Programs

The Washington Institute has two primary programs which it offers: one is for small groups and one is for larger groups. It also offers tailored presentations on the nexus of faith – vocation – culture and on leaders who serve.

For small groups: Vocare Gatherings

These gatherings are for a group anywhere from 6-12 people, who would typically gather around a table meal—either lunch or dinner—preferably in a workplace setting or in a home, to discuss in a single conversation the issues people are facing in living a while life where Christian faith and vocation are seamless, where there is a real sense of God’s calling to the work and the life they are living and they have the resources to sustain that calling in the midst of the pressures of a secular world. All a Vocare Gathering requires is someone to convene it at a location and who will invite those who might be interested in beginning a Vocare group. The group can either be individuals in the same profession or those of varied professions and, ideally, there would be some mix of age and experience as well. The Washington Institute will provide either Steve Garber or Ray Blunt to meet with the group and to facilitate the conversation for a few times until a conversation leader emerges. The outcome for those who are part of this group is that they grow in faith and in assurance that what they get up and do each morning is God’s work for them as his co-laborers for his purposes. A voluntary contribution is appreciated but not required from those attending. Contact The Washington Institute for questions or scheduling.

For larger groups: Faith and Work Seminars

Faith and Work Seminars are typically a four-week series lasting 90 minutes each session, and taught by Washington Institute faculty: Steve Garber, Anne Cregger, and Ray Blunt. These sessions can be anywhere from a dozen to one hundred people and are normally part of a weeknight offering by a local church for members of their congregation and for nearby congregations or interested individuals. Attendees are typically people who have an interest in gaining a deeper perspective of how God views the importance of their work, how they can better understand and live out their calling and their faith, and how to deal with the typical issues that confront a person who seeks to be like Christ where they work. These sessions, depending on size, offer ample opportunity for interaction, small group discussion, and practical application. Both lecture and film are used during these sessions as an adjunct to interaction. Follow-up conversations are also available one-on-one either by phone or in person where feasible. The outcome for those attending should be a deeper understanding of how God values all callings equally and that he is present in every work setting no matter how secular as he reaches the culture through his people. A voluntary contribution is appreciated but not required from those attending. Contact The Washington Institute for questions or scheduling.

We have experience in offering a variety of presentations or seminars that can range from two hours to 2 days on these two generic topics. They can be in the form of a lecture, interactive lecture or seminar depending on the need. Each is tailored to the purposes of the audience and the outcomes desired by the requesting organization. These presentations or seminars can be for a local church, a seminary, a conference, or an organization. The size of the audience is normally anywhere from 20 to 200 or more. Normally, materials are provided to the participants to aid in their understanding. Given the nature of the variety of possible offerings, please contact The Washington Institute to discuss the nature of the agreement and the cost.