Stick with the Winners
How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step
Recovery Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for
Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena
Since July, 2009, when the International Christian Recovery
Coalition was founded by Christian Recovery Leaders, Workers, Newcomers, and
concerned members of the public, there has been a steady drum-beat of
questions: “How do we do this?” “How can we conduct 12-Step meetings in such a
way as to honor A.A.’s existing Traditions, Steps, and techniques?” “What do we
do when someone says, No?” How can we hold and list and organize an A.A. meeting
which conducts studies of A.A. History, the Christian origins of A.A., the
early or ‘old school’ program of Akron A.A., and the foundational tools of
present-day Twelve Step Fellowships?” “Is there a way that our 12-Step group
can persuade the hordes of newcomers that it is important for them to know and
try to apply today the First Century Christian Fellowship principles and
practices that are described of the Apostles in the Book of Acts and were used
by the early AA Christian Fellowship in Akron?”
The answers are very simple. First, fully acquaint yourself
with what A.A. General Services Conference-approved Literature actually
endorses and tells about old school A.A. Second, learn, quote, and use the informative statements
about early A.A. that are already in print and available today from Alcoholics
Anonymous World Services, Inc. and The AA Grapevine, both in New York. These
can be obtained from and/or ordered for you by any local Central or Intergroup
Office—and even such outlets as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble book stores
and links. Third, start your group in conformity with A.A. Traditions: Gather a
group of AA friends. Hold a Steering Committee or Organizing Committee meeting.
Ask for the guidance of the loving God as He may express Himself in an informed
group conscience. Select the date and place and time for your meeting. Elect a
secretary. Adopt a format, with an opening prayer, a preamble, a call for
newcomers, a list of both conference-approved and other literature that will be
displayed and used (probably on separate tables). Decide on a method or methods
for content in the meetings: Reading from literature and calling for discussion.
Having a Speaker talk on a particular phase of the subjects and calling for
discussion. Inviting well-informed speakers to address a topic. Study the Big
Book. Study the Steps. Study the
original Bible basics—Jesus Sermon on the Mount, 1 Corinthians 13, and
the Book of James—using guides such as the Dick B. James Club book. Use films and teaching videos already available on
A.A. History and the Christian Recovery Movement. Record in writing and have
the Secretary sign and keep on hand at meetings the minutes of the informed
group conscience.
Here’s what this guide will enable you to consult, follow,
and even read in your meetings: (1) Introduction “Old School” Christian
Recovery; (2) Resources you should use for “Old School” 12-Step Recovery
Meetings—from Conference-approved and other
resources. (3) Actual relevant quotes from Alcoholics Anonymous, The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, DR. BOB
and the Good Oldtimers. (4) The real (7-Points) Akron A.A. Program. (5) 16
Key Practices of the Real Akron A.A. Program. (6) “Old School” A.A. and First
Century Christianity-(a) What the Rockefeller people noted; “First Century
Christianity in the Book of Acts;” A.A.’s Christian Predecessors—The Vermont on
Dr. Bob and Bill W.’s youth; Christian
recovery before A.A. (YMCA, Great Evangelists, Rescue Missions, Salvation Army,
Christian Endeavor; Oxford Group). (b) Dr. Bob and Bill W.’s Christian
upbringings. (c) The Conversion Factor in Bill W.’s Life. (d) The “cures” AAs
uniformly claimed.
(7) “Old School Elements That Can Be Used Today: (a) The
Newcomer. (b) Giving their lives to God. (c) Eliminating Sinful Conduct and
Obeying God’s Will. (d) “Grow along Spiritual Lines.” (e) Carry the Message.
(e) Religious and social comradeship. (f) Be quick to see where religious
people are right; and make use of what they offer. (8) How to Conduct “Old
School” Recovery Meetings: (a) How to start the group. (b) Initial decisions—including
literature selection. (9) General Guides to Establishing Study Meetings. (10)
Meeting Topics. (11) Conclusion.
If you are like so many members of the clergy, Christian
recovery pastors, Christian recovery fellowship leaders, existing A.A.
fellowship participants, and others, you probably have thought you couldn’t do
all this today. Well, you can. This guide tells you exactly how. Details are
all in one place. The approach is simple and compelling. And already a number
of groups in the United States and other countries are organizing and conduct
such groups and using this guide.
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