Format for the Christian Ashram
Real life-changing Experiences
Sayings of Dr. E.Stanley Jones -Jonesisms!
For area of all
North American Major Ashrams
or
'click here'
for the
region you may be in.
Click on the region for Ashram info in your area of North America.
The North Eastern Regionis found on the following map
Here is an example of what you will find under
Atlantic,
Alberta,
Central Ontario,
Keuka in New York State, US
New Brunswick,
Newfoundland ,
New England, in New Hampshire, US
Saskatchewan
Western Ontario
Fortunately there were people praying for him backin
the U.S. When he was at his greatest moment of despair, the Lord ministeredto
him and his spirit was restored, his vision as an effective ChristianMissionary
returned.
He had a new vision of missions. He could see theneed
for people to be converted -especially the "UP-and-Out" in their castesociety
- Renewal among the Hindi people themselves.
In 1930 he felt the need of a group for Disciplinein
the Christian community. He invited two others to join him in the establishmentof
a Christian Ashram. They saw that the retreat (ashram) movement amongthe
Hindus was Redeemable; so they made it Christian. Thus it became apowerful
tool in reaching these people. They took the ashram format andmade it Christian!
- even using the name - Ashram.
He made no apology for the use of the word - ASHRAM-
its meaning was from the Sanskrit - 'a'= from and 'shram'= hard work,similar
to a retreat from hard work, usually in a forest school under theguidance
of a guru - a teacher.
Since no person was good enough or wise enough
tobe the teacher,
they centered the movement around the Person of
JESUS, THE LORD
- the theme became
CHRISTIANITY IS CHRIST!
But the center of that CENTER is
TO BE THE ANSWER
- TO BE THE KINGDOM of God in miniature - insome
real way.
"This Kingdom is God's redemptive invasionof us, but
WE PUT UP BARRIERS.
In a Christian Ashram, we endeavor to
TAKE DOWN THESE BARRIERS."
(1)The barriers of DENOMINATIONS are removed. We
gobeyond them to become one body around the PERSON of JESUS CHRIST.
(2)Age barriers are removed - we have the youth,
middlers,the oldsters, all in a fellowship. ALL are an integral, necessary
partof the whole - the Christian Ashram experience
(3)Through the ages CLASSES and RACES have been barriersto fellowship. The Kingdom of God is a CLASSLESS SOCIETY, and is COLORBLIND!!! -
all persons are PERSONS FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED.
(4)The barriers between
THOSE WITH TITLES AND THOSE WITHOUT
are removed - no bishops, no doctors, no working
class- simply "Brother John" or "Sister Mary"
(5) Sometimes there are barriers between those whowork
with their hands, those who use their minds and those who do neither!This
barrier disappears when we, each one, share in some work experiencetogether.
(6) The REAL Barriers come from within - resentments,fears,
worry, anxieties, self-preoccupation, guilts, and emptiness. Soa time of
sharing - THE OPEN HEART - begins our Journey of Fellowship together.
TIME OF THE OVERFLOWING HEART
- in a redemptive atmosphere, problems dissolve
- Theanswer comes as persons learn to love and accept love for this is
the solution!the Christian answer!
APPROXIMATELY 95% OF THE PROBLEMS ARE CLEARED UP,CLEARED
OUT AND/OR MADE OVER
**Transformations Take Place**
Since PRAYER is the PULSE BEAT of the Christian faith,a 24 hour Prayer Vigil is shared throughout the whole time of the Ashram.
Prayer groups (NOT discussion groups) are establishedwhere an opportunity is given for ALL persons attending to share concernsand have their needs voiced in order to find release and victory.
Once a day there is a FAMILY MEETING - an opportunityto bring up criticisms (these are destructive to the fellowship) and/orsuggestions for change. If a problem is not voiced, it should not be discussed!!
There is always one special message based on the
HEALINGMINISTRY of Jesus.
Often when people get straightened out SPIRITUALLY,illnesses,
diseases, drop away - for their illness has been rooted in thespiritual.
A DISCIPLINE OF SILENCE is maintained from bed-time(10
or 11 p.m.) to the middle of Morning devotions (7 or 7:30 a.m.) Followingour
private devotions we share with one another the insights that the Lordhas
given us - thus everyone is a teacher and everyone is a pupil.
Since the Christian Ashram is deeply Christ-centered our purpose is
to see
transformed pastors,
transformed officials and
transformed members
- thus creating new and better church fellowships.
Our fellowship has several mottoes:
" Fellowship is based on confidence; secret criticismbreaks
that confidence; therefore, we will renounce all secret criticism."
" Leave behind all race and class distinctions, yewho ent