Careers Through Faith (CTF) offers a series of career transition programs helping people through Christian principles to integrate their career, faith and life. See the Workshops tab for a list of upcoming events.
Upcoming Workshops - All are open to the public
June 22nd, Monday evening, Natick, Massachusetts (Boston Area)
Wednesday, July 8th, Detroit area Our Lady of Sorrows Church 23815 Power Road, Farmington, Michigan 7:00 - 9:00 pm
September 10, Ann Arbor area 6-week, 6-evening workshop, 7:00 - 9:30 pm Call us for an update - details are being finalized
October 10th, Saturday Ann Arbor, Michigan (Southeastern Michigan) 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, day-long workshop
October 22nd, Keytone Community Church, Saline, MIchigan (Southeastern Michigan) 6-week, 6-evening workshop, 7:00 - 9:30 pm
CTF Presentations and Workshops Content
- Producing long-term career results while integrating your career, faith and life - Activities for immediate success "if the phone rings today and it is..."
- How to practically balance yours skills, mission and income requirements - Identifying your core competencies for success at multiple levels - Developing your message - qualifiers, differentiators and elevators - Do-Able networking approaches that produce job offers - Resumes - professional strategies for getting "out of the stack" - Cover letters - how to be exactly on target - Creating results without relying on the Internet - How to work with others to create mutually beneficial alliances
NEWS!
The CTF Ministry Board of Directors is pleased to announce that CTF has received notice that it is now a Qualified Public Charity and is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions from individuals to CTF are therefore tax exempt under section 170 of the Code. CTF is also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devices, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 and 2522 of the Code. This exemption is effective immediately and retroactive to December 12, 2008.
If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution and help CTF reach the world with the message ofhow to integrate careers, faith and life, please contact Cathy Synko at 734.332.8800 x 212.
____________________________________________
From Our Recent Workshop at Keystone Community Church
CTF is a great way to explore what God wants you to do, where he wants you doing it, and what you can to do head toward that. I highly recommend this program. - Kathleen Chandler, Keystone Community Church
CTF is... meeting people who help each other. This is a great program. -- Wil Mefford, St. Luke Lutheran Church
It helped me broaden my vision and my job search. I now realize I can change direction and utilize a different set of skills and talents in my next job. I've already told a friend about CTF who is attending your next program. - Kurt Smith, Keystone Community Church
The openness and friendships I developed are the best part of the program. CTF surpasses anything that is and has been offered through most churches. - Bill Coughlin, Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church
With faith... isn't this how God intended for us to live our lives? Nick's insights are very inspirational. I would definitely recommend this program to others. - Theresa Lee, St. William Church
What did I like best about the program? The outlook and approach to life and career taught throughout this program. Tell others this program will give you confidence in your job hunt and a positive outlook. - Scott Vandenburgh, St. Stephen Church
I have learned so much about myself by doing the Tips in the workbook. Hours of introspection have revealed talents and interests that I never considered applying to a career before... now I am. - Kathleen Chandler, Christ the King Church
The honesty of this program was the best part for me. I'd tell others that CTF teaches how to set aside your predisposition and listen to...your FAITH! - Craig Coleman, Keystone Community Church
_________________________
Faith Magazine Article, by Nick Synko, March 2009 Issue
Q.I was laid off almost a year ago from my job in an auto plant. I haven't been able to find a job anywhere; I'm only 42 and I need to support my family. What can I do?
A. Similarly, what does the mechanical engineer do when he comes to understand his engineering careeris the major cause of significant and long-term job dissatisfaction?What does the recently divorced dad do now that his travel schedule is no longer possible?What does the stay-at-mom do, when her spouse suddenly passes away?What does the professional ballet dancer do when?As I work with individuals who also hit their career crossroads, the simplest of exercises is where we begin.We ask two questions.
- Question # 1 - What do you want to do to get a new job? - Question # 2 - What do you know you must do, even though you do not want to do it?
We then work together to answer each question on separate sheets of paper.Next, we set aside the answers to question # 1.No one wants to - everyone wants to do what they want to do.However, when it comes to career detour situations, the challenge is that you have to do what you gotta do, even though you do not want to do it.
To successfully transition a career, everything depends upon how committed you are to performing those gotta do activities that at first seem like a significant stretch. Of course, the more routinely you work your way through such challenges, the more naturally you become comfortable with the new you.It literally becomes easier to be the new you than the old you. In each of these situations, we find that wisdom, experience and the Holy Spirit provided solid answers to that second question.People know what needs to be done.
How did the people mentioned earlier fare?The engineer took out loans, returned to school and is now a nurse.The divorced dad working as a traveling sales representative scaled back his life style to fit his new local job and reduced income level.The widowed mom is now working as an administrative assistant after taking several valuable computer skills classes. The ballet dancer relocated, took an entry level job as a customer service representative and in just a few years greatly increased her initial income.
Different stories, yet there is a common outcome of a successful career transition.You, too, may learn to truly believe Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-- Nick Synko _________________________ Our next Careers Through Faith workshops begin soon. See the Workshops tab on the web site or call Cathy at 734.332.8800 x 212 for registration information. Yes, CTF can be presented in your area of the country.
For most of us we are so busy doing what we do day-in and day-out that it would be a somewhat a miracle if a new thought found any time and space in our busy life. It is because of this never-ending pattern of busyness that we often fail to give adequate reflection to questions such as What is God asking me to do with my life?
Then, because we do not allow adequate time to work our way through these questions, we settle for quick answers to profound questions. The most frequent answer we hear is something akin to, "I don't know and I really don't think it is possible to know." On the other hand, for people we have worked with, who take the time to reflect and pray, a greater answer always appears.
Therefore, if you don't know what you are supposed to do with your life, in our experience it is highly likely you have not taken the time to adequately explore the new territories of your mind and your potential future. Saying you don't know, indeed may be a perfectly true answer for the moment; however, that is not the final answer for those willing to complete the journey of exploration.
So, how do you get started? Our recommendation is that you begin by attending a CTF workshop. If you cannot attend a workshop or would prefer to begin with a book, read What am I supposed to do with my life? by Douglas Brouwer. Reverend Brouwer is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After I read this book I took the time to meet with him and found a new friend in Christ. If you are exploring questions of purpose and mission, this is one of our favorite books to consider. ____________________________
Nick Synko, CTF Founder
Careers Through Faith began in 1992 with a request to meet only once with an individual who requested career guidance. Today, we offer faith-based, career-coaching workshops and self-study materials to churches and individuals across the country. Everything we offer is designed to integrate a person's career, faith and life. For additional information, please call me at 734.332.8800 ext. 213
Careers Through Faith Board Members
-- Marty Bodnar, J.D., MBA - Board Chairperson -- Renee Bodnar -- Deacon Paul Ellis -- Paul Rzepka, CPA - Board Treasurer -- Cathy Synko - Board Secretary -- Nick Synko -- Jean Teifer Have You Benefited From CTF? Would You Like to Make a Donation to Help Others Do the Same? Your financial support for Careers Through Faith (CTF) helps to build and expand this ministry as well as to fund scholarships for individuals who cannot afford even the minimal fees we suggest for our workshops. Will you help us promote Christ's place in career decisions by donating to CTF? To consider making a Tax Deductible Donation,contact Cathy Synko, CTF Coordinator at 734.332.8800 x 228
