Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to a wonderful group at Truth in Love Counseling on living out our faith at work. This is part 2 of a five-part series inspired by that talk.
The workplace changed significantly from the time I first joined it, primarily due to technology. There was no email or smartphones, and there were standard beginning and endings to the workday when I began my career at State Farm. In the building I worked at they had chimes to start and end the workday and for lunch breaks. But today, workers are always connected. And many believers use Sunday to catch up on work that has built up from the previous week.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism states that the Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting from unnecessary labors. The concept of rest, in our always connected world, is a subject that would also be a good one for us to teach about in our families and churches. My longtime pastor, Bob Smart, tells us that until we learn to deeply rest and separate ourselves from our work, we won’t work effectively. If you want to know more about intentionally setting Sunday apart for God and His work, see my article, “Ceasing and Feasting”. Continue reading
Tag Archives: integrating faith and work
Announcing the Release of My Book “Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace”
I’m excited to announce that my book Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace is available now on Amazon. The book is available in the Kindle edition, and the updated version can be read on all Kindle devices and on Kindle Reading Apps. The book is free on Kindle Unlimited and available on the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library.
The book looks at calling, vocation, the integration of faith and work and leadership, and ends with some information that will be helpful specifically for church leaders. It includes lessons I’ve learned from more than 40 years of leading in the workplace and at church.
Here is a brief summary of what is in the book:
In Chapter 1 I take you on my faith and work journey.
In Chapter 2-4, I share what the Bible says about work, calling and what I learned about integrating my faith and work as a leader.
In Chapters 5-9, I talk about being called to be a leader and practical applications of living and leading for Jesus in the workplace, which includes meetings, communication, listening, goal setting, leading large teams and challenges in
leadership. There are also tips on how to care for others and develop future leaders.
In Chapter 10 I look at finishing well in our callings and also the idea of retirement for the Christian.
In Chapter 11, I share a few suggestions for church leaders on how they can help those under their care see that God values their work and callings.
In Chapter 12 I share some leadership lessons from the Bible.
Chapters 13-16 include thoughts for developing leaders inside and outside of the church, as well as practical advice on effective planning in the church, as well as reasons why your church should establish a personnel structure.
While the book has been written primarily for Christians, in both the general marketplace and the church, I hope that there will be some helpful takeaways for everyone. Go to this page in the Amazon Kindle Store to view a free chapter in the book and/or purchase it. If you read the book, please let me know what you think of it. Thanks.