Workshop Foundations
Workshop sees the biblical concept of shalom – usually translated peace, but better understood as ‘wholeness, completeness, wellbeing, harmony, and the integrity of all things’ – as foundational.
Shalom shapes the learning atmosphere and ensures a holistic approach to ideas. Shalom creates a focus of hope, and nurtures a spirituality that is both contemplative and activist.
Workshop Spirituality
Firstly, the person of Jesus is central: seen as the primary revelation of God’s character, who calls for a radical spirituality empowered by the Spirit. Workshop draws on an inclusive spirituality, sourced from the broadest historical and global Christian traditions: *
- Contemplative – the meditative and prayer filled life
- Radical – the Jesus-centered and alternative experimental life
- Holiness – the virtuous, distinctive and godly life
- Social Justice – the compassionate and activist life
- Evangelical – the scripture and witness focused life
- Wisdom – the insightful, practical and creatively applied life
- Charismatic – the Spirit empowered and gifted life
- Liberal – the truthfully rational and critically questioning life
- Incarnational – the invisible truth made present in sacramental life
- Inter-faith – the desire to learn from those following a different spiritual life
This ecumenical spirituality is at the heart of the Workshop ethos … celebrating difference and diversity!
* Freely adapted and expanded from an idea in Streams of Living Water by the Quaker author Richard J Foster
Workshop In Practice
The way we teach and learn on Workshop is built on our spirituality and foundational values. This Workshop ethos creates an atmosphere where…
Everyone is welcome: Every participant is empowered and included, with community seen as central. Workshop respects variety in spiritual journeys and creates a space for inter-faith encounter. Workshop encourages participants to learn from each other, and this includes the teachers too.
Questions are honoured: Workshop recognises doubt as vital to faith. It stresses how, rather than what to think, relishing debate and engaging with moral and intellectual challenges.
Growth is encouraged: Workshop celebrates living by values. The teaching emphasises peace, justice and creation and takes the Biblical text seriously. Participants’ spiritual growth is nurtured. As a result, Workshop cultivates and inspires dreams, creativity and activism.