> Workplace & Professional Groups > Starting a workplace group:

How to start a workplace group

Step 0 – Is there already a group there? If we know about it, check the listing at Workplace & Professional Groups or Email us and ask. If the group is outside of Reading, then check the www.gg2w.org.uk website as well to see whether the group is listed there.

Step 1 – Find other Christians. This may be by word of mouth or it may be by noticing that they have a screensaver on their desktop computer saying “Jesus is Lord.” If you start a new job, you will need to tell others that you are a Christian in the first week, since if you wait any longer, it is likely that you will not tell them at all and it only gets harder the longer you wait. Was it clear in your CV for the post that you were a Christian? Once people know you are a Christian, why not ask them whether they know of any other Christians who work there, and talk to them about starting up a group?

Step 2 – Agree to meet once. Start off with a suggestion for a simple get together – may be just having lunch together and taking it from there.

Step 3 – Meet and decide what The Lord might just want you to do. Pray, think, talk about what His will might be for you.

Step 4 – Set up something – fix a time, place and format, seek permission (if applicable), advertise it, get on with it and don’t get despondent. If it is only two people meeting together for 15 minutes to pray once a fortnight, it is still bringing His Kingdom into that workplace in a way that cannot be achieved on your own – “when two or more meet in my name…” as Jesus said.

Step 5 – Consider subscribing to a Doctrinal Basis – this helps the group identify a common purpose and provides protection when the group is called to account by external parties – an example is below.

Step 6 – Advertise via Reading@Work and become listed on the Workplace & Professional Groups section.

Step 7 – Wonder what The Lord may want you to do for Outreach. At this time of year [the session was before Christmas], with Christmas approaching, there is plenty of opportunity to lead a carol service. Perhaps invite the “Chief Executive” or equivalent to give the reading, and so involve the whole workplace in the initiative. Consider the best ways to let others in the organisation know of events – had God placed a strategic sympathetic senior manager who can approve of such events? Or as a group, pray for one?

Step 8 – Grasp the nettle! When the Lord speaks to those involved, follow his will. Be open to different models – prayer triplets work for some larger groups. Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Sample Doctrinal Basis

One group has adopted the Doctrinal Basis below, being based upon that of The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity’s:

The following statement expresses the evangelical commitment of the [group]/[X] Christian Union. All [group]/[Christian Union] members are in full agreement with it. Visitors are not required to subscribe to it, but in attending [group]/[Christian Union] meetings, they are expressing their desire to learn within its doctrinal framework. The [group]/[Christian Union] is committed to the fundamental truths of historic, biblical Christianity including:

The existence of the one, eternal God, Creator and Lord of the universe who, in the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, both governs all things according to His will and is accomplishing His purposes in the world and in the Church.

The inspiration of Holy Scripture in its entirety by God’s Spirit through the human authors and its revelation of God’s truth to humanity. It is without error in all that it affirms, including its teaching about creation and history, its own origins and the way of salvation. Christians must therefore submit to its supreme authority, both individually and corporately, in every matter of belief and conduct.

The inherent value of all human beings, made by God in His own likeness, and their sinfulness and guilt since the Fall. This has rendered them subject to God’s wrath and condemnation which has resulted in their alienation from His life, suppression of His truth and hostility to His law.

Salvation from the guilt, penalty and all other consequences of sin solely through the work of Jesus Christ - His perfect obedience, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection and exaltation as Lord. He alone is truly God and truly man, the only mediator between God and man. There is salvation through no other person, creed, process, or power. Each sinner is justified before God and reconciled to Him only by His grace appropriated by faith alone.

The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit for the individual’s new birth and growth to maturity, and for the Church’s constant renewal in truth, wisdom, faith, holiness, love, power, and mission.

The one, holy, universal and apostolic church, which is the Body of Christ, and to which all true believers belong. The Church’s calling is to worship and serve God in the world, to proclaim and defend His truth, to exhibit His character, and to demonstrate the reality of His new order (his kingdom) by creative and sacrificial living, the community of love and the quest for righteousness and justice.

The personal and visible return in glory of the Lord Jesus Christ to raise the dead and bring salvation and judgement to final completion. God will fully establish His Kingdom when He creates a new heaven and a new earth from which evil and evildoers, suffering and death will be excluded and in which He will be glorified forever.

Top Tips for running Alpha in the Workplace

As well as the tips below, also check out the Alpha in the Workplace web site.

· get the best administrator you can! The success of the course is largely down to how well its run, as it is so constrained

· use the time before it starts to mobilise a network of Christians; it is they who will do the inviting - even if they can't come

· train them well (2 sessions) beforehand - there is no time to do it during the course

· a launch event is very helpful - for the wider network and the team; you can do Boring, Untrue etc

· prepare well for the first session - registering etc

· wherever possible keep those who work together in the same group - they will talk about Alpha a lot each week (this has been the greatest lesson learnt on one course); others have no opportunity like it

· keep RIGIDLY to the timetable; never wait for people to arrive

· allocate a good number of welcomers, who can double up as helpers or leaders if they don't show (work commitments will deplete about 1/3 of the course members at any one time; and it affects those leading as well)

· use tables; working people feel comfortable at them; they can slide in and sit down; so set up drinks, snacks, bibles and manuals on them in advance

· use the Express DVD first time

· don't even think about a week-end away; its too much to expect. Go for a Day Away at HTB or with another group - critical mass is everything - and expect resistance! But its worth it - this is the only time they will experience worship and a sense of Christian community; it may be the only church they will encounter on the course

· think about follow up now

· encourage leaders to take guests to church before the end of the course - this is the hard part

· the questionnaire at the end is extremely helpful

Reading@Work does not vouch for any of the resources listed.

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