Why Can't Church Be More Like an AA Meeting? -and Other Questions Christians Ask about Recovery-
Book Review by Sun and Planets Spirituality AYINRIN
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We remember times long ago when mission churches started out meeting in bowling hall, in empty school classrooms, or even around tables in a local restaurant. Going to church in those days was an adventure as people worshipped and worked together, putting more time and energy into building up a small community rather than a physical building.
These memories emerged as we read Stephen R. Haynes's book Why Can't Church Be More Like an AA Meeting? The author is a professor of religious studies at Rhodes College, adjunct professor of recovery ministry at Fuller Seminary, and theologian-in-residence at Idlewild Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. As everyone knows, there has been an ongoing evacuation of churches as large numbers of youth and middle-ages seekers look elsewhere for meaning, purpose, openness, and hospitality.
With a firm grasp of resources about the history and changes over time in Alcoholics Anonymous and many other 12-Step fellowships, Haynes reveals how these groups have grown thanks to "the scourge of addiction and the promise of recovery." He notes specific aspects of the "recovery ethos" that have been noted by Christian writers:
- people present themselves in their brokenness
- people are desperate and in search of transformation
- AA's atmosphere of acceptance and belonging
- AA's informality and lack of hierarchy
- AA's implicit understanding of human nature.
In recovery himself, Haynes brings insight, experience, and authenticity to his answers to key questions often raised about Twelve-Steps programs, including: Is Recovery Anti-Christian? Is Recovery Biblical? Can Christians Embrace Recovery? What Does the Church Bring to Recovery? Does Twelve-Step Recovery Work? He identifies key "embracers" of the movement from Evangelical, Mainline, and Roman Catholic churches. Among the practices the church has given AA, he mentions gathering, prayer, meditation, worship, training, support, and duplication.
Haynes concludes that AA and Christian communities can exchange ideas, ideals, and gifts in times like this when addiction, shame, and narcissism are so rampant. Both groups can model acceptance and spiritual transformation.
GOING DEEPER
We recognized Stephen R. Haynes's commentary on the spiritual dimensions of 12-Step Fellowships as also being noted in the following books:
Read An Except on YOU
- Why Can't Church Be More Like an AA Meeting?and Other Questions Christians Ask about RecoveryAn example of the affirmations common in 12-Step programs.
A Book Excerpt on You
At the core of a 12-Step group called Recovering Couples Anonymous (RCA) is affirmation of their Promises:
"No matter how close to brokenness we have come, we will see how our experiences can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness, shame, and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our partners, families, and others. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook on life will change. Fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will be better parents, workers, helpers, and friends. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves."
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Follow the SUN ( AYINRIN) . Follow the light.Be Bless, I am His Magnificence, the Crown, Kabiesi Ebo Afin Oloja Elejio Oba Olofin Pele Joshua Obasa De Medici Osangangan broad daylight, natural blood line 100% Royalty the God,LLB Hons,BL, Warlord, the bonafide King of Ile Ife Kingdom and Bonafide king of Ijero Kingdom, number 1 sun worshiper in the whole world. Follow the SUN AYINRIN, follow the light. Be Bless,I am His Magnificence Royalty!. Follow the Light.
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