I am co-host of a new podcast giving people the opportunity to have a worship experience as they commute to work. It is a 15-minute podcast which includes Bible readings, a devotion, prayers and reflection questions as the founder Stephen Field, Senior Pastor of Canterbury Baptist Church Melbourne explains, “I pastor a church of people who have satisfying jobs but who are time poor. They want to engage with faith, but they don’t have much time or headspace.
“One of my congregation members said to me, ‘When I go to church I leave my work at the door, and when I go to work I leave God at the door. But that’s not the way I want to live.’
“This podcast is a way of addressing the second part of that issue, seeking to connect a sense of God with the workplace.”
As a co-writer, I became involved in the project because this is the first time I’ve heard of something which is focused on helping people enter the workplace with a heart of worship.
I’m hoping this podcast will enable people to start a rhythm on the way to work of pausing, encountering God, and reflecting on the week ahead, as well as praying for what is going on at work.
Stephen and I both have backgrounds in media, HR and business, and bring that awareness of the world of work to their understanding of the Bible. “I’ve admired the way that Kara’s heart is not just about content, but also about devotion,” says Stephen, “In her books—as well as great content—each chapter also has questions to reflect on, and a prayer.”
My concern is that we need to know God, not just know about God, that is, have a deep relationship with God, recognising that he is interested in every part of our lives.
As part of the podcast there is a core theme each week, which people can reflect on, as well as a call to action, a practical way that people can apply what they have heard to their day-to-day work.
In addition to the weekly podcast, which could be replayed each day, Stephen and Kara are working on special episodes. I’m excited that we’re also planning some episodes that address particular issues that might come up during their work life.
People will have a chance to worship on the way to a new job, or a conflict with a work colleague, or when they are dealing with a toxic workplace.
“The weekly episodes will be available early on a Monday morning,” explains Stephen, “So you can listen to this literally on your way to work. And the special episodes will be released once per month as we build up a library of those.”
As well as the podcasts, there is a Facebook group and a LinkedIn group where there is an opportunity to form a community of people interested in worshipping on the way to work.
Links:
Podcast: https://worshiponthewaytowork.buzzsprout.com