While I haven’t struggled with the group’s particular temptation, I left the meeting painfully aware that I am missing out on something else those ten to fifteen people seemed to have. That is, a safe place where I can be completely vulnerable.  A place where I can be honest about my darkest sins and know that I will be encouraged and not condemned by my fellow sinners.  And what a shame that I haven’t often provided that safety for others along with me!  The vulnerability, humility and trust displayed at that Alcoholics’ Anonymous meeting astounded me and made me hunger for the same within the church. 

While in the particular AA meeting I attended, the participants seemed to focus only on their unity as fellow alcoholics, how great it is to know that our unity as brothers and sisters is based on so much more. For not only are we united in our sinfulness and brokenness, we are united through our redemption in Christ. It is through that common redemption that we can follow Paul’s exhortation: “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians, 6:2, NIV). Perhaps we can follow AA’s example and start meetings together with, “Hi, my name is... , and I am a sinner redeemed solely by grace.”