This course is run as a follow-up to the Business Alpha course for people who have done Alpha - whether they have come to faith yet or not. It is also an opportunity for anyone at all to join a spiritually refreshing group that meets over a sandwich lunch in St Cuthbert's Church to discuss a book by Nicky Gumbel. The book - which is provided - is a study of Paul's letter to the Philippians. What follows is a diary of the weekly discussions. Group leaders on this past course were Peter Neilson and Fiona Hutchison, St Cuthbert's Church, Ian Kirkpatrick, Standard Life (but now retired) and Gillian Cuthbertson, Baillie Gifford.

Introductory Session

Our introductory session was simply a time to outline the shape of the course. The book "A Life Worth Living" is in turn based on a letter of the Apostle Paul to a new Christian community in Philippi - a city with historical, commercial and political significance, not unlike Edinburgh. That first European church was a real mix of people including a business woman called Lydia with her household, a poor slave girl and a prison officer and his family.

Paul's purpose in writing was basically one of encouragment to these new Christians, speaking of God finishing the good work that had been begun in them. Meredith Belbin could have put God into his team star as a "completer-finisher"! That is very reassuring when we wonder if we have what it takes to keep going on this journey of faith.

Peter Neilson.

Chapter 1 - New Heart

Then we moved into our first study on Paul' s letter to the church in Philippi. We divided into two groups this time so my coverage is a bit one-sided. (Next time, I'll ask Gillian to do the report, so that you hear her inside story!)

Gillian's group concentrated on how people come to faith in Jesus Christ, and whether life is easier or more difficult after that commitment is made. Sounded like a lively and practical discussion. What a pity I did not have ears in the back of my head! I hope it helped people wherever they are on that life-changing journey of faith.

Our group went on a fact-finding tour. Who was Paul? Did he ever meet Jesus? What happened on the Damascus Road? Where was he when he wrote? Why was he in prison? Why was he so positive about life while in prison? There was a suggestion that there might be scope for an alternative letter to the Philippians written by one of the Roman guards chained to Paul! (All you budding writers - there's a challenge!)

We also talked about how Christ changes lives today as he did then. We took reassurance from the confidence of Paul that God who had begun the good work in him/them/us would finish it! That sustaining power was worth taking with us back to the office.

Peter Neilson

Chapter 2 - New Purpose

One group was fascinated by Paul's desire to leave this life to be with Christ. We were pleased he still felt he had a reason for living on, but were inspired by the passion for Christ which made him want be with his Lord in a fuller way. Another group thought of a disabled person finding the sense of completion in heaven - and we are all disabled in some way!

We all admired Paul's positive attitude in his imprisonment. "Bloom where you're planted!", said one. A motto for us all!

One conversation ended with practical tips on giving time and attention to God through time set aside to read a part of the Bible and to pray.

In that connection a busy lawyer told me today of his way of being ruthless about our sense of "hurry". In the supermarket always go to the longest queue and use the waiting time to slow down and observe people around you. At the Forth Road Bridge choose the longest queue and admire the view of the bridges. How's that for a subversive spirituality in a busy life?

Then he gulped down his tea and rushed off to his next meeting!!!!

Peter Neilson

Chapter 3 - New Attitudes

It was good to see everyone on Monday but for those who weren't able to be there here's a flavour of what was discussed:-

Ian's group talked about the fixation with material possessions which doesn't always bring happiness, about the "go-getter" attitude of some work colleagues and promotion causing envy. It was thought it was possible to build bridges by being nice to people whether they like you or not. Paul's security of faith and his concern for people of Philippi shows he was not self centred. Helping others can involve time commitment which it is not always easy to meet but helping the homeless or those in hospital were considered to be possibilities. Infrastuctue is still required to support the work of those serving others e.g. missionaries.

Discussion in Fiona's group centred around what it means for Christians to work in an ethos which is essentially non-Christian. One suggestion was that some people's belief in nothing beyond this life - and therefore everything has to be achieved here - may foster a culture where selfish ambition etc become the norm. Are Christians called to be counter-cultural as were Paul and the early Christian community? An interesting debate began on whether it was possible to have a "Christian" company - run entirely by Christian principles? Are people who get off the promotion ladder considered to be odd?

As always we did not have enough time to discuss everything we wanted to in depth but, as usual, disussions were stimulating and thought provoking. I hope this summary gives an accurate flavour of both groups' discussions and look forward to seeing folk on Monday.

Fiona Hutchison

Chapter 4 - New Responsibilities

What an empowering chapter! My group's discussion focused first on the word "complaining". We felt that there were times when it was appropriate to complain, such as at social injustice, but that on a day-to-day basis, complaining tended to be self-centred and an abnegation of our responsibility. Rather than sit around and complain, the individual should take responsibility for their own situation and get up and do something constructive about it. This applied equally to our working lives and our church lives!
We also looked at how God wanted our whole lives, and not just compartments of it. After looking at the disabling nature of worry and fear, we then got practical and shared some tips as to how we overcame it through turning to God. Suggestions included prayer, deep breathing ("Be still and know that I am God"?), picturing God physically there at our side, and repeating the Bible verse "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Fiona's group talked about rights and responsibilities, about the fact that we live in an era of "blame culture". But our responsibility as Christians is to be different and show that we are for simple things, like not gossiping or acquiescing when others do, to trying to make a difference in wider society. But we recognise that we may have to start with our own lives - Graeme made this point.

Krish as ever brought a fresh approach to the discussion. He talked of the Hindu philosophy - concentrate on the action not the result of the action because concentrating on what you want to achieve may corrupt the action.

Carol suggested that above all we are called to be Christlike and we ended with the image of us all shining like stars . .

Gillian Cuthbertson

Chapter 5 - New Friendship

We all have valued friends in the workplace. One of the Gallup questions about work satisfaction is: "Do you have a best friend at work?" The understanding of friends "looking out for the interests of others" was a healthy antidote to the competitive environment where everybody looks out for number one.

We liked the idea of friends standing "side by side with their eyes looking ahead" (C S Lewis). One of the benefits of our conversations at lunchtime is breaking any sense of isolation as a Christian. Side by side over our coffee and sandwiches we can look at life and regain our perspective.

Perhaps the most challenging image was of the early church association known as "the gamblers" - people who literally risked their lives by visiting prisons and people with infectious diseases. That is a mark of the friendship of Jesus who lays down his life for his friends.

But that takes us into a new league!

Peter Neilson

Chapter 6 - New Confidence

Our conversation on Monday was rich and rewarding. We recognised the tendency, like Paul, to find our worth and value in externals - especially status in our job and recognition for work well done. As professionals, our identity was woven into our work.

We were impressed by Paul's new perspective on life. Jesus Christ had given him a new basis of confidence in his relationship with God. His profit and loss account seems to switch columns! ("What I counted as gain I now count as loss for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus").

Some of us found it hard to imagine ourselves having that kind of trust. There was a wistfulness in the group about that. Some of us found it frightening to think of letting go the old securities. At the same time, we realised that Paul was speaking of a new focus "I want to know him…." He had not arrived yet! That gave us hope.

We thought about how easy it was to fall into the trap that Paul had, and saw this personified in the church today as a resistance to change, where things are done in a very particular way, and the doing it in that particular way had become more important than the reason for doing it - to worship and bring glory to God.

Reading the chapter, we were humbled by the fact that even as a monk you could pour your heart and all your energy into your faith, strive to do everything you thought right for your whole life, and still not get it! This drew us to Nicky Gumbel's image of faith as a gift, a given not a gained, something which we have only to receive, unwrap and enjoy. In this context, we had the confidence to accept the here and now with what it seems are all its setbacks and tribulations, as just the threads under the tapestry. They were part of the finished picture, but until we reached the other side we weren't going to see the whole picture in its full glory.

One person spoke helpfully of Christ having given him this new perspective which had helped him in a recent situation at work. We left with a fresh sense of Christ carrying us into the heart of the Father where we are loved in a way that no external recognition can bring.

Peter Neilson and Gillian Cuthbertson

Chapter 7 - New Ambitions

Ambition was the topic of lively conversation last Monday. Ambition is not bad in itself. We are designed to aim high. The issue for some of us was "at whose expense?" We all know the high flyers who walk over everyone to reach their goal! We know others who destroy themselves in the process.

As Christians we want to be the best that we can be for Jesus Christ. However, if we are ambitious for Jesus, then we find ambition changes direction. The issue then is how we can serve others so that they achieve their best.

Perhaps, in one sense, Christians are to aim low in order to lift others high! Jesus said: "Inasmuch as you did it (or did it not) to the least of these....you did it ( or did it not) to me." That turns ambition on its head.

Peter Neilson

Chapter 8 -New Resources

Paul's message about rejoicing in the Lord....not being anxious....praying....thinking on the things that are pure and true....seemed to mean a lot to many of us. In a society where much emphasis is put on the negative and on finding fault, we took great strength and encouragement from the fact that we knew of situations whereby rejoicing in the Lord and focussing on Jesus had helped individuals through seemingly impossible situations/tragic circumstances. We left with the idea that we live with the word "rejoice!" for the week to see how it shapes our attitudes to life and to the workaday world of the office.

A joyfoul outlook, non-anxious presence, peace beyond understanding and a positive attitude to people have to be attractive features - and must make a difference to us and the people around us. Simple message for this week - let's live it!

Peter Neilson

Chapter 9 - New Generosity

"Generosity" was the theme - wonderfully illustrated by Geraldine's free apples!

Giving is not something that comes naturally. We all had our points where we had to think twice about it - from the beggars on the street to the question of proportional giving to God's work. We were encouraged to remember that we cannot out give God, but one of our group had salutary comments about people who felt obliged to give to the church, while living in debt. Clearing our debts was more important that trying to keep up religious appearances.

But why do we end up in debt? In our consumerist society, we wondered if church life simply reflected the same values as society. In what way does our Christian faith challenge us to live counter culturally in the face of the consumer addictions? We felt we had a distinct sense of what was ultimately important, but church seldom challenged our basic lifestyles. Some people had found it helpful to be part of small accountability groups where they could talk openly about these personal issues of faith and life, including how we spend our money. (Carrying a little cross in your purse can also be useful as a prompt: it really challenges you to think before spending!)

Beyond the money question, we felt that we could tell a true Christian by his/her generosity of spirit - a reflection of the generous grace of God. We felt that the spirit in which we gave was more important than what we gave. To be a fragrant sacrifice to the Lord, to be truly generous, our giving (and we weren't confining our giving to money) must come from an outpouring of our hearts and not from a perception of our duty. True generosity was found in loving people as Jesus did, and in responding to their needs in the manner most appropriate at that time, just as Jesus would have done. Sometimes that would involve giving money, sometimes it would mean providing a shoulder to cry on. It might be different each time, but if the church as the people of God were seen to do this, what a witness that would be!

Peter Neilson

Concluding Remarks

It has been a great group! But we do not need to lose contact completely. There is the Alpha course on Thursdays in the Roxburghe and the Lent groups on "belonging" on Wednesday's in St C's. (While Alpha is running, there is also a prayer group meeting at the same time to pray for Alpha/Oasis, feel free to bring your lunch and drop in when you can.) On the first Wednesday of the month there is First Wednesday where we look at specific issues of work and faith. All at the now standard time of 12.45 for 1p.m. with a 1.45 finish.

And, of course, there is always e-mail and telephone. If there have been a couple of folk where you have felt a special affinity, why not meet up for a lunch? I imagine dozens of little clusters of Christians around the business world all supporting each other on their journey with Jesus.

Thank you for sharing this part of the journey and bearing the seeds of the Kingdom into your workplace.

As I said about these apples - anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God knows the number of apples in a seed!!

God bless you all.

Peter