be in the House of the Lord so please wear appropriated attire.  Those inappropriately dressed will be dismissed from the workshop. 

 Registration Form   (Payment must accompany form to pre-register)
Name_______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________
City, State, Zip________________________________________

Registration fees                  Adult (13 years & up)        3 to 12 Years Old
Before January 10, 2007                       $17.00           $13.00
After January 10, 2007                         $20.00           $15.00
# of people (13-adult) ___________  (age 3-12) ____________   

Total Enclosed ___________
There is no charge for children under three.  Registration fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.  (Canadian & foreign - postal money orders in U.S. Funds Only)  Make registration donations payable to HBC and mail to:

HBC        P.O. Box 9327       Highland, IN 46322

Names of all Registrants (for Name Badges)  -  Please print clearly.
__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Future 2008 Workshops:  HBC April 24-27, July 24-27, Oct 23-26 -   Agape Bible Church, Pastor John Goguen, E. Aurora NY, 716-655-5008, March 28-30, June 27-29, Sept 19-21
                                                           

Motel Information - Located about 5 minutes from HBC
 Motel                                                        Phone 
Amerihost (indoor pool) Continental breakfast - Shuttle to/from HBC.   219-845-4678
Home Towne Motel - Shuttle to/from HBC  219-554-0000
Marriott Fairfield (indoor pool) Continental breakfast. Near Cracker Barrel & Wendy’s. NO shuttle, 219-845-6950,  OR 800-228-9290

HBC will provide a shuttle to and from the Amerihost.  We have a block of rooms set aside at the Amerihost.  Mention Hegewisch Baptist Church for discount rate.  Rates may not include tax and may be subject to change. The Amerihost is located on Indianapolis Blvd. off of I-94 and is a 5-minute drive to the church.   To avoid disappointment, make room reservations no later than 3 - 4 weeks prior to the workshop.

Transportation to and from the airport, Greyhound Bus or commuter trains is not provided by HBC.  Housing in private homes is not available.  Please do not come expecting “free” accommodations.

Public transportation: Greyhound Bus 219-933-6700; Coach USA 800-248-8747; South Shore Train 219-398-0055. Cabs from Coach USA bus station to the church:  Triple A 219-972-3233; Best Cab 219-932-2169; Taxi Express-219-473-1456.         
  

PLEASE CLICK ON THE “READ THE FULL POST” LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR THE DIRECT HYPERLINK.

Deliverance is the Children’s Bread
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BCahn6gsRTs

Is Deliverance Always the Answer?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jLNcrdoTLLQ

A Seared Conscience: A Demonic Playground
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EKIdHJnqrPc

The Deliverance Worker vs. Brother Hireling
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IlEuGiDEfes

Deliverance Rewards
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TaC9hA7nw4Y

Satan’s Feminization Of The Church
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cW2RKN7IbZ4

Delivering Yourself from the Spirit of Presumption
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RuYIQ7YD1yY

Satan’s 3D Show; Destruction, Devastation & Disaster
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BEANmj0T7p4

——————————————————————————–
ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 20237 • Posted: Saturday December 29, 2007 

The Pope has ordered his bishops to set up exorcism squads to tackle the rise of Satanism.

Vatican chiefs are concerned at what they see as an increased interest in the occult.

They have introduced courses for priests to combat what they call the most extreme form of “Godlessness.”

Each bishop is to be told to have in his diocese a number of priests trained to fight demonic possession.

The initiative was revealed by 82-year-old Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican “exorcistinchief,” to the online Catholic news service Petrus.

“Thanks be to God, we have a Pope who has decided to fight the Devil head-on,” he said.

“Too many bishops are not taking this seriously and are not delegating their priests in the fight against the Devil. You have to hunt high and low for a properly trained exorcist.

“Thankfully, Benedict XVI believes in the existence and danger of evil - going back to the time he was in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.” The CDF is the oldest Vatican department and was headed by Benedict from 1982, when he was Cardinal Ratzinger, until he became Pope in 2005.

Father Amorth said that during his time at the department Benedict had not lost the chance to warn humanity of the risk from the Devil.

He said the Pope wants to restore a prayer seen as protection against evil that was traditionally recited at the end of Catholic Masses. The prayer, to St Michael the Archangel, was dropped in the 1960s by Pope John XXIII.

“The prayer is useful not only for priests but also for lay people in helping to fight demons,” he said.

Father Paolo Scarafoni, who lectures on the Vatican’s exorcism course, said interest in Satanism and the occult has grown as people lost faith with the church.

He added: “People suffer and think that turning to the Devil can help solve their problems. We are being bombarded by requests for exorcisms.”

The Vatican is particularly concerned that young people are being exposed to the influence of Satanic sects through rock music and the Internet.

In theory, under the Catholic Church’s Canon Law 1172, all priests can perform exorcisms. But in reality only a select few are assigned the task.

Under the law, practitioners must have “piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life.”

The rite of exorcism involves a series of gestures and prayers to invoke the power of God and stop the “demon” influencing its victim.

I recently attended the Celebrate Recovery Summit 2005 at Saddleback Church in Southern California. The primary purpose of the conference was to train new leaders who would return to their churches and inaugurate the Celebrate Recovery (CR) program. Saddleback’s pastor, Rick Warren, describes CR as “a biblical and balanced program to help people overcome their hurts, habits, and hang-ups…[that is] based on the actual words of Jesus rather than psychological theory [emphasis added].” 1

As a long-time critic of psychological counseling and 12-Steps therapies in the church (see The Seduction of Christianity and archived TBC newsletter articles and Q&As), I was pleased to have the opportunity to learn firsthand from those who are leading and/or participating in the program, to better understand what was intended in CR, and to see how it is implemented. What I learned right away was that the 3,000 or so in attendance had a tremendous zeal for the Lord and an unquestionable sincerity in desiring to help those who were struggling with habitual sin. This was my impression in all of my interactions—with individuals, in small groups, in workshop sessions, and in the general worship sessions. The CR Summit lasted three (eight- to nine-hour) days and covered nearly every aspect of Celebrate Recovery.

Nevertheless, other thoughts ran through my mind as I reviewed whether or not I had missed something significant in my previous criticisms of 12-Steps recovery therapies. Is Celebrate Recovery’s 12-Steps program truly different—that is, “biblical and balanced…rather than psychological”—as Rick Warren believes? Furthermore, is he simply naïve when he says in his “Road to Recovery” series of sermons, “In 1935 a couple of guys formulated, based upon the Scriptures, what are now known as the classic twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and used by hundreds of other recovery groups. Twenty million Americans are in a recovery group every week and there are 500,000 recovery groups. The basis is God’s Word [emphasis added].” Or is Celebrate Recovery another alarming example of a way that seems right to a man but one that is turning believers to ways and means other than the Bible to solve their sin-related problems? Let’s consider these questions in light of some A.A. and 12 Steps background information.

To begin with, 12-Steps programs are not just a Saddleback Church issue. Increasing numbers of evangelical churches are sponsoring Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) meetings and/or creating their own self-help groups based upon A.A.’s 12-Steps principles. Bill Wilson, one of the founders of A.A., created the 12 Steps. Wilson was a habitual drunk who had two life-changing events that he claims helped him achieve sobriety: 1) he was (mis)informed by a doctor that his drinking habit was a disease and was therefore not his fault, and 2) he had an experience (which he viewed as spiritual enlightenment) that convinced him that only “a Power greater than” himself could keep him sober. Attempting to understand his mystical experience, he was led into spiritism, a form of divination condemned in the Scriptures. His official biography indicates that the content of the 12-Steps principles came to him “rapidly” through spirit communication. Certainly not from God.

Celebrate Recovery began 14 years ago at Saddleback and is used in more than 3,500 churches today, making it evangelical Christianity’s most prominent and widely exported 12-Steps church program. Warren considers CR to be “the center of living a purpose-driven life and building a purpose-driven church” and recently announced that Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship would begin implementing CR in every prison where the ministry is functioning.

Celebrate Recovery is a very complex methodology that attempts to bring biblical adjustments to the 12-Steps program originated by A.A. and utilized in numerous other “addiction” recovery programs. The complexity, however, applies to the setting up and implementation of the program as well as to the strict rules that govern its execution. Although there are many problems related to “making it work,” there is only space in this article to address some fundamental issues. Let’s begin with the implications regarding the name of the program.

Reflecting A.A.’s influence upon CR, the term “Recovery” is significant. All those in A.A. are “recovering” alcoholics, who, according to A.A., never completely recover. Recovery is a term that primarily denotes a process of physical healing. A.A. teaches that alcoholism is a disease for which there is no ultimate cure. Although CR rejects A.A.’s view of alcoholism as a disease and calls it sin, the title nevertheless promotes the A.A. concept in contradiction to what the Bible teaches. Sin is not something from which a believer is “in recovery.” Sin is confessed by the sinner and forgiven by God. The believer is cleansed of the sin right then. “I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin” (Ps 32:5 [2]).

At the 2005 Celebrate Recovery Summit, every speaker introduced himself or herself in the A.A. “recovery” mode, with this “Christianized” difference: “Hi, I’m so and so…and I’m a believer in Jesus Christ who struggles with issues of (alcohol, drug, codependency, sex, or whatever) addiction.” The audience then applauded to affirm the individual for overcoming the “denial” of his or her habitual sin. Not to confess some “addiction” or specific sin struggle raises suspicions of “being in denial.” Throughout the three-day conference, there was never a hint from any of the speakers that anything about A.A., 12 Steps, or CR might not be biblical. Moreover, where Celebrate Recovery programs were not available, those “in recovery” were encouraged to attend A.A. or N.A. meetings.

Rick Warren, on video, reassured the Summit attendees that CR was no man-made therapy. He insisted that CR was based upon the “actual words of Jesus Christ from the eight Beatitudes, which parallel the 12 Steps” and identified his own “Higher Power: His name is Jesus Christ.” I don’t find “Higher Power,” which is a misrepresentation of God, in the Bible. Nor can I fathom why a Bible-believing Christian would want to promote Bill Wilson’s concept and methodology. Why not simply rely on what the Bible teaches?

Is God’s way completely sufficient to set one free from so-called addictions? Did A.A.’s founders provide a more effective way? If so, what did the church do for the nearly 2,000 years prior to Bill Wilson’s “spiritually enlightened” way to recovery? Moreover, if Wilson’s method really works, why are some in the church trying to add Jesus as one’s Higher Power and the Beatitudes to it? On the other hand, if the effectiveness of the 12-Steps program is questionable at best and detrimental to the gospel and to a believer’s life and growth in Christ, why attempt to “Christianize” such a program? It is imperative that all believers ask themselves whether or not they truly believe that the Scriptures and the enablement of God’s Holy Spirit are sufficient for “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pt 1:3 [3]). A rejection of this biblical teaching is the only possible justification for turning to ways the Bible condemns: “the counsel of the ungodly” (Ps 1:1 [4]) and “a way which seemeth right unto a man.”

How dependent is Celebrate Recovery upon (with minor modifications) A.A.’s 12 Steps? Completely! Those going through CR’s small group take from 12 to 16 months to complete the 12-Steps program. Many go through more than one small group and often become leaders in one while attending others. Without Bill Wilson’s principles, the CR program would be reduced to a handful of misapplied Bible verses. Tragically, the most obvious biblical problem with such an approach to overcoming habitual sins seems to be dismissed by all 12-Steps advocates: the Bible never offers a by-the-numbers self-help methodology for deliverance from sin or for living a sanctified life. God’s way involves obedience to His full counsel and maturity in Christ through the enablement of His Holy Spirit.

Warren’s CR program views the 12 Steps as generally compatible with Scripture yet seeks out verses that appear to biblically reinforce each step. In doing so, however, scriptural interpretations are forced upon concepts that either have no direct relationship to the Bible or that pervert the true interpretation of the scripture intended to support the particular step. CR’s attempt to use the Beatitudes as biblical principles for overcoming habitual sins, for example, is a serious distortion of the Word of God.

Search as you may, you’ll find no commentaries that even hint at such a use of the Beatitudes. Why? Simply because the Beatitudes all have to do with seeking the Kingdom of God and nothing to do with solving an individual’s so-called addictions. Again, why try to legitimize from Scripture Wilson’s “ungodly counsel” from “seducing spirits [bringing] doctrines of devils” (1 Tm 4:1)?

Consider, for example, the “Beatitudes-justified” first three steps: (1) We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors. That our lives had become unmanageable. “Happy are those who are spiritually poor.” (2) Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. “Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (3) Made a decision to turn our life and our will over to the care of God (modified from A.A.’s “God as we understood Him”). “Happy are the meek.” This is more than a misdirected attempt to sanctify (in Rick Warren’s words) Bill Wilson’s “biblically vague” 12 Steps.2 It both abuses the Scriptures and reinterprets Wilson.

In these foundational steps, Wilson is summarizing his beliefs based upon his experiences as a “recovering alcoholic.” He felt “powerless” because he believed alcoholism was an incurable disease that consequently made his life “unmanageable.” Since he couldn’t “cure” himself (although millions do without 12-Step or other therapies!), he put his faith in “a power greater than ourselves,” whom he called God, and “understood” Him by fabricating Him out of beliefs discovered in his study of different religions and religious experiences. That’s more than “biblically vague.” It’s a false religion.

So why would Celebrate Recovery or the multitudes of other Christianized 12-Steps groups try to reconcile the Word of God with Wilson’s definitely erroneous and demonically inspired methodology? The deluded response is: “Because it works!” But does it?

Pragmatism is the fuel that powers “the way that seems right” and governs much of what is being lauded in the church today. Not only is this unbiblical, but too often there is nothing beyond enthusiastic testimonials to support the claim that something actually works. The reality for the 12-Steps program of A.A. and N.A. is that there is no research evidence proving that they are more effective than other treatments. Furthermore, the most extensive studies related to “addictions” conclude that most drug and alcohol abusers recover without any psychotherapeutic treatment or self-help therapies.3

The many problems inherent within a Christianized 12-Steps program—and particularly???Celebrate???Recovery—are too numerous for this brief article. Yet, consider these observations: CR is highly promoted as completely biblical and not psychological, yet the key speakers for CR Summit 2005 were clinical psychologists Drs. John Townsend and Henry Cloud. Psychologist David Stoop, the editor of Life Recovery Bible (CR participants’ mandatory paraphrase Bible, polluted with psychotherapy commentary), is a favorite speaker at Saddleback’s CR Large Group meetings. The CR leadership manual advises, “Have Christian psychotherapists volunteer their time to help instruct and support your leaders.”4

CR’s entire program content is marbled with psychobabble such as this “solution” from its Adult Children of the Chemically Addicted group’s dogmas:“The solution is to become your own loving parent….You will recover the child within you, learning to accept and love yourself.”5 This is biblical?! Honoring the psychologically contrived “disorder” of codependency, CR’s Codependency and Christian Living group made this humanistic and biblically false statement: “Jesus taught….A love of self forms the basis for loving others.”6

A.A.’s 12-Steps methodology, along with its antibiblical psychotherapeutic concepts and practices permeates Celebrate Recovery, yet no one at the Summit with whom I spoke seemed concerned. CR’s small group meetings are the antithesis of the way the Bible instructs mature believers to help those young or struggling in the faith to grow. Pastors and elders can be small group leaders, but not for teaching purposes. No leader may biblically instruct or correct but may only affirm the “transparency” of the participant sharing his feelings. “Cross-talk,” or comments by others, are prohibited to allow the freest expression possible. Much of this “expression” reinforces psychotherapeutic myths. The two-hour meetings usually open with the spiritually anemic Serenity Prayer and the recitation of the 12 Steps. Leaders are drawn from those who have completed one or more 12-Step groups. Some leaders work through one “addiction” in a small group while leading another group. It’s not unusual for a leader to put in eight to ten hours in CR functions per week, every week. Serious Bible study and discipleship are not part of the Celebrate Recovery “biblical” emphasis.

Let no one think that presenting these critical concerns about Celebrate Recovery in any way lessens the biblical obligation (Gal 6 [5]) of the church to minister to those struggling with habitual sin. The issue is not whether we should minister, but how we should minister: man’s way or God’s way? Man’s way, or a mixture of biblical teaching and ungodly counsel, is contrary to God’s way. Man’s way leads to death. Applying Scripture to man’s way leads to a slower death, akin to what would result when pure water is added to a toxic drinking fountain. We desperately need to take heed to God’s admonition through the Prophet Jeremiah: “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water” (Jer 2:13 [6]). TBC

Endnotes

1. Celebrate Recovery Summit 2005 Handbook, 61.

2. Celebrate Recovery Senior Pastor Support Video, 2003.

3. The Harvard Mental Health Letter, Vol. 16, No. 12, 1-4; See also:

www.stats.org/issuerecord.jsp?issue=true&ID=8.

4. Celebrate, 31.

5. Ibid., 342.

6. Ibid., 350.

Audio version of this newsletter is here [6].

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http://www.thebereancall.org/node/2568