423 Leadership Certification
423 Certified Recovery Leader (CRL)
Trauma-informed. Gospel-grounded. Community-structured. A competency-based certification for leaders serving within the 423 recovery framework.
Recovery is discipleship
At 423, recovery is not separate from spiritual formation. It is a grace-filled pathway of discipleship that integrates theology, neurobiology, and community-based recovery practices within the local church.
The goal is not merely behavioral change, but restoration of healthy intimacy with God and others — shaped through consistent community, confession, and Spirit-led transformation.
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Certified leaders are formed, not merely informed.
A structured process for safe, sustainable recovery leadership.
Clarity
Leaders understand addiction cycles, shame dynamics, and how to facilitate growth without moralism or minimizing harm.
Safety
Groups are structured to cultivate confidentiality, attunement, and stable rhythms that reduce isolation and secrecy.
Consistency
Every 423 group follows a repeatable model that translates across local churches without depending on personality.
The four streams of 423 leadership formation
Our certification pathway is built on four integrated streams that shape the posture, competency, and structure of every 423 leader.
Theological Formation
Leaders are grounded in identity in Christ, grace-based sanctification, a biblical view of sexuality, and the redemptive arc of Scripture.
Interpersonal Neurobiology
Leaders understand the dopamine addiction cycle, attachment wounds, trauma patterns, and how co-regulation restores safety and connection.
Clinical Recovery Tools
Leaders apply relapse prevention principles, storywork engagement, disclosure support, and practical rhythms for sustainable transformation.
Biblical Community
Leaders facilitate the Witnessing Community model — creating a grace-based space where people are seen, known, and loved.
The Witnessing Community model
The primary task of a 423 leader is not to diagnose or fix. It is to cultivate a grace-based, attuned environment where confession is safe, shame is disrupted, and transformation can take root.
Structured group rhythm
Leaders are trained to guide a consistent group rhythm that integrates recovery-line reflection, storywork exploration, and practical equipping in a reproducible format.
The certification process
The CRL designation reflects competency to lead within the 423 framework. It is simple, clear, and designed to be sustainable for local church leaders.
Complete the core curriculum
Leaders complete the 423 Leadership Training pathway (hosted in Mighty Networks), covering group leadership, trauma awareness, relapse prevention, disclosures, empathy repair, care & corrections, pastoral care, and Christ-centered recovery.
Pass competency assessments
Each module includes a quiz to verify understanding. Certification requires completion and passing of all assessments to ensure leaders can apply the model consistently and safely.
Lead within the 423 structure
Leaders co-lead or lead within an active 423 group, demonstrating humility, vulnerability, and faithful adherence to the group structure and guidelines.
Maintain ongoing development
To remain active, leaders attend 8 continuing education leadership trainings per year. This keeps leaders aligned, supported, and growing over time.
423 leaders are
- Trained facilitators
- Trauma-aware and compassionate
- Structured and consistent in process
- Gospel-grounded in posture and language
- Committed to confidentiality and ongoing development
423 leaders are not
- Licensed therapists
- Independent recovery coaches
- Operating outside the 423 framework
- Providing clinical treatment
Bring 423 to your church with confidence
Partnering churches receive a repeatable recovery structure and leaders trained to facilitate safe, grace-based community. Explore what it looks like to launch a 423 group and develop leaders over time. Certification is internal to 423 Communities and authorizes leaders to facilitate within the 423 model under ongoing development and support.
