We have arrived at the last session of this Lenten programme of journeying through the 12 Steps, as used by the Anonymous programmes. Are the 12 Steps all linked together, as one?
An attempt to compare the Anonymous group with a church setting was made here, using material from a book entitled: ‘Why can’t Church be more like an AA Meeting.
The 12th Step
The last step is the 12 Steps programme is: having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics (others) and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
This sounds a lot like evangelism, sharing the ‘Good News’, but it comes after a ‘spiritual awakening’ as a result of this discipleship journey. Let’s consider this phrase in context.
Those in the anonymous programme, who do not have to have a faith at all, are stating clearly that they have had a spiritual awakening. That they can understand that their malaise is three fold: physical, mental and spiritual. The physical element is fairly obvious: they can’t take that first drink as the second et al will come so quickly afterwards – it is an addiction after all. The mental element is one that drives them to drinking and it engulfs them if they drink. The litany of prison sentences of those with a substance addiction is well known: it’s a vicious circle. But here they recognise that there is a spiritual need, a yearning; however, there is no definition of what God is, for it is ‘as we understand him’.
There is concern here as many within the Church would define God in specific terms: “male”, possibly with a beard; Jesus, white complexion; and a spirit (regardless that the gender here is feminine), invisible. Even if those within Central America might envisage Jesus as feminine, call them Christa, purely because of the misogynistic travesties they have suffered, we do not have a strict failsafe definition of who or what God is. Yes, Jesus was God on Earth, but how might you describe God know? Many might venture : ‘Love’.
Isaiah 61: 1-3
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
There’s a connection between a ‘spiritual awakening’ to telling others AND doing this in ‘all of our affairs’.
Throughout this journey, we may be able to see that it isn’t just one step but a whole connection of steps: one seamless ribbon which binds and holds the person together on this journey of being in addiction recovery.
If we believe that we as Church members can also follow that then recognise that as we might say “I am a sinner” they would say “I am an alcoholic”. The alcoholic recognises the need for continual renewal, one day at a time. Within the busyness of the day, can we say that?
Conclusion
Post-script
A grid of suggested comparisons between anonymous groups and church
| Anonymous | Church |
| This is a peer-led mutual-aid fellowship | It’s a church fellowship |
| We have a God of our understanding | We have a God who is described by the Church |
| Individuals choose their own sponsors for direct support to aid recovery | Members have a minister, possibly a pastoral leader, where discipleship is delivered in a top-down process |
| Individuals attend as many meetings as possible per week. It is imperative for their survival | Sunday is encouraged, plus a Bible study and/or prayer meeting if they are running |
| Each group is autonomous | This is hierarchal, connected by the Central Church |
| Members-only financially support the group | Members financially support the group with charitable status |
| Here is a desperate need, else there is death. They lose their alcoholic life to find a life in sobriety | We speak of a spiritual death, a death to sin |
| They declare “I am an alcoholic”, demonstrating an ongoing vulnerability | They declare “I am a sinner”, as are those outside of the church |
I am really enjoying the dialogue