Saturday, December 10, 2011:
MONEY, POWER AND PRESTIGE
History has shown, time and time again, that, when an individual is inspired to lead others on any spiritual path, the cult of personality is always bound arise no matter how egalitarian the beginnings were. There are a few exceptions; however, and they are powerful examples that such cults can be avoided if the authority of leadership is taken out of the hands of individuals and surrendered to a Power greater than them selves. This is a tricky transfer because, more often than not, someone (or a small clique) arises out of the fellowship to step into the power vacuum to assume the authority as the soul translator or translators of that Power. Taking the temptation of power, prestige and the possibility of amassing property away from the entire association is how A.A. has been protected from sliding into this morass. Bill W. and Dr. Bob took great pains to insure that they, or, what was then referred to as a board of directors (to become the General Service Office), turned over the reins of power to the fellowship’s group conscience. That, I believe, was one of the greatest acts of faith that has ever been witnessed by history and the example lives on today in rooms, small and large, throughout the world.
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