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