"Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry it's message to the alcoholic who still suffers."
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Tradition Five
"Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry it's message to the alcoholic who still suffers."
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“SHOEMAKER, stick to thy last!” ...better do one thing supremely well than many badly. That is the central theme of this Tradition. Around it our Society gathers in unity. The very life of our Fellowship requires the preservation of this principle. (Page 150)Thus begins the author's discussion of Tradition Five. Doing 'one thing supremely well' - carrying the message - provides the source of unity for A.A., as strongly implied in the third sentence. This reminds us of the fundamental idea behind Tradition One, which we have seen as providing the purpose for all the other Traditions. The principle of focusing solely on this primary purpose is seen as required for the survival of A.A. itself, an idea expressed only here and in the discussion of unity in the First Tradition. (Page 129) We therefore see that unity and primary purpose are inextricably linked, in addition to both being essential for A.A.'s continued existence. Such is the importance of this Tradition that it is the only one referenced in another Tradition (Six). It is also worth noting that in pursuing its primary purpose of carrying the message to the still suffering alcoholic, each group is practicing part of the Twelfth Step - perhaps the only Step that is routinely practiced in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous is compared to a group of doctors who have found a cure for cancer. Each might have his own special area of expertise, and may prefer at times to pursue these individual skills. Analogous to this, we saw in Step Twelve is that there are different ways in A.A. to spread the message, among them sponsorship, speaking at meetings and service. (Twelve and Twelve, Page 110) Not everyone has the skill or opportunity to do all of these, but each is a form of Twelfth Step work. Like the doctors who realize that only a combined and unified effort can bring about a successful cancer treatment, A.A.'s are invited to work together in their individual capacities, for in such a mission "any doctor would set his other ambitions aside, at whatever personal cost." ("willing to go to any length"?) We are reminded of the personal sacrifice for the good of the whole called for in Traditions One (Page 130) and Twelve (Page 184).
Unlike the group of doctors treating cancer who act out of conscience and duty, the alcoholics spreading the message of recovery also depend upon this activity for their personal survival. "Under these compulsions of self-preservation, duty, and love, it is not strange that our Society has concluded that it has but one high mission—to carry the A.A. message to those who don’t know there’s a way out." (Page 151)
An A.A. member (presumably Bill W. himself) relates a personal experience to illustrate the importance of the primary purpose and the need to avoid distractions that might hinder the message. This is not unlike the personal stories included in More About Alcoholism giving examples of alcoholic insanity. In both instances these personal examples help us understand in a personal way the general principles that have just been explained in a more factual manner.
Bill, wanting to take out insurance against a slip (the fourth of Dr. Bob's reasons for carrying the message), went to Towns Hospital to work with a newcomer. After gaining the man's confidence by sharing his own drinking experiences, the topic of spirituality came up, arousing great suspicion. The response was based "foursquare on the single purpose of A.A." (Page 153). Saying that the man's religious training was superior to his own and he didn't want to change his views (Working With Others, Page 93), Bill convinced the newcomer that there was no ulterior motive, only the desire to help and to maintain his own sobriety. He reflected that if he had tried to talk to the man on religious grounds (a violation of Tradition Ten), solicit money for A.A. hospitals and other projects (a Sixth Tradition issue), or to offer advice in the man's personal and business affairs, these would have interfered with carrying the message. Says the newcomer years later, "My sponsor sold me one idea, and that was sobriety. At the time, I couldn’t have bought anything else.” (Page 154)