Unlock is a non denominatial Christian charity that was founded in 1972. It exists to support urban churches of any denomination in responding to the oportunities and challenges in their areas. We are especially concerned with facilitating Bible engagement
within 'traditional tabloid' ('non-book', 'oral learners', or 'text-shy') cultures.
What do we do?
As well as deploying Unlock Local Partnership workers to enable local Christians to reach and engage their communities, we provide training and publish a variety of group
Bible study packs. 'Unlock more than you
think' and 'Unlock DIY' will give you more ideas about using Unlock’s methods. You will find them on the Resources Page>>
What don’t we do?
We don’t offer pre-packaged answers. Each community has to
work creatively within its own unique situation, and we offer to support and resource that process.
What we do will depend on the need being felt. We’ll try to find someone from
our team of workers to work with you!
Back in February 2020 Unlock' Chief Officer, Dawn Lonsdale, was interviewed on BBC Radio Norfolk by Kirsteen Thorne. The interview expains what Unlock does and how we do it. You can listen to it here.
Unlock, by various names, has been around since 1972, trying to help (mainly) urban Christians to understand and share their faith appropriately. Our life experience matters; our stories; our joys and sorrows. The Bible has plenty to say - more than we'll ever know - about our lives if we know how to read it and apply it... if we know how to UNLOCK it!
Evangelism is social action because it is changed people that change the world - John Stott.
A story from Unlock Hull:-
Even The Smallest of Things:
“One special memory was the Good Samaritan which we did as a small group. For me it encapsulated the Unlock technique. It started with questions like: Have you ever been mugged? Have you ever gone out of your way to help anyone? Have you ever turned a blind eye?
This led to some amazing discussions and we ended up making puppets that were like walls with heads, arms and hands. One was the “stick yer neck out” wall and the other was the “keep yer head down” wall. Characters came knocking at the walls to ask for help.
The keep-yer-head down wall wouldn’t get involved but the stick-yer-neck-out would and characters came out from behind it with things that could help (eg: time, money, practical help etc). In the end these characters (made of elastic) got stretched and stretched until they became exhausted. The session finished with Jesus coming into the scene as the door which could be opened or shut according to His wisdom.
Unlock has a way of thinking that can’t be packaged. You just have to learn it by doing. The most powerful stuff in practice is the small intimate Bible study situations where your story comes first and then how it relates to the Bible. I found I got more from the Bible looking at it this way round. The stories become yours and there’s lots of WOW moments. It’s a magical thing really. It has affected my way of thinking. Stories are validated, even the smallest things.”
Latest Annual Unlock Update >>
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