a true chaordic approach

We are just about to get to discussing organic system and how they work, but I couldn’t resist posting this about a little know aspect of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a starter. These principles underlie the organizational life of AA and they are genuinely chaordic. This organization was so far ahead of its time and its impact has been remarkable. Part of the reaon is that they have an organizational system that allows for autonomy and interdependence whist maintaining international identity and achieving their mission. This is no small feat. Look in wonder… Its called The Twelve AA Traditions

  1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
  2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
  3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
  4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
  5. Each group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
  6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
  7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
  8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
  9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
  10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
  11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
  12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

July 12, 2008 | Filed Under organic systems, the forgotten ways |  

Comments

4 Responses to “a true chaordic approach”

  1. don woolley on July 13th, 2008 6:00 am

    I love AA and NA! In form, the meetings are a lot more like New Testament church than what you’ll typically see at 11am on Sundays. I’ve heard many people say they met Jesus in “the meetings” and experienced him more there than they ever had in church.

    The Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) and the 12 and 12 (which covers the 12 steps and 12 traditions), make good devotional reading. They are not “Christian,” but they have been faithful to the teachings of Christ in many ways where the church has not. We can learn a lot from them.

  2. Janet on July 13th, 2008 6:25 am

    It does codify a non-heirachical, non institutional, organic
    structure doesn’t it?

    I think it’s instructive to reflect on the differences between AA and even some house church movements… while AA is a gathering of acknowledged “sinners”, Christian groups can be (at worst!) gatherings of the “righteous”… thinking back to the Pharisee post!

    This also confirms my innate suspicion of “Christian” political parties / lobby groups etc… it’s all too easy for those who don’t like the views of that group to dismiss Christianity…. I think it also feeds the simplism of “Christians think like this”.

  3. Mark Steffey on July 18th, 2008 6:06 am

    My father wrote his Doctoral Dissertation on this subject in 2006. The title of the paper is “The Pre-Future Church: Structure, Leadership, and Mission” and it uses the steps and structure of AA as a guide for disciples of Jesus to be church. Alan, I think it is worth a read, so email me and I can send you a copy.

  4. Tom on July 18th, 2008 11:19 pm

    I have used A.A. as a foundation for our church since its inception. My father found more discipleship there then he did at any church. The sense of brotherhood was also very strong and did not depend on a single leader for him to lean on when he wanted to drink. The church could learn a lot from this model.
    I have always been inspired by the concept of sponsorship and what we as Christians could take from that. My father was saved through A.A. and always said that he was going to The Center when he attended meetings. *Hence the name of our church.

    Tom
    http://tom.my-center.net

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