RU Update – RU In the Court System

RU in the Court System

We are continuing to experience good reports all across the country concerning those that are in legal trouble being court ordered to treatment and Reformers Unanimous is allowed to be one of those choices for treatment. One of our chapters in Michigan was interested in how to gain that kind of influence in the court system along with potential students to see this venue opened up for the benefit of their local chapter. The following advice is what we gave them.

1. We advise them to send a letter to as many judges and prosecuting attorney’s within their local system as possible. We have included this letter in the start-up disc you received when you opened your Reformers Unanimous Chapter
2. Encouragement was given for the director to schedule several lay people to go to the court on Drug Court day to pass out flyers and the RU Plus Brochures to anyone and everyone entering and exiting the courthouse. The following simple statement is best to use during these handouts: “Hey, I don’t know if you need this, maybe you know someone that does, pass it along.”
3. The director should, every Friday night, tell those in the Beginner’s Class that if they continue to come, he has a desire and a burden to help them, even those who have upcoming court dates. Let them know you will make yourself available to go with them to see if they can be court ordered to this program instead of others.
4. Schedule a time to meet with judges and or prosecuting attorney’s a few weeks after your letter has been received. During this meeting you should be careful not to “oversell” the program, but greatly brag on the product we are producing through Christ. If you are aware of other chapters in your state who already have opened the door to court ordering students to a program and Reformers Unanimous is that program, then be sure to give that information and recommendation.
5. Become familiar with the RU Plus system. Be able to explain it in as few words as possible to judges and prosecuting attorney’s, emphasizing that we want to be a team player in seeing recidivism stopped in your community.
6. Have a layperson in your church send a letter and a blue brochure to everyone that was arrested in your community. This list of names and numbers may be obtained usually in your local newspaper or online or in some cases you have to go to the county courthouse to retrieve it. This, however, is public information nation-wide. You can obtain a copy of the letter we recommend that you use from the International Director, burks@reformu.com

The church in Michigan that I mentioned sent us an email rejoicing that within two short weeks they had six people court ordered to treatment and Reformers Unanimous was the chosen treatment program. Because every judicial system is different, this process may be slower or quicker in different regions. Regardless of the time frame, if we will remain faithful in reaching students and ministering to them during the times they need us the most, I can assure you that the ultimate Authority (God) will make a way.

Six Challenge Badge

Hooray! You should have finally received your six-challenge badges in the mail as every one of our orders was completely processed on Monday, February 15, 2010. We currently have no back orders on any curriculum or awards at the current time. Thank you for your patience with us and your prayers for us.

September 27th – 30th, 2010

The National Conference Committee is meeting regularly and discussing this year’s conference. I would encourage every director to announce it now to your students and workers, and ask them to keep that week open to go with you to Rockford. I believe this will be a key year, as we will later discuss in great detail. Even though we have much of the conference planned, we would love to hear your ideas, testimonies of lives changed from last year’s conference, or information that would make this conference better. Please send it to Bro. Burks, the chair of our National Conference Committee, at burks@reformu.com.

Rockford Training Days

Today is another one of our very special Rockford Training Day Conferences. The missionary team here in Rockford will be training 29 people to minister to the addicted. They will be receiving certified training. Please pray for other chapters to join us in the fight against the devil for the addicted. If you have yet to receive your certified training, register for a Rockford Training Day Conference today at http://register.reformu.com/.

10 Principles Counseling

One of the vital tools we use in developing students into dynamic church members is the 10 Principles as taught by Founder and President Steve Curington. It is our desire that every program begin with the 10 principles, so that when a student attends a Reformers Unanimous around the country, they can know what to expect. Whether the potential student is saved or unsaved, grounded or ungrounded, these principles will remain interesting and intriguing, if the director will teach their importance. First, by showing the 10 Principles every week, they will help a student who has categorized God in their lives as being at a distance, and bring them ever so close to him in order to help them develop a personal relationship. A wise director will listen to their students give testimonies and will refer to the principle that will either help them or did help them with the temptations in their life. Secondly, every group leader should become well versed in discussing these principles with students that struggle. On Bro. Burks’ bulletin board, in the RU Forum, there are a dozen or more questions for each principle. You can use these questions in your second talk or to counsel hurting students. Our primary goal in helping students is to cause them to realize a relationship with Jesus Christ that is intensely personal and intimate.

Developing Students Outside of RU

Bro. Burks and I have enacted several different techniques to help our students develop outside of the three talks of the Friday night class. Three of these happen on Friday night. One of these is what we call Happy Hour. It could also be called the Fourth talk. It is one way a small group leader can do more one-on-one counseling with a student who needs extra attention. It is also a time to encourage people to fellowship and really grow in camaraderie. At the same time we are having Happy Hour downstairs, we are also having Last Call in the Auditorium of the church. Last Call is when all the men are invited to come together and pray for the visitors, the students, and those still in their addiction that should have been there that night. They also pray for safe travel for the night and that everyone makes it back safely for Sunday School, as well as for the services on Sunday morning and Sunday night. Typically, on one Friday night of the month, 20 minutes after class is over, we will have what we call Hangovers. This is for people who like to hang out after class is over. We meet at a local restaurant called Spring Garden Restaurant, and it is a great opportunity to get to know the visitors as well as fellowship more with the students in a very informal environment. Some other ideas are to hold satellite classes. I know of two directors that hold a wake-up or “Book and Bean.” This is when the director will invite the students to meet with them at a time, around 6 AM, at a local Starbucks restaurant. They will use it as a devotional and fellowship time with a small amount of teaching. I also encourage directors to encourage their students to attend every church function possible. A few weeks ago our church had a dessert auction as a fundraiser for the senior’s to go on their senior trip. This was a great time of fellowship and fun, and many of our RU students that attended had a great time. They should attempt to attend weddings, funerals, ordinations, church-wide skating, and other activities that are sponsored by the local church for the purpose of edifying the saints.

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