*** We hope you join us this weekend for our Gospel Open Mic Nite @ Recovery Christian Center Kensington @ SKA, 2418 Kensington Ave, Philly PA Friday @ 7pm or @ our Pastor Appreciation Day @ RCC West, 4110 Haverford Ave, West Philly. Dinner starts @ 4pm. Service starts @ 5pm! ***

Recovery Christian Center Daily Meditation - 3/13/13 - Being An Accountable Mentor

"As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us." Titus 2:1-8 NLT

One of the valuable lessons the recovery community can teach the church is the concept of sponsorship or mentoring. The reality is that we all have a responsibility to help each other grow. No man is an island unto himself, and we really do need each other to grow in our recovery and our walk with Christ. In writing to his spiritual son, Titus, the Apostle Paul understands this and reminds Titus to make sure it is practiced among believers in Crete where Titus pastors. He is also reminding Titus of all they themselves have benefited from the mentor/mentee (or sponsor/sponsee) relationship.

It's the responsibility of those who are mature our recovery and our relationship with God to be that mentor to those who are new. It's our responsibility to share our experience with them and show them what has worked for us. Even when they make mistakes we don't judge them, reject them or condemn them. We accept them, love them and lovingly and patiently show them them God's way. We do it because God has been loving, patient, accepting and tolerant with us as we grew and continue to grow.