Malyon Workplace

2015 Transforming Work Conference videos

TW Conference Banner 30Here are the?recordings of the 2015 Transforming Work Conference key note speakers:

Working theologically – what on earth am I here for? David Benson, Malyon College

All of life is for God?s glory. This includes the highs and lows of our mundane existence. This includes our everyday vocation. In the current rush to transform work, though, have we slipped into triumphalism and forgotten Christ? In this keynote address, Dave will unpack Jesus? mission in Luke 4 and 10. Centred in the kingdom of God, we are invited to join Jesus in working for shalom and salvation. This expansive theological frame is a safeguard and a springboard for all we do. In the big story of creation, fall, and redemption, we?discover what on earth we are here for. [Read more…] about 2015 Transforming Work Conference videos

God is at work – David Benson

05. God is at Work

Dave Benson?is founding director of Traverse, a PhD Candidate, and a lecturer at Malyon College.

If you were the Son of God?with thirty-three years to save the world?how would you invest your time? If it were me, I?d kick off with some spectacular show to draw attention, and then stick it to the guys in power to reclaim my kingdom. No dilly dallying, right? Out with the mundane, and in with the miraculous. If the ?good news? is simply that the Saviour paid for our sins on the cross, then I?d want to head straight to Jerusalem for the showdown, not get holed up in some sweat shop for half my life.

And this is precisely why Jesus? life is an enigma. His path meandered.

[Read more…] about God is at work – David Benson

Monday Matters – Interview with Mark Bilton by CPX

Work, in one form or another, takes up a large chunk of our lives. Does Christian faith have anything to say to our experiences of success and fulfilment – or of boredom and failure – at work?

Mark Bilton has been a CEO and director of several multinational companies, and has won awards for his work as a ?change catalyst?.?He is also the founder of Called to Business, an organisation that helps people think about the role of faith in the workplace, and the author of Monday Matters: Finding God in Your Workplace

Click here to see his interview with the Centre for Public Christianity. [Read more…] about Monday Matters – Interview with Mark Bilton by CPX

Taking Your Soul to Work ? Neighbour Love (Chapter 25)

Taking your soul to workNeighbour-love: Experiencing the ability to meet the needs of others and to contribute to their well-being

Neighbour love brings to a conclusion this trilogy of thoughts from Stevens and Ung. ?We’ve looked at the soul-sapping struggle of envy?and it’s corollary, the life giving fruit of the Spirit, kindness.

Now we turn to the outcome that characterises a life where kindness has overcome envy in the daily machinations of workplace life – neighbour-love.

Here’s a challenging question posed by the authors: “Wouldn’t it make a huge difference in my workplace if I made it my goal to find creative ways to love and bless my co-workers, bosses, and staff on a daily basis?” [Read more…] about Taking Your Soul to Work ? Neighbour Love (Chapter 25)

Taking Your Soul to Work ? Kindness: Putting others at ease (Chapter 16)

Taking your soul to workKindness ? Putting others at ease by rejoicing in their gifts and achievements

?”Envy (which we looked at in the last post) causes us to feel terrible when someone else is happy; kindness causes us to rejoice at the achievements of others. ?Envy seeks to pull people down; kindness builds people up,” (p.107)

As a Christ-follower, our desire and motivation to demonstrate kindness in the workplace must be rooted in the Gospel. ?Kindness cannot be legislated or commanded. ?Authentic kindness comes as a result of understanding and appreciating the kindness that God has shown to us in Jesus: ?“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:2)

What might kindness look like in the workplace? ?Here’s some suggestions from Stevens and Ung:

  • Changed attitudes: Taking the initiative in demonstrating kindness rather than waiting for others to take the first step; listening attentively and being sensitive to unspoken needs; actively and intentionally practicing ‘random acts of kindness’; celebrating the achievements, big or small, of fellow workers rather than looking for recognition of our own endeavours. ? [Read more…] about Taking Your Soul to Work ? Kindness: Putting others at ease (Chapter 16)

Taking Your Soul to Work ? Envy: the pain of another’s advancement (Chapter 7)

Taking your soul to workEnvy – feeling pain at someone else’s advancement and possessions

Where does envy hit you in the workplace?

  • Someone else gets a promotion you were after (or perhaps even a position you did not even apply for!)
  • A colleague is applauded for work on a project and your contribution was not noticed or recognised
  • You feel that you have been treated unfairly compared to how another person in your workplace has been looked after
  • A workmate gets allocated a better office, desk, stapler, bonus, stapler …

I think I have been guilty of all of those and could easily add a few more. ?The Apostle James makes this observation:?‘For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there your find disorder and every evil practice.’ (3:16, NIV)

Envy is worse than anger according to Proverbs: ‘We’re blasted by anger and swamped by rage, but who can survive jealousy.’ (27:4, The Message). [Read more…] about Taking Your Soul to Work ? Envy: the pain of another’s advancement (Chapter 7)