A Christian company doing good work in The Philippines

A chaotic slum was transformed to a safe haven

A chaotic slum was transformed to a safe haven

I just found out about this amazing Christian organisation based in The Philippines. They have an inspiring vision, and mission and their values are hugely challenging.

OUR MISSION

Ending poverty for 5 million families by 2024.

OUR VISION

Gawad Kalinga is building a nation empowered by people with faith and patriotism; a nation made up of caring and sharing communities, dedicated to eradicate poverty and restore human dignity.

OUR VALUES

Padugo, Tataya Ako

*I commit to bleed for the mission. 

Una sa Serbisyo, Huli sa Benepisyo

*I commit to serve rather than to be served. 

Para sa Diyos at Para sa Bayan

*I commit to love God and my country.

Bayanihan

*I commit to challenge the impossible in solidarity with others. 

Walang Iwanan

*I commit to leave no one behind.

British PM says Christians should be open about their faith at work

Theresa May was launching a report by the Evangelical Alliance and the Lawyers Christian Fellowship when she commented that Christians should not fear speaking out in work and public spaces. Here are a couple of quotes from the article:

The report warns that society is forgetting "that its many freedoms derive from centuries of applying the Bible to public life".

It says: "Although these liberties have been hard-won, however, they can also be easily lost. If not attended to, they will wither away.

"Like a muscle, without exercise they will atrophy. The Bible tells us that we grow as we give, and the truth about our gospel freedoms is that ‘if we don’t use them we’ll lose them’.

"The lost need the gospel, so we need to be intentional about sharing it.

"We hope that this resource will inform followers of Christ about the freedoms we have to do this, and encourage confident and fruitful evangelism in every area of public life. Freedom, in every sense of the word, depends on it. So let’s speak up."

What Are You Called to Do? A Theology of Work

This is a great series of articles by Bob Thune on a practical theology of work. There is some deep wisdom and encouragement here.
What Are You Called to Do? A Theology of Work

Here is one of my favourite quotes: "It’s important that we see both the goodness of work in God’s original creation and the struggle of work under the Fall. If we only see the good, we’ll be frustrated when things don’t go as they should. If we only see the bad, we’ll have a hard time doing our work to the glory of God. Work is not all good, and it’s not all bad. It is part of God’s good creation, which has been tainted by the Fall. And God is at work to redeem work."

Is the gap between pulpit and pew narrowing?

Interesting longitudinal research from the US about the growing embrace of work theology by pastors, leading to increased numbers of pastors preaching on faith and work. The latest study was completed in 2014.
However, those in the pews still may not be getting the message about the importance of their work:
"The research revealed that 70 percent of Christians do not see how their work serves God’s purposes, and 78 percent see their work as less important than the work of a pastor or priest."

Is the Gap Between Pulpit & Pew Narrowing? Read the Latest Research

Programs & Funding for Women

Last chance to apply for The Hub 2017, located in Sydney.
The Hub is a program I mentor for ADM.

If you have an idea, a business, an art project, a ministry... then I would love to work with you in 2017 to shape and grow it, with God's help.

Applications close on 28th November.

The commitment is a 90-minute group time each week; 3 day-long intensives; and some one-on-one mentoring.
You will meet women entrepreneurs, as well as experts in business design, fundraising, marketing, legal requirements, and strategy.
You will also have access to a working space and meeting rooms, 5 days a week, in the CBD.
You will have the opportunity to pitch at ADM's annual funding event in September.

http://www.deaconessministries.org.au/public-engagement/

When you click on the link, scroll down for the online application form.

Myths about faith and your working

Here is a piece I wrote for The New Zealand Christian Network on the myths of faith and work:

The myths of faith and work...

  1. Work is cursed
  2. God doesn't care about my 'secular' work
  3. The only way I can be a Christian at work is to evangelise my workmates
  4. If I am a serious Christian I should leave my job

The truth is...

  1. Your work is good
  2. You can worship God through your work
  3. You can work with Jesus to redeem your workplace

Being Christian makes a tangible difference to your working

This article refers to a study funded by Reventure and conducted by the well-respected Barna Group. Being a Christian makes a demonstrable difference in your working. This article captures some of the distinctives.

See the full article here.

Christian Workers Less Stressed & More Satisfied, Study Shows
By Clare Chate

Christians are more likely to enjoy their jobs and have greater work satisfaction than colleagues without faith.

That’s the finding of a new study by Reventure, a Christian-based organisation promoting a healthier work life.

The ‘2016 Snapshot of Australian Workplaces’ study explores workplace issues like job satisfaction, technology, productivity, and health.

Out of the 1000 people interviewed for the study, 300 were Christians, giving researchers the chance to look at how faith affects people in the workplace.

Lead researcher Dr Lindsay McMillan told Hope 103.2 that more than half of the Christians surveyed were satisfied with their jobs—compared to only 44 percent of the overall research group.

And 63 percent of the Christians enjoyed going to work every day, compared to only 53 percent of the general population of workers.

 

JustWork

Here is an initiative of Grandview Baptist Church in Canada. Three social enterprises seeking to celebrate the good of work. Their mission and values:

What we aim to be...
We aspire to be a part of a healthy community where people are meaningfully and gainfully employed and where business practices embrace an ethical, social mandate.

What we're up to...
JustWork fosters dignified, gainful work opportunities for people facing multiple barriers to employment.

The Myth of the Work/Life Balance

Here is another piece on work/life balance, this time from Relevant Magazine, a great source of Christian thinking for Millennials. "Balance is a myth because work-life balance, and all of it’s assumed benefits, isn’t actually about balance. It’s about rhythm. And the natural rhythm of our life is something we, of the 21st century, traded away a long time ago."

The Myth of the Work/Life Balance - why finding a healthy schedule isn't really about "balance" at all

Finding your vocation

I find this image a really useful summary of the core of our vocation. Our sense of vocation is made up of our gifts and skills (good at it), experiences (paid for it), passions (love it) and where we see a need. As I start a Purpose Discovery course tomorrow night I am also convicted that this calling hits its sweet spot when who we are aligns with what God is doing in the world.

A Better Way to Live

A Better Way to Live: 52 Studies in Proverbs and Psalms

I was really privileged to have a small involvement in this book finding its way to print.
This is the endorsement from faith & work legend Mark Greene:

‘Whoosh. Energetic, refreshing, rich in wisdom and compelling in application, Graham Hooper’s book displays a joyous ability to zoom into the heart of a proverb or psalm, zoom out to connect it to the wider witness of the Bible, and then pan across the centuries to our twenty-first century context and explore its implications for discipleship and mission with acuity and compassion, historic and contemporary examples, and his own wide-ranging life experience. Enjoy.’ - Mark Greene, Executive Director, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity

Discover your purpose with ADM!

I am running this course on Thursday nights in November. Come into the city and join me.

Discover your Purpose with ADM! (Anglican Deaconess Ministries)

Thursdays in November
7:30-9:15pm

ADM is excited to offer Seed's Purpose Discovery Course, which provides a foundation for people learning to live a life aligned with God's purposes, enabling them to become agents for change in the workplaces, communities and cultures where God has placed them.

The course is for anyone who:
- Wants to discover God’s purposes for the world and how their own purpose and calling fit with God’s purposes.
- Is at a transition point in life and is looking for guidance about what to do in the next phase of life
- Wants to develop greater meaning in what they do
- Wants to learn to connect what they do with their faith

Participants will:
- Develop a clearer understanding of their God-given purpose and meaning
- Identify parts of their lives that are aligned or not aligned with their purpose
- Begin to see how they can be effective instruments for change where God has placed them
- Develop an action plan to help them better align their various roles and tasks with their purpose

Each course uses Seed's specially developed Purpose Storyboard which helps you reflect on the things that have shaped you in the past, your desires for the future, your particular gifts, skills and passions and the communities/cultures that you serve.

When:
Thursday evenings in November (3, 10, 17, 24) from 7.30–9.15pm

Where:
ADM offices, Level 1, St Andrew's House, Town Hall

Cost: 
$65 for students, $95 for workers (with subsidy from ADM)

RSVP:
Monday, 31st October to: info@deaconessministries.org.au

http://www.seed.org.au/purpose-discovery/