Oasis Church Bath

We were excited to have been joined by psychotherapist, author and speaker Jo Hargreaves, as she helps us understand the neuroscience of goodness and blessing. What happens when our starting point is our belovedness rather than our brokenness? How does it impact our wellbeing and mental health when we live out of that place?

Some think the idea of original sin comes from a certain interpretation of the story of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis. Ian Spence revisits this famous story, and helps us understand it through a lens of original blessing.

We were joined on the sofa by retired Bishop and friend of Oasis, Paul Bayes. Paul shares some of his own journey, sharing stories and experiences from his time as a Bishop, and reflecting on our recent speaking series topics.

If we are born good and wired towards goodness, then how can we explain evil, and the choices we sometimes make that harm ourselves, others and the world around us? Is 'original blessing' just a way to avoid facing up to our mistakes, and how do we ensure it doesn't stop us from continuing to seek wholeness and forgiveness? Jo Dolby helps us explore and unpack some of these difficult questions.

If we reject the notion of ‘original sin’ as progressive Christians, what do we do with the word sin? What does it actually mean and how can we develop a helpful and healthy understanding of it in relation to our faith and the lives we live? Jo Dolby helps us think differently about sin, and how we might reimagine it in light of being ‘already good’.

Sofa Sunday: Jill Rowe by Oasis Church Bath

Rob Trickey introduces us to the concept of original sin. Where did it come from, and why has it been so influential in Western Christianity? Is it something we can reframe or reimagine, or should we bin the concept entirely?

Following on from last week, Jo Dolby explores the harm a traditional understanding of original sin can cause, and why it might be important for us to look at this topic. She will also briefly introduce us to a new concept known as ‘original blessing’.

This week on the sofa we interview our Hub and Church Leader Jo Dolby.

Jo Dolby continues our 'What's On Your Mind?' speaking series by exploring how we might reimagine what church leadership could look like in the light of a progressive theology. With failures around safeguarding and morality by prominent Christian leaders hitting the headlines recently, what can we learn and how should this change our approach at Oasis?

Elizabeth Bavin continues our ‘What’s On Your Mind?’ series by exploring what she’s learning from trees about human flourishing. She’ll be drawing on Psalm 1 as well as other sources, and leading us in a meditative journey through the woods!

Rob Trickey continues our 'What's On Your Mind?' series by asking the question, 'do we need to follow Jesus?' Jesus called people to follow him – but not everyone. What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? And what about those who choose not to follow (or have never been invited)?

We continue to reflect on the language we use to speak about God by inviting some of our worship and leadership teams to discuss the songs we sing at church, and why our choice of songs is so important. What kind of songs should we sing as a progressive church, and why does this matter?

Our Assistant Church Leader Ian Spence continues our ‘What’s On Your Mind?’ series with a title of ‘Speaking About God’. Ian explores how the language we use to describe God can impact what we believe both about God and about ourselves.

Jo Dolby shares what’s on her mind as we kick off a brand new speaking series! Jo will be talking about the concept of ‘reimagining’, drawing on biblical concepts and examples to inspire us as we think about how to reimagine our plans, beliefs and expectations when things in life perhaps don’t go as we’d hoped or expected.

We welcomed a selection of our guest speakers from the Wholehearted series back to the sofa to expand on how we can apply what we've learned through this series to our everyday lives, as well as answer any questions which have arisen as the series has progressed.

Join Jess Barber, psychotherapist and member of Oasis Church Bath, as she considers the importance of reimagining as part of the recovery process.

What does recovery look like, and where does it start? Join Jess Barber, psychotherapist and member of Oasis Church Bath, as she explores how we begin to recognise, reconsider, and move towards recovery.

Guest speaker Jo Hargreaves continues our ‘Wholehearted’ series. Jo is a psychotherapist, writer, speaker and trauma informed church leader, passionate about integrating theology and therapy. Jo will be drawing on her knowledge and experience to encourage us to live embodied, integrated lives where we embrace every part of ourselves rather than cut off or deny who we are, or where we’ve come from.

The Jewish concept of ‘shalom’ is often defined as peace, but it means so much more than that! Nathan Jones from Oasis Waterloo dives deep into this amazing Jewish concept, drawing out meaning that builds on and adds to previous weeks of our Wholehearted speaking series.

There are many different perspectives on healing within the Christian faith. As progressive Christians, how should we understand it? Should we expect miraculous healings, or does healing happen in other ways now? Does it happen at all? Rob Trickey explores some of these questions as we continue our ‘Wholehearted’ speaking series.

Traditionally, salvation has been understood in some faith settings as a kind of ticket to heaven, praying a prayer or following a certain set of behaviours so you are ‘saved’ from this world into another when you die. But what if we’ve misunderstood this word? Jo Dolby explores its original meaning, explaining how a deeper understanding and application of it helps us link salvation much more to t...

Joining us on the sofa this month is one of our longest standing church members, Lyndon Hughes. Lyndon shares some amazing stories of faith, and his reflections on how the church has changed over the years.

As part of our annual Partnership Sunday, Rob Trickey prepares us as we reaffirm our commitment to the Oasis vision together. This is a great talk to listen to if you want to know more about the Oasis vision and values, as well as how that's reflected locally.

Following on from last week, our Church and Hub Leader Jo Dolby helps us look forward into the year ahead. What might we need to be particularly mindful of or prepared for in 2023? What are some of the specific things we’re called to be and do as a community?