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“And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”

(Luke 15:16-17)

Enablement defined is “any approach that provides means or opportunity.” A leading question among workers dealing with addicted people is, “How do I know the difference between enabling them and showing them love?” In the CD (available through Reformers Unanimous) entitled, “How to Minister to the Addicted”, I discuss three different models or philosophies in dealing with those who are addicted.

One of those models is the “impaired model of addictions.”  It deals with people who are looking at the actions and reactions of an addicted individual and judging that person based on what they see.  This model is prevalent in most churches today. They believe that it is just a lack of character that keeps this addicted individual bound and they just need to repent and exercise will power to stop their addiction.  However, but other times they will feel sorry for them and will continue to enable them-giving them enablement-a help that hurts! In this model of addiction, it is believed that the only treatment is to change the addict’s behavior through  shame, guilt, rejection, or by enabling them – which results in a deeper shame-based identity and stronger addiction.

To make this topic of “enablement” clearer, I want to list some examples to help you.  Many Christians want to help, out of a good heart and bowels of compassion, but that compassion should not be based on “soulical” needs of those we are trying to help, but rather spiritual needs. You see, you cannot help someone UNTIL they, just like the prodigal son mentioned in the verse above, come to the end of themselves. It does not mean that we do not help them, but it does mean that we do not enable them. In the years of watching some of our leaders here in Rockford minister to people that would have continued their habit; I want to present some situations in which you can show love without enabling:

1. If a student asks for food money -
   1. One who would enable them would give them money–quickly
   2. One who would love them could meet them at Wal-Mart and purchase the items the student needs, while spending time with them and developing them in spiritual ways.
2. If a student needs gas for his/her vehicle -
   1. Someone who would enable them would give them money. (Don’t ever give money! When a drug addict gets money they buy drugs!)
   2. Someone who would love them would take them to the gas station and put gas in their car for them, also spending time with them.
3. If a student’s car gets impounded for various reasons -
   1. A person who enables them will get their car out of the car impound without doing anything to help change their behavior.
   2. A person who would love them may look for other options (bus, bicycle, carpool,) without getting the car out of the car impound, to reveal to them that the consequences for our sin are inevitable, incalculable, and up to God. (Principle #9) We do not want to get in the way of what God is trying to do.

The Bible is clear that man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart. The real need of an individual is not to change their circumstances on the outside, but to be used of God to change their heart. The very thing that needs to be changed, their heart, is often used to manipulate and control all circumstances to their advantage. Once someone in leadership clearly sees this pattern, through the eyes of God’s love, they will realize (like the prodigal son’s father) that there was a time to give his son his inheritance with no strings attached. This was necessary for the son to get him in the position where no man was willing to give to him again to help him continue his behavior, his life style, and his heart’s appetites and desires. At Reformers Unanimous, we know that God will put a new heart in every believer, and that the power of the Gospel is able to transform anyone’s life – if they are willing to turn.  In summary, that for which an addict may be asking is not really what they need; and what you would like to do for them may not be what He would like to do in them. One thing is for sure, God has bestowed upon us His love, given us His Spirit, and the fruit of that Spirit is love, and may God help every one of us to demonstrate that I Corinthians 13 love in a way that would help people without hurting them.

Current Housing Needs

Don’t ask-Tell!

Understanding Nehemiah’s view in sharing his needs to people…

“We don’t ask man for money, we ask God-He owns it anyway! -Steven Curington

Our goals have grown away from asking people to help us with this project and that project.  Our need been met so many times simply because we asked God to meet then and shortly thereafter someone requested information on our needs and then just like that, the needs were met.

So please pray over our needs in your spare time…at least once! How about now? There are just a few….

Womens Home:

• Twelve girls to fill beds in the new home.  Reduced tuition for them if needed and accepted.
• A 15-passenger van, used but nice, for the Joy Belle’s summer tour.
• A 30 or more shuttle bus to transport ladies to work, church, and back.
• An “In Memory” or “In Honor” donor for the south wing rooms.
• A “Window of Opportunity” for individual donors to purchase a window for the girl’s bedrooms.Current windows are worn and will not last until or through winter.
• The commercial kitchen will remain closed until we can fill it with used, but nice, commercial kitchen appliances and equipment. One need at a time is our goal.  Though the home opens this week, the cafeteria will remain shuttered till God meets that need.

Men’s Home:

• Nine men to fill beds in the existing home. There is some tuition money available through the Timothy Fund to help a few.
• Tuition dollars “in memory” or “in honor” of someone you love to help men and women attend our program who could not otherwise afford it.

National Ministry:

• We need one man to fill a role of Marketing/Public Relations and Communications.  This interested candidate must be gain his Pastor’s permission before sending his resume and would require his move to Rockford preferably by June 15.
• We also are need of a strong Operations Director.  Someone who understands people movement, policy informant personal management and problem solvement.  This person works for me and oversees 75 staff, students and volunteers. Both positions report directly to Bro. Curington.
• We need talented graphic designers to assist our workload in our creative department.  This person does NOT need to relocate to Rockford, but will work independent of headquarters on plan preparation.  Chosen candidate will work for Will Fowler.

National Conference of Workshops: The Way is Agape!

To say that I am excited about this year’s conference is an understatement would be unparalleled in our ministry.  My excitement has been replaced with personal refinement.  I am learning so much about our topic of love and its alternative forms offered by man-Phileo; and what is offered by the enemy-Eros. I cannot wait to teach you what I have learned and the lessons I have spurned in an effort to become addicted to aggressive striving in the work of my ministry.  This aggressive striving led to an addiction to affirmation of those whom I strived to serve, whether students or pastors.  This addiction led to be seek the affirmation and praise of man.  This reciprocal cycle caused me to abandon what is common among family-time and energy; for that which was being blessed by my calling-my ministry.  I would tell my family I loved them, but when the day was done and I had only two weary hours left before their bedtime, they could sense something wasn’t right.  Disappointment and regret, rather than appreciation and affirmation set in and I was doomed.  Not making my family happy, with my people, staff and students struggling with many wants demanding they be met, they often voiced their great displeasure with me.  With vendors and customers waiting for money or product that we could not deliver and with churches dropping support regularly, I became a man not only unappreciated, I became a man most miserable whom people sensed the only way to help me was to request of me that which would only make me more miserable!

It is at this time I refined our topic to “The Way is Agape:  Learning to Live for the Audience of One!” As we teach, train, and coach your workers to this all important intimacy with the Father, we must understand how important that it be to us.  It must be our all sufficiency.  It must give us humility, transparency, sensibility and accountability.  And then, the way others feel for you or about you will change.  Not because they will cease to love you, but rather love you more because you are not expressing to them the Father’s love which has been bestowed upon you.

We surely hope your church and chapter can attend this year’s event.  Mark your calendars – Monday, September 27^th through Thursday, September 30. The Formal Banquet will be the evening of the 29^th.  You won’t want to miss this yearly awe-inspiring highlight.

RIP – Reformers Institutional Program

Here is a testimony from an incarcerated individual participating in the program:

“I love RU. My parole officer introduced me to the program. It is much better than A.A. I was saved back when I was 20 years old and in the U.S.M.C at Camp Pendleton, CA, but didn’t stay with the Lord. I was baptized in Oceanside, CA. I always felt a pull to God but didn’t know how to go to Him. I was brought up with a God who only punished, and I wasn’t taught about God’s loving side. I spent many years in prison for the crimes I committed. Being in Reformers has changed my life for the better. My family and friends (the few I have left) have seen a change in me. The nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, next to God’s gift of Jesus’ sacrifice and the Holy Spirit, was introduce me to R.U. My life will never be the same.”

- Jerry B. in New Jersey

(Click here to read other testimonies…)

It is exciting to see the continual growth of the Reformers Institutional Program (RIP) here and abroad. Testimonies like the one above come into our offices every single day. It is even more exciting to hear of those men that have been released from incarceration that have joined both the Friday night RU programs and local churches across this country. There is an exciting parallel going on between ministering to those that are incarcerated while at the same time ministering to their family members in the community through the local RU Chapter. We have discovered that, because of their stronger relationship with God, the reunion of the incarcerated with their loved ones is much sweeter, and the end result is families joining local churches all across America. If you are interested in starting a RIP program in your community please contact our offices at 815-986-0460, ext 150, or email us at rip@reformu.com.

Note to current RIP Programs:

Recently we were made aware that the bookmark awards for the RIP program are not able to go into a large majority of the jails and prisons, therefore we have discontinued these items and made certificates for those challenges. We have limited supplies of those bookmarks still available, and if your program allows you to use them you may purchase them through the sales manager, Barry Curington, at sales@reformu.com.

Rockford Training Days

The increased number of chapters this year encourages us. We have started nearly 50 chapters since January 1^st, using our new model of director training. Recently, we sent an email to pastors and directors of current RU chapters, encouraging them to attend one of these conferences here in Rockford to get retraining and re-certification in operating an RU Program. We have been surprised by the numbers of leaders, helpers, and even students that have attended these classes on overcoming stubborn habits and effectively helping others in your community. We invite you to learn more about these free opportunities of training by going to http://register.reformu.com/. Please note that this training would not be superior to that of our National Conference, but it would be a great addition to anyone or any chapter that is currently struggling.

RU Schools of Discipleship

“Looking back, I never would have seen it coming, and if you would have told me that my first hit of marijuana would have lead me to becoming a heroin addict, I wouldn’t have believed you. Because of my rebellion to God, I started to experiment with drugs and alcohol when I was 14 years old. By the time I was 19, I had already been to jail on numerous occasions. The last time I was arrested there was no hope of a release anytime soon. That’s where I heard about the Reformers Unanimous program. I started to attend the program, and gave my heart and my life back to God. Then I got court ordered to the Men’s School of Discipleship in Rockford, Illinois. There, I learned what it really meant to walk with God, and what it meant to study the Bible. Through the It’s Personal Daily Journal, and the Strongholds Study Course, I learned what it meant to be discipled and worship God. The accountability taught me about the structure and discipline I never had as a fatherless teenager. The daily counseling with the Stewad, Jeff R., got me through most of the program. He was always turning my heart towards God. The constant accountability also helped me to learn that freedom is found in boundaries. Today, I have the wonderful privilege and opportunity of not only studying for the work of the ministry in Bible College, but also working full-time in ministry underneath my pastor. I thank God almost everyday for the RIP Program that introduced me to Reformers Unanimous, as well as the School of Discipleship for changing my life.”

- Michie D. in Illinois

(click here to read more testimonies…)

There are people like Michie all across America who want help and are searching for freedom, but they cannot do it on their own. They need the extra accountability of an in-patient program. They can follow the same path to freedom and success. If you know of someone who could benefit from our 8 to 10 month Schools of Discipleship, please email us at weneedu@reformu.com or call us at (815) 986-0460 ext 115. We love you…at RU!

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See that ye refuse not him that speaketh.  For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25)

I heard about a little boy who was not getting good grades in school because he had not been paying attention to his teacher.  One day, his teacher sent a note home for his parents about his conduct and his grades.  The next day, he came up to the teacher and said, “I don’t want to scare you, but my dad told me last night that if I don’t start getting better grades somebody’s going to get a spanking!”  However, we know the teacher is not the problem!  Bad things happen when we do not pay attention.  I do not know how many times someone has sat in my office who was desperately seeking help, and I heard them say, “I wish I had listened.”  This concept of listening is not just hearing; the idea is listening with the full intention of heeding what is said.

For the past several weeks, we have been discussing how God speaks to us in four distinct ways.  The first way is through Jesus’ blood; the second way is through His Word; the third way is through His Spirit.  Today we will discuss the final way that God speaks to us and that is through others.

God speaks to us through the testimony of faithful believers. Hebrews 3:13 says, “But exhort one another daily while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” God’s plan is for us to encourage and uplift each other.  He speaks to us through other believers.  Thank God for those people who care enough about you to come alongside and say, “Listen, you need to change this.  You need to dedicate your life to Christ.  You need to serve Him with your whole heart.”  Sometimes, people resent those who correct them; that is foolish and dangerous.  God is speaking to you through their words.

Also, understand that if you are listening to the voice of the Spirit of God and walking in fellowship with the Lord, God wants to use you to encourage others.  Your words and your testimony and your encouragement can make the difference for another believer who is struggling with adversity.  Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” So often we speak rashly, without thinking about the impact of our words.  If we speak through the flesh instead of the Spirit, we have a negative impact on the other runners in the race.  God wants us to encourage and exhort each other.

It is interesting that this is not meant to be an occasional action—God says to do it “daily.” You can be walking in fellowship with God on Saturday and be walking away from God on Sunday.  We need daily exhortation.  Not only can we be inspired by living believers; but we can also learn from the pattern and example of those who have gone before.  Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Abel has been in Heaven for thousands of years, yet his testimony of faith still encourages us today.  Your testimony, whether good or bad, will outlive your life.

I first heard Richard Wurmbrand speak when I was sixteen years old.  He was a pastor in Romania, who spent fourteen years in a Communist prison, being tortured for his faith.  When he walked to the pulpit, I saw a little man, thin and emaciated, with hollowed out eyes and sunken in cheeks.  But, when he talked, his face lit up with a radiant glow.  As he told the story of his ministry in the underground church, God used his testimony to stir my heart.  He has been with the Lord for several years now, but his voice is still speaking today.  The impact of his testimony is still encouraging and motivating me and thousands of others who heard him speak.  That is the kind of testimony I want to leave behind for the glory of God.  But, I can only leave that testimony if I listen to His blood, His Word, His Spirit, and the testimony of other faithful believers.  When you hear God speak, do not refuse Him.  Do not turn away.  Do not turn back.  Obey His voice.  Run to Him and find His will. Do His will and forever you will be blessed. Listen to your teachers!

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New RUI Webstore 30-50% Off Books, Curriculum, and Audio Visual and More!

The Sale is still on at http://store.reformu.com! On Friday, April 30, we introduced a completely redesigned E-Store with 30% discounts.  But the news gets even better this Friday May 14th we will launch our new E-Store specifically designed for RU Chapters with discounts up to 40% off for supporting chapters.  Customers have already commented on noticeable improvements in speed, navigation, and search.

For our Supporting Chapters we will be offering 40% off of nearly every item in the store, and 20% off of all shirts. These are some of the deepest discounts we have ever offered. Consider stocking up on materials, and taking leader and student orders for shirts.  But that’s not all as a special incentive we are offering bobbleheads for 10 for $20 they make great gifts for students!

Don’t worry, we will still be offering a 30% discount for retail customers off our entire line of books, curriculum, and Audio visual products from Bro. Curington, Dr. Kingsbury, Dr. Crabb, Ben Burks, and others.  Don’t delay, these special deals will only last through May 30.

Basic Information for our Customers:  If you already have an account with RU, we should have successfully transferred all of your account information.  Just Login with your email address; and for your password, please use your last name combined with your billing zip code all lower case (example: fowler61104). You can change your password after you login.  If you have any trouble logging in or are not correctly marked as a supporting chapter, do not hesitate to contact Will Fowler at estore@reformu.com or 815-986-0460 ext. 133.

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Will Fowler

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Do you have pressures in your life today?  Does the world seem to be crashing in on you?  In the Christian life, we are guaranteed to experience pressures. The 1828 Webster dictionary defines pressure as the state of being squeezed or crushed.  That is ever so true for each and every one of us as we walk in the Christian life.  Many people preach and teach that when a person comes to Christ, it is “a good life.” This means it is a life filled with few difficulties, little distress and very little pain, suffering or grief.  As a result, whenever there is an encounter with anything painful or any degree of pressure, a cry goes out to God for Him to remove that pressure.  How sad that is! We see from the Old Testament believers and New Testament saints, that when the trials and tribulations were faced, great power came upon them!  The word power means a force that is with someone. We know this force is the power of the Holy Spirit of God – the power of Christ in us and through us.  If we want to experience the power, we have to accept the pressure.  The pressure is what leads to the power.

I find this truth so necessary to teach to those who work in RU programs. As students get saved and begin to develop spiritually, many of them not only bring baggage into their new walk with Christ, but they also begin to experience new pressures as the result of being “in Christ”.   I have noticed that many people want the power of Christ to rest upon them so that they can deal with these pressures. But my friend, I believe that it is noteworthy to see in the Bible that the pressure comes before the power. That is a spiritual law in God’s Word.   There is no need for the power if there is no pressure.  Therefore, God allows that pressure to come into our lives.  For a Christian to know what true spiritual power is, he first needs to know what pressure is.  Pressure was always with those in the Old and New Testament.  They were daily pressed and heavily burdened. Yet it was precisely because they were weighed down exceedingly, that there was no one who had such power as they.  For the pressure caused them to look only to God.

Looking back at my own life, I have seen that it was during the times of extreme amounts of pressure, the power of God rested upon my life.  It is important to understand that pressure always comes before power.  Unfortunately, we are inclined to reverse the order.  Why?  It is in our nature, “the old man,” to reverse the order.  We want power for dealing with pressure, but God’s way is not man’s way.  It is higher.  He only grants power proportionately to the pressure we accept as we look toward Him.  God would have us learn the lessons.  Whenever we are encountering new pressure, we should convert it into new power.  If we do this, our ability to wield spiritual power grows with each and every new encounter of pressure.

There are many kinds of pressures to deal with.  Pressures come from our sin, our needs, our circumstances, our emotions; our sufferings, pain and grief; But no matter what the reason for the pressure or which direction it comes from, we have to remember all pressure comes with a purpose.  That purpose is for you to experience the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Paul spoke of it when he said “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” (Philippians 3:10) Unfortunately, no one wants to read the last part of the verse: “…and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death”.   It is through the fellowship of His suffering that we experience this great power.

Do not ignore, abhor, or push away the pressures….remember, pressures precede His Power!

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Benjamin R. Burks

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This past week I asked our International Director, Bro. Burks, to put together a list to help struggling chapters retain visitors in tough times. The list he provided is based on phone calls that he and his staff have fielded; discussions with successful directors; and several years of his own personal experience as an RU Director in Virginia.  The main focus of this week’s report is how to turn visitors into students. I trust that you will consider implementing these proven strategies in developing your God-given, extremely sensitive and important visitors into active, participating students.  It is the first step to achieving any hope of turning the addicted to the God’s support group—the local church!

Issue 1: The Friday Night Atmosphere!

The official itinerary is integral to creating an atmosphere that portrays a consistent message to every visitor. That message MUST contain the following key ingredients:

1. “No matter your struggles, we are an addiction program that can help you or your loved one.” This message usually takes place twice. Once in a profound statement of sorts in the tri-talk introduction and more importantly, and with definition, in the weekly New Beginnings class.
2. The New Beginnings group leader (who should be a type A, sold-out, RU promoter) should explain the success rate of local chapters of Reformers Unanimous all across America. Some chapters may be very small in attendance compared to others. Credibility will be established if you give them a glimpse of the success rate. Jay Griffin, a Director in Milford, Ohio tells me, “of the students that completed the Stronghold book in their chapter, they had a 93% success rate.” You can safely say there are over 20,000 people any given week attending an addiction program that use the RU materials.  Our RU program graduates simply succeed and that needs to be “hammered home.”  If not, doubt sets in to the validity of a church and Bible-based program in the minds of new students.
3. They should also reiterate this again when they make their mandatory visit on their visitors that week.  Yes! Mandatory visits are expected.  If you sense your New Beginnings class teacher is ineffective, you should replace him quickly. But until you can, the Director should make those visits instead to ensure the student can speak up about any mis-perceptions.

1. An environment of transparency is needed during the first and second talks for this program to be effective. If a student comes to a chapter and the church members are perceived as perfect people without problems, it will be an immediate turn-off to potential students. I cannot stress the importance of everyone on our leadership teams viewing ourselves as student’s first, servants second, and teachers third. By our own participation in all aspects of the program and curriculum, it will create an example for students to follow.

Issue 2: We must remember that Reformers Unanimous is a milk ministry, and avoid serving strong meat.

1. It is necessary to remember that Reformers Unanimous deals with heart issues and not issues of outward conformity. We should avoid discussing hot-topic issues that would be considered strong meat and stick to the modus operandi that we are here to turn their hearts toward the Lord. Standards, for the most part are for the leadership staff to know and follow but not teach as part of RU training.  Of course, some exceptions may apply; but if so, we encourage individual coaching over entire class teaching. When faced with a student who is newer and inquisitive of such things as listed in number one above, a leader should use phrases such as, “That’s a good question, see me after class and we’ll talk about that, but right now let’s stay focused on issues we faced this week in our recovery.” Or perhaps even the phrase, “That’s a great question, let me give you some verses after class to look into that,” in order to turn the conversation in a right direction.
2. Directors should avoid attacking Christian or political figures or denominations and their leaders on Friday night. This will only tear down any influence that you may have in their life, especially those who are new.  Warning the flock is the responsibility of the Pastor, not the RU leaders.
3. It is good for the Director to occasionally remind the students that as their attendance increases, so does the chance that they will hear truths which may take as offensive. Encourage them to allow God to use inside persuasion of His Spirit and the outside pressure of the Word and authority to guide them in right truth.

Issue 3: Reactivate the 2-3-4 Plan and ensure that it is happening every single week.

1. Again, I repeat that every first-time visitor should get a visit by the director or the New Beginnings class leader before the next Friday night. I can remember those early days inviting students, from Friday night, on Saturday afternoon to come on Sunday morning to the second class and taking them to lunch with me on my dime to encourage them to return the next Friday. I had more students join our church as a result of this than any other.
2. One big mistake is the transition between the Beginner’s class and the challenge groups. It should be understood that every person that walks through the door is in the New Beginnings, or Beginners, class and are an active part of the 2-3-4 Plan. I have heard of 2 options to make sure this happens. The first is that the burden is on the Beginner’s Class leadership and Director to make sure the 2-3-4 Plan is implemented on every visitor until they get in a group. The second option is to assign every first time visitor on their second wee, to a group, whether they return or not. The leader will actively pursue them for their class. It is often true that a student doesn’t care what we know until they know that we care.  A visit shows you care.
3. Use the RU official FastTrack software to track the 2-3-4 Plan properly and hold each leader accountable to the calls, postcards, and visits every single week. If a student misses several weeks in a row, and receives no contact from the leadership, the enemy will plant seeds of doubt that we don’t care and are not concerned about their recovery. Please be sure to communicate quarterly to inactive students.

Issue 4: Encourage curriculum participation for every student.

1. 1. The best way to encourage students to do challenges is for the leadership to have completed challenges.
   2. If a student seems to be resistant in doing challenges, it is time for that leader to meet with them privately and find out the root cause. If they have memory problems or get stuck on particular challenges, then creatively find a way to shorten or go around those challenges to keep a student motivated and participating.
   3. Have a dynamic award ceremony. If the award ceremony is not exciting it may come across as something childish for a brand new student. This is a time we praise our students for doing what is right. It can be extremely profitable and a motivational technique in keeping visitors who never get good news.  Have all students come up front to get their awards and have them stay until awards are completed and a final applause is given.  Encourage participation to those still seated who may not be progressing but sensing conviction as a result.  Be careful not to condemn.
   4. If you cannot have an exciting awards ceremony every week, postpone it some weeks or have it faithfully every two weeks.

Issue 5: During the third talk, the director’s message from the Nevertheless I Live Textbook should be relevant to the struggles people face while in their addiction.

A recent phone call into my office by a student who attended an RU broke my heart.  I began to feel his pain for help but having not received it at a local chapter in which he had placed his initial hope by attendance. At this particular chapter, the director has chosen to preach sermons lasting sixty minutes while pupils fall asleep (these were his words). When I suggested he purchase our Nevertheless I Live syllabus for his own learning, his words were, “If the director of my chapter would have used this text book and taught it from his heart I know I would have gotten the help I need.” Directors, I would rather you have a 25 minute message from the RU Textbook and share 5 minutes of your heart to help the addicted every week than have you present profound truths that challenge your most matured students but lose your beginners. With the RU Friday night class being live streamed in Rockford and available for download later, there should be no excuse for each of you men to fine-tune your teaching and preaching skills by listening to the Founder and President every week in Rockford.  Brother Curington has now taught through the textbook 9 times in 14 years.  He is currently on a pace that will take him two years to go through it once.  It’s getting more relevant each year, not less.  That’s God…not the outline or the teacher.

Other Suggestions:

1.) Read something from the Founder of RU every day.  Have you experienced the blessing of Today I Lay, Umbrella Fella or his newest book on Peace?  They are relevant for YOU to be relevant to them.

2.) Read or listen on MP3 to the whole chapter that you’re teaching every Friday night that you are teaching it.  If a chapter takes three weeks, read that chapter three times (once weekly).  Then prepare days before you preach that chapter portion.   Use second talk in order to distribute and collect 2-3-4 plans and to encourage students.  A five minute refresher before you preach would be helpful at that time too.

3.) Ask God to give you wisdom on how to effectively present the Hidden Life message to your people.

4.) Always give an invitation for salvation and spiritual development.

Many chapters are successfully getting visitors weekly through the “Battle is ON” outreach, along with other techniques they have found successful. If you struggle to get visitors, please, call our office today! (815-986-0460) If your struggle is to keep them, then heed these listed checkpoints.

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Dear RU Nation

MANUFACTURE RECALL:  Here at Adversity University, we have come to EXPECT bad things to happen for the good reason of glorifying God in all we do and say.  It has become our expectation that whatever could go wrong…should go wrong! And for that we glorify Him.  So it came as no surprise when our new awards vendor called and RECALLED our recently received name badges that had been on backorder for so long.   The claim was “faulty glue” on the first 1,000 of 5,000 received.  We have no way of knowing which ones went out that were faulty; but if you have name badges with pins falling off relatively easily, please do two things.  First – call us for replacement badges.  We are expecting a new shipment (to come within next few days) which will meet our product quality expectations.  Secondly -  glorify God with us in being chosen by Him to endure difficulty through a another “pop quiz” at Adversity University.

2010 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE:  Adversity University XI.  Mark your calendars for September 27-30, 2010, for another exciting RU international conference! You won’t want to miss this year’s crucial teaching.  As we develop our ministries through seasons of change and times of disappointment, we want to clearly pronounce that the only successful form of ministry is and always will be an expression of the fruit of the Spirit – love.  Join us this year for “The Way IS Agape”. Experiencing, enjoying, and understanding God’s agape love is the “first love” that we ought to never leave as our ministries become taxed with difficulty.  Directors, this is the year to bring you students and leaders , more so than any other; for your love for them can only be matched by the love they could bestow upon others on His behalf.  Nearly 100 educational sessions on effective outreach (evangelism), in-reach (discipleship), up-reach (worship) and down-reach (Spiritual empowerment) will be offered.

REFORMERS UNANIMOUS SCHOOLS OF DISCIPLESHIP—MAJOR OPPORTUNITY!  We thank the Lord for the churches who have helped us influence more people with the curriculum of RU by opening their very own discipleship homes patterned after our program in Rockford, Illinois.  If your church is interested in a ministry such as this for your community, we are here to help.  Whether you need help with your business model, ideas for finding affordable housing, staff training or advice, we stand by to stand with you.

Not every chapter can be blessed with what God has given North Love Baptist Church and its RU headquarters.  Our beautiful facilities and trained staff and teaching grant your students an opportunity to experience residential discipleship with a quality that is hard to duplicate anywhere—to God be the glory!  As well, we are fortunate to be able to do so at a price much lower than secular or social treatment.  Though we cannot afford to be a completely free program like others who operate out of apartments or houses using limited staff, we also understand we also cannot possibly offer help to every single person RU reaches with the current size of the headquarters’ facilities.  This has allowed us to be blessed to send students to churches who stand in the gap with their smaller, but still effective discipleship houses.  Personally, I think there could be an RU patterned home in every state in America and every one of them could be kept full!  That’s how great the need is for our low cost option or other’s no cost option.

With that said, we still want the Rockford RU to remain the first option for your student’s intense discipleship.  We feel strongly in our residency discipleship program’s success rate.  We are pleased to report our program success has grown even more effective over the course of the last 18 months.  Our recent survey of grads or parents of grads reports increase of those experiencing victory in Christ over their addiction from 82% to 87%.  Equally high numbers (plus or minus a few percentage points) report being faithful to church and in a right relationship with their family.  God has been so good to these grads who have continued in the things that they have learned.

*****With the opening of the new ladies’ home, allowing us to move our graduate program into the Mulberry facility, Rockford can now open more beds for both men and women and reduce our overall operating costs.  This is a much needed relief for us and also gives us the ability to offer something we have wished for so long.  For those chapters or churches who love or prefer the Rockford Schools of Discipleship and would like to send someone here for FREE, I have a new funding system that will allow each chapter that qualifies to have a FREE scholarship to the men’s and women’s home (that’s two scholarships) available to them at all times.  That’s right FREE!  If you are interested in this, please email me at weneedu@reformu.com or call me personally to discuss.  I will only be offering twenty church scholarships.  We already have two churches who have qualified and have students attending for free right now!  Call my secretary, Beth, at extension 100 and tell her you’re interested in the Church Scholarship Program for more details*******

WOMAN’S PROGRAM LAUNCH:  After 18 months of reconstruction, our men’s schools of discipleship have nearly completed our R.U.T.H. Home.  As with any church-based building project, we have faced many difficult circumstances and much resistance.  Through it all, our testimonies remained strong and God’s glory and many miracles were enjoyed.  We thank God for these hard working men who worked this project at less than one third of every bid we had.  Though our men had to work through capital raising slowdowns and city and architect squabbling, their abilities and resolve have saved tens of thousands of dollars. This good stewardship has been blessed by God in many ways.  Effective April 1^st, we will begin taking applicants for this new home and have decided to increase our occupancy from 25 girls to 40 as God provides.  With a recent graduation bringing us down to 20 girls, we are going to use a limited time special to help us fill this beautiful building with precious and needy ladies.  Please be advised that we are offering a 50% scholarship to the first 20 applicants who screen successfully for our program.  If there is anyone in your RU ministry, church or family who has needs or has contemplated entering our program, now is the time to make every effort to get them here.  We hope this offer will be met with the enthusiasm necessary to stimulate your students to give residency discipleship a legitimate part of their lives for long lasting benefit.

Have a wonderful day IN the Lord!
Steven Curington
Watch our Friday Night Class Live at 7 p.m. tonight!  Click Here

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How does the Hid-N-Life relate to my affections? If I appropriate my identity in Christ by faith, I need to also cooperate with God’s Spirit as He “restores my soul.” This process of renewal in the mind, will, and emotions (Romans 12:1-2) depends on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

An aspect of this renewal that has been impressed upon me lately is that of renewing the affections. If Christ is my life, I will delight in that which HE delights. My affections will be directed to what is valuable to Him.

How prone the flesh is to delight in the sensual and carnal desires of this fallen world. I recently heard a great definition to help identify present day idols in the lives of 20^th century Christians. One simple question will reveal unhealthy delights. How would you respond if it is taken from you? Idols are a very real addiction in our society today. This should be no surprise to us as it is in the list Paul gave us for the manifestations of the flesh. James rebuked the early Christians for following after their own lust or pleasures (James 4:1-3). Why else would John need to caution us in his first epistle? 1John 2:15-16, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” This delight to have, be and do can be changed by the inside persuasion of a new spirit as well as the Spirit of God.

The true believer has the blessing of a regenerated human spirit – “the new man” (Colossians 3:10). We have been made partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Yet the soul is still vulnerable to the forces of the world, the flesh, and the devil. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” 1 Peter 2:11.

When the Lord Jesus is functioning as my LORD and LIFE, He will redirect my AFFECTIONS. What should we delight in?

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”

(Psalm 37:4)

Delight in God’s perfect will –  “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)

Delight in the Word of God – “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.”

(Psalm 119:162)

Delight in God’s moral principles – “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:”

(Romams 7:22)

Delight in God’s comfort – “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”

(Psalm 94:19)

Delight in the Second Coming –  “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

(1Peter 1:13)

Delight in the blessing of eternal fellowship with God – “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

(Psalm 16:11)

Evan Hopkins wrote, “We shall seek what we love and delight in. It is where our treasure is that our heart will be also. ‘Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is nothing upon earth I desire beside Thee.’ What are the things we are seeking? It is those things that are filling our thoughts and attracting our affections. It is upon these we set our wills and concentrate our energies. It is not difficult to seek what we love.

Will we ask God to search our heart and redirect our affections to where they belong?

Our Father, we confess that our affections tend to get misdirected as we live by sight instead of by faith. Illumine us so that we will set our hearts on things above, where Christ, Who is our life, is seated with You. Continually restore our soul by redirecting our affections to what is eternally worthy. Amen.

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RU Sunday School Class

If you do not have your RU Sunday School class activated, we strongly encourage you to do so. The ultimate the goal of Reformers Unanimous is to get people connected Christ and to His local church, as it remains God’s support group to minister to addicted people. A few ideas to help you implement or IMPROVE the RU Sunday School class:

1. We follow a similar format as Friday night, just somewhat different. First, we talk to each other through fellowship. Many of us get there early and have coffee and a Danish of sorts.  Though sometimes it leads to actual counsel, often it’s just friendly fellowship.  Second, we “officially” open class by talking to God in prayer and testimonies. This is done in a briefer format. Here in Rockford, we dedicate 10 minutes to popcorn testimonies (people just pop out short testimonies of God’s goodness).  And third, God talks to us through the message.
2. The curriculum for the Sunday School class has many options. One, you can use the Nevertheless I Live book, but at the other end of the book (i.e., if you are in chapter one on Friday, be in chapter 6 on Sunday or chapter 3 vs. chapter 9).  Or, you can use the Tall Law or Umbrella Fella Sunday School curriculum which has a teacher’s guides and corresponding student’s guides.  These should be purchased by the student separately. Battleship is a great 8-12 week study as well!  Or, thirdly, you can teach through what your church uses for their Sunday School class, but make sure you are angling it all toward teaching the crucified Christian life, and not a “try harder to do better” mentality.
3. In the starting of your 2nd RU class, be careful not to mandate that all of your leadership or even longer attending students attend without your pastor’s approval. The truth is you should build this class with people from your community. This does not mean that it would not be helpful to have a handful of workers from your church join your students, particularly your leadership if available. This should be navigated with your pastor as not to hurt other ministries already operating in your church.  Don’t start a R.U.S.S. ministry (RU Sunday School Class) and then take students or your class leadership from other classes.  It only leads to resentment.  We should always be known as the church’s primary ministry that produces fruit, not plucks fruit.
4. However, if I were your director, I would watch the parking lot AFTER SS to  look for people coming in to church that do not appear to attend a Sunday School class and ask them to consider visiting your RU class for some intense discipleship.   This could be a way to gain more people from the church on Friday night.
5. Remember.  Though most every church at first considers it an extra, unnecessary ministry, they soon realize it is just too big of a stretch to expect addicts to assimilate into our SS formats in their earliest months of recovery.  Let them have their own group until they are comfortable around the church folk and then let them augment into the ministry.  We don’t make the singles hang out with the seniors, or the young married’s with the teens.  If they can have a clique for such a time as this, so ought the “newbee’s” who have just come to believe and are looking to be received.

I think all of this indicates that an RU Sunday school class is not only a wise ministry to have within your chapter, it is an integral ministry.

Kidz Club

In the early years, we’ve had some chapters that did not start out with a Kidz Club in their chapter. Today, we highly discourage this.  Why?  Because not only do the addicts coming to the your RU class have kids between 6 and 12 years old that need something worthwhile  in which to participate, but the workers have children who need the same.  We have observed that chapters who failed to start a Kidz Club when they first began, but subsequently started within the first 18 months invariably doubled the size of their class within just a few short months.  They also saw a greater consistency in student attendance, leadership retention and a general lowering of recidivism back into the world.   I think all of this proves it also is not only a wise ministry to have within your chapter, it is an integral ministry.

RIP

We also highly recommend established chapters to start a RIP (Reformers Institutional Program) ministry in the county jail or area prison or both. It will not only reach the incarcerated, whom are in the jail for minor skirmishes with the law up to charges that have a maximum of 364 days, but their family members as well. Most county incarcerated are blue collar and even white collar who are there for 60 days or less stints in the county clink for offenses from writing bad checks, dui, driving without insurance, domestic issues or other intoxicating issues that all but guarantee they need your program as a “get out of jail free” card.  I have KEY and I mean KEY staff that I first met and ministered to while they were incarcerated in the county jail.  Your efforts on the behalf of your county law enforcement will also provides an opportunity for you to personally reduce recidivism in your community upon their release by plugging them into a Friday night RU and your local New Testament church. All of these ideas will increase your effectiveness in ministering to the addicted.

I think all of this proves it is also not only a wise ministry to have within your chapter, it is an integral ministry.

In closing on these three ministries, we have tools and training available for all three of these programs.  If you do not currently have a 2nd RU Class on Sunday, an RU children’s program, or a RIP program, please call us. We have supplementary kits that can get you started right away ministering in these three additional ways.  Expand your ministry.  Costs are extremely minimal and the benefits are huge)

Summer Advertising

Addicts ALWAYS want to sober up on January 1^st (New Year’s Resolutions!) and on June 1^st (They want a sober summer!).  It is now that time of year when the weather begins to break from the cold! We recommend that you prepare for the summer by stocking up on your advertising and implementing a strong summer Battle is ON! Strategy.  It’s so easy and your students WILL follow a motivated leader into enemy territory to look for soldiers will to defect to the Lords Army.  If you will motivate, they will participate!!  It would be a good idea to reactivate your bar drops, along with your community outreach poster drives on Saturday with your students.

We give out envelops with 7 tracts to all students who raise their hand to give them out over the course of a week or so and we do this LITERALLY every week.  You can’t go wrong with our high quality, low cost tracts!  Our church handbills are designed for YOUR church bulletin.  You just have to follow it up with an announcement to the church member for each to PLEASE post in a prominent place or distribute with a heart of grace.

If nothing else, lay out your ENTIRE advertising package you received with your starter kit on an 8-foot table and encourage your people to distribute at their leisure and announce it every Friday and or Sunday.  C’mon Directors, “if you do what you’ve always done, you will get what you’ve always got!”

Please call Barry today if you need to place an order for these things at 815-986-0460 ext 108.

Freedom Threads

This is a fundraising arm of our ministry that allows our ladies to make a small income to assist in the cost of their stay in the Women’s Home. We have high quality t-shirts and imprints available for purchase. If you or your church is in need of a custom t-shirt, then please contact us. Some ideas would be RU shirts as a fund raiser for your chapter, church softball team, youth department, custom RU or Kidz Club shirts, or personal customized shirts. Please call Will Fowler for a free quote at 815-986-0460 ext. 133.

Ministry Travel

Bro. Burks is currently booking travel for those who represent our ministry for the summer of this year. If you have a desire to book Bro. Steve Curington, Dr. George Crabb, Bro. Ben Burks, or any of the advanced trainers of our ministry, then please call Bro. Burks at 815-986-0460 ext. 109.  We seldom book out more than 90 days in advance so our chapters and supporting churches can have our services when needed most.

Question and Answer

We would like to begin a question and answer section for our Friday blogs. If you have a Friday blog question that you would like to see Bro. Curington or one of the staff answer, please submit these questions by addressing it FOUNDERS REPORT QUESTION and emailing it to weneedu@reformu.com and be sure to mention it as a Friday blog question. We may not be able to answer all of them but we will answer as many of them as we can and we sense your questions will help others develop their chapter as well.

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Below are just a few of the MANY ways we have designed “in the framework of your daily life and RU ministry” for you to engage in both individual and corportate fellowship between RU leadership and followship:

• First, we encourage you to arrive as leaders 15 minutes before class. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only greet new students, but to engage in conversation with your current students. Talk about their week and how glad you are to see them. Ask them questions and show that you truly are interested in their lives.
• Secondly, sit with your students! Don’t get caught sitting alone or with the same student each week. If you sit with your spouse, invite students to sit with you! Occassionally, you and your spouse may even sit apart in order that you each may minister and fellowship with your students. Many of your students come on Friday night to spend time with YOU!
• Second talk should always be focused on following the itinerary, but in so doing, make sure you announce church fellowship opportunities. Mention the service times and available Bible studies, outreach programs, prayer meetings, etc. Let your students know that they are welcome to come! Many times we make the mistake of assuming that they already know this, but guess what??? They don’t! A personal invitation will go a long way! Often, students are not even aware of all the activities that occur during the week. Make a special effort to inform them of all opportunities to fellowship with other believers.
• During the third talk, make it your practice to sit with different students. This not only prevents the feelings of jealousy, but also shows them that you consider them as important. It is easy to “get in a rut” and always sit in the same location, next to the same people; but many times, we are neglecting a student who really needs our attention. Go out of your way to get out of the rut!
• Attend Happy Hour (at least for a short time) every single week. This is an extended time for Christian counsel or fellowship that is similar to dessert after the main meal…it is something that you don’t want to miss! This is a special time of sweet fellowship after God has just spoken to their hearts. It doesn’t have to last an Hour, but it does have to be Happy!
• Implement the new ministry of prayer we in Rockford refer to as “Last Call”. Last Call is the Last chance of the night to Call upon the Lord on behalf of your class. In Rockford, after everyone is dismissed, there are several men who attend Happy Hour for a few minutes, talk to a few students, and then meet at the altar to spend some time in prayer for our class.
• Implement the Hang Over ministry at least once per month. (The Hang Over ministry is for those who like to Hang out after class is Over.) Those who want to participate meet at a local restaurant after class for food and fellowship. In Rockford, there are usually between 30-50 people who attend. We meet at a local 24-hour diner. (When we first started this ministry, we contacted them to confirm we could bring a large group each Friday.) As a director, I often offer to buy the meal of first time visitors. This is a great way to “go the extra mile” with your students. In Rockford, we have found this to be a great way to teach our students how to fellowship with other believers.
• Create a strong bond with your students by building loyalty and faithfullness to your RU Sunday School class. When they come to the “2^nd RU class” on Sunday morning, it is very beneficial to see familiar faces!
• Take people to lunch on Sunday. I’ve had more people join our church over my willingess to eat a sandwich with them on Sunday afternoon than anything else I’ve ever done! On Friday night, invite them to the “2^nd RU class” which meets on Sunday morning. Then, invite them to stay for the church service, after which you will take them to lunch…your treat! But the real “treat” is building the bridge for this student to help them as they transition into this new life they are living.
• Sit with students at every service. More than one student has confirmed to me their feelings of inadequacies when they enter a church service. Make them feel welcome. Meet them at the door. Invite them to sit with you.
• Offer to counsel your students before and after services. This is a wonderful opportunity that far too many leaders do not access! Do you have students who ask to meet you during the week? They want more of your time? Ask them to meet you at church and spend time with them 15-30 minutes before or 15-30 minutes after a service. This meets their need, but doesn’t take any of your family time. AND…they get the bonus of hearing from your pastor!
• Take pictures of you and your students and post it on facebook (with their permission). Make them your friends on your social network systems. Make sure you have thier blessing, as this is still a confidential ministry, especially in their early days at RU. There are some instances where students will not want others to know of their location, etc. Be considerate of their feelings. Give them time to grow in the Lord as He mends their broken relationships.
• Schedule your “Battle Is On” for one Saturday a month. This is a time of outreach in which your chapter can engage. We suggest that you mandate your leaders, motivate your students, and invite your church members to participate. (Your leaders are only required to administer the 2-3-4 plan and give 30 hours a year to their local church.) On these twelve Saturdays a year, have three hours of outreach opportunity and meet back at the church for burgers. And…each participant who gives 30 our of 36 hours a year recieves the 30-36 plaque award! This will greatly excite your Friday night group as they endeavor to reach others.
• And finally, this is important and relatively new. I am encouraging our challenge leaders in Rockford to attempt to have a quarterly “activity” with each of their groups. Whether it be a Bible study in your home, where the leader or guest speaks, or a night of bowling or watching a ballgame. Make it light, fun, and memorable.

All of these forms of fellowship can be found within your average week in RU. You can turn students into church members without spending additional nights out of your home! The key is to build strong relationships as you fellowship with your students during all normal church activities.

If the leadership doesn’t entertain their followship with some sort of fellowship, what makes us think our relationships will be strong enough to maintain their discipleship? Worship alone, will never produce a lasting partnership; give your time in good stewardship to those whom God has given for your apprenticeship.

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