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Stability: How an ancient monastic practice can restore our relationships, churches, and communities

by Nathan Oates
Paperback |English |1640605460 | 9781640605466

Stability: How an ancient monastic practice can restore our relationships, churches, and communities

by Nathan Oates
Paperback |English |1640605460 | 9781640605466
Overview

"As a practitioner of community restoration, Nathan Oates shows how the only remedy potent enough to heal consumerism's destructive influence on our hearts, our families, our churches, and our cities, is the ancient Benedictine vow of stability. He argues that movement that heals is rooted in an immovable commitment to a people, a place, and a purpose. Embracing stability, he says, is the path to restoration. This book draws from some of the best works on Benedictine spirituality and also from Nathan's personal experiences living with monks"--
ISBN: 1640605460
ISBN13: 9781640605466
Author: Nathan Oates
Publisher: Paraclete Press
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2021-09-21
Language: English
PageCount: 160
Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
Weight: 6.4 ounces

What is the foundation of work that lasts?

As Christians in a hypermobile culture, most of the time we talk about going and doing, about the need for meaningful action, service, and pilgrimage. Here, we listen to a quieter call. We consider the foundation, the roots, the bass note, that place of origin from which the building rises and the fruit blooms and the music soars and all the action comes--the place of stability. This call is rooted in the being of God; the faithfulness, reliability, and unchanging character of God. Drawing from some of the best writings on Benedictine spirituality and from his personal experiences raising a family, pastoring a church, and spending time living with monks, Nathan Oates offers a compelling invitation to find inner peace and stillness right where we are. When faced with decisions to stay or go, we rarely consider a beautiful, challenging third option--embracing the value of stability, which is moving closer to the root. Rather than pulling up our tents or simply enduring, we can choose to press deeper into the core of the question, to lean into the source of life, the real need, the true passion.
Editorial Reviews

"I do not hesitate to encourage Oblates, Associates, and all those who find wisdom in the Rule of Benedict to delve into this fine study. Of all aspects of our oblation / monastic profession, stability might be the most confusing for Americans to meaningfully apply to their lives. Yet St. Benedict considered stability to be essential and foundational to our spiritual transformation. Nathan Oates does a fine job of unpacking the richness to be discovered when we commit to stability in our lives." -- Laura Swan, OSB, of St. Placid Priory and author of numerous books including The Benedictine Tradition "Nathan Oates is a brilliant student and practitioner, a souled-sage who mines the depths of Christian history and tradition bringing new worth to our times. This book is a treasure, and anyone who submits to the wisdom inside will rise healthier and holier." -- Rev. Dr. David McDonald, Founder, Fossores Chapter House, Pastor, Westwinds Church, Jackson, MI "Nathan Oates is a modern prophet who has written a refreshing and important book. He does more than offer a critique of modern culture. Indeed, drawing upon the Bible and visions of St. Benedict, Oates shows us ways to reject toxic consumerism and replace it with a life-giving work of restoration." -- Rev. Dr. Lyle Dorsett, Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism (ret) at Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, AL "Nathan Oates leads the reader on his journey toward the transformational and upending realization that as whole-bodied creatures our formation often occurs through what is happening around us AND that staying put in those realities is God's regular work of growth toward Christ. In a culture of constant change, this book offers the true and refreshing water that stability, rootedness, loyalty to place, and endurance is key to our humanity in Jesus." -- Rev. Jay Thomas, Lead Pastor of the Chapel Hill Bible Church "In times of chaos, we all long for peace. But longing for peace is not the answer. Our greatest need is to know and encounter the One who brings meaning to the messes of our lives. In Nathan Oates' book, Stability, Nathan writes with a heart of a pastor, the love of a missionary and a spiritual formation heartbeat that is often sorely lacking in our world. Understanding both stability and movement are key to authentic spiritual life and Nathan takes us on a stimulating journey that incorporates modern living, ancient monasteries and the mosaic of contemporary life. Read this book and hear the call to Stability." -- Dr. John Jackson, President of William Jessup University and author of books on personal and cultural transformation "Through the story of his discovery of and immersion in the practice of Stability, Nathan Oates thoughtfully addresses consumerism in the American church. Rather than spend pages critiquing patterns of church-hopping and the culture that created it, Nathan digs deep into both ancient and contemporary monastic disciplines, their historical benefits, and methods for committing to community and place. This is much-needed perspective gives readers a glimpse into how ancient practices can be implemented in their communities today. As Christian sentimentalism and consumerism fail to appeal to many Millennial and Gen Z churchgoers, Stability offers them an authentic and proven alternative in restoring Shalom with God and community." -- Kevin Marshall, Entrepreneur, FinTech Executive, Co-founder of Clear Capital "Twenty years a Religious and on the cusp of my seventh assignment, I discovered in Nathan's book a fresh lens through which I can consider the role of stability for a vowed life consecrated to God and marked by missionary zeal. Nathan's work has helped me understand that for those of us whose tradition does not include a vow of stability, the stability of the heart is vital. This book is a practical guide that shows us what stability 'looks like' and 'sounds like' in the life of a missionary and how to embrace the 'stability' that teaches one how to move." -- Sr. Maximilian Marie Garretson, O.P. Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Ann Arbor, MI "Tucked away in Lincoln, California is a brilliant, wise, prophetic leader who sees differently, speaks authentically, and shepherds humbly. He has the gift of bringing the ancient to life today. He is one of my most valued guides. As someone who has been at the same place for 35 years, I've experienced the challenges and benefits of staying...on our ministry, on my family, on my growth. I highly urge your consideration of this amazing text that will challenge you to be fully present and fully invested where you are...for the long haul." -- Dr. Rob Ribbe, Executive Director, HoneyRock, Outdoor Center for Leadership Development and Assistant Professor, School of Mission, Ministry and Leadership at Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL "So much of what we hope and pray for isn't impossible, but depends on people and communities that have established roots of love and can bear fruit in due season. I'm so grateful for a pastor like Nathan Oates who sees the practice of stability as essential not only for his own well being, but for the life of beloved communities that can be good news for the world." -- Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, author of The Wisdom of Stability "I am both challenged and comforted by Nathan's new book. He offers us an in-depth exploration of the meaning and application of two facets of everyday life - stability and movement using the Rule of St. Benedict and his own life as the vehicle. The exploration is like rotating a diamond and viewing the beautiful facets of one awesome reality - the paradoxical interplay of stability and movement (properly understood and embraced) central to the nature of the Kingdom of God in our everyday life. The treatment of this elegant reality is not just another theoretical presentation but one that offers, an invitation, promise, and mandate from the Lord to the reader to be transformed into the likeness of Christ and serve as light and leaven to a world in desperate need for illumination and transformation it offers." -- Fr. Tom Brindley, Spiritual Director, Upward Call Ministries

Nathan Oates writes, speaks, and serves as lead pastor of Emmaus Church Community, which he started with a few friends in 2004. For more than a decade, he has been captivated by the Rule of St. Benedict, focusing on how the Benedictine vow of stability can restore the North American church. Nathan holds a masters degree in spiritual formation from Wheaton College. He lives in Northern California with his wife Carmen, his three kids, and a dog named True. Visit Nathan at nathanoates.com and emmaus.church.
 
Nathan Oates writes, speaks, and serves as lead pastor of Emmaus Church Community, which he started with a few friends in 2004. For more than a decade, he has been captivated by the Rule of St. Benedict, focusing on how the Benedictine vow of stability can restore the North American church. Nathan holds a masters degree in spiritual formation from Wheaton College. He lives in Northern California with his wife Carmen, his three kids, and a dog named True. Visit Nathan at nathanoates.com and emmaus.church.

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

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We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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Overview

"As a practitioner of community restoration, Nathan Oates shows how the only remedy potent enough to heal consumerism's destructive influence on our hearts, our families, our churches, and our cities, is the ancient Benedictine vow of stability. He argues that movement that heals is rooted in an immovable commitment to a people, a place, and a purpose. Embracing stability, he says, is the path to restoration. This book draws from some of the best works on Benedictine spirituality and also from Nathan's personal experiences living with monks"--
ISBN: 1640605460
ISBN13: 9781640605466
Author: Nathan Oates
Publisher: Paraclete Press
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2021-09-21
Language: English
PageCount: 160
Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.25 inches
Weight: 6.4 ounces

What is the foundation of work that lasts?

As Christians in a hypermobile culture, most of the time we talk about going and doing, about the need for meaningful action, service, and pilgrimage. Here, we listen to a quieter call. We consider the foundation, the roots, the bass note, that place of origin from which the building rises and the fruit blooms and the music soars and all the action comes--the place of stability. This call is rooted in the being of God; the faithfulness, reliability, and unchanging character of God. Drawing from some of the best writings on Benedictine spirituality and from his personal experiences raising a family, pastoring a church, and spending time living with monks, Nathan Oates offers a compelling invitation to find inner peace and stillness right where we are. When faced with decisions to stay or go, we rarely consider a beautiful, challenging third option--embracing the value of stability, which is moving closer to the root. Rather than pulling up our tents or simply enduring, we can choose to press deeper into the core of the question, to lean into the source of life, the real need, the true passion.
Editorial Reviews

"I do not hesitate to encourage Oblates, Associates, and all those who find wisdom in the Rule of Benedict to delve into this fine study. Of all aspects of our oblation / monastic profession, stability might be the most confusing for Americans to meaningfully apply to their lives. Yet St. Benedict considered stability to be essential and foundational to our spiritual transformation. Nathan Oates does a fine job of unpacking the richness to be discovered when we commit to stability in our lives." -- Laura Swan, OSB, of St. Placid Priory and author of numerous books including The Benedictine Tradition "Nathan Oates is a brilliant student and practitioner, a souled-sage who mines the depths of Christian history and tradition bringing new worth to our times. This book is a treasure, and anyone who submits to the wisdom inside will rise healthier and holier." -- Rev. Dr. David McDonald, Founder, Fossores Chapter House, Pastor, Westwinds Church, Jackson, MI "Nathan Oates is a modern prophet who has written a refreshing and important book. He does more than offer a critique of modern culture. Indeed, drawing upon the Bible and visions of St. Benedict, Oates shows us ways to reject toxic consumerism and replace it with a life-giving work of restoration." -- Rev. Dr. Lyle Dorsett, Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism (ret) at Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, AL "Nathan Oates leads the reader on his journey toward the transformational and upending realization that as whole-bodied creatures our formation often occurs through what is happening around us AND that staying put in those realities is God's regular work of growth toward Christ. In a culture of constant change, this book offers the true and refreshing water that stability, rootedness, loyalty to place, and endurance is key to our humanity in Jesus." -- Rev. Jay Thomas, Lead Pastor of the Chapel Hill Bible Church "In times of chaos, we all long for peace. But longing for peace is not the answer. Our greatest need is to know and encounter the One who brings meaning to the messes of our lives. In Nathan Oates' book, Stability, Nathan writes with a heart of a pastor, the love of a missionary and a spiritual formation heartbeat that is often sorely lacking in our world. Understanding both stability and movement are key to authentic spiritual life and Nathan takes us on a stimulating journey that incorporates modern living, ancient monasteries and the mosaic of contemporary life. Read this book and hear the call to Stability." -- Dr. John Jackson, President of William Jessup University and author of books on personal and cultural transformation "Through the story of his discovery of and immersion in the practice of Stability, Nathan Oates thoughtfully addresses consumerism in the American church. Rather than spend pages critiquing patterns of church-hopping and the culture that created it, Nathan digs deep into both ancient and contemporary monastic disciplines, their historical benefits, and methods for committing to community and place. This is much-needed perspective gives readers a glimpse into how ancient practices can be implemented in their communities today. As Christian sentimentalism and consumerism fail to appeal to many Millennial and Gen Z churchgoers, Stability offers them an authentic and proven alternative in restoring Shalom with God and community." -- Kevin Marshall, Entrepreneur, FinTech Executive, Co-founder of Clear Capital "Twenty years a Religious and on the cusp of my seventh assignment, I discovered in Nathan's book a fresh lens through which I can consider the role of stability for a vowed life consecrated to God and marked by missionary zeal. Nathan's work has helped me understand that for those of us whose tradition does not include a vow of stability, the stability of the heart is vital. This book is a practical guide that shows us what stability 'looks like' and 'sounds like' in the life of a missionary and how to embrace the 'stability' that teaches one how to move." -- Sr. Maximilian Marie Garretson, O.P. Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Ann Arbor, MI "Tucked away in Lincoln, California is a brilliant, wise, prophetic leader who sees differently, speaks authentically, and shepherds humbly. He has the gift of bringing the ancient to life today. He is one of my most valued guides. As someone who has been at the same place for 35 years, I've experienced the challenges and benefits of staying...on our ministry, on my family, on my growth. I highly urge your consideration of this amazing text that will challenge you to be fully present and fully invested where you are...for the long haul." -- Dr. Rob Ribbe, Executive Director, HoneyRock, Outdoor Center for Leadership Development and Assistant Professor, School of Mission, Ministry and Leadership at Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL "So much of what we hope and pray for isn't impossible, but depends on people and communities that have established roots of love and can bear fruit in due season. I'm so grateful for a pastor like Nathan Oates who sees the practice of stability as essential not only for his own well being, but for the life of beloved communities that can be good news for the world." -- Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, author of The Wisdom of Stability "I am both challenged and comforted by Nathan's new book. He offers us an in-depth exploration of the meaning and application of two facets of everyday life - stability and movement using the Rule of St. Benedict and his own life as the vehicle. The exploration is like rotating a diamond and viewing the beautiful facets of one awesome reality - the paradoxical interplay of stability and movement (properly understood and embraced) central to the nature of the Kingdom of God in our everyday life. The treatment of this elegant reality is not just another theoretical presentation but one that offers, an invitation, promise, and mandate from the Lord to the reader to be transformed into the likeness of Christ and serve as light and leaven to a world in desperate need for illumination and transformation it offers." -- Fr. Tom Brindley, Spiritual Director, Upward Call Ministries

Nathan Oates writes, speaks, and serves as lead pastor of Emmaus Church Community, which he started with a few friends in 2004. For more than a decade, he has been captivated by the Rule of St. Benedict, focusing on how the Benedictine vow of stability can restore the North American church. Nathan holds a masters degree in spiritual formation from Wheaton College. He lives in Northern California with his wife Carmen, his three kids, and a dog named True. Visit Nathan at nathanoates.com and emmaus.church.
 
Nathan Oates writes, speaks, and serves as lead pastor of Emmaus Church Community, which he started with a few friends in 2004. For more than a decade, he has been captivated by the Rule of St. Benedict, focusing on how the Benedictine vow of stability can restore the North American church. Nathan holds a masters degree in spiritual formation from Wheaton College. He lives in Northern California with his wife Carmen, his three kids, and a dog named True. Visit Nathan at nathanoates.com and emmaus.church.

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


Shipping Cost


We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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