Purpose

How can I tell if my group is making any difference - am I achieving anything other than another small group people should be part of in their own church? Is your CWG simply another small group for Christians to meet together OR a church activity done at work? What is it’s purpose?

Adrian Holloway Borough Hall Christian Fellowship
Representing God’s Kingdom in the workplace. Being a Christian affects our behaviour – it affects the work we do. The job we do, what we’re paid to do, is actually helping establish God’s Kingdom on earth. People in the council are already doing God’s work - working for Social Services supporting people - is that God’s heart? Yes! My job in transport for example - we’re custodians of the environment. Called to do work unto the Lord. So one of the aims of our CWG is to encourage our members to have this mindset at work.
You notice I’ve not mentioned outreach. In the early days we wanted to do some and did a bit. We ran special Easter events for example but no one came really. We now have a bigger vision of supporting the council’s values and through this we’ve been given more opportunities. We now regularly engage with Chief Officers. They ask us about the CWG, how’s it going. Others will ask why are you putting yourselves out to support the council. So we have opportunities to tell about God working through the group. And our profile has been raised throughout the council. We’re not hidden away as we once were but people know about us and respect us. People know what we stand for. Sometime in the future if we feel God telling us we might do a council alpha – we won’t rule it out.

Annette Davis Department of Health Christian Network Group
No we’re not another arm of the church. Our purpose as a workplace group is to bring God into the centre of our work, as on a Sunday He is the centre of our church, on a Monday to Friday He is the centre of our work.

Our purpose is to see Christians coming together in a real meaningful way.
To add value to our work by giving a Christian perspective in the department.
Our events and meetings are open to ALL staff so we have Christians and non-Christian attending our activities
You have to move away from the church mentality around small groups and holy huddles that are exclusive.
You need to address the needs of your department or workplace and the stresses within it. Ask God when you come together for solutions. Can you as a Christian group bring a positive stance or be the answer?
Appoint the right people in your group for different activities, i.e., Roger Staton, Chair of DH Christian Network Group, put our business case together – it’s a part of his role in DH. Use the gifts God has given the people he’s put in the group.
Support the organisation, the colleagues, employer
pray about the work
be good news!

Peter Davies BT Christian Network
Is BTCN a Holy Huddle existing for its-self? What is the purpose of BTCN? Holy Huddles are intra looking – supporting one another – which is good and we do encourage that. BUT BTCN is more than that. God has placed us in the workplace so we can discuss workplace issues and bring Christian values into the discussions formally through the network. We can influence business decisions, be a positive resource that impacts on the company. For example, diversity days – free bible give a ways, pray for people, put on workshops on stress - these are open to ALL employees