What Churches Can Learn from AA Meetings

What would the church be like if it were more like an AA meeting? What if Christians admitted to their inadequacies more openly and publically in times of confession? In this podcast episode, John Ortberg discusses the spiritual power of admitting your personal inadequacy, what the church can learn from alcoholics, and why the church keeps producing elder brothers. ✅ GROW YOUR LEADERSHIP WITH RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO: Show Notes http://careynieuwhof.com/episode708 Barna's State of the Church https://stateofthechurch.com/?utm_sou... Subsplash: https://subsplash.com/carey ---------- Welcome to The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast, a podcast about leadership, change, and personal growth. I hope this episode helps you thrive in life and leadership. Subscribe to my channel so you don't miss any of the newest episodes:    / @careynieuwhof   Find the show notes and more at http://careynieuwhof.com/episode708 🔗 CONNECT WITH ME:   / careynieuwhof   TikTok: @careyniuewhof 🎧 CAREY NIEUWHOF LEADERSHIP PODCAST: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3nG6FJp... Interested in what gear I use to record my podcast? I list all of the equipment in this blog post: https://careynieuwhof.com/the-home-st... ---------- Intro Music: Song: Alexey Anisimov - Always Be Beautiful Music provided by Tunetank. Free Download: https://tunetank.com/track/4144-alway... ---------- 🎥 Chapters Contribution vs. Consumption (00:12:35) John shares insights on the importance of contribution in later life stages versus a consumer mentality. Learning from Dallas Willard (00:19:39) John discusses his ongoing learning from Dallas Willard's teachings and their impact on his life. Reading for Formation (00:20:50) John discusses the importance of reading for spiritual formation and having a few intellectual mentors. Shifting Perspectives on Church Leadership (00:26:01) John shares how his perspective on church leadership has changed after stepping back from daily leadership. Advice for Young Leaders (00:30:05) John offers wisdom on recognizing personal weaknesses early to avoid future regrets. The Role of AA in Spiritual Growth (00:30:08) John connects the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous to spiritual growth and self-awareness. Resistance to AA Principles in the Church (00:39:20) John explores why the church often resists principles that are foundational to AA. The Healing Power of Desperation (00:44:45) Discussion on the desperate need for spiritual connection and the transformative experiences of individuals in need. The 12 Steps and Discipleship (00:45:19) Comparison of the 12 steps of recovery with discipleship practices in the church, emphasizing the need for genuine transformation. The Role of Pain in Spiritual Growth (00:47:36) Insight on how pain and suffering can motivate individuals to engage deeply with their faith. Confronting Personal Brokenness (00:49:13) Discussion on the necessity of confronting personal sin and brokenness for true healing. The Lost Art of Confession (00:53:28) Exploration of confession's decline in church culture and its implications for personal and communal healing. The Power of Confession (00:58:05) Emphasis on the need for communal confession and its biblical basis for healing. The Importance of Fellowship (00:59:41) Discussion on the necessity of community for spiritual growth and the practical steps involved in recovery. Experiencing the Power of Forgiveness (01:00:35) Reflection on the healing power of confessing to another person and the significance of spiritual community. The Journey of Confession (01:01:46) Personal story illustrating the transformative experience of confession and its impact on relationships. Hiddenness and Spiritual Toxicity (01:06:44) Discussion on the dangers of hiddenness in spiritual communities and its relation to biblical teachings. Overcoming Self-Righteousness (01:08:58) John Ortberg shares insights on how self-righteousness hinders spiritual growth and community dynamics. The Gift of Addiction (01:13:04) Addiction as a painful yet corrective factor that can lead to humility and dependence on God. Seeking God in Personal Pain (01:15:56) Encouragement to start personal journeys of surrender and self-examination to find spiritual growth. Experiencing Miracles in Community (01:18:01) John Ortberg reflects on the connection between church and Alcoholics Anonymous in experiencing genuine miracles.