OSCAR Training

We have a variety of courses, workshops and seminars available to churches, groups, organisations or individuals. Most of these are led by Mike Frith, OSCAR's Director, with occasional specialist help from others. To enquire further, discuss possibilities or to obtain a quote for hosting a course in your location or conducted online, please Contact us. You can also take these courses as an individual.

We have worked with a large range of Christian organisations and churches to deliver training in a huge variety of situations and locations (in the UK, abroad and online). In particular, we have recently partnered with the following organaisations to provide training: Stewardship, The Salvation Army, TeachBeyond UK, Mercy Ships, Mission Aviation Fellowship, AOG 3D Mission GB and St Andrews School, Turi.

Courses & Seminars:

 

 

All Change

 

Duration: 1 day or series of 4 evenings in person, 1/2 day onlinePlane Landing

Re-entry Course for mission workers returning to the UK and those who support them.

The sessions provide a 'toolkit' for mission workers just returned from overseas, to prepare them for and guide them through re-entry. Useful for those recently returned as well as those giving pastoral care to returnees.

A booklet of handouts and resources accompanies the course.

Topics covered include:

  • What is Re-entry?
  • Transition, Change and Loss
  • Changes in Church & Society
  • Readjustment
  • Re-entry Resources

There is the opportunity to tackle other practical subjects, as needed, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of OSCAR.

If you have children (age 6-18), we might be able to organise a programme for them too. Get in touch if you would like this.

"the All Change course is a vital resource for returning missionaries and mission leaders" Jonathan Winter, course participant

Upcoming Courses open to outside bookings

  • Let us know if you are interested in taking this course and we will either inform you of the next one you can join or suggest some alternatives.
  • Alternatively, we have recordings of previous courses we can give you access to if you want to take the course individually and in your own time.

 

Supporting HandsBuilding Your Support Network 

 

Duration: 1 day or series of 4 evenings in person, 1/2 day online

Training in building a team who will help support your ministry.

Topics include:

  • Biblical Basis of Support
  • The Role of the Local Church
  • Building a Network of Supporters
  • Support Related Resources

Mike Frith, who delivers this course, has worked as a trainer with Stewardship for over ten years. You can do the course individually or book us to run a course for your group or organisation. Get in touch to talk about possibilties.

Upcoming Courses open to individual bookings

  • We have recordings of the 4 sessions (around 30 mins each) we can make available if you want to take the course in your own time, either individually (£20), as a couple (£30) or as an organisation or group (£150, or £100 for OSCAR Gold or Platinum members).
  • We are not currently running this in any other format for individuals.

 

Crossing Cultures

 

Duration: 1 day or series of 4 evenings in person, 1/2 day online

Plane BoardingPreparation for cross-cultural ministry

Led by Mike Frith, Director of OSCAR, this day course provides a 'toolkit' for Christians going into cross-cultural mission or ministry, to prepare them for and/or help them through their transition to another culture.

Useful for those going short-term, on gap years or long-term.

A booklet of notes and resources accompanies the course.

Standard topics include: 

  • Understanding Culture
  • Cultural Differences
  • Transition and Change
  • Cultural Adaptation
  • Overview of resources

There is a larger range of orientation topics which can be customised to any situation and need. You may want a basic evening or half-day programme for church teams or individuals going on short-term mission, or a more in depth course over several days for those going longer term.

Other topics available include:

  • Cross-cultural Communication
  • The Bible & Culture
  • Identification & Lifestyle
  • Development & Mission
  • The Future of Mission
  • Understanding Myself & Others
  • Pastoral Care Issues
  • Staying Healthy
  • Listening Skills
  • Work/Life Balance
  • Maintaining & Developing your walk with God
  • Singles, Marrieds, Families & Children

There is the opportunity to tackle any practical subjects, as needed, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of OSCAR.

If you have children (age 6-18), we might be able to organise a programme for them too. Get in touch if you would like this.

Upcoming Courses open to outside bookings

  • Let us know if you are interested in taking this course and we will inform you of the next one you can join or suggest some alternatives.
  • Alternatively, we have recordings of previous courses we can give you access to if you want to take the course in your own time, individually or with a group.

 

British flagBritish Culture Orientation

 

Duration: 1 day or series of 4 evenings in person, 1/2 day online

Orientation for those from other cultures coming to minister/work in the UK

Topics covered include:

  • Understanding Culture
  • Introduction to British Culture
  • Transition & Change
  • Cultural Adaptation
  • Overview of Resources

There is the opportunity to tackle other practical subjects, as needed, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of OSCAR.

If you have children (age 6-18), we might be able to organise a programme for them too. Get in touch if you would like this.

Upcoming Courses open to outside bookings

  • Let us know if you are interested in taking this course and we will inform you of the next one you can join or suggest some alternatives.
  • Alternatively, we have recordings of previous courses we can give you access to if you want to take the course in your own time, individually or in a group.

 

Prayer for commissioningServing as Senders

 

Duration: 1 day or series of 4 evenings in person, 1/2 day online

For those in sending churches, and supportive individuals, who wish to care more effectively for their mission partners and friends

This seminar is run in partnership with local churches and can be conducted anywhere in the UK. The programme can be 'tailor made'. The material is loosely based on the 'Serving as Senders' book by Neal Pirolo, one of the most positively reviewed mission books of the last 30 years.

Subjects usually of interest are:

  • The biblical basis of mission
  • The role of the local church
  • The importance of 'senders' & who sends them
  • Pastoral care of overseas workers
  • Understanding the strains and stresses of missionary life
  • Support at important times: leaving home, furlough, re-entry
  • Special needs of single workers and of missionary families
  • Creative ways to keep in touch
  • Effective prayer and financial support
  • Effective mission committees
  • Resources for senders and supporters

Optional sessions:

  • Motivation for mission (being part of the bigger picture)
  • Mission needs and opportunities
  • Missionary selection

The course is led informally with a mixture of straightforward teaching and group participation. A comprehensive booklet of notes is provided and engaging visuals accompany each topic.

Where time allows, the day includes group discussion, case studies and time to ask questions. It is sometimes possible to swap in some of the optional sessions within the programme depending on the needs of the participants.

It could be that your church is large enough to run a day for your own people. Church leaders, those involved on the Mission Committee, friends and relatives of mission workers, link people etc. would all benefit from the course. An alternative is for a church to host a course and invite other churches in the locality to join them. See our brochure for this here and contact us if you would like to discuss options.

"Thank you so much for your input today. We found the course extremely helpful and stimulating, and hope it will lead to us 'moving to the next stage' in how our church partners with, and cares for, it's missionaries. The materials were most helpful and I'm sure the website will prove so also." Tom Thorpe, St Andrew's Church, Leyland.

"It was a really great day. I think people felt inspired and equipped to better support our mission partners." Caroline Burns, St Barnabas, Woodside Park, London.

"It was stimulating and challenging about how to get your church interested in overseas mission, something I'd been trying to do for some time. No one else had so many ideas or was so creative and it was all so interesting and inspiring ... the best missionary day I had been to."
Lenora Priestley, Christian Institute Church, Oswaldtwistle

Upcoming Courses open to outside bookings

  • Let us know if you are interested in taking this course and we will inform you of the next one you can join or suggest some alternatives.
  • Alternatively, we have recordings of previous courses we can give you access to if you want to take the course in your own time, individually or in a group.

 

Re-entry & Debriefing Service

This is a bespoke service and gives you a chance to explore and talk through the opportunities and challenges of returning to your home country after a period of mission service. OSCAR can 'tailor-make' a short programme to suit your particular needs. This may include a formal debriefing in addition to more informal guidance and information on re-entry issues - from both a spiritual and practical perspective. Professional counselling for individuals and couples is available.

Most people come for an initial morning or afternoon session, with around one and a half hours each on debrief and re-entry issues. Following this you are welcome to return for further guidance, counselling or retreat time. There are some costs associated with this service. We can discuss these details with you further. We can also do this online.

If you would like more information about this service then please contact us.

 

 

Ask OSCAR

Duration: 1 hour, in person or online

This is a brief presentation looking at world mission resources on the Internet using the OSCAR website. It covers areas of interest for potential, current and former overseas workers, world mission supporters and those who care for mission workers in any way. This can be tailored to the group depending on whether they are mission personnel, supporters or those with a general interest in world mission.

Lasts approximately 1 hour, depending on what's required.

Makes use of a computer and projector which can both be supplied.

Price on application.

 

 

Training at London School of TheologyBespoke Training

Any church, organisation or group can request a tailor made programme to suit its needs, anywhere in the UK (or overseas). If you have a rough idea of what you want we will happily give you a quote. Course venue, accommodation and refreshments/meals are usually the responsibility of the group requesting the course. Occasionally others who run courses open them up for participants from outside. Contact us to enquire about other courses already booked with us.

 

What do participants say?

'I felt what you shared - and how you shared - were excellent. We are extremely grateful.'

‘The time at OSCAR was very informative and helpful. As we've both moved from other countries to the UK, the models and thinking around adapting in another culture is what we have experienced first-hand. It has been very helpful to see and discuss more structured tools and also to put into context what we have experienced before and what we're now gearing up for as well. So thank you for organising this for us!’

We can't thank you enough, Mike! Thank you for coming and sharing your knowledge and experience with us. We will greatly benefit from it! Everyone really enjoyed having you and appreciated how well you answered our questions.'

'Your presentation was exceptionally useful'

‘It’s a pleasure to work with you and have you as a part of our sessions. You have wonderful materials and presentation style.’ Hilda Fyock, Learning and Development Manager, Mission Aviation Fellowship.

'OSCAR's passion for missionaries at home and abroad is evident from the moment you interact with them. They have been actively involved in supporting Mercy Ships crew pre-serving onboard by providing comprehensive and excellent training on transition. culture adjustments and how to manage stress while serving abroad. If you need someone professional, with passion for those in your care, then engage with OSCAR because you will not be let down. A huge thank you from Mercy Ships and we look forward to continuing working with you in the future.' Hannah Mulvihill, Crew Support Coordinator, Mercy Ships UK.

'Thank you for today it really was helpful in so many ways and addressed the issues and feelings of Re entry so well. I am so glad we got got to participate in this quite early on in our re entry and be able to make sense of normal as well as being aware when that spills into abnormal. I would highly recommend this course to my colleagues'

'Just a note to say thank you so much for yesterday.  It was a real breath of fresh air; the material was great, the group was lovely, and the food was fantastic! '

'I feel like a weight has been lifted'

'I feel excited at the prospect of building support'

'Everything was perfect today and so well done. I really think the two sessions hit the nail on the head for our crew and I hope they will find the benefit when they get to the ship.' Hannah Mulvihill, Crew Support Coordinator, Mercy Ships UK 

'A superb and enjoyable day. I feel much better prepared now'

'It was all really useful'

'Everything was fantastic'

'It was everything I hoped for and more!'

'Today was all I could have asked for. What you got over, for me at least, was absolutely spot on! And in just one day? It was so well run and organised...and it was one of those days that just flew by because it was all so captivating, interesting  and informative.' 

'Very comprehensive. Good structure. Good rounded course. Informative, interactive, interesting. Really useful & helpful.'

'Good venue (City Works). The food was excellent. Absolutely lovely!'

'Completely amazing day.  So encouraged and refreshed by what’s been shared.  I am going to be encouraging others to attend these days.'

'It was so helpful and relevant.' LG, Chislehurst

'I found it a very helpful day and the feedback from other Mission Board members was similarly positive.' MW, Cardiff

'I found yesterday extremely helpful. It was great to be in the room of people that are also experiencing some of the same emotions relating to culture shock, and to be reminded that was it normal. Mike was great. I really appreciated the day.' Matt

'I have to admit, that I have expected something totally different and we both were much surprised in very positive way. It was great time of not only retreat and relax but very useful as now we know, what we are going through and what we can expect. It was very encouraging and I already find out the information at OSCAR web page very useful as well. Big THANKS to you and to everyone who prepared such a great event.' Petre

'Thank you for making it so engaging and interesting.  We've been inspired to think how we can do things better as a result.'

'In all honesty, I was dragging my feet going and kicking my heels leaving. I don't like conferences, training sessions, seminars, etc. as they always feel a distraction and a detraction from my primary calling, but this one was golden. Your way of leading showed a pastor's heart, skill and Kingdom-orientation.'

'It was a really great day. I think people felt inspired and equipped to better support our mission partners.'

'Good! Mike was able to select bits for emphasis so very relevant'

'Mike was an excellent presenter, engaging and humourous - not an easy task'

'It was clear, user friendly, practical, relevant, concise, inspiring and all very helpful'

'Excellent - well planned and put together'

'Very stimulating and challenging ... very glad I came'

'Very, very helpful, now and in the future'

'Excellent handouts'

'I found the course exceptional'

'We really enjoyed the day and learnt so much from it'

'We believe the challenge and reminder was straight from the heart of God'

'There was plenty of food for thought, and it was very useful to meet up with the other families who had also returned just recently and to hear of their experiences.'

'We found it helpful to stay over the night after the course partly for practical reasons but also as it gave us the opportunity to process and discuss what we had heard/learnt during the day away from the long to do lists, family interruptions and the telephone. The length of the course was great for us. Leaving two boys who were also in transition with family or friends who they barely knew for a longer period of time was not something we wanted to do. It was an oasis in the chaos of re-entry to take a breath and perhaps get a glimpse of the bigger picture and assurance that successful re-entry is a possibility. Having others on the course at a similar stage helped us to know some of the issues we were facing were 'normal' and in some cases helped us see that our situation was better than others (we had a rented house and I had a job). Perhaps because of how I learn I found the diagrams very helpful, particularly the transition curve. I still remember the 'dip of depression' as I called it and even highlighted it on the calendar as a warning! It's a great course. My push for writing this is that I'm mentoring someone who has gone through several major transitions in recent years (not mission related) but looking at the material you provided there is lots to identify with in it for her situation too. So thank you ... There is life after re-entry!' Giles & Annie Roberts, former Crosslinks mission partners