Stirrers and Saints: The Podcast

36. Faith at Work: Stirrers and Saints

In this final episode of the Stirrers and Saints podcast, Brian and Aaron reflect on the key themes of the podcast - and the book that inspired it all. 
Leaders must be both stirrers and saints, and every organisation must have the various leaderships (plural) of shepherd, sage, steward, servant, see-er, and sculptor.
This podcast might be ending, but the Centre for Faith and Life is only just beginning! Make sure to follow us and keep in touch, to see what's coming next.
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
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35. Faith at Work: Reflections on Season Three

In this episode, Brian and Aaron reflect on the eight episodes that comprised season three on the topic of 'Faith at Work'.
A great deal was discussed, and hopefully a lot of insightful wisdom was shared! 
From thinking about the future to thinking about your values, goal setting to disagreeing, theology to work, this season was crammed with good stuff.
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
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34. Faith at Work: Respect and Standing

What is ambition? 
Is ambition a virtue or a vice?
How do you gain respect and standing at work? Are these good things to pursue?
In this episode, Brian and Aaron talk about the nature of ambition, what it means to be respected in the work place, and the distinction between status and standing. The former has more to do with the power and authority that comes with your formal position, whereas the latter has more to do with your character. It is the contention of this podcast that character and formation is vital, and there are far too few leaders with far too little character. 
Things to think about this week:
What are your ambitions?
How can you turn those ambitions into good and worthy goals?
Do those goals have more to do with yourself or your community?
What is your current standing, and how can you improve it?
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
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33. Faith at Work: A Chat with Jon Bergmann about the Future

"We need to agree on what makes humans remarkable...and then get really good at it."
Brian and Aaron talk with old friend and futurist Jon Bergmann about what he has termed the "Fluencies of the Future", the core elements of what it means to be human. These are the things that define who we are and that we shouldn't sacrifice on the altar of progress. These are the things we must hold dearly and defend with everything we have, in the face of an increasingly complex and divisive world, and of technological advancement. 
An uplifting and exciting - and profound - conversation to help you think about your place in the world and the workplace into the future. 
Download Jon's Fluencies of the Future: https://avenirleadership.org/fotf/ 
Things to think about this week:
Download and read the Fluencies of the Future. 
Do something different, like pick up a hobby, a book in a genre you haven't tried before, or start learning a new language. 
Think into your own personhood. Are you giving anything away?
Think about what it means to be human.
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
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32. Faith at Work: Disagreeing Agreeably

What would work look like without disrupters? Perhaps that idea fills you peace and joy, or perhaps the idea bores you. 
The truth is, without disrupters - the ones who question, challenge, and push back - our organisations, and indeed our world, would grind to a halt. It would stagnate, falling back into a comfortable status quo where nothing ever changes and innovations is discouraged, rather than encouraged.
So we need disrupters.
But how do we disrupt in a way that is respectful and appropriate? How do we make space for, encourage, and empower disrupters in our teams? This is the topic for this episode, so listen in to learn how disagree agreeably.
What sort of person are you?
What sort of person do you wish you were?
What sort of person do you hope to become? 
If an alien from outer space was to look at your life, what would they see? What would you want them to see? 
It is impossible to answer any of these questions, at least not accurately, without taking a serious, careful, objective look at yourself. This might be a humbling, uncomfortable experience, but remember that 'facts are friends' and it is much better to have an accurate idea of who you are in order to figure out how to become the sort of person you would like to become.
In this episode, Brian and Aaron talk about conducting personal audits, asking questions of the self to figure where we are at and what chapter we are currently in.
Things to think about this week:
Question whether or not you allow disrupters in your life or workplace.
Question whether or not you are willing to step into that position yourself?
Practice viewing challenge as a good thing.
Give people the right to disagree as we seek consensus.
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
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31. Faith at Work: Conducting a Personal Audit

What sort of person are you?
What sort of person do you wish you were?
What sort of person do you hope to become? 
If an alien from outer space was to look at your life, what would they see? What would you want them to see? 
It is impossible to answer any of these questions, at least not accurately, without taking a serious, careful, objective look at yourself. This might be a humbling, uncomfortable experience, but remember that 'facts are friends' and it is much better to have an accurate idea of who you are in order to figure out how to become the sort of person you would like to become.
In this episode, Brian and Aaron talk about conducting personal audits, asking questions of the self to figure where we are at and what chapter we are currently in.
Things to think about this week:
Conduct a spiritual audit of yourself.
Be open and honest as you answer those questions.
Picture yourself in 10 years.
Ask questions and treat them as invitations.
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
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30. Faith at Work: Life Planning

Do you have your life planned out? What will you be doing 1 year from now, 5 years, 10 years...?
Have you planned anything at all, or are you winging it?
Plan too much and you might struggle when the curveballs of life get thrown your way, but if you don't plan at all then you might just end up nowhere at all. Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail, and if you aim at nothing then that is what you just might get.
In this episode, Brian and Aaron discussed life planning and stressed the importance of being intentional in thinking about our futures and how our lives can have a positive impact.
What will you do with your life?
Things to think about this week:
Identify your strengths and consider what might be disqualifying characteristics. 
Determine what chapter you are currently in.
Come up with a life mission statement.
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
Find us on Instagram and Facebook and say hi!
And if you would like to support us buy shouting us a coffee (to keep us caffeinated up!) follow this link: buymeacoffee.com/centreforfaithandlife 

29. Faith at Work: A Chat with Bec Oates about Values

How do you know what you value? Why do they matter? How do we figure all of this out?
Values may go stated (words like 'courage' and 'integrity' and 'innovation' plastered on staff room walls) or they may be hidden, lurking beneath the surface of every decision we make. Quite often, our values only become evident when something happens that conflicts with those values we didn't realise we had. And sometimes they simply shape the culture of our workplace or the particular way we do things. But we all have them. 
In this episode, Brian and Aaron chat to Bec Oates (the incoming CEO of Tearfund Australia) about values. Bec brings a wealth of experience from her work with NFP's and running her business. She shared three values: Integrity, Justice, and...you'll have to listen to found out the third, but it's a surprising one!
Things to think about this week:
What do you value?
What values would someone see when they look at you?
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
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28. Faith at Work: A Theology of Work

Work is supposed to be good. To go to work, to toil and labour, is to reflect the creative and productive character of God. It brings purpose and meaning, and allows us to make the world a better place and be custodians of God's good creation.
But work, for so many, does not inspire. It's a drain and a dread. They knuckle down and get on with the workweek just looking to get home or for Friday evening to come around. 
So how can work be good? Why is it not good for so many? How can we make it purposeful?
Brian and Aaron chat through these questions and talk, theologically, about the nature of work.
Things to think about this week:
How can you make sure that you good some good sleep?
How can you - in whatever position or role you currently occupy - make you workplace a positive and redemptive place?
How can you ensure the smile of God?
If you could do anything, and money was no issue, what would you do?
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
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27. Faith at Work: Faith in the Market Place

Christian faith is not limited to Sunday mornings. Indeed, it stretches into every part of our lives, including our work. The Christian church has had a major impact on Western Civilisation and how we do work, and its values have permeated into many of today's "secular" organisations. As leaders today, it's vital that we think about the values - both stated and implicit - of the organisations we lead and work within.
This episode is the first of eight exploring the topic of "Faith at Work" and Brian sits down with Aaron to discuss what it means to be a faithful Christian within your workplace - wherever that is. 
Things to think about this week:
What are the values of your organisation?
What is the theological architecture of your workplace?
Who are the people around you?
What can you do?
A Centre for Faith and Life Production. For more information, visit centreforfaithandlife.com 
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