The Tree-Like Look of Oasis
An understanding of
Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development2009
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• Remain rooted in the Spirit, Divine Love, Belovedness
• “Drawing from the Well of Christ”
• Prayerful: All things in discernment
• Silence: A different way of being
Our Root-Our Root-systemsystem
• A foundation built on the A foundation built on the Christian contemplative Christian contemplative tradition with an tradition with an openness to the openness to the contemplative offerings contemplative offerings of other faith traditions.of other faith traditions.
• Our 20-year historyOur 20-year history• Company of the saints, Company of the saints,
cloud of witnessescloud of witnesses• History of mysticismHistory of mysticism
The Ground: The Ground: Foundation on which we Foundation on which we standstand
• Human resources (staff, Human resources (staff, board, volunteers, etc)board, volunteers, etc)
• Strategic plan, technology Strategic plan, technology and organizational structureand organizational structure
• Story-telling –Sharing who we Story-telling –Sharing who we are, Listening to who we areare, Listening to who we are
• Befriending, relationship-Befriending, relationship-buildingbuilding
• Funds/DevelopmentFunds/Development
The Trunk: The Trunk: the support structure, the support structure, allowing “nutrients” to flow allowing “nutrients” to flow both waysboth ways
Branches (program Branches (program arms):arms):
• Educating in contemplative prayer, Educating in contemplative prayer, practicespractices
• Spiritual direction—training and supportSpiritual direction—training and support• Spiritual journeying – contemplative Spiritual journeying – contemplative
trips & pilgrimagestrips & pilgrimages• Resourcing individuals and faith Resourcing individuals and faith
communities communities – Partnering with congregations to present Partnering with congregations to present
programsprograms– Spiritual companions, providing and referring Spiritual companions, providing and referring
people people – Retreat leadershipRetreat leadership– Publicize offerings of Oasis grads?Publicize offerings of Oasis grads?– Books and bibliographiesBooks and bibliographies
Foliage and Fruit:Foliage and Fruit: • A changed worldA changed world• Counter-cultural, creative, contemplative Counter-cultural, creative, contemplative
communitycommunity• Safe, sacred spaceSafe, sacred space• ““Where I am understood”Where I am understood”• Decreased stress, anxiety, fearDecreased stress, anxiety, fear• Opening of spirit, expansiveness, Opening of spirit, expansiveness,
freedomfreedom• Spiritual food—experiencing belovednessSpiritual food—experiencing belovedness• Quiet reflection in a culture that isn’tQuiet reflection in a culture that isn’t• Room to breatheRoom to breathe• Sanity and wholeness (un-crazy-making)Sanity and wholeness (un-crazy-making)
Foliage and FruitFoliage and Fruit
Root-systemRoot-system
GroundGround
Branches Branches
TrunkTrunk
Continual Flow – each
part impacting the other parts and the whole
system
Tree IdentificationThe Hallmarks of Oasis
To recognize something as an Oasis event or activity means that we will “see” or experience the following:
Oasis leadership will help create a safe and
sacred atmosphere respectful of all
participants.
Tree IdentificationThe Hallmarks of Oasis
To recognize something as an Oasis event or activity means that we will “see” or experience the following:
There will be time for contemplative prayer
and silence
Tree IdentificationThe Hallmarks of Oasis
To recognize something as an Oasis event or activity means that we will “see” or experience the following:
There will be time for personal reflection
and sharing
Tree IdentificationThe Hallmarks of Oasis
To recognize something as an Oasis event or activity means that we will “see” or experience the following:
There will be quality presentations and
excellence in facilitation and
leadership
Tree IdentificationThe Hallmarks of Oasis
To recognize something as an Oasis event or activity means that we will “see” or experience the following:
The experience will use a variety of
learning styles and use a “whole brain”
approach
Oasis Ministries
A greening, growing, fruitful organism
changing the world for good through contemplation.
THANK YOU. Learn more at www.oasismin.org