Who are we?

Unlock is a Christian organisation that has been around since 1972. It exists to help urban churches of any denomination to respond to the challenges in their areas. We are especially concerned with communication in a traditional tabloid (non-book, or text-shy) culture.

What do we do?

As well as our team of workers, we publish a variety of group Bible study packs, games, Lent courses and audit materials. 'Unlock more than you think' would give you more ideas about using Unlock’s methods.

What don’t we do?

We don’t offer pre-packaged answers. Each group has to struggle with its own unique situation, and we offer to assist in that process. What we do will depend on the need being felt. We’ll try to find someone from our team of workers to help you!

Unlock Stories and explanations

An Unlock worker remembers >>

Unlock story cards >> NEW 2009

The story of Unlock Hull >>

If Unlock is the answer; what is the question?>>

Unlock Annual Report
Unlock Annual Report 2008>>

More information
Unlock Mission Statement - part one >>
Unlock Mission Statement - part two >>
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The theory behind Unlock's approach >>
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Unlock Foundation Principles >>

Unlock Dos and Don'ts >>

Unlock workshop handout >>

Unlock powerpoint presentation >>
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Stories from Unlock Liverpool:-

Cooking the Book:

After preparing the veg together and putting the soup on to simmer, I asked, 'Have you ever made something that you are proud of?' Given the nature of the group, the responses were quite amazing, including re-upholstering a 3 piece suite and carving book ends that are still used some 20 years on. 'How did you feel?' was the next question, to which someone responded 'Kinda too big on the inside, like there wasn't enough room for how pleased I was and I might burst.'  We shared a few more experiences and then went through a pictorial account of the creation story.  Finishing by saying that when God made all those things and when he made each of us, He thought it was good, He probably had the same feelings you did when you were pleased with what you made'... there was a moments silence, one of those holy feeling pauses, then, reverently, 'That's boss, that is.  God thinks I'm alright.'

Staying for Lunch:

Our first session looked at the theme, 'Even Good Parents Make Mistakes'.  Starting from a picture of a very lonely looking girl we shared stories, of course we all had plenty of personal experience to draw on! I then 'told' the story of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus on the way back from Jerusalem.  At our following meeting one of the girls was really animated when I asked, 'Has anything from the last session made a difference to you over the last fortnight?'  'Yes, yes! It was amazing, right, we was in town and me mate lost her kid, only for a few minutes like but while he was lost we bumped into her mam and her mam was furious, yelling at her and that.  And I thought, that's a bit harsh, she's only made a mistake.  Then we found the kid but her mam were still going on and I remembered what had happened to Mary so I told her if it was good enough for Jesus to have a human mam that made mistakes then surely it's good enough for anyone!'

Stories from Unlock Hull:-

Sue’s story:

It was during one of the early EUTP Festivals (Unlock used to be know as EUTP) when Stuart Robinson (then curate of St Martin’s) led a Bible Study as part of his post-ordination training that I had a kind of Damascus experience.

He gave us a passage and asked us “What do you feel?” It was the first time someone had related a Bible passage to our lives and it had a huge impact on me.

Some time later Andy Dorton had a meeting at his house where Bill Bullen came to speak with Jim Hart. As Bill spoke everything he said made complete sense. All the things I’ve felt instinctively had a grounding.

I’d struggled at theological college and often twagged off.  I felt a square peg in a round hole. When Jenny Richardson came to do some training with us much later on, she made me feel much better about myself. All the things I did instinctively Jenny explained. She put the meat on the bones if you like.                                 

Unlock did for me what, the theory is, we do for others. It helped my theological development. And what was the most exciting thing, above all, was watching people blossom and seeing them express themselves. It’s a levelling thing. It’s not the one with the degree who leads but the one with the story.

Betty’s story:

“I remember an event about the Exodus and I didn’t want to be involved. I wanted to stay in the kitchen instead cos I thought that was my place. Andy dragged me out though and told me it was time for me to get out of the kitchen! He asked me if I’d ever had an experience of moving or escaping from somewhere. I told my story of how I moved from Hessle Road to Preston Road when I was 7 and how it  felt like entering the Promised Land.

I’d never seen hot running water before or so much green space, or had an indoor loo! One memory of my sister is very clear; of her perched on a lorry with tea cosy on her knee and a kitten sitting in it. She was only little and she had a big beam on her face. We ended up keeping the kitten.

It felt good and bad to tell this part of my story. It was something I hadn’t thought of much. A forgotten memory. There was happiness in it but also some pain. It was the first time I realised that the Bible had anything to do with my life. Another woman talked about the time she left her husband. It was a healing thing for both of us.”

Liz’s story

“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.”