Ministering to the Recovering Alcoholic: Understanding Alcoholics Anonymous and Making Soul-Saving Connections

Abstract

“Hark! The voice of Jesus crying, ‘Who will go and work today?’ Fields are ripe and harvest waiting; Who will bear the sheaves away?” These are a few of the words found in a Hymn titled “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying.” This is a popular hymn in Lutheran circles. It is the kind of hymn that gets Christians excited about sharing the light of the Gospel in a world so shrouded in darkness. But whenever we sing this hymn it is important to think, “Are there any ripe fields that we are ignoring?” Those who are recovering from addiction to alcohol are the sin-sick souls that Jesus has such a passion for, and often they are a ripe harvest field that is neglected. This paper explores the history and religious implications of Alcoholics Anonymous and discusses practical and God-pleasing ways to connect with the millions of people who attend their meetings every day.