A sign...

Something happened at the conference a few weeks ago that I've not shared here yet and I'm not ready to share details about yet. The cryptic short form (I will probably flesh out more on this later this month or next) is:

• I have a concern that the organization of AA (e.g. the general service structure), as we know it, will probably either disappear or become harmful to the principles of AA in a few (less than 10) years
• I am concerned that AA fellowship and meetings are changing - not necessarily for the better
  
• Several people who share this concern, and want to do something about it, seem to have accumulated in my life

These feelings/observations seemed to come to a head for me at the conference last week where I met a past servant who had spent a lot more time thinking about what was wrong and how we might "fix" it. He suggested I read a book he'd been looking at in terms of how to articulate what might need to be done and how to do it.

Personally, I'd almost reached a place of neutrality that I get a lot of support for - that the service structure could just disappear and God would continue to allow us to "...create the fellowship (we) crave..." BB p. 164.

...BUT, there did seem to be a lot of coincidence in God placing these people and my knowledge in each of these circles...

So, after this discussion with the past servant a week ago last Saturday, I spent some time (a lot of time actually) in prayer and meditation and I finally had a chance to broach the subject with my sponsor this morning. After we'd fleshed out the context, I asked him to give some prayerful consideration with me as to the exact next steps to take. I really am concerned that I could be as much a part of a problem here instead of being useful in finding solutions.

In wrapping up our conversation, he said, "...by the way, someone I really respect in AA gave me a book to read that might be useful in your reflections... - I've just started it but I have it here with me... " (digs it out his briefcase) "...yes, it's title is ______"

You could have bowled me over with a feather - of course the book was the same one recommended 10 days ago in the discussion with our past servant... Of the millions of books published, what would be the chances...?

I still don't know for sure what I will be doing with this - I really believe it's important and the stakes are high...

But, I think I'll be checking the library for that book...