The First of Twelve Traditions
I was random link clicking around the blogosphere, and landed on the website of the Young Anabaptist Radicals and a post discussing the twelve traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.
I have never really looked into alcoholics anonymous, but after a night of research, I am completely enthralled with the organization.
The most enthralling thing, that I discovered, are the 12 traditions. These traditions are the loose guildlines that “govern” the headless organization known as Alcoholics Anonymous. I began to wonder what it would look like if church began to take these traditions for themselves (similarly to how we have adopted many “pagan” rituals into the way the church works).
The first tradition is quite striking “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.”
Think that one over for a moment.
Personal Recovery depends on A.A. unity.
Equate that over.
Church effectiveness depends on catholic unity. (Please note, little c catholic)
Does this mean that every A.A. member agrees on every issue? No, certainly not. Would unity require us to agree on all issues? Again, No, a resounding No. The most beautiful form of unity is when it crosses the divides we normally find ourselves in.
Saying “I will stand with you, no matter your doctrinal viewpoints, in order to better act as a priest to the world.”
Beautiful.
Unity.
email2friend