Dear Don: I was very pleased to receive your letter as you are about to work
In the very field we are trying so hard to catalyze. I may write a couple of
Emails in order to avoid too many things in one place. But here are my
Preliminary thoughts:
- Your experience both with A.A. and with Celebrate Recovery is a common one, but certainly
Not daunting. Many have seen that Celebrate Recovery does not have the 24/7 one-on-one
Work with alcoholics and addicts that is needed for sustained recovery and growth. As to
A.A., the point we make is that we are “A.A. Friendly, Bible Friendly, Recovery Friendly, and
Friendly Friendly. Which is to say that we try not to knock any of the diverse efforts which
Have something for Christians but need to know and apply more about the Christian origins of the
Recovery movement and of A.A. in its earliest days. We are very clear that there are tens
Of thousands of Christians in A.A. who have been intimidated and hindered by several
Elements—the Adversary, the drift away from God we see all over, and ignorance of the
True, documented, effective beginning Christian A.A. Fellowship in Akron
- We have gone through several phases since International Christian Recovery Coalition
Was founded in May, 2009 by a wide variety of Christian recovery leaders, workers,
Newcomers, and professionals who first were asked to define the problems they were
Having. And they did. Much as you have done.
- The last two and a half years have seen a large growth in our move toward a Christian
Solution that embraces the role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played
In the origin, history, founding, original program, and astonishing successes of the
Early A.A. Christian Fellowship of Akron founded in 1935. You probably know that
When we began in 1990, there were very few AAs who knew these facts, very few
Who didn’t believe they died with the Big Book, very few who knew the monstrous
Compromise that was made in 1939 to appease atheists, and agnostics, and the
Difficulty that opening the door to people of all faiths, no faith, and unbelievers
Brings about. To mention just a few, people haven’t realized the dangerous effect
Of talking about “higher power,” “spiritual but not religious,” and nonsense gods
Like a rock, Santa Claus, and light bulbs. We now know from the experience of
Many in the ensuing period that there are huge numbers of Christians in A.A., in
Treatment, in counseling who are bereft of information yet hungry for a solid
Base in recovery today with the power and love and guidance of God at their
Right hand. Properly armed with facts, they can utilize the 24/7 strength of
A.A. as well—just as I did over 25 years ago when I entered those rooms.
- I hope you will consider coming to one of our two summit conferences in
Fellowship leaders, and experienced AAs who have got a leg up on the solution.
- While I am preparing and getting ready to send my second email, I am going
To ask my son Ken to send you some of the materials we recommend as a
Guide for efforts like yours.
God bless,
Dick B.
Author, 42 titles & over 650 articles on A.A. History and the Christian Recovery Movement
Exec. Dir., International Christian Recovery Coalition
(808) 874-4876
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