Here's a checklist of how to approach going to a meeting where one might be tempted to call it a 'bad meeting' because no one talks coherently about either the nature of alcoholism or their experience of the solution.
- Find a bunch of friends to go with.
- Get there early.
- Find something practical to help out with.
- Talk to a bunch of people before, asking God to work through me so that we can all benefit.
- Aim to learn something from what is shared, even if it is about what not to do or what does not work.
- Use the three minutes or so I get to share to carry a message of hope.
- Talk to a bunch of people after, asking God to work through me so that we can all benefit.
- Swap my number with people and tell them about my home group (assuming my home group is a good group).
- If irritation arises with the meeting, use this as an opportunity to set aside my demands and expectations and instead visualise God's presence within me and within everyone else in the room.
- Help clear up the room afterwards.
- Go for fellowship with people afterwards.
- Pray continuously, asking God for who to talk to and listen to and, if relevant, what to say.