Library of Resources

Introduction

This Library of Resources is organised in two parts. The first focuses on topics related to Spiritual Foundations. The second part focuses on the topics raised within each Characteristic from the Wycliffe Person Profile. There is also an alphabetical index to all the topics covered in the dropbox below.

ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO TOPICS:

Explanation

The following acronyms will be used to indicate which section to look in for any given topic.

SF

Spiritual Foundations

PI

People of Integrity

CP

Competent Professionals

II

Innovative Investigators

AC

Adaptable Communic-ators

FC

Flexible Co-workers

S-OCM

Service-oriented Community Members

LL

Lifelong Learners

Thus if you want to locate something on Partnership Development this topic will be followed by PI and by S-OCM as it is found in both the People of Integrity and the Service-oriented Community Members Guides.

Index of topics

A

Adaptability – AC

Addictive behaviours – PI

Alcoholism – PI

Aids to reading the Bible -SF

Anxiety – PI

Attachment-to-God – II

B

Stress and Burnout – PI

C

Vision and Calling – SF/CP

Career decision-making – CP

Chronic Fatigue – PI

Confidence, Identity and Security – SF

Conflict – AC/FC

Continuous Professional Development – CP

Creative/ Critical thinking – II

D

Depression – PI

Diet and Exercise – PI

Difference – AC

Discipleship – SF

Doubt & Vulnerability – SF

Drug Dependency – PI

E

Diet and Exercise – PI

F

G

Gambling & Gaming – PI

Gender-based abuse – PI

Global Mission Context – CP

Gratitude – SF

H

Health – PI

Health Coaching – SF

I

Confidence, Identity and Security – SF

Internet Addiction – PI

J

K

Kindness – AC

L

Leadership – CP

LGBTQ Questions -PI

Life Coaching – SF

Listening to/Making space for God – SF

Listening to Others – SF

Long Covid – PI

Long term illness/ disabilities -PI

Loss and Bereavement – PI

M

Missiological Reflection – SF

Money Matters – PI

N

O

PQ

Partnership Development – PI

Prayer – SF

Problem-solving – II

Professional-ism – CP

R

Resilience – FC

Risk – II

S

Confidence, Identity and Security – SF

Self-discipline – II

Sex/ Sexuality – PI

Sex and talking to children – PI

Sleep – PI

Spiritual Formation – SF

Spiritual Gifts – SF

Spiritual Direction – SF

Stress and Burnout – PI

Suffering – PI

Supervision – PI

T

Team Dynamics – FC

Third Culture Kids and Families – PI

Time Management – PI

U

V

Virtual Teams – FC

Vision and Calling – SF/CP

Vulnerability – FC & LL

W

Workload – PI

Work/life Balance – PI

Workplace Culture – CP

Wycliffe – CP

XYZ

We welcome any comments and suggestions for reading in these areas, so do let your PCC or Rhiannon Gibson know if you think we should add something. We cannot promise to do so, as we do not want this to be completely overwhelming, but we do promise to consider it!

Lastly, if some of the links do not work then do let us know – blogs especially do go offline sometimes. The links to books are to Amazon, as that has been the easiest option for getting to the books, so please feel free to look at other purchasing options if you would like!

If you are reading this in 2023 some of the Characteristics will have associated books and links, whilst others have yet to be populated. As the Wellbeing Guides for each Characteristic are completed, their section will be updated. Any errors or typos you spot will be warmly received and corrected. Thank you for your patience as these Guides are being finished.

Spiritual Foundations

Confidence, Identity and Security
Devotional Resources and Aids to Reading the Bible
Cont…
  • McRoberts, J. & Erickson, S.Prayer, Forty Days of Practice – Short prayers and thought-provoking imagery, interspersed with contemplative reflections and suggested practices, to stir, inform, and encourage you. 
  • The Bible Project – short videos exploring books and themes in the Bible. They also have entire courses on understanding how to read the Bible.
  • Apps:
    • Lectio 365: a helpful guided focused on ‘praying the Bible’.
    • Soultime: recommended by Justin Welby – focused on connecting with God
    • Our Daily Bread: a more familiar approach with a Bible reading and commentary.
    • GodVenture: resources and ideas for use by families
Discipleship
Doubt and Vulnerability

Cont…

  • Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis, a former atheist who converted to Christianity, provides a logical and reasoned defense of the Christian faith. While not explicitly focused on doubt, it addresses many foundational aspects.
  • Lewis, P. The Problem of Pain – Lewis explores the problem of evil and suffering, addressing a common source of doubt for many believers.
  • McGrath, A. Through a Glass Darkly: Journeys through Science, Faith and Doubt – In Through a Glass Darkly Professor McGrath shares at length and for the first time how exactly he moved from atheism to faith while studying natural sciences at Oxford University, and how each discipline has informed the other throughout his life.
  • Rehan, P. When Faith Gets Shaken
Cont…

Gratitude

Learning and creative thinking
Listening to/Making Space for God
Listening to Others
  • Schwarz, T. Dalek Christianity – written by a member this book is ‘perfect for small groups, this book offers thought-provoking questions for discussion. Through eight engaging chapters, you’ll delve into important issues like culture, language, and the various struggles that people face. You’ll also learn how to listen more effectively and gain insights into why we all have different perspectives.‘
  • TedX talk by William Ury, The Power of Listening – 2015 (acc. 21/2/23)

Missiological and TheologicalReflection

Prayer
Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Gifts

Vision and Calling

Differentiating Spiritual Direction, Life/Health Coaching and Professional Counselling

There are so many options today for seeking help and support as we navigate life! The article below, When to see a Life Coach, and the graphic on the left from that article, does a good job of explaining the basics.

This podcast from James Covey and Brandi Welterlen, Shop Talk with Brandi and James has them chatting to Roslyn Manson, who is Australian, a Spiritual Director and has worked with Wycliffe and SIL in Asia for many years. In the podcast they discuss Spiritual Direction, what it is and is not, and how it can help individuals grow in their relationship with God.

Wycliffe Person Profile

Each Characteristic will have a list of topics that are referenced or connected to issues being raised in the Guide. They are organised alphabetically by topic, and within the topic, alphabetically by author. Some are listed twice as they are referenced for multiple topics.

People of Spiritual, Personal and Professional Integrity

Health

We are not medical or mental health professionals. The links below are intended to give you information on areas which are common in our contexts. Please do seek advice if you need to. What we cannot emphasise strongly enough is that mental health issues, burnout, physical ill health are not badges of honour, nor are they a sign of disgrace. We all have areas in our life where healing would be welcome, and sometimes we can help ourselves. At other times we can only rest in the knowledge that God our Father is walking through everything with us.

Addictive Behaviours

Addictive behaviour has been defined as: “Any activity, substance, object, or behaviour that has become the major focus of a person’s life to the exclusion of other activities, or that has begun to harm the individual or others physically, mentally, or socially is considered an addictive behaviour. A person can become addicted, dependent, or compulsively obsessed with anything. Some researchers imply that there are similarities between physical addiction to various chemicals, such as alcohol and heroin, and psychological dependence to activities such as compulsive gambling, sex, work, running, shopping, or eating disorders.”

Ruth C. Engs What is Addictive Behaviour

Alcoholism

  • AlcoholicsAnonymous – a support group for people who are alcoholics, and for their families
  • Drinkaware – offers advice on what alcoholism is, how to recognise it and what to do if you, or someone you know may be dealing with this behaviour.

Drug dependency

  • Addiction Centre – this site discusses the difference between addiction and dependence and offers insight into what is going on when people are drug dependent

Gambling & Gaming

  • WHO – Addictive Behaviour – the first paragraph of this webpage says: Many people around the world are engaged in (video) gaming and gambling behaviours ,which are recognized as addictive behaviours, but usually do not result in any significant health consequences. However, a small proportion of people engaged in such behaviours may develop disorders due to addictive behaviours associated with functional impairment or distress. If this describes your situation, or someone you know – check out the articles on this site, and seek help
  • Two support groups for this

Children and Technology

  • missionHR – written by SIL, a section on children and technology with a variety of resources aimed at TCKs and families

Internet Addiction

Anxiety

Chronic fatigue (ME)/Long Covid related issues

Depression

Diet and Exercise

There are any number of things that could, and have been said about the importance of diet and exercise. If this is an area in which you, or someone close to you, struggles, then it is also likely you know more books and have had more input on lifestyle changes than you could ever want! So instead of a list of books and exercise regimes, here are two suggestions, one for diet and one for exercise:

  • Diet: over a few weeks listen to the following podcasts by Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken – Addicted to Food and Can I Change with your partner or a close friend. Talk about what you hear and see if it impacts you and your approach to food.
  • Exercise: identify something that you find fun – being with friends, being in the garden, taking photographs… – and think about how you can be intentional in adding exercise into that activity. Give it a go and see how you feel.
Long Term Illness and/or Disabilities

Having long term illness and/or disabilities can result in a lot of questions many of which are practical, but some can be more existential, both in terms of mental health and spiritual wellbeing. Below are links to some practical support, and, further down under Suffering, a couple of suggestions of books which might help with some of the difficult questions suffering can lead us into.

Where to get help and support

Loss and Bereavement

Don’t underestimate grief. It is a very hard and painful experience to go through, and there are no shortcuts. Remember that God is there, even when he feels a million miles away and the only thing you feel is pain.

Also remember that grief is not only about the death of a loved one. We can experience grief with any kind of loss – when we lose a job, when we transition to a new place, when our health changes, when we transition to a new place or a new country, or even back to an old one…

One image illustrating the unpredictability and messiness of bereavement from a blog about grief called Mediocre Meanderings.
Books
Sex and Sexuality

LGBTQ Questions

Gender-based abuse

Sex and talking to children

Sleep

Sleep, or lack of it, can be a real hazard of the job if you are involved in a lot of international travel, or have a high workload, accompanied by a great deal of stress. For some of you all of the above might be the case. Along with a couple of links to articles/groups who offer help with improving your sleep, you will also see included below some reading and ideas on ‘sabbath rest’ – setting time aside to relax, refresh and refocus.

From Better Health Every Mind Matters – Trouble Sleeping

Suffering

All of the health issues talked about here, and of course many others, can cause us to ask questions, as Paul did, around why we are suffering in this way, and why God allows difficult things to happen. Below are a few different ideas of books that look at this from different angles.

Stress and Burnout

Managing stress levels and tipping into burnout is not something to take lightly. It is undoubtedly true that many Christian workers over-extend themselves on a regular basis. There are all kinds of reasons for this, both individual (personality, background, work ethic & theology of sacrifice….) and socio-cultural (internet connectivity 24/7, modelling in the work place, cultural expectations regarding work…). However, at Wycliffe, we want to promote a culture that focuses on living well, and making choices that enable you and those around you, to grow and to thrive.

Ideas to explore

Here are some things you can do if you are concerned your stress levels might be leading to unhealthy patterns and perhaps burnout:

Image from How to diagnose compassion fatigue

Books

Money Matters

Supervision

  • If you are a supervisor think about:
    • Your own work practices and whether you are modelling healthy behaviours when it comes to work/life balance
    • Remind your staff to take care of their whole being. Eat/Sleep/Exercise/Relaxation and to manage stress.
    • Watch this video on Empathy by Brene Brown
Third Culture Kids and Families

Partnership Development

Wycliffe’s Hub on Workday (NB this link will take you to the login page not to the Hub) is the place to go for all our resources and the training course on Partnership Development. If you are not sure how to find log on, ask your PCC. There are an enormous number of resources in there and it is worth a look through even if you do not have any major concerns in this area right now.

We often say partnership development isn’t ‘all about the money’. But of course it is about money, and how God provides for the ministry he’s called us to. In A Spirituality of Fundraising (free download) Henri Nouwen writes, “Those of us who ask for money need to look carefully at ourselves. The question is not how to get money. Rather, the question is about our relationship with money.” (p 27) If you’re looking for a reboot in the area of finances, start off with this little book for a fresh new perspective on God, money and us.

Stewardship

Go to Stewardship’s website for the following articles – again, all worth every moment they will take you to read.

Friendship

The real joy in the journey (Michael Card) of partnership development is in the relationships it’s all about. We all do relationships differently – so make your partnership as far as possible about what you can do, and not about what you can’t, or what you struggle with. Think outside the box: it doesn’t have to be all newsletters and Sunday services.

Ask for resources, help or ideas from your PCC.

Keep your relationship-building based on your vision, not your need.  Think what makes it worth it. With God’s kingdom in mind, not the price of your air fares (or gas bill) you’ll be free to communicate something that people will want to join in with.

And make it real partnership, with partners not suppliers. Find out what it’s really like to be a partner in mission, and adapt your partnership development accordingly. (On this, read Stewardship’s Making others feel comfortable when inviting them to join our partner team). Build a team working together to see people’s lives transformed by knowing Jesus through the Bible!

Time Management

Workload
Work/Life Balance

Competent Professionals

Career Decision-making
Continuous Professional Development
Leadership
Global Mission Context
Professionalism
Vision and Calling
Workplace Culture
Wycliffe

Innovative Investigators

Attachment to God

Creative and Critical Thinking

Problem solving

Risk

  • Eurasia Area Guide – Mental Health in Risky Situations – resources for families living with risk
  • Hampton, A. Facing Danger: A Guide Through Risk – explores what is a theology of risk
  • McCord, K. Farewell, Four Waters, one aid worker’s sudden escape from Afghanistan (McCord); a novel, written by a Christian, based on real events in 2008 that explores the issues of risk and decision making.
  • McCord, K Why God Calls Us To Dangerous Places – Kate McCord, Weaving together Scripture, her story, and stories of both those who go and those who send, Kate considers why God calls us to dangerous places and what it means for all involved.
  • Piper, J. Risk is Right: focuses on the joys of a faith-filled and seriously rewarding life of Jesus-dependent abandon!
  • Shaw, L. The Crime of Living Cautiously – currently unavailable to buy cheaply
  • Wycliffe’s Theology of Risk – document outlining Wycliffe’s approach to risk

Self-discipline

Adaptable Communicators

Adaptability
Conflict (also in Flexible Co-workers)
Difference
Kindness
  • Pickowicz, N. The Kindness of God – In The Kindness of God, pastor and teacher Nate Pickowicz shows how our lives must be understood and lived in light of God’s kindness. Pickowicz brings the reader along a joy-filled journey of discovering God’s life-giving lovingkindness and compassion.
  • Sinek, S. – Youtube video – The Power of Kindness

Flexible Communicators

Conflict (also in Adaptable Communicators)

Resilience

Team Dynamics

Virtual Teams

Vulnerability

  • Bonhoeffer, D. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community– reflects on the dynamics of Christian community, emphasising mutual accountability and shared life.
  • Brown, B.  Daring Greatly or listen to her Ted Talk The Power of Vulnerability in which she offers some very helpful insights into this very powerful human experience.
  • Haley Barton, R. Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership challenging leaders to think through their foundations.
  • Ortberg, J. Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them – discusses the challenges and joys of authentic community, highlighting the need for accountability and vulnerability.

Service-oriented Community Members

Caring for Others

Community Life

Bridges, J. True Community – In True Community, bestselling author Jerry Bridges guides you through koinonia and its implications for today’s church. With discussion questions at the end of each chapter, this book will help you dig deeper into what Christian community in the twenty-first century should look like. You will come away with a new appreciation for fellowship, the church, and what God intended the body of Christ to be.

Bonhoeffer, D. Life Together – Life Together, originally written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a reflection and rule of life during his time as leader of the illegal seminary of the Confessing Church in Finkenwalde (Eastern Prussia) in the 1930s, is one of the classic texts of twentieth-century spirituality. 

Creation Care

Lifelong Learners

Accountability

Coaching and Mentoring

Creativity

Reflective and Reflexive Practice