The Oxford Group never completely disappeared as some seem to believe.
Many of its principles led to the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The name changed as its primary purpose evolved. Other organizations
and fellowships have spun off of it, each with its own purposes. The
Oxford Group principles are alive today in "Initiatives of Change" and
the "WorldSmart Leadership Program" and in the spin-off fellowship of
"Alcoholics Anonymous." Other names used recently but less frequently
today are "Moral Re-Armament" or "MRA" and "Up With Poeple." Here are
some of the names by which the work of Frank Buchman has been known
and still is known.

"Buchman Clubs" (1915)
Early work with seamen by Buchman and his teams led to the formation of
several Buchman Clubs on ships and in port cities.

"A First Century Christian Fellowship" (1922)
Frank Buchman described his fellowship as "first century Christianity."
He was bothered by the sterility of many organized religions in not
turning their messages into actions. This name never amounted to much
more than the name itself. It applied to a small group who gathered
around Buchman, but most didn't use this name for their society.

NOT "Buchmanism" (1926)
Those following Buchman's methods had an enthusiasm that was naturally
attractive. There were enough of them that it appeared to others that they
were attempting to take over a conference. The name "Buchmanism" sometines
was used by critics as a term of derision. It was intended to imply that
the work came from his ego.

"Oxford Group" (1928)
An evangelical movement developed and teams traveled the world spreading
their message. It was never associated with the University at Oxford,
England, but many students there were particulary active. One group was
traveling in South Africa in 1928 when a railway porter hung a sign saying
"Oxford Group" to identify their rail car. News reports of their activities
started using this name. Without much of a deliberate decision, it became
their name by default. They eventually, ten years later, took it as the
official legal name to make it possible to receive bequests as a non-profit
organization.

NOT "Oxford Movement" (1833-1845)
The similarity of the name to "The Oxford Movement" led to some confusion.
The Oxford Movement was an attempt around 1833 through 1845 by Anglican
priests at Oxford University to restore some Roman Catholic doctrins and
rituals to the Church of England. The Oxford Group avoided attaching the
term Movement to their name.

NOT "The Oxford Pledge" (1933)
The Oxford Debating Society of the Oxford Union was known for what was
called the "Oxford Pledge" or the "Oxford Oath" in which members of that
organization vowed "not to fight for King or country." This was seen as
pacifist and possibly Communist. The Oxford Group was not related to the
Oxford Debating Society but the confusion brought undeserved criticism
and suspicion.

"Alcoholics Anonymous" (1935 or 1939)
Both A.A. co-founders Bill W and Doctor Bob were active with the Oxford
Group before they met. Early A.A. was "The Alcoholic Squad" of the OG.
In 1939 it took on the name Alcoholics Anonymous from its book. A.A.
eventually went its own way and separated from the Oxford Group. While
some in both fellowships were bothered by the split, others welcomed it.
This happened about the time that public pressures and criticism against
the Oxford Group was leading to a name change for that fellowship.
The separation proved beneficial to both organizations.

"Moral Re-Armament" (1938)
"MRA" (1938)
There were critics who objected to Buchman's work and methods. Some of it
was by misunderstanding. Some of it was that his teams tended to sweep in
and gather up the willing "sinners" from under the noses of other Christian
organizations. Others objected to the freedom with which some included
details of their faults in telling their stories of having been changed.
The mission evolved from saving sick souls to saving a sick world. Some
at Oxford University objected to the use of the Oxford Group name. Frank
Buchman made some comments about Hitler that were taken out of context and
misinterpreted in the press and he was labeled as a Nazi-lover. In 1938,
with World War II on the horizon, the Oxford Group took on the name of
"Moral Re-Armament" or simply "MRA." As the west re-armed militarily in
preparation for the impending war, the Oxford Groupers said it would be
necessarily to re-arm morally to be able to work together for that cause.

"Up With People" (1965)
"WorldSmart Leadership Program" (2002)
The "Up With People" singing groups were a side development supported by MRA.
These teams of energetic wholsome young people started in 1965 to counteract
the negativity in the United States at that time. They carried a message of
love, tolerance, and understanding. Up With People recently evolved to
include the "WorldSmart Leadership Program" which provides international
opportunities for young people.

"Initiatives of Change" (2001)
"IofC" (2001)
In 2001, the name "Initiatives of Change" was adopted by what was left of MRA
to reflect the further evolution of MRA's purpose and methods. They believe
that changing personal lives leads to improved international understanding.

_____________________
En2joy! Tom En2ger