Alcoholics Anonymous
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Research on oxford group?
Post Info TOPIC: Research on oxford group?
Ruhig


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 339
Date:
Research on oxford group?
Permalink  
 

"The Oxford group literature defines the group as not being a religion, for it had "no hierarchy, no temples, no endowments, its workers no salaries, no plans but God's plan." Their chief aim was "A new world order for Christ, the King."[12] In fact one could not belong to the Oxford group for it had no membership list, badges, or definite location. It was simply a group of people from all walks of life who have surrendered their life to God. Their endeavor was to lead a spiritual life under God's Guidance and their purpose was to carry their message so others could do the same." oh. Huh. Ok. Step 12 and our preamble?? "The group was more like a religious revolution, unhampered by institutional ties, it combined social activities with religion, it had no organized board of officers. The Group declared itself to be not an "organization" but an "organism". Though Frank Buchman was the group's founder and leader, group members believed their true leader to be the Holy spirit and relied on God Control, meaning guidance received from God by those people who had fully "surrendered" to God's will.[13] By working within all the churches, regardless of denomination, they drew new members.[14] A newspaper account in 1933 described it as "personal evangelism -- one man talking to another or one woman discussing her problems with another woman was the order of the day".[15] In 1936, Good Housekeeping described the Group having no membership, no dues, no paid leaders, no new theological creed, nor regular meetings, it is simply a fellowship of people who desire to follow a way of life, a determination not a denomination.[16]" Ps. Not fighting, just thought it interesting. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Group#section_3

-- Edited by Ruhig on Wednesday 4th of July 2012 03:25:59 PM

__________________
sober: showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice
Mr_David


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 3412
Date:
Permalink  
 

Thanks for the stroll down memory lane, Ruhig. It was a trip worth taking, thanks.



__________________
Mr.David
Pythonpappy


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 12357
Date:
Permalink  
 

Thanks Ruhig, ... ... ... This is a part of our history ... and it is great to review this from time to time ...

Pappy



__________________

'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Rob84


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 1642
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Ruhig,

Interesting, I just ran across a speech from Clarence Snyder of Cleveland, one of the first 100 people sober, before the book, got sober technically in the Oxford group.

I got sober in the Cleveland area and heard a lot of talk about him but never heard his story. He actually started the first true AA group (that was not part of Oxford). He does a great job explaining the early relationship of AA/Oxford.

He has a wonderful and interesting story,  there are 5 video sections on youtube,  I will post the link and embed the 1st video. 

Hope some of you enjoy this!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GljwQdZKbKg&feature=related

 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GljwQdZKbKg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>



__________________

Rob

"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Ruhig


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 339
Date:
Permalink  
 

Thanks rob. They were really informative. I find this knowledge gives me creative ways to apply the program to my life.

__________________
sober: showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice
Rob84


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 1642
Date:
Permalink  
 

For sure.

Glad you enjoyed them and thanks for bringing up interesting topics that get me thinking!

__________________

Rob

"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Stepchild


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 2731
Date:
Clarence S.
Permalink  
 

I love Clarence S....He should have been one of the Founding Fathers but word has it he and Bill W. didn't exactly see eye to eye. Here is one of the things he wrote that I enjoyed.

I've Never Quit Being Active
by Clarence Snyder
A.A. Grapevine, November 1999

On February 11, 1938, I had my last drink. I was a chronic alky, and through a long, involved miracle, I met my sponsor, Dr. Bob, one of our co-founders. He put me in Akron City Hospital, where I met the alkies who had preceded me in the Fellowship.

Fifteen months later, I organized the Cleveland, Ohio AA group. The activity in the Cleveland area was hectic. I spent practically all my time obtaining and following up on publicity for AA, lining up cooperation with civic and church groups, hospitals, and courts, and helping new groups to start.

So what do I do now, thirty years later? I have never quit being active, although my position in the Fellowship has modified over the years. I attend an average of two meetings per week, when I am home. I am also asked to speak at various groups. In addition, I am invited to take part in numerous group anniversary programs and AA roundups around the country (and sometimes out of the country). Many people call upon me for counsel and advice on both personal and group problems. I have an extensive correspondence, since I have made so many friends in AA from coast to coast. Once in a while, I sponsor someone. Cases where about everything has been tried, by everyone else, often wind up in my hands.

I have not found the program to be difficult, and I maintain that if it does seem difficult for anyone, he is not doing it "right." Certainly, when I came to this Fellowship, I was in no position or condition to handle anything difficult! I kept things simple. But I must add that when I first began I was well sponsored.

I took measures now summarized in the first nine Steps of the program: admittance of need (the First Step), surrender (Second through Seventh), and restitution (Eighth and Ninth). Having done this, I no longer had a drinking problem, since it had been turned over to a Higher Power. Now I had - and still have - a living problem. But that is taken care of by the practice of Steps Ten, Eleven, and Twelve. So I don't have to be concerned about anything but a simple three-step program, which with practice has become habitual.

Step Ten enables me to check on myself and my activities of the day. I have found that most things disturbing me are little things, but still the very things which, if not dealt with, can pile up and eventually overwhelm me. My daily checkup covers good deeds as well as questionable ones; often, I find I can commend myself in some areas, while in others I owe apologies.

Step Eleven is done after my daily inventory. I usually need the peace resulting from prayer and meditation, and I do receive guidance for my life and actions.

Step Twelve, to me, does involve not only carrying the message, but extending AA principles into all phases of my daily life.

I learned long ago that this is a life-changing program, but that, after the change occurs, it is necessary for me to go on making the effort to improve myself mentally, morally, and spiritually.

This is my simple program, and I recommend it to anyone who wants a good life and is willing to do his share of helping.

C.H.S., St. Petersburg, Florida

 



__________________

When all else fails...Follow the directions.
Pythonpappy


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 12357
Date:
RE: Research on oxford group?
Permalink  
 

Great words of wisdom here, ... thanks Stepchild ...

Pappy



__________________

'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Alcoholics Anonymous -> Research on oxford group?