Sunday, September 30, 2012

Join us in Cleveland for AA History Workshops Nov 5 - 8


Join Us in Cleveland!

The International Christian Recovery Coalitions Presents

The Dick B. A.A. History Workshops in Cleveland, Ohio

(Tentative Dates: November 5-8, 2012)

 

Why should you consider joining Dick B. and Ken B. in Cleveland in November for these A.A. history workshops? How is your success rate in carrying the message to those who still suffer?

 


 

How much growth have you been seeing in terms of newcomers that are coming and staying?

 

The first Cleveland meeting started in June, 1939 [actually, May 11, 1939] at the home of Abby G. and his wife Grace. It was composed of Abby and about a dozen others who had been making the journey to Akron to meet at the Williams home. But Abby’s group presently ran out of space. . . .

These multiplying and bulging meetings continued to run short of home space, and they fanned out into small halls and church basements. . . .

We old-timers in New York and Akron had regarded this fantastic phenomenon with deep misgivings. . . . [T]here in Cleveland we saw about twenty members, not very experienced themselves, suddenly confronted by hundreds of newcomers . . . How could they possibly manage? We did not know.

But a year later we did know; for by then Cleveland had about thirty groups and several hundred members. . . . Yes, Cleveland’s results were of the best. [Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, 21-22—italics in original; bolding added]

 

What was Cleveland doing? Mitchell K. wrote on page 108 of How It Worked: The Story of Clarence H. Snyder and the Early Days of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio:

 

Two years after the publication of the book [the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous], Clarence made a survey of all the members in Cleveland. He concluded that, by keeping most of the ‘old program,’ including the Four Absolutes and the Bible, ninety-three percent of those surveyed had maintained uninterrupted sobriety. [Emphasis added]

 

Join us in Cleveland November 5-8, 2012! For details, please call Dick B. at 1-808-874-4876 or Ken B. at 1-808-276-4945; or email us at DickB@DickB.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Donate Dick B. 32 Vol. AA History Sets Where Needed


Publisher's August 18, 2012, List of Titles by Author Dick B.

 

Volumes Included in the 32 Volume Dick B. Reference Set

 

A New Way In: Reaching the Heart of a Child of God in Recovery with His Own, Powerful, Historical Roots

A New Way Out: New Path—Familiar Road Signs—Our Creator’s Guidance

Anne Smith Journal, 1933-1939: A.A.’s Principles of Success, 3rd ed.

Bill W. and Dr. Bob, the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont: The Roots of Early A.A.’s Original

Program (by Dick B. and Ken B.)

By the Power of God: A Guide to Early A.A. Groups & Forming Similar Groups Today

Cured!: Proven Help for Alcoholics and Addicts

Dr. Bob and His Library: A Major A.A. Spiritual Source, 3rd ed.

Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book as a Youngster in Vermont (by Dick B. and Ken B.)

God and Alcoholism: Our Growing Opportunity in the 21st Century

God, His Son Jesus Christ & the Bible in Early A.A.: The Long-Overlooked Personal Stories in

the First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous (by Dick B. and Ken B.)

Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early  A.A

Henrietta B. Seiberling: Ohio’s Lady with a Cause

Making Known the Biblical History and Roots of Alcoholics Anonymous: A 16-Year Research, Writing, Publishing and Fact-Dissemination Project

New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A., the Pittsburgh ed.

Real Twelve Step Fellowship History: The Old School A.A. You May Not Know

Stick with the Winners!: How to Conduct More Effective 12-Step Meetings Using Conference-Approved Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Leaders and Workers in the Recovery Arena (by Dick B. and Ken B.)

The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous

The Books Early AAs Read for Spiritual Growth, 7th ed.

The Conversion of Bill W.: More Light on the Creator’s Role in Early A.A.

The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed. (by Dick B. and Ken B.)

The First Nationwide A.A. History Conference: Comments of Dick B.

The Golden Text of A.A.: God, the Pioneers, and Real Spirituality

The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible

The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook

The James Club and the Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials

The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living That Works, 3rd ed.

That Amazing Grace: The Role of Clarence and Grace S. in Alcoholics Anonymous

Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.'s Spiritual Roots and Successes

Twelve Steps for You: Let Our Creator, A.A. History, and the Big Book Be Your Guide

Utilizing Early A.A.'s Spiritual Roots for Recovery Today

When Early AA s Were Cured and Why

Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today (a Bible Study Primer)

 

Contact us through Good Book Publishing Company, PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837, or

                Dick B. 808 874 4876; dickb@dickb.com

                Ken B. 808 276 4945; kcb00799@gmail.com

Titles, covers, description, prices, and orders on http://www.dickb.com/titles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Resources from This Publisher

 

A New Way Out Guidebook (by Dick B. and Ken B.)

 “Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery” Class on four DVD’s

(by Dick B. and Ken B.)

Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery: Class Instructor’s Guide

(by Dick B. and Ken B.)

Introductory Foundations for Christian Recovery: Class Guide for Students

(by Dick B. and Ken B.)

The Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Resources Centers Worldwide

(by Dick B., with Ken B.)

 

Available through Other Distributors

 

Alcoholics Anonymous: The Original 1939 Edition, with an Introduction by Dick B.

(Dover Publications, 2011)

Hope: The Story of Geraldine O. Delaney, 2d ed. [Alina Lodge, N.J.]

Our A.A. Legacy to the Faith Community: A Twelve-Step Guide for Those Who Want to Believe, Three Clarence Snyder Sponsee Old-timers and Their Wives; comp. and ed. by Dick B. (n.p.: Came to Believe Publications, 2005): http://cametobelieve.org/bookstore.htm

Courage to Change: The Christian Roots of the 12-Step Movement, comp. and ed. by Bill Pittman and Dick B. (Center City, Minn.: Hazelden, 1998)

Women Pioneers of AA (Dick B., contributor). [Hazelden]

 

 

A.A. History: Help us Move It by Donating Sets to Others


For a Long. . . . . . .  Shelf Life, Contribute our History to Recovery Hot Spots.

We are making available, and believe you will be blessed to have, at this extremely low price, the complete 32 volume Dick B. reference set, or preferably to donate a set to others, and have it sent print-on-demand to your:

Meeting,

Group,

Sponsor, and sponsees or their meetings with you

Central Office or Intergroup, or its Archives

District Archives,

Area Archives,

Regional Conferences

Fellowship Hall

Sober/Alano Club

Treatment Center, Hospital, Rehab, Counseling group,

Wilson House, East Dorset, Vermont

Griffith Library, East Dorset, Vermont

Burr and Burton Academy, Manchester, Vermont,

Mark Skinner Library, Manchester, Vermont

Dr. Bob Core Library, North Congregational Church (UCC) St. Johnsbury,

Vermont

Athenaeum (town library), St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Grace Orcutt Library, St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Fairbanks Museum, St. Johnsbury, Vermont

Bailey Howe Library, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont

Leahy Library, Vermont History Center, Barre, Vermont

Kreitzberg Library: Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont

Stepping Stones, Bedford Hills, New York

Dr. Bob’s Home, Akron, Ohio

Your church

Your church denomination recovery center

Your church recovery pastor or group

Your college or university library

City Library

Rock Church, San Diego, California

His Place Church, Westminster, California

The Crossing Church, Costa Mesa, California

The Golden Hills Community Church, Brentwood, California

Cornerstone Fellowship Livermore Campus, California

Episcopal Church Archives, Austin, Texas

Shoemaker Room, Calvary Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Ohio

Your James Club, A.A. History Study, Big Book-Bible Study, Step Study, AA

Study Group, N.A. World Headquarters, Alcoholics Victorious, Overcomers Outreach, Came to Believe Retreats, Serenity Group in Oroville, CityTeam International, Christian Endeavor International

Your Christian Recovery Fellowship—Lifelines at Costa Mesa, His Place at

Westminster, Rock Recovery Ministries and Homes, Manna House Ministries, Leonard Grubb Ministries, Dunklin Memorial Church, Regional Salvation Army Hqs.,

Veterans Administration Regional Hospitals, Prison Ministries, Wardens,

Chaplains Alive Again, International Substance Abuse and Addiction Coalition, NET Institute

You name it, and we will arrange it.

Let our early A.A. History and Christian Recovery Movement be known far and wide by anyone and everyone who wants to serve God and help the newcomer who still suffers

 

Contact Dick B. at dickb@dickbcom; 808 874 4876; PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837

Friday, September 28, 2012

A.A. Cofounders: Special Website Devoted to Dr. Bob



For our website devoted exclusively to A.A. cofounder Dr. Bob - books, articles, photos, audios, go first to

http://www.drbob.info

Dick B.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Join Us in Cleveland! The Dick B. A.A. History Workshops


Join Us in Cleveland!

The International Christian Recovery Coalitions Presents

The Dick B. A.A. History Workshops in Cleveland, Ohio

(Tentative Dates: November 5-8, 2012)

 

Why should you consider joining Dick B. and Ken B. in Cleveland in November for these A.A. history workshops? How is your success rate in carrying the message to those who still suffer?

 


 

How much growth have you been seeing in terms of newcomers that are coming and staying?

 

The first Cleveland meeting started in June, 1939 [actually, May 11, 1939] at the home of Abby G. and his wife Grace. It was composed of Abby and about a dozen others who had been making the journey to Akron to meet at the Williams home. But Abby’s group presently ran out of space. . . .

These multiplying and bulging meetings continued to run short of home space, and they fanned out into small halls and church basements. . . .

We old-timers in New York and Akron had regarded this fantastic phenomenon with deep misgivings. . . . [T]here in Cleveland we saw about twenty members, not very experienced themselves, suddenly confronted by hundreds of newcomers . . . How could they possibly manage? We did not know.

But a year later we did know; for by then Cleveland had about thirty groups and several hundred members. . . . Yes, Cleveland’s results were of the best. [Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, 21-22—italics in original; bolding added]

 

What was Cleveland doing? Mitchell K. wrote on page 108 of How It Worked: The Story of Clarence H. Snyder and the Early Days of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio:

 

Two years after the publication of the book [the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous], Clarence made a survey of all the members in Cleveland. He concluded that, by keeping most of the ‘old program,’ including the Four Absolutes and the Bible, ninety-three percent of those surveyed had maintained uninterrupted sobriety. [Emphasis added]

 

Join us in Cleveland November 5-8, 2012! For details, please call Dick B. at 1-808-874-4876 or Ken B. at 1-808-276-4945; or email us at DickB@DickB.com.

Highlights of Proposed 2nd Workshop Nov 1 -15 on AA History, Particularly Cleveland


Some Highlights of the Potential in an A.A. History Workshop in Cleveland

 

Planned Gathering November 5 – 8

 

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved

 

[A Project of the International Christian Recovery Coalition]

 

·         The Convenient Location and Focus

Cleveland Intergroup Office at 1701 East 12th Street, Cleveland 44114

Embassy Suites – 18 feet away, complimentary breakfast, Subway nearby

            1701 E. 12th Street

Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown, 1100 Carnegie Avenue, ½ mile

            from the intergroup office, conference room – excellent ratings

Archivist who has, in the past, displayed many records.

·         Documented materials which we probably can produce in addition for review & comments:

Clarence Snyder Bible – owned by Ken R.

Cleveland Central Bulletin copies

Original printer’s manuscript copy of DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers

                        Available for ownership by bid

            A Way of Life, A.A., AA in Cleveland pamphlets

            Oldtimer Interviews

            Group Directories

            Cleveland Plain Dealer and Houston Press Articles

            Documented Central Committee Meeting – rotating leadership

            Hospital Committee rules

            Newsletter Headcount showing 1400 active AAs – 22% of AA total in 1942

            Central Committee Statement of Purpose (self-governing, autonomous)

            Four AA of Akron Pamphlets

            AA Sponsorship Pamphlet by Clarence Snyder

            The Cleveland Plain Dealer Articles on “Cured” – later changed by others

            Clarence Snyder Survey showing 93% success rate with no relapses

            Rosary Hall, St. Vincent’s Charity Hospital

·         Resources to Study:

But for the Grace of God by Wally P.

How It Worked by Mitchell K.

Our AA Legacy to the Faith Community by Three Clarence Snyder

Oldtimer Sponsees

My Higher Power the Lightbulb by Clarence Snyder

Sister Ignatia by  Mary Darrah

That Amazing Grace by Dick B.

Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age

The Language of the Heart

 

Join us Nov 1 - 13 for 2nd AA History Workshop Plans

We are now planning a 2nd Coalition AA History Workshop trip Nov 1 - 13. Maui to San Jose (2 workshops in Foster City and Los Gatos); San Jose to Tucson (large community workshop); Tucson to Cleveland (a real research into Cleveland's original 93% success rate 2 days); Cleveland to Snyder Retreat near Orlando - 4 days. Then back to Maui thru San Jose. Call for info 808 874 4876 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 808 874 4876 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. www.ChristianRecoveryCoalition.com

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The New Era of A.A. History: A Letter of Appreciation to Whyte House

http://www.whytehouse.com/big_book_search/link.asp

Yours is a much appreciated and very important resource site. Glad  to be listed.

Our 46 books, over 1200 articles on A.A. History and the Christian Recovery Movement are emphasizing some new points today:

(1) There is a new era of A.A. history developing right now; and it centers on the immense new historical information about the Christian upbringing of Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, and Ebby Thacher in Vermont.

(2) There was a hiatus in Bill W.'s Christian connections which ocurred when his girl friend Bertha Bamford was suddenly dead after surgery. And Bill blamed God, turning his back on God.

(3) The long years of drinking ended when Dr. Silkworth, Ebby, and others made it clear to Bill that the Great Physician Jesus Christ could cure him, and Bill went to the altar at Calvary Mission. There he made his decision for Jesus Christ, soon wrote he was born again, and then cried out to God for help at Towns, and not only was cured but never again doubted the existence of God.

(4) From that point, Bill's convictions about conversion, a religious experience, and service became his major contribution, while Bob called up his immense childhood training in the Bible and Christian Endeavor.

(5) The two men put together the highly successful "old school" A.A. Christian fellowship founded in Akron in 1935.

See www.dickb.com/drbobofaa; www.dickb.com/conversion; and our new book "Bill W. and Dr. Bob, the Green Mountain Boys: The Roots of Early A.A.'s Original Program." Be sure to see all three and then compare with the personal stories of the First Edition that have now been restored to conference-approved status. God Bless, Dick B.

www.dickb.com; dickb@dickb.com

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Learning Recovery from the Christian Upbringing of A.A.'s Cofounders--the Lesson


The Compelling Recovery Need to Hear and Apply What Bill W. and Dr. Bob Learned in Youth

 

Faith in God and Serving Others to Overcome Problems

 

Dick B.

Copyright 2012 Anonymous. All rights reserved

 

The New Era findings from the September A.A. History Workshops in Vermont

 

·         A theme in Proverbs 22:6 well worth remembering:

 

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart  from it.

           

Many of us learned the hard way that training offered in loving concern for a  youngster’s future well-being is not always a guarantee of performance in renegade years. But many of us who trod the road of alcoholism and addiction—if we survived to change—found that service to God and help for others in A.A. often brought us back to better beginnings. These virtues, if remembered and revived, built the belief in God and joy of serving others back to a useful, long-standing lesson from which we no longer needed or wanted to depart. Yes! What was taught from the Good Book could be applied in a new life, Teaching to the young, often long-forgotten, ignored, and rejected in miserable times.

 

·         Whence came the common thread of training in the lives of Bill Wilson and Bob Smith?

 

Grandparents – on both sides

Parents

Congregational churches

Sunday school

Rigid Academy requirements—daily chapel, sermons, Scripture reading, hymns,  prayer meetings, church, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and Christian curricula

Christian activities fostered by or stemming from church and school—the Young Men’s Christian Association and United Christian Endeavor Society.

An unswerving discipline--common to both cofounders in their early sobriety efforts--in following each of these in their younger years.

 

·         Whence came temptations, drunkenness, addiction to sedatives, disgraceful behavior, darkness, disaster?

 

The Book of James was favored by Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, and Anne Smith. And of these it said:

 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh  patience (1:2-3)

 

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given  him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (1:5-8)

 

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when  he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted when he is drawn  away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when  it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. . . . But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (1: 12-16, 22)

 

·         The discord so commonly resulting from errant behavior and disdain for truth

 

It often means: Blame whom you will. Say, “I’ll never do that again.” Fly blind. Reject guidance. Adopt a trial and error path. Follow the trails of erring friends. Embrace no successful direction. Make every conceivable mistake. Rise to do it all over again. Ignore the real enemy—whether you recognize it as excessive drinking or the devil’s doing.

 

And: Consider the failed, yet determined, repetitive path of self-knowledge, willpower, fear, with reliance on and trust in human resources. Coupled with ignoring the solid training received in early years. Stand fast with your life self-centered, instead of reliant on God-sufficiency.

 

Again these verses in James show the real battle and the real solution:

 

From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy. (4:1-5)

 

·         Bob’s Turning Point: From temptation and seeming blindness to the power of God

 

In The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks, Dr. Bob  told of his return to his training in the Good Book as a Vermont youngster:

 

I had refreshed my memory of the Good Book, and I had had excellent training in that as a youngster (12)

 

I’m somewhat allergic to work, but I felt that I should continue to increase my familiarity with the Good Book, and also should read a good deal of standard literature, possibly of a scientific nature. So I did cultivate the habit of reading. I think I’m not exaggerating when I say I have probably averaged an hour a day for the last 15 years (13)

 

. . . we were convinced that the answer to our problems was in the Good Book (13)

 

We already had the basic ideas [for the Twelve Steps], though not in terse and tangible form. We got them, as I said, as a result of our study of the Good Book (14)

 

Now to Bill and Bob: In addition to their partiality toward the Book of James, Bill and Bob both said that Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount contained the underlying spiritual philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous. Matthew 6:23-24 of that Sermon states:

 

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other: or else he will hold to the one and despise the other

 

Now to Corinthians: One historian claimed that Bill Wilson favored Corinthians, and it is certain from Dr. Bob’s words that 1 Corinthians 13 was considered to be absolutely essential. Anne Smith said that the Bible should be the main Source Book of all. And the following verses from Corinthians tell the source of the problem and the rescue the Bible made available:

 

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:1-4)           

 

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way  to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of the devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of the devils (1 Corinthians 10:21 )

 

I’ve seen Christian AAs refrain from quoting the Bible and even lambasting those who do. But when you see how often Dr. Bob quoted it, you need not timid. When asked a question about the A.A. program, his usual response was: “What does it say in the Good Book?” And that’s what this is all about. In brief, go to God. Resist temptation. Kick the devil out of the picture. Clean house. And God will help you escape.

 

·         The simple answer to drunkenness found, once again, in the Book of James

 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. . . . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up (James 4:7-8, 10)

 

·         How the Christian upbringing of Dr. Bob and Bill in their younger years was restored to their minds. This occurred when they had become the lowest of the low, the worst of the worst, and in such horrible shape that they sought a return to their training as youngsters, stuck with it, and acted upon it.

 

In so doing, Bill took advice from those who knew that a relationship with God through Jesus Christ was the key to success—His advisers included Dr. William Silkworth, Rowland Hazard, Shepard Cornell, Cebra Graves, and Ebby Thacher.

 

In so doing, the cofounders paid heed to catalysts who had adopted the biblical injunctions that God’s will was that all men be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. The biblical ideas with which the cofounders could renew their minds produced knowledge fostered by Calvary Rescue Mission and Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker, Jr. in New York; and Henrietta Seiberling and her small circle of friends (including Anne Smith) in Akron.

 

Part of the essential return by A.A. cofounders to biblical truth was galvanized by  the successful messengers who could attract the attention and submission of other drunks—Ebby Thacher to Bill Wilson, and Bill Wilson to Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith.

 

Victory through that turnabout soon enabled the cofounders to say boldly, in Bill’s case: “the Lord has cured me of this terrible disease,” and, in Dr. Bob’s case: “Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!”

 

Throughout their exposure to the Gospels, Sunday school lessons, YMCA examples, Christian Endeavor examples, and Salvation Army examples, both cofounders seized on the important factor of service to others—the concept that brought Bill to the telephone when he called to Henrietta Seiberling, and the demonstration of Bill’s witnessing that arrested Dr. Bob’s attention at Henrietta’s Gate Lodge Home in Akron.

 

·         The new Akron A.A. Christian program of recovery:

 

Built upon the biblical wisdom, experience, successes, and encouragement from a host of others—Dr. William D. Silkworth, Dr. Carl Jung, Professor William James, conversions, rescue missions, great Christian evangelists, the Salvation Army, the Young Men’s Christian Association, and United Christian Endeavor Society.

 

·         The successful record of ministering the power of God to alcoholics and addicts:

 

Was in place and working long before A.A. became an idea—The earlier ministries and successes existed from the very beginnings of the YMCA in London; the work in the London slums of the Salvation Army, the healings through evangelists like Moody, Sankey, Allen Folger, and F.B. Meyer; the remarkable work of the rescue mission movement brought to the fore by Jerry McAuley and the Water Street Mission; and the relevant love and service program of Christian Endeavor.

 

·         Compare the contemporary techniques that were falling short when Bill and Bob founded Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935.

 

Treatment:

 

A long history of treatment techniques that caused leading specialists like Dr. William Silkworth to conclude that alcoholism was “medically incurable;” that caused Dr. Carl Jung to tell Rowland Hazard that he could not help someone with an alcoholic mind like that of Rowland, and the efforts reported in detail much later by such researchers Dr. Howard Clinebell and William White.

 

Prohibition

 

Anti-Saloon Leagues and Temperance Meetings

 

Punishment by courts, jails, and correctional institutions

 

Relegating the drunk to down-and-out status in missions and personal degradation in the street.

 

Detachment—which, described in language used in Al-Anon--says: “I didn’t cause it. I can’t control it. I can’t control it.

 

Enabling and facilitating the drunk’s destructive behavior often coupled with efforts to control and restrain the drunk– fruitless caring for the drunk or admonishing and shaming him without useful purpose.

 

Ridicule. Admonishing. Threatening. Abandoning.

 

Countless tinkering with societal remedies in the form of grants, government research, revolving-door treatment programs, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and statistical surveys.

 

·         What succeeded was the early A.A. Christian Fellowship program that emphasized:

 

One recovered drunk carrying a message to another without charge.

 

Qualifying the newcomer as to his serious intentions to quit for good and do anything necessary to overcome the malady.

 

Insisting on belief in God and coming to Him through Jesus Christ

 

Hospitalizing the suffering soul briefly, but accompanied by visits from other drunks, from Dr. Bob, reading of the Bible to the patient, and then surrender to God through Christ

 

Offering drunks free lodging thereafter in homes, accompanied by family involvement, and attendance at daily fellowship meetings.

 

Learning and obeying the will of God

 

Growing in knowledge and application of the love and power of God through prayer meetings, Bible studies, seeking God’s guidance, using Quiet Time and devotionals, and reading Christian literature.

 

Seeking out newcomers to help them get straightened out by the same means

 

Fellowship and comradeship (optional but recommended)

 

Attendance at a weekly religious service (optional but recommended)

 

·         The challenge to incorporate strong, new, Christian recovery efforts based on early A.A.’s First Century Christianity principles, practices, and victories

 

You can’t know those early principles, practices, and victorious ideas unless you learn them from using. To that end, we suggest:

 

(1)   Conference-approved literature like a) DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, b) The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks, c) the Personal Stories in the First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, d) Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, and e) The Language of the Heart.

 

(2)   Accurate, thoroughly researched, and documented Dick B. Alcoholics Anonymous History titles such as a) Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous, b) The Conversion of Bill W., c) The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, d) Anne Smith’s Journal 1933-1939, e) Dr. Bob  and His Library, f) The Books Early AAs Read for Spiritual Growth, g) The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous, h) New Light on Alcoholism, i) The Good Book and the Big Book, j) The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook, k) The James Club, l) By the Power of God, m) Cured!, n) When Early AAs Were Cured and Why, o) The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous, p) The Golden Text of A.A., q) Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A.,

 

(3)   The latest Dick B. recovery guides: a) 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; b) God, His Son Jesus Christ & the Bible: The Long-Overlooked Big Book Personal Stories in the First Edition of ‘Alcoholics Anonymous; c) Bill W. and Dr. Bob, the Green Mountain Men of Vermont: The Roots of Early A.A.’s Original Program; d) The Dick B. Handbook for Christian Recovery Resource Centers Worldwide; e) The Early Manuscripts at Stepping Stones Compiled by Dick B.; f) the 27 Video Class, “Stick with the Winners.”

 

·         For discussion,  revision, expansion of the New Era of A.A. History

 

Funds for:

 

            Free distribution of books, articles, reprints

            Costs of radio, videos, websites, YouTube, Forums, Blogs, Interviews

            Training the trainers in leadership workshops and meetings

            Consulting on setting up new fellowships, meetings, classes, approaches

 

Christian Recovery Resource Centers

 

Christian Recovery Fellowships

 

Old School A.A. Meetings, Groups, Fellowships, and study groups

 

Printing and free distribution of flyers

 

            Volunteers

 

            Networking

 

            Speakers Bureau