A Sponsorship Guide for 12-Step Programs

Rating:
Summary: A Helpful Book for Sponsors and Sponsees
Review: More Sponsors will probably read this book than Sponsees, but it does contain valuable information for both. The chapter on Steps 4 and 5 was particularly helpful; however, I do think there is some value in doing your 5th Step with someone you do not know, such as a person in the clergy or other counselor. This book certainly shows the value of the Sponsor walking through ALL the steps with the Sponsee, and doing so beginning with Step 1, instead of starting where the Sponsee wants to start. This book would also be valuable for people leading Serenity Groups, or considering the beginning of such a group. We do have everyone in our own Serenity Groups, who want to be Sponsors, read this book before they take on the challenge. The book not only teaches how to do things, but what to avoid. There is real value in learning from so many people who have contributed to the book. Because this book does include answers from people in various recovery groups, it can be read with profit by anyone in any 12 Step Program. The book concludes with a section on "Writing the Steps" with Step Worksheets. These can be used by the Sponsor with the Sponsee, and could also be made available at meetings (with the publisher's permission). See also the book "Prayer Steps to Serenity" for both personal and group 12 Step questions and guides.

In conclusion, I found two contributors that I liked the best, so I chose to read through the book again just reading what each of these contributors wrote (one contributor at a time), and I found this really helpful to me and my own work.

Thanks for Reading
L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.
Author: Prayer Steps to Serenity
SerenityGroups.org

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: This book contains interviews with sponsors from a variety of 12-step programs like AA, NA, OA and they answer common questions like "Should you become friends with a sponsee?" One will say "No, absolutely not..." and the next will say "Yes, I always become friends with my sponsees..." and each has a valid reason for their answer. This eased my mind greatly when I was starting to sponsor because I kept wondering "Am I doing it right?" and the info in this book helped me relax and realize there is really no right or wrong to many aspects of sponsorship.

Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: This book contains interviews with sponsors from a variety of 12-step programs like AA, NA, OA and they answer common questions like "Should you become friends with a sponsee?" One will say "No, absolutely not..." and the next will say "Yes, I always become friends with my sponsees..." and each has a valid reason for their answer. This eased my mind greatly when I was starting to sponsor because I kept wondering "Am I doing it right?" and the info in this book helped me relax and realize there is really no right or wrong to many aspects of sponsorship.

Rating:
Summary: highly recommended
Review: this book is great. it answered all my questions.

Rating:
Summary: Food for Thought
Review: This is the first full length book I have ever found on the issue of sponsorhip within 12 step groups. M.T. has assembled several experienced sponsors to share their feelings and experiences about the sponsorship process, working the steps with a sponsee, problems encountered and discoveries made. The book's strength (a wide variety of opinions from a variety of people) is also its greatest weakness (you might be more confused than ever about which path is the right one for you to take with your sponsee). On balance however, I recommend the book as a good way to jump-start your own thinking about these issues. Take what you like and leave the rest.