by Geoffrey Schmitt

Created on: November 14, 2009   Last Updated: November 16, 2009

In the early part of the last century a revival of deep spirituality developed in England. It came to be known as The Oxford Movement. A leading proponent of this movement in the United States was an Episcopal priest and prolific author The Rev. Sam Shoemaker. As Rector of the large and influential Calvary Church in New York City, Rev. Shoemaker led the local Oxford Group. A man known to most simply as Bill W., was a member of this group.

Through the teaching of Sam Shoemaker, some of the guiding principles of the Oxford Movement became founding guidelines for the new program of Alcoholics' Anonymous. These included honesty, purity, unselfishness and love. In the Big Book of AA Bill Wilson gives credit to Rev. Shoemaker and the Oxford Movement.

The early AA got its ideas of self-examination, acknowledgement of character defects, restitution for harm done, and working with others straight from the Oxford Group and directly from Sam Shoemaker, their former leader in America, and from nowhere else.

AA is very open about being a spiritual program. They are accepting of any faith. However, faith in God is central to each step beginning with the first three.

1. Came to admit we were powerless over___________ (fill in the blank).

2. Came to believe in a power greater than ourselves that could help.

3. Made a conscious decision to turn our lives over to God as we understand him.

A later step goes on to say, having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps.

All 12 Step programs include at least two prayers at most every meeting. They are the Serenity Prayer and The Lord's Prayer.

Another Episcopalian author has written about the 12 Steps and spirituality. Keith Miller's books are extremely helpful. The best one for connecting 12 Steps to Christianity is A Hunger for Healing. You can find this and other resources at KiethMiller.com.

The truth is 12 Step programs are good for everyone. We could all join in and say Hello my name is___________ and I am a recovering sinner. I am powerless over__________ and I need God to help me get through each new day.

Think of it this way. When you hear these words what works for you? When the going gets tough, the tough __________. If you answered anything other than fall on your knees in prayer, chances are you have an addictive behavior. It may not be as self defeating as booze or drugs. Yet, most of us have some compulsive activity we use to reduce stress. If you answered, go shopping, eat chocolate, clean the house, or over work following the 12 Steps could also lead you to a spiritual awakening.

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