Comments on: Living Oasis: A new and exciting vision for your local Christian Bookshop

By: 2010 and the Christian Book Trade: A Year according to the Web Stats « The Christian Bookshops Blog

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:34:04 +0000

[...] 26/01/10 Living Oasis: A new and exciting vision for your local Christian Bookshop: 2101 [...]

By: Living Oasis: Nationwide rollout plans gather momentum « UKCBD: The Christian Bookshops Blog

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:32:08 +0000

[...] Plans announced 26/01/2010 to re-open as Living Oasis. Meeting with local church leaders scheduled for 12.30pm, Fri 26th Feb at St John’s Church [...]

By: Wesley Owen Rescue Continues « Christian Book Shop Talk

Wesley Owen Rescue Continues « Christian Book Shop Talk — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:03:43 +0000

[...] The new stores will open under the name Living Oasis. You can read the announcement at Everything Christian and continue to follow the story at The Christian Bookshops Blog in various posts, including this one. [...]

By: Phil Groom

Phil Groom — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:05:23 +0000

I think Canaan Christian Book Centre have got the right idea: More than just a business?

By: Carole B

Carole B — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:08:44 +0000

I heartily agree, Melanie – a sympathetic ear is one thing, but no to counselling unless trained and in the right place at the right time. I used to have a member of staff who was trained, but never felt the bookshop was the right place to exercise the skill.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:16:34 +0000

Matt,

No disrespect but how many people were actaully fully trained in counselling? listening is one thing – counselling is another.

If people are going to offer such things they do need to be trained and qualified.
That’s not to knock any of them or indeed any christian booksellers, because most have the same or similar skill sets on an ad hoc basis and also often aquired on the job – you know a bit like the barman/publican who everyone tells all their troubles to, well the same is true working in a christian bookshop as many feel we are approachable and see us akin to the vicar.
However it is something we do need to be clear on, if we are not fully qualified we should not undertake such things as we potentially put at risk both ourselves and the other person.

If we are booksellers we can be listeners and carers too, but if we are not trained counsellors we should not be counselling – there is a time and place for that and the shop floor is frequently not that place.

Hence why the idea should be, and as I hope it sounds like from LO, that fully qualified staff would be utilised in these differing aspects, and that’s what Arkle was suggesting.

Heck this bookseller is fully qualified in Life & Business Coaching, holds a certificate in Counselling and is trained in training amongst other things – however I don’t do any of that in the shop (though I might utilise some of those skills, especially with some more obstreperous customers and minions!). In the shop I am a bookseller and that’s how it should be I think.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:34:55 +0000

Hi Arkle

Arguably, a lot of the WO staff would see themselves as more than booksellers and so they should. They are skilled in a huge eclectic array of differing areas. The job entailed, counselling, knowledge of therapeutic practices, knowledge and understanding of oppression, a wide understanding and sympathy of varying denominations, good basic Bible knowledge, etc. etc.

…lots more than “that will be £9.99, please. Have a nice day!”

By: Arkle

Arkle — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:10:55 +0000

amazing -that’s the pattern thta some of us suggested to Scripture Union, before they sold out to Wesley Owen, all those years ago.
As well as bookshop staff there could have been a skilled group of SU staff supporting

By: Fat Roland

Fat Roland — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:26:26 +0000

This is brilliant news for the various Wesley Owen shops concerned. All the best for your shop, Pauline.

I hope the potential new owners are more forward thinking than the dated ‘Living Oasis’ name suggests.

By: davidj

davidj — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:06:56 +0000

Great news about Sutton.Well done Nationwide Christian Trust.. Will the helpful staff who know-and have built friendships with- the local people be kept on at the new venture? They have continued to work on bravely amongst all the recent uncertainty… especially over the busy Christmas and New Year. In addition, i assume staff who look after children at the new store will have CRB clearance?