Transforming Work
£15.00 (Approx)
4.8Get the resource >
Overview
What does it say on the tin?
Whatever your job . . . discover a richer way of working. Transforming Work is an innovative, liberating multi-media resource for Christians in the workplace offering a distinctive blend of ingredients. It brings together a group of like-hearted people for eight sessions over a year, creating space between gatherings to reflect, to try things out and to pray . . . and leaving time for seeds to grow, discoveries to be made, change to happen and for God to do what only he can do.
Transforming Work’s unique journey combines teaching on vital workplace issues with video stories, learning to read the Bible through workers’ eyes, developing skills, prayer, lively conversation, and invariably, a big helping of good humour.
There’s also an accompanying app packed with all the material participants need to prepare for sessions, go deeper, explore wider and grow as confident, fruitful disciples on the frontline of work.
This leader’s pack includes everything you need to start and run a group that has the potential to have an enormous long-term impact on participants and on the people and organisations they work for.
What do you get?
Ring-bound A4 leader’s workbook, DVD, app for Android and iOS. 8 sessions:
- Why Does Work Matter?
- How Can I Do Good Work?
- How Can I Flourish at Work?
- How Can I Influence the Culture of my Workplace?
- How Can I Improve Relationship at Work?
- How Can I Share my Faith at Work?
- How Can I Tackle Workplace Issues with Biblical Principles?
- How Can I Remain Fruitful Over the Long-Term?
The sessions are designed to be spread out over a year. Each session contains around two-and-a-half hours’ material. The app contains substantial between-session material for the participants. Publicity included.
Who is it for?
Adult, growing Christians primarily though could be used with new Christians too.
Review
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What is the overall quality of material presentation?
Excellent, classy production of book, DVD and app. Professional look and feel. Fabulous stuff. Hugely enjoyable.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
Rationale plus session objectives and materials needed are clearly spelled out in every session. Promo DVD explains the course, and leader's videos on the DVD go into more detail about the rationale.
How accessible are the leader's notes?
Great leader's pack with clear communication of overall vision. Separate section for leaders, linked with same on the DVD, to guide in preparation. Leaders are envisioned as ‘accompanists' for the course rather than experts on all subjects. Beautifully laid out material throughout, with colour coding and icons to guide through each section of each session. Inspiring video content for setting the tone of the course. Varied sections of each session are introduced via a video clip. Each session comprises Welcome and review, feedback, core content (DVD clip introduction), Bible through workers' eyes, prayer and information re the next session. Handouts included for some sessions, such as ‘How are you doing at work?' with helpful targeted questions. These are repeated in the app material, where they can be filled in on-screen.
Who could lead it?
Given that the leader is expected to be an ‘accompanist' rather than an expert on all things to do with work, nor indeed the theology of work, then anyone with the enthusiasm for the subject plus relevant organisational skills would be fine. Two people facilitating would be even better. Everything really is provided.
How helpful are the participants' resources?
Available on the app and via site. Very good, extensive and very different to usual participant resources. Lots to read and engage with. Video clips of people stories, readings and reflections, podcasts and actions. Targeted questions which can be filled in on-screen. Optional relevant further reading. Suggested between-session time to take is up to 2 hours, but it could easily need longer. Great to have this interactive material between the meeting times. Very well done and would appeal to those who are used to things being done to a high standard. Includes articles which encourage thinking through the issues of work from a theological point of view.
How good is any digital material?
The DVD has a plethora of videos, all of which are well shot. The table talk clips are lively and interesting, considering that they consist of 5 people sitting around a table, talking; the people stories are brought to life with a variety of camera angles; some clips are set on location. Inspiring, professional and friendly, introducing stories which cover a wide range of situations and severity. Excellent material.
How much prep will I have to do?
Familiarisation with the course, and deciding how and for whom to use it, will take a considerable amount of time, as there is much to explore. The material suggests that leaders will do around two hours of preparation between each session. I would guess that it would take longer to make the most of it. There is plenty of further reading suggested, if you want to delve into that as well. Enjoy!
Is there website support? Links?
Leaders' material on the website continues the professional atmosphere of the resource. Downloadable publicity and session material. Material available for participants who do not have access to the app.
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
Very well, both in the session and between sessions. Lots of discussion, modelled by the table talk video clips.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
The sessions are a great mix of watching, listening, discussing and working through some handouts; it feels very professional yet still friendly. Emphasis on ‘co-learning' together. Some simple visual aids. The app extends the learning with videos, readings and Bible studies.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
This resource is clearly designed for adult Christians in the workplace, at any stage, but it could be used with new Christians too, with some careful choosing of material. It may not be adaptable across the work spectrum, as it assumes the ability to sit and listen in groups, and talk, and work through sheets of material in a fairly middle-class way. Plenty of reading to do. High standard of production.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
A specific strength of this resource, in encouraging participants to work through the issues together in the session, in large and small groupings, and support each other between sessions, both prayerfully and socially where possible. All the material is directed towards thinking things through and applying it personally. The app extends the learning with videos, readings and Bible studies.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
Bible study section in every session, and Bible-based section in between-session app material.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
Session 1 includes a DVD clip with Mark Greene explaining the principle of ‘allowing God's word to shape our responses to the opportunities and challenges we face at work . . .' For the rest of the course, relevant biblical material is followed by thought-provoking questions which should inspire discussion without being prescriptive. App includes a Bible-based podcast with some background and a thought-provoking talk which explores examples of work, and approaches to work, in the biblical text.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
All material well linked in to the subject, on the basis that work is integral to the overall story of the Bible, as well as to specific passages. Each session has a substantial article which works through the topic from a theological point of view.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
Evangelical.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
While focused on work, this resource includes a wide understanding of discipleship within that context. The 6M structure, a model from previous LICC material, is put to work again here to explore the potential for living as a disciple at work: ‘modelled godly character/made good work/ministered grace and love/made culture/been a mouthpiece for truth and justice/been a messenger of the Gospel.'
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
This resource is stashed with inspiration and practical tools to help faith to grow. People stories are there to inspire and the tools include an introduction to the Examen for example. Handouts encourage true engagement with the issues from each individual's point of view. The prayer time is also well linked in to the topic.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
Brilliant – again, people stories encourage a variety of possibilities for integrating faith and work life, and practical suggestions link with group accountability to enable a journey of discovery. The app builds on the session material with video clips and readings.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
The resource has been road tested in various churches, and this shows in the relevance of the material throughout. Realistic about the challenges and potential of a – mostly – professional working life.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
The whole course has modelling Christ while at work as a specific goal. One session is specifically devoted to creative and appropriate ways of expressing one's faith at work and through work, and through attitudes to work. The 6Ms explore specific ‘lenses' through which to engage with this important issue. These encompass the whole of one's working life, one way or another. Very practical and holistic. Invitation via the app to Pray4Life, a 40 day help for praying for work colleagues.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
The vision for this course is to properly and thoughtfully engage with one's life at work; and properly and thoughtfully engage with whatever community it comprises.
How well does it connect with global issues?
Environmental concerns, based on care for the world that God made, pop up in various contexts. Wrestling with the big moral questions and global concerns where relevant, is thoroughly explored.
How well does it encourage global mission?
Focused on sharing faith at the workplace, and living in an holistic Christian way, so implicit rather than explicit.