There are a variety of seminars and courses available to churches, groups or organisations. Some are offered by OSCAR and some are offered under the banner of OSCAR's partner organisation, World Mission Consultancy.
OSCAR seminars:
- Ask OSCAR - a brief look at world mission resources on the web.
For further details or to book a seminar for your church/organisation or area, Contact OSCAR.
WMC seminars & courses:
- Serving as Senders - a day course equipping local churches to care for overseas workers.
- Cyberskills - a modular course aimed at those who are familiar with the basics of using computers but who wish to improve their skills. Special emphasis on using email and the Internet.
- God on the Web - a half-day or full-day course looking at Christian resources on the Internet.
These courses are offered by OSCAR's partner, World Mission Consultancy. For further details, see www.worldmission.co.uk or to book a seminar/course for your church/organisation or area, contact info@worldmission.co.uk.
Ask OSCAR
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 are both supplied.
Serving as Senders
For those in sending churches and supportive individuals, who wish to care more effectively for their missionary friends.
This one day seminar is run in partnership with local churches and can be conducted anywhere in the UK. It is designed to help churches care effectively for their overseas personnel and the programme is 'tailor made'. The material is loosely based on the 'Serving as Senders' book by Neal Pirolo, one of the most positively reviewed missionary books of the last decade. A typical day might include:
- 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
- Creative ways to keep in touch
- Effective prayer and financial support
- Effective mission committees
Optional sessions:
- Motivation for mission (being part of the bigger picture)
- Mission needs and opportunities
- Missionary selection
- Special needs of single workers and of missionary families
The course is led informally with a mixture of straight forward teaching and group participation. Well produced handouts accompany each session and use is made of video projector, OHP and video player where available.
There is opportunity for group discussion and case studies, and time to ask questions. It is sometimes possible to offer some of the optional sessions within the programme so that more issues can be covered.
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 missionaries, 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.
"We found this an excellent course, well worth our time, effectively tailored to the outlook and level of our group, and giving us much food for thought. The feedback we received has been uniformly positive. I can recommend the course wholeheartedly to any church with a serious interest in supporting missionaries." Dr Steve Wilmshurst, Kensington Baptist Church, Bristol.
"It was spot on ... very useful for us as a church and for me as an
individual too. You have given us much to think about." Debbie Hawker, St.
Aldates, Oxford.
"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.
To download a brochure (in pdf format) about this course, go to www.oscar.org.uk/sas.pdf
This course is offered in association with World Mission Consultancy
Cyberskills
'Cyberskills' - Computer Training for Christians
This modular course is aimed at those who are familiar with the basics of using computers but who wish to improve their skills.
Special emphasis is placed on resources that are of interest to Christians, whether they are full-time Christian workers, leaders or individuals looking to extend their Christian values into their use of computers. The course is conducted using a computer and video projector and there are comprehensive handouts for each module.
Each module includes in-depth instruction on the chosen topic including:
- Overview of products/services/resources available
- Instruction on getting the most out of your existing set-up (software/hardware)
- Hints & Tips
- Time for questions
Course Modules (each lasting 1 hour)
Connectivity - the best solutions to getting online!
- Connecting to the Internet
- UK ISP overview (incl. broadband)
- Christian ISPs
- Tweaking your connection
Email Management
- Anti-spam solutions
- Automated email management
Email Security
- Anti-virus protection and precautions
- Secure email solutions
Internet Management
- Searching the 'Net effectively
- Shortcuts for faster browsing
- Top Christian websites
Internet Security
- Hacker prevention - Firewalls
- Content filters
- Personal privacy online
Web Site Design
- Planning
- Designing
- Hosting
- Maintaining
PowerPoint in the Pulpit
- Overview of PowerPoint
- Equipment choices
- Specialist programmes for worship planning and presentations
Help - my computer hates me!
- This 'surgery style' module is available to give help and advice to anyone with specific computer questions or problems that need attention.
- Tips for trouble free computing!
Special Mission Modules (specifically suited to mission personnel):
Accessing the Internet from Remote Locations
- Options for getting connected overseas
- Where there is no telephone!
- Accessing the Web by email
Online Security
- Secure email solutions
- Hacker prevention - Firewalls
- Personal privacy online
Electronic News/Prayerletters
- Sending news by email
- Posting news on a website
Mission Resources
- Brief overview of online resources and services for mission personnel
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 which modules are needed and by how many (you may mix and match so different people attend different modules) we will happily give you a quote. A full days training can include up to 5 modules. Venue and refreshments/meals are the responsibility of the group requesting the course.
This course is offered in association with World Mission Consultancy
What have folks said about previous computer courses we have run?
'A very helpful course.'
'Very, very helpful, now and in the future.'
'Excellent handouts.' '
'I found the course exceptional.'
'Helpful teacher - who is able to communicate the steps needed by 'learners' rather than experts!'
'Answered questions in a clear way, without becoming too technical or making one feel ignorant!'
'I just wanted to thank you for a well presented, interesting, and most informative time. You answered many questions that were on my mind before I asked them, and I appreciated the content and time you put into the course.'
God on the Web
Most people are aware of the tremendous amount of church resources that are available to us through the Internet. For many the problem is knowing exactly what is there, and then to find what they are looking for quickly and efficiently. What we need is an experienced ‘guide’ to show us around. This half-day seminar will introduce you to some of the best sites on the Internet and enable you to tap in to what’s available for the benefit of yourself and your church or organisation.
The seminar looks at Internet resources covering:
- Bible Study
- Devotionals
- Sermons, Talks, Books & Stories
- Prayer
- Online meetings
- Worship
- Mission
- Evangelism
- Pastoral/Counselling
- Learning & Training
- Education
- Finance/Giving
- Holidays/Retreats
- Other religions
- Christian News
- Christian Internet Radio
If time permits, there may be other practical advice on using the Internet.
The seminar is run using a computer and projector as a large screen visual aid and to demonstrate the various websites.
A comprehensive booklet including all the information and websites mentioned on the course will be given to each delegate and is included in the price.
What have people said about previous seminars:
" precisely what I was expecting and hoping for, and far more besides. Your clear explanations are aimed at the right level … Your courses are practical and 'scratch where it itches'. I shall continue to recommend your courses to as many people as I can." Roz Dawson, Action Partners Ministries
"Thanks for another brilliant course … very much appreciated." Tony Roberts, Action Partners Ministries
"… found it so helpful … many thanks … hope to send one person from church to the next course" Chrissy Grindle, St. Cuthbert's, Herringthorpe
This course is offered in association with World Mission Consultancy
Contact us for further details
( * Photo courtesy of the Plymouth Evening Herald)