December
Social Networking Security
Last month we announced OSCAR's latest venture into Web 2.0 with the launch of an OSCAR group on social networking site 'Facebook'. Our first topic up for discussion in this group has been security, and rightly so. Several mission workers have responded, either through Facebook or by email, with their own views on the security and privacy implications of having a profile on social networking websites. Some of these have been very sceptical of any involvement, whilst others have proceeded with caution and a carefully thought through strategy. We've also discovered during the month that many mission organisations are considering the implications of being involved in these online communities for their overall ministry or individual staff (at home or overseas). If you have your own thoughts or experience, please let us know so we can put together some best practice hints and tips for other mission workers thinking about joining in.
Visit the OSCAR Facebook group at www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/facebook.htm
or email us at
Jesus in my Language
Want to give the good news of Jesus to someone you know in their heart language? 'Jesus in my language' has been created as part of the Vision 2025 initiative by Wycliffe Bible Translators. This site aims to help people to find out more about Jesus by freely providing a selection of passages from the Bible about him in the language of the heart. The quotes from the Bible used on the website all come from the Gospel of Mark. Initially 70 languages have been loaded and more will appear each month. It is hoped that this will build to the 2400+ languages that have at least some of God’s Word in their language.For more info, go to www.jesusinmylanguage.org
Make someone happy ... call them at Christmas
We rely so much on email these days that we sometimes forget the importance of hearing a familiar voice. Making a simple phone call to someone across the other side of the world could make a huge difference to their Christmas ... and it doesn't need to cost you the earth. OSCAR's 'telephone' pages give a comprehensive overview of all the ways that you can 'talk across the miles' at a fraction of the cost traditionally associated with international phone calls (or sometimes FREE!).
For calling to the UK, go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/communications/telephone.htm
For calling from the UK, go to www.oscar.org.uk/supporter/communications/telephone.htm
The Juniper Tree
In our guest article this month, John R. Davis, Chairman of The Juniper Tree Charitable Foundation, reminds us of the importance of having a place where mission workers can rest and recuperate. John voices his concern that ministries providing this kind of support service don't have the same profile as other mission agencies and often struggle for resources. He relates this to his own involvement in such a ministry in Thailand.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/davis.htm
Promoting Mission in Church
A new professional development programme for those who represent mission in churches is being launched by Global Connections entitled 'Being the Best'. If you're beginning, or are already in, a role where you will be hosting or leading meetings and events about world mission in a church context, this course is designed to equip you for the task and inspire you to 'be the best' advocate for mission that you can be. Courses are happening in 4 locations across the UK and the first sessions start in February.
For more info, see www.globalconnections.co.uk/events/reps/Being+the+Best.htm
November
Saving the Planet
There are so many opportunities now whereby we can 'do our bit' to save the planet ... buy long life light bulbs, cycle to work, insulate your loft ... but what does this mean for those individuals and organisations engaged in mission? Our guest writer this month, environmental consultant Simon Penney, explores this theme and invites us to participate in some research to determine how 'green' our mission really is.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/penney.htm
OSCAR on Facebook
Social networking is the new craze sweeping the Internet. There is now an OSCAR group on Facebook, one of the most popular social networking facilities. Those of you who already belong to Facebook are welcome to join. If you've not experienced this new online phenomenon, why not take this opportunity to sign up and explore with us the opportunities for mission that this fast growing network presents.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/facebook.htm
Jesus Says Go
Have you ever thought 'wouldn't it be great to have a Lonely Planet Guide for mission'? Well, Darrell Jackson, the writer of our book review for this month, believes he might have found it. This book entitled 'Jesus Says Go' by Robin Wells is a book for anyone exploring the possibility of going on mission, short or long term ... but as Darrell says, it's also a useful guide through the whole experience of 'going'.
To read the review, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/messageboard/jsg.htm
In the Eye of the Storm
This is the title of this year's Global Connections conference happening in Swanwick at the end of November. The conference aims to tackle some of the tricky issues that mission organisations and mission minded churches face today. Main sessions look at: working under pressure, the challenge of fundamentalism and speaking out about injustice. Other sessions cover such issues as: women in mission leadership, mission workers to the UK, developing young leaders and understanding post-Christendom. It should be a challenging and motivating conference for all who attend.
For more info, see www.globalconnections.co.uk/eyeofthestorm
Christmas Shopping Online
If you're one of those people who loathe wrestling with the crowds of Christmas shoppers to get your cards and presents ... we have the perfect solution for you! Once again this year OSCAR has put together a Christmas page to help you find cards, gifts and alternative gifts that benefit mission. What's more, these can all be obtained without risking life and limb in the shopping mall.
For more info, go to www.oscar.org.uk/christmas
October
Christian Education
This month we're looking at the key issues mission workers face when choosing a school for their children. Our guest article written by Richard Backhouse, Principal of Monkton Combe School, helps us to understand why an education in a Christian environment is so important and gives us an idea of the right sort of questions we should be asking any prospective school.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/backhouse.htm
School Choice
Earlier this year we conducted a survey of independent Christian schools in the UK to find out which ones are open to receiving children of mission workers and which ones provide some form of bursary for those involved in full-time mission or Christian work. The results of this are now posted on our childrens' education page. This, along with our list of mission schools around the world and our list of resources for home education, provides a wonderful starting point for anyone in mission work facing choices about their childrens' education.
For more info, go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/children/education.htm
Disaster Diary
What do you do if you suddenly find yourself in a disaster situation and have little experience of how to cope? A 6 month trial is currently underway for a new resource designed to help those working in such situations. The 'All In Diary' is a practical tool for field-based humanitarian workers and aims to improve the quality of emergency relief operations. If you would like to be involved in the trial, or would like more details please contact them via their website.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/crisis
Christian and Mission News
One of the unique sections on the OSCAR website is the news section. National and international press services often report from a purely secular viewpoint, so it's good to have the Christian perspective on events and see how the Church, Christian organisations and Christian community are involved and responding. This section includes a list of Christian news sources, some of which, like the fast growing UK based 'Christian Today' service, provide specifically mission focused news.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/newsevents/news.htm
Sponsored Events
One popular way of raising money for any good cause is to do a sponsored event. One of the hardest things about sponsored events is collecting the money. Bmycharity is a service that can help with this. They provide an online service to publicise your event, link to your favourite charity and collect the sponsor money. They even reward fundraisers and donors with a £1 gift voucher for every £100 they raise or donate. How about a sponsored surf for OSCAR (no surf board necessary)?
For more info, go to www.bmycharity.com/oscar
September
Cross-cultural Beatitudes
Our guest writer this month is Janene Buckley-Ala of 'Eagles Rest'. Janene gives us an insight into the challenges and blessings of setting up a ministry for local people in a cross-cultural situation. All readers in cross-cultural situations will, no doubt, be able to echo many of the lessons learnt, but this is essential reading for anyone trying to establish partnerships with local churches and Christians.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/buckleyala.htm
Cars for Homeleave
With the closing of Ichthus Motor Mission, where does that leave all you mission workers who need a car next time you're in the UK? OSCAR has some suggestions. If you are looking to hire a car long-term (i.e. over 3 months), try 'Trust Vehicle Services' buy-back scheme. If it's just short-term hire you want (i.e. a few weeks) then we can suggest a few rental services that provide a much better rate than the mainstream car rental companies. If you just need a car occassionally, check out the growing number of car clubs and car sharing schemes across the UK.
For more info, go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/comingtouk/travel.htm
Mobile Roaming
Using your mobile phone outside the UK has traditionally been very costly. Within Europe a new Eurotariff has now been launched which sets limits on the prices mobile operators can charge for mobile calls made or received while abroad within the EU. By the end of this month all mobile phone operators in the UK will be switching their customers over to this new Eurotariff by default. For those travelling outside the EU, there are other solutions that you might like to consider to avoid that nasty shock when your first phone bill arrives.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/communications/telephone.htm#roaming
NHS Treatment for Mission Workers
You might remember the good news earlier this year that National Health Service treatment is now free for mission workers. The trouble is, not everyone realises this ... including some who work within the NHS. One mission organisation has kindly sent us a copy of a letter they have drafted to send to all their staff when seeking treatment back in the UK. We have adjusted this so that it can be adapted for any mission worker seeking treatment. Download, modify and print a copy and keep it with you for your next routine or 'unexpected' use of NHS facilities.
To download a copy, go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/health/nhsexempt.doc
eBay for OSCAR
Do you buy or sell on eBay? If so, do you know about eBay for Charity? If you nominate a charity to receive a 'cut' of your final price (from 10% to 100%), it often means more bids due to the unique listing privileges and the special blue and yellow ribbon that signifies a donation is being made to a charity. OSCAR has signed up to the scheme so you can select OSCAR as your charity and help us to help you. Try it and see if it helps your eBay selling success!
For more info, go to http://pages.ebay.co.uk/community/charity
August
Read a Good Book Lately?
This month we're hooking up with Encounters Mission Ezine to feature some recommended books for summer reading. Various key figures in the mission community highlight their favourite books related to mission. If you're stuck for something worthwhile to read or need to stretch those missiological brain cells, take a leaf out of the experts' book and try one of these.
To read this feature, go to www.redcliffe.org/encounters
Church on the Oceans
This month's book review features 'Church on the Oceans' by Martin Otto. This book highlights the challenge of reaching out to the 1.3 million seafarers who work away from home for months or years at a time. The book's bold vision is to see a lively and thriving church on every seafaring vessel, and explores the challenges involved in this unique and little publicised mission field.
To read the review, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/messageboard/coto.htm
OSCAR Mobile
The observant ones amongst you will have noticed a little change to the footer on every OSCAR web page. An option called 'OSCAR Mobile' now enables you to select a slimmed down version of the website, suitable for small screens like PDAs or mobile phones. This is provided by a service called 'Skweezer', a facility that you can use for any website. It also reduces the file size of web pages, which makes it a useful facility for those with slow or costly Internet connections.
To see what it looks like, go to OSCAR Mobile
AirTroductions
Wouldn't it be great if you could choose the person you sit next to on a plane? Perhaps you'd like to meet someone from a certain country or culture, or maybe you'd like to sit next to another Christian for mutual encouragement. You might even use this for strategic evangelism! AirTroductions is a unique facility that lets you choose your seat-mate before you get on the plane!
For more info, see www.airtroductions.com
Your OSCAR
We are constantly on the lookout for good articles, features and resources to highlight on the OSCAR website ... and we know that so many of our users have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with others. Why don't you help us to make this a better resource? If you have a mission related topic you'd like to write about, why not submit an article for OSCAR? If you know about something or have produced something that you think other mission workers or supporters would appreciate hearing about, why not send it to us and we will do our best to feature it? Maybe you have a favourite section of the website that you'd like to help us keep up to date? The more ... the merrier. Just get in touch.
July
Mid-Life Mission
Why is it that most people are either young or retired when they go into mission work? What about those in between? This month's article focuses on the subject of getting involved in mission during those mid-life years, exploring the challenges and opportunities for those in this age group.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/mlm.htm
Burn Up or Splash Down
Our first of two book reviews this month focuses on Marion Knell's new book. Subtitled 'Surviving the culture shock of re-entry', it's a must read for anyone coming back from cross-cultural mission work or for those whose responsibility is to care for such folk.
To read the review, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/messageboard/busd.htm
Finding Strength for the Journey
This second review looks at a book designed to resource and encourage mission workers on the field. It's a series of 30 bible studies exploring the theme of perseverance but also touches on some of the big pastoral issues many mission workers face during their time of service.
To read the review, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/messageboard/fsftj.htm
Individual Retreats
When was the last time you took a retreat on your own? If you've never done this, you're missing out on a real opportunity to rest and allow God to speak into your life. Some don't go it alone because they need the structure of something organised, and this is usually found on a group retreat. However, many of the retreat houses throughout the UK (and further afield) give the option for you to spend time in individual retreat at their facilities. Most of them also offer guidance for you if you require it.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/comingtouk/holidays.htm#retreat
Re:Source at New Wine
If you're attending the New Wine conferences in Shepton Mallet & Newark, drop into the Marketplace and say hi to OSCAR. Once again, we will be running the central mission advice and resources area called 'Re:Source'. For those of you not attending, please pray for the 25,000 or so delegates - many of whom will visit the marketplace and be challenged to get involved in different aspects of mission.
For more info, see www.new-wine.org
June
All Creatures Near and Far
Our guest writer for June, Kathryn Weston of the Veterinary Christian Fellowship, explores the opportunities for vets to get involved in mission. Such roles can combine both medical and environmental aspects, and present a wonderful opportunity for helping the world's poorest communities.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/weston.htm
Mamane's Journey
Mamane's Journey is a book that tells the story of a muslim youth growing up in West Africa and finding Christ. Our book review this month looks at how this book portrays the issues faced by many muslims when they are challenged by the gospel of Christ. It's a book not just for those who work amongst people like these, but maybe one that can be useful for other muslim youths to read.
To read the review, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/messageboard/mj.htm
Need a Bookstall?
Say you want a few key Christian books for your church bookstall or to take around your supporting churches whilst on furlough, or you want to buy several copies of the same book for your team ... where do you get them from? 10ofthose.com is an innovative service that allows you to buy Christian books in small numbers at bulk prices. They have several mission related books in stock but can also quote on other books should you want one that they don't stock.
For more info, see http://10ofthose.com
It's in the Bag
If you're travelling over the next few months and you don't know what the latest baggage allowance and security restrictions are, check out the BAA website before you pack just to make sure and save some hassle at the airport. You can search for this, and many other useful pieces of travel information, from within the BAA website. Check out their 'top travel tips'.
For more info, go to www.baa.com
OSCAR User Survey 2007
We're conducting an online survey of our users for 2007. It takes just two minutes to complete and will help us to continue to respond to your needs and improve our services to you. Please give us your feedback.
To take the survey, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/survey.htm
To see some of the results from last year's survey, see 2006 Survey Results
May
Childrens' Mission Motivators
This month we're returning to the topic of motivating children for mission. Recently, Rosie Scott from WEC contacted us to say that she's put together a list of resources on this theme. So this month we're featuring this list on OSCAR. It's a collection of Christian and secular Internet accessed resources for helping children (and teens) develop a global perspective or world wide mission understanding/interest. I'm sure, too, that Rosie would be happy to receive info about any other resources you know of. The list is in pdf format.
To download, go to www.oscar.org.uk/service/children/scott.pdf
Mission Guest Houses
There are many mission guest houses around the world - places where mission workers and travellers can stay for a modest fee. The problem is 'how do you find out about such places?' Ken MacHarg maintains a list and this is now available through OSCAR. All you need to do is send us an email explaining your mission credentials and we will email a copy of the list back to you.
For more info, go to www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/locations/logistics.htm
Setting up Community Health Programmes
We have reviewed another recently published 'all-new edition' book by Ted Lankester entitled 'Setting up Community Health Programmes'.. This is a fully updated version of this practical manual that has been widely used by individuals and organisations since it first came out in the early 1990s. It's primarily aimed at the field worker and the reviewer is a trained nurse just about to head out overseas and get involved in such work.
To read the review, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/messageboard/suchp.htm
Global Day of Prayer 2007
May 27th is 'Global Day of Prayer'. GDoP has grown over the last few years and now inspires prayer events all over the world. GDoP's mission is 'To call Christians from all Nations to unite in repentance and prayer, and work together as God’s servants for the blessing and healing of the Nations.' The actual day is preceeded by 10 days of prayer from Ascension to Pentecost. The World Prayer Centre in Birmingham is co-ordinating this initiative and its associated events for the UK. Take a look and see how you and your church can join millions around the world in this global opportunity.
For more info, see www.globaldayofprayer.co.uk
Time Out
This set of devotional studies for short-term teams by Tony Horsfall is exclusively available online through OSCAR. Those who have used them in previous years have raved about them. If you're leading or participating in a short-term mission this summer, these will help build your team and get the most out of the experience.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/timeout.htm
April
The Home Education Experience
Our guest article for this month looks at home education. Sue, our guest writer, tells us about her own experience of educating their two sons whilst overseas and also shares some things to consider for others thinking about home education.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/sue.htm
Free NHS Care for Overseas Aid Workers, part 2
We have a sequel to last month's article by Richard Kellow. Richard has done some further research and discovered that a law has been passed to give free NHS care to mission workers. If you want to know the detail, we've added Richard's findings under the original article.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/kellow.htm
The Traveller's Good Health Guide
There's an all-new edition of this book by Ted Lankester. The other two editions sold over 10,000 copies and this one looks to be even better in its content. But don't take our word for it ... Suzanne Berkeley and the team at OMS International have kindly reviewed the new book for us.
To read the review, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/messageboard/tghg.htm
Cheap Holidays & Accommodation
OSCAR has steadily built up a diverse list of options for accommodation or holidays in the UK and overseas. There are services like the newly launched 'Christian House Sitters' who offer a real home from home ... or holiday places that give special rates to mission workers ... we also have a list of mission guest houses around the world available online and by email. If you're looking for somewhere to stay, short or long term, make us your first port of call.
For holidays in the UK, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/comingtouk/holidays.htm
For housing in the UK, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/comingtouk/housing.htm
For accommodation around the world, see www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/locations/logistics.htm
Jobs Advertised at New Wine
For the third year in a row, OSCAR is involved in running the marketplace mission area at the New Wine summer Christian conferences (called 'Re:Source'). For two weeks at the Bath & West Showground in Shepton Mallett we provide mission information and advice to the 20,000 or so delegates who attend the conferences. Much of this is doing in a 'physical' way what OSCAR normally does 'virtually'! This year we're partnering with New Wine to provide a job opportunities board. Those organisations who have stands in the marketplace or who sign up to the Re:Source literature package get an allocation of 8 included job cards to put on the board. For those who advertise jobs on the OSCAR website, we can offer to put your individual vacancies on the New Wine jobs board for only an extra £10 per vacancy!
To advertise jobs with OSCAR and at New Wine,
see www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/vacancies/jobopportunities
To enquire about having a stand or literature at New Wine,
see www.new-wine.org/summer/The Marketplace.htm
March
OSCAR Enters the Blogosphere
This month sees the launch of a new dynamic section to the OSCARactive area of our website. Simply called 'Blogs', this section
pulls together all the individual blogs ('web logs' or 'online diaries') of those involved in world mission. This means that from
within the OSCAR website you can get an insight into the daily issues and thoughts of Christian workers all over the world as they
happen. The section also includes links to personal websites. Our hope is that this will help others to understand the reality of
mission, encourage them to pray and support those in various roles and inspire them to be active in mission themselves. If you have
a blog or a personal website, why not submit it for inclusion in this section? If you don't have a blog, read on ...
To visit 'Blogs', go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/blogs
Get Your Own Blog
This is your opportunity to set up your own blog and join the blog revolution. For many mission workers, blogs are replacing the
static website as they provide more opportunity for interaction and allow a 'little and often' news approach as opposed to the once
a quarter newsletter style. Setting up a blog is easier than setting up a regular website as there are some online facilities that
do most of the work for you. OSCAR has put together a list of some of the more popular blogging facilities on the Web.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/communications/internet.htm#blogging
Blogging Advice
Before starting a blog it's important for Christian workers to think about 'security' issues. Ask yourself this question: Will
publishing my details on the Web jeopardise the security of my ministry, my organisation's ministry or the lives of those with whom
I am associated? If the answer is 'yes', you might consider having an anonymous blog where you don't put anything online through
which you can be linked or traced to your individual situation.
Once you have set up your blog, what do you write? Blogging is a new and different form of online publishing and it's important to
think through the implications of personal publishing and use it in the right way. Here is some advice from Paul Morriss, Business
Systems Manager with Wycliffe and seasoned blogger:
1. Be yourself, don't be a mouthpiece for your organisation.
2. Be sensible, everything you say will be archived forever and available to everyone in the world.
3. Write regularly.
4. Link to others, even those you disagree with.
5. Be open and honest.
6. Respond to comments.
7. Read a few relevant blogs before you write, this is a new medium and not like anything else
Free NHS Care for Overseas Aid Workers
Most people from the UK who live or work abroad for a period of time soon find out about the problems with receiving free NHS
treatment. This month's guest writer, Richard Kellow, highlights the issue through his own personal experience and invites us to
join him in doing something about it.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/kellow.htm
Welcome to Britain
If you're visiting Britain for the first time, where can you get help and advice before you arrive? If you're a mission worker,
OSCAR provides some advice about various services available for Christian workers including housing, travel and holidays. There are
also a couple of good resources giving a brief overview of life in Britain. The first is a 'Guide to life in the UK' put together by
Friends International. The second is a webpage entitled 'Visiting Britain' produced by SOON Online Magazine.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/comingtouk
February
Are You My Grandma? - Observations from a TCK
What is it really like to grow up overseas and return to your parents home culture? This month's guest writer, Jo Clifford, helps us to understand a little of what it's like being a 'Third Culture Kid'. Jo heads up the Xenos ministry geared to supporting TCKs of all ages on home leave or permanent return to the UK and probably best known for their regular TCK weekend camps. Jo is a TCK herself having grown up in Africa.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/clifford.htm
Mission Resources To Go
OSCAR is a virtual resource and pretty much all of our information is in electronic form and accessible through this website. Folk often ask if they can have a 'hard copy', i.e. a printed directory or publication with the same kind of information. The only solution has been to print off web pages ... until now! This month we're launching a set of Mission Resource Sheets on various aspects of mission, based on popular sections of the OSCAR website. You can print these sheets yourself and use them to resource your staff, supporters or congregation ... or better still you can invite OSCAR to your mission event and we'll bring the whole resource stand, including the sheets, with us.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/about/mrstand.htm
Just the Job
Last year we advertised over 100 vacancies through OSCAR. We have been delighted to hear from those who have recruited successful candidates because of their vacancy listing on OSCAR. Here's what one person said: "I got an email at 1 pm the day you listed the job from a serious enquirer". If you are looking to recruit mission-minded people for your organisation, project or team, OSCAR is the place to advertise. If you're looking for that mission opportunity 'made in heaven' just for you ... make sure you check out our vacancies list.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/opportunity/vacancies/jobopportunities
Search Engine Ranking
If you search online for world mission info, opportunities, advice or resources ... you'll probably see OSCAR towards the top of the search returns list (try it on Google!). So how do we do it? Well, it's a little knowledge and a lot of work ... but now you have the chance to capitalise on our hard work! We're offering a Link Page to any organisation who signs up to our Mission & Service Organisation Packages or who Sponsor a section of the OSCAR website for 6 months or more. This Link Page will be purely for you and you can include whatever info you want. Crucially, though, it will be optimised for the search engines by OSCAR to give you a better online profile and, hopefully, a greater presence in those illusive top 10 search engine returns.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/about/linkpages.htm
Mission & Service Organisation Package
We've put together a package that includes a number of our additional services. For an annual fee your organisation can have a Link Page and a number of included vacancy listings on the OSCAR website. Our fees are aimed low enough to be accessible to all. Through these services we're hoping to give mission and support organisations, large and small, the chance to get in the fast lane on the information superhighway. Don't be the one left on the hard shoulder!
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/about/package.htm
January
Teaching as Mission
As the need for cross-cultural mission in Britain increases, many opportunities have arisen that would have previously only been thought of in missionary terms (i.e. happening somewhere else in the world). This month's guest article is written by Trevor Cooling, Director of Transforming Lives. Trevor helps us to realise that many of today's Christian teachers in the UK have their own mission field right in their classroom.
To read the article, go to www.oscar.org.uk/oscaractive/articles/cooling.htm
Great Expectations
What are your expectations for 2007? As our world changes around us, so too do our expectations for mission and ministry. Towards the end of last year, Redcliffe College conducted a survey of their students about their expectations and concerns for future ministry. The results are quite revealing about how tomorrow's mission task force view the work they are going into. Encounters, Redcliffe's mission ezine, currently features a number of articles that comment on the findings of this survey. A must read if you want to get a handle on where our emerging missionaries are coming from.
For more info, see www.redcliffe.org/mission
New Training Initiatives
There are a number of new mission training initiatives that have been developed over the last year, some of them starting this month. Redcliffe College launches its new Mission to Europe track. All Nations Christian College is running its first 'enroute' course for short-term mission. 'Across', a new venture from World Horizons, launches a cross-cultural training programme and Action Partners Training (formerly EQUIP) continues to roll out its new 'Globally@Home' online training resource. Opportunities for cross-cultural training have never been so diverse - there's something for everyone whether you're heading abroad or wanting to reach out to 'multi-cultural Britain'.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/service/training
Abolish Slavery
2007 will mark 200 years since a Parliamentary Bill was passed to abolish the slave trade in the British colonies. 'Set all free' is a website that has been set up by Churches Together in England as a collaboration between those who are happy to work with a Christian ethos on the relevance of the bicentenary. Several mission organisations are already engaged in this initiative as it also raises the plight of the tens of millions of people still in forms of servitude around the world today. There are plenty of ideas and events to help you mark the year too.
For more info, see www.setallfree.net
Shareware OSCAR
Those of you who use Shareware of any kind will be familiar with the principle. Basically, obtaining the software is free but the owner asks that if you continue to use it after an initial 'trial' period, you should really contribute towards the costs. OSCAR tries to follow this model on a voluntary basis. The trouble with this is that most read the word 'voluntary' and think 'that means someone else'! Unlike some websites that provide Christian directory information, we want to keep access to OSCAR's services FREE so that all can benefit. If you're a regular OSCAR user, or you have found our site and services useful over the last year, please consider making a small contribution to our costs. Even £5 per year from all our regular users would make a huge difference to our budget. Thanks for your consideration.
For more info, see www.oscar.org.uk/about/donate.htm