Sam Shoemaker
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Sam Shoemaker, DD, STD, (1893-1963) an Episcopal priest that was instrumental in the Oxford Group and founding principles of AA Alcoholics Anonymous. Dr. Sam Moor Shoemaker was the rector of the Calvary Church in New York City, which was the United States headquarters of the Oxford Group. Bill Wilson attended Oxford Group meetings at the Calvary Church and Sam was instrumental in assisting Bill Wilson with the writing of the book Alcoholics Anonymous (nickname: The Big Book). Bill acknowledged this linkage when he wrote in the book, A.A. Comes of Age (page 39):
"The early A.A. got its ideas of self-examination, acknowledgment of character defects, restitution for harm done, and working with others straight from the Oxford Groups and directly from Sam Shoemaker, their former leader in America, and from nowhere else."
It is difficult to explain Sam Shoemaker’s legacy to A.A. without knowing the depth and breadth of what Sam offered. Rev. Shoemaker wrote over thirty books, at least half of which were circulating before A.A.’s 12 Steps were first published in the Big Book in 1939. The book was circulated in New York, Akron, and the Oxford Group.
Contents |
[edit] Books by Shoemaker
- A Young Man’s View of the Ministry, 1923
- Beginning Your Ministry, 1963
- By the Power of God, 1954
- Calvary Church Yesterday and Today, 1936
- Children of the Second Birth, 1927
- Christ and This Crisis, 1943
- Christ’s Words from the Cross, 1933
- Confident Faith, 1932
- Extraordinary Living for Ordinary Men, 1965
- Freedom and Faith, 1949
- God’s Control, 1939
- How to Become a Christian, 1953
- How You Can Find Happiness, 1947
- How You Can Help Other People, 1946
- If I Be Lifted Up, 1931 (with jacket)
- Living Your Life Today, 1947
- National Awakening, 1936
- One Boy’s Influence, 1925
- Realizing Religion, 1921
- Religion That Works, 1928
- Revive Thy Church, 1948
- Sam Shoemaker at His Best, 1964
- Steps of a Modern Disciple, 1972
- The Church Alive, 1950
- The Church Can Save the World, 1938
- The Conversion of the Church, 1932
- The Experiment of Faith, 1957
- The Gospel According to You, 1934
- They’re on the Way, 1951
- Twice-Born Ministers, 1929
- Under New Management, 1966
- With the Holy Spirit and with Fire, 1960
[edit] Contribution
Shoemaker's contributions and service to Alcoholics Anonymous and as a minister of the Anglican Communion and Episcopal Church of America have had a worldwide affect. The philosophy that Shoemaker codified, in conjunction with Bill Wilson, is used in almost every country around the world to treat alcoholism.
