Questions for Christian Recovery Leaders and Workers

Dick B. Introduction and Questions for Christian Recovery Leaders and Workers

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved

1.       Dick B.’s areas of expertise: Dick B. has published  43 books (several of which have gone through multiple editions), written more than 900 articles, given more than 100 recorded audio talks, produced a 4-video class (with a second one in production right now), done 16 YouTube videos, and conducted meetings and conferences throughout the United States and in Canada. This over the course of 22 years of active research, writing, and speaking on the following topics:

a.       The history of Alcoholics Anonymous; specifically, relating to:

                                                               i.      Did A.A. “come from” the Bible?

                                                             ii.      What roles did God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible play in early A.A.’s astonishing successes with “medically-incurable” alcoholics (and addicts!) who thoroughly followed the early (Akron) A.A. path.

b.      The Christian predecessors to A.A. who influenced A.A., N.A., and C.A. and/or were effective in working with alcoholics and addicts; e.g.:

                                                               i.      The Young Men’s Christian Association;

                                                             ii.      The Salvation Army;

                                                            iii.      Rescue Missions;

                                                           iv.      The Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor;

                                                             v.      Christian evangelists, such as Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey, Henry Moorhouse, Henry M. Moore, Allen Folger, and F. B. Meyer.

c.       Key First Century Christianity concepts, principles, and practices—particularly as found in the Gospels and the Book of Acts—which were successfully employed by A.A.’s Christian predecessors and by early A.A., and which can be used to enhance Christian Recovery efforts today.

d.      Modern Christian Recovery Efforts

                                                               i.      Working within A.A.;

                                                             ii.      Christian-oriented, 12-Step efforts outside of A.A., N.A., and/or  C.A. that incorporate attendance at these fellowships;

                                                            iii.      N.A., C.A., and other 12-Step efforts to deal with alcoholism, prescription drug abuse, and addiction to illegal drugs;

                                                           iv.      Encouraging non-12-Step Christian Recovery efforts—such as Teen Challenge—to incorporate the lessons learned from the godly aspects of A.A. and its Christian predecessors as to working effectively with alcoholics and addicts.

2.       Questions for Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena:

a.       What program(s) are you working on now that are focused on alcoholics, addicts, and others with life-controlling problems, and/or those impacted by the lives of alcoholics and/or addicts?

b.      Why did you start the program(s)? What need(s) did you want to address?

c.       Which program(s), if any, did you start and later abandon?  Why?

d.      What would you like to see happen in “carrying the message to those who still suffer” in the short-term? How about the long-term?

e.      What problems, if any, have you encountered along those lines with which you would like help in resolving?

f.        How many times each week do you offer meetings addressing these issues? Why that frequency?

g.       What other local churches or groups, if any, do you work with in these efforts?

h.      What other Christian Recovery efforts are you networking with in other parts of your state, other states, and/or other countries? Do you want to do more of that?