Thursday, December 25, 2008
This WorkLife Viewpoint was written by Ed Noble, Teaching Pastor, Journey Community Church, San Diego, CA.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE MANGER?
This time of year we get lots of reflection and comment on the events of the first Christmas and its significance. I think that's great. It helps us think about why Jesus came.
But what happened after the manger? Well, Jesus was baptized at about 30 years of age (taking all the factors into consideration, He was probably close to 33 when He was baptized), but we don't hear much about what happened in between.
There's a reason for that. There is a serious absence of biblical data. That is clearly not the focus of the gospel writers.
But another reason is that they assumed that their original audience knew basically what the life of a Jewish boy would be like.
One of the details that are germane to our thinking about the workplace is this: JESUS HAD A JOB - HE WORKED, AND NOT IN "PROFESSIONAL MINISTRY".
We know that it was standard for a Jewish father to pass on his trade to his son. So have you ever reflected on the fact that of all the precious seconds that Jesus was here in the flesh, Jesus spent more of them in the workplace than teaching and preaching? There are a lot of lessons we can draw from this. May I suggest one?
Obviously, the three short years that Jesus spent actually preaching, teaching, healing, training and equipping, were enough for Him to finish all that God had for Him to do (John 17:4).
So, Jesus was no less significant or "called" than those of us who spend all of our time in these activities. The time He did spend was exactly what God had for Him. So it is with you and me. Some of us are called to spend all our time in "traditional ministry".
The majority of us spend a smaller percentage of time in these activities. That doesn't mean we are any less called, any less significant, any less eternity impacting than those of us who are called to spend a higher percentage of time in "traditional ministry".
The key is to be faithful 100% of the time in what God has asked you to do - to be ready for those moments when God may have something unusual for which he has been preparing you. That could be on your very next workday. So, fellow Christ followers, let's do whatever we do, whether it looks like the first thirty years of Jesus' life or that last three, with 100% faithfulness, ready for the moments He will bring our way for His glory. Bless you as you walk with Jesus at Work.
Resources:
His Church at Work - http://www.hischurchatwork.org/
Hill Country Bible Church's WorkLife mininstry - http://www.hcbc.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=28485&PID=398977
Practicing Christianity
Notes from "The Joy of Fearing God" by Jerry Bridges
page 162 - If we express our fear of God by keeping all His decrees and commands as Moses said (Deut 6:2), then we must give attention to our interpersonal relationships.
Consider, for example the following from Romans 12:
http://leadingwellbyreadingwell.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-joy-of-fearing-god-by-jerry.html
page 162 - If we express our fear of God by keeping all His decrees and commands as Moses said (Deut 6:2), then we must give attention to our interpersonal relationships.
Consider, for example the following from Romans 12:
- Love sincerely (v9), Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (10)
- Honor others above yourself (10)
- Share with others in need (13)
- Practice hospitality (13)
- Bless those who persecute you (14)
- Rejoice with those who rejoice (15)
- Mourn with those who mourn (15)
- Live in harmony with one another (16)
- Do not be proud or conceited (16)
- Do not repay evil for evil (17)
- Seek to live at peace with everyone (18)
- Do not seek revenge (19)
- Overcome evil with good (21)
http://leadingwellbyreadingwell.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-joy-of-fearing-god-by-jerry.html
Leading, Influence and Control
Daily we all influence and through this influence, we in turn lead others. Not always, but normally.
Example: years ago, in around 1980, I was with a group of people and one them was women 8 month's pregnant. When the waitress came to ask for orders, the pregnant woman orders a beer. The waitress takes everyone's order and walks off. A few minutes later, she comes back a let's everyone know that she does not agree with the pregnant woman's choice to drink while pregnant and that another waitress, who feels it is not her place to make such a "judgement," will be taking over the table.
Now, let's take a look at all the influencing that took place during this 5 minutes and what it led to.
Example: years ago, in around 1980, I was with a group of people and one them was women 8 month's pregnant. When the waitress came to ask for orders, the pregnant woman orders a beer. The waitress takes everyone's order and walks off. A few minutes later, she comes back a let's everyone know that she does not agree with the pregnant woman's choice to drink while pregnant and that another waitress, who feels it is not her place to make such a "judgement," will be taking over the table.
Now, let's take a look at all the influencing that took place during this 5 minutes and what it led to.
- obviously there was the influencing by the pregnant woman's choice to order a beer
- there had been other influences in the waitress' life that led her to be influenced to voice her opinion and not just give up the table to another waitress because of those past influences that led her to the convictions to begin with
- the waitress was influenced by the pregnant woman to give up her table, thus, her tip from a large group of people
- the new waitress was influenced
- others at the table were influenced to discuss and even verbally express judgement on and ridicule the 1st waitress
- at least one person, me, was influenced enough by the 1st waitress to remember 25+ years later the event. I had never considered, up until then, the dangers drinking brought to an unborn fetus. Those thoughts and concerns were not part of my thought patterns at that time in my life, but yet, I'm influenced by the actions of another with such an exchange of words and actions.
Now, replace the word influence with lead.
In the same exercise, take either word and replace with the word influence or lead with control and you'll find them not near the same. The only person that controls us is ourselves. We have choices. We have free will. There are of course consequences to choices. But, just because some leads, or influences, us doesn't mean with have to follow. We might loose friends, or a job, or "respect"....but we have control over how we are influenced.
Book: Lasting Investments
page 53 "Ministry must have as its long-term eternal focus either evangelism or discipleship as defined by Jesus in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Ministry has as its goal to enlarge and mature the body of Christ. Is feeding the hungry a ministry? Yes, if its focus is eternal. But if it is only to fill empty stomachs, then it is just a good deed. So, ministry is determined not just by what we do by why we do it."
That's good stuff. He goes on to quote a friend, Walter Henrichsen: "The secular becomes spiritual if done for the eternal, and the spiritual or religious becomes secular if done for the temporal."
http://leadingwellbyreadingwell.blogspot.com/2008/07/book-lasting-investments-by-kent.html
That's good stuff. He goes on to quote a friend, Walter Henrichsen: "The secular becomes spiritual if done for the eternal, and the spiritual or religious becomes secular if done for the temporal."
http://leadingwellbyreadingwell.blogspot.com/2008/07/book-lasting-investments-by-kent.html
Book: The Last Men's Book You'll Ever Need
The entire book, but particularly the chapter on "Loosing Your Job Everyday"
http://leadingwellbyreadingwell.blogspot.com/2008/04/book-last-mens-book-youll-ever-need-by.html
http://leadingwellbyreadingwell.blogspot.com/2008/04/book-last-mens-book-youll-ever-need-by.html
Classroom: Seattle, 4/18/2008 - 4/20/2008
I am taking this class, at this point, as an 'auditor" though I do intend to complete the coursework and develop a cirriculum for "Theology of Work."
All but three of the students were vocational ministry workers working on their masters or doctrates degree. Three of us were involved in jobs outside vocational ministry.
I am not sure what I expected of the class, yet it was good; very academic, but this is coming from a guy who has not been a classroom in 35 years.
The instructor, Professor R. Paul Stevens was incredibly prepared and it is obvious that he has spent many years living, not just teaching, his subject. He put forth his views very purposefully and appeared to be extremely thorough in the content.
While there were occasions for interaction, I felt he wanted more than he got.
On the afternoon of day 2, Professor Stevens stopped the class for 15 minutes of "quiet-time." This was in addition to a scheduled break. The students and other staff, there were 17 of us in all, spent time in prayer, or I suppose just relaxing. It was an incredible experience.
Professor Stevens shared over 600 power point screens of information and data. Not only did he teach from them, he allowed us to copy the power point presentation for future reference. This was incredibly helpfull in taking notes during the class. Many of these screens he did not share in class, but we now have them for insight into more of his teaching.
I was gratefull I had spent so much time in his books the past 2 months.
All but three of the students were vocational ministry workers working on their masters or doctrates degree. Three of us were involved in jobs outside vocational ministry.
I am not sure what I expected of the class, yet it was good; very academic, but this is coming from a guy who has not been a classroom in 35 years.
The instructor, Professor R. Paul Stevens was incredibly prepared and it is obvious that he has spent many years living, not just teaching, his subject. He put forth his views very purposefully and appeared to be extremely thorough in the content.
While there were occasions for interaction, I felt he wanted more than he got.
On the afternoon of day 2, Professor Stevens stopped the class for 15 minutes of "quiet-time." This was in addition to a scheduled break. The students and other staff, there were 17 of us in all, spent time in prayer, or I suppose just relaxing. It was an incredible experience.
Professor Stevens shared over 600 power point screens of information and data. Not only did he teach from them, he allowed us to copy the power point presentation for future reference. This was incredibly helpfull in taking notes during the class. Many of these screens he did not share in class, but we now have them for insight into more of his teaching.
I was gratefull I had spent so much time in his books the past 2 months.
The Instrumental Value of Work
The Instrumental Value of Work: that work is a God-given means toward several important ends.
*Excerpts from Your Work Matters to God by Sherman/Hendricks
God gives us 5 reasons to work (page 87);
1. Through work we serve people
2. Through work we meet our own needs
3. Through work we meet our family's needs
4. Through work we earn money to give to others
5. Through work we love God
Through Work We Love God (pages 93-94)
The final reason God has given us work is so that we can love Him. Does this sound odd to you, the idea of work as a means toward loving God?.....
Let me suggest that your work makes loving God very practical....
The test of love. That is, after all, what it means to love God: to do what God wants us to do, and to do it out of a sincere desire to please Him. In fact, that is the only way we can love Him.
Let me apply this idea to you and your work. If you want to love God through your work, then you need to determine that what you are doing in your job is something God wants done, and that you are doing your job becasue God wants it done.
Suppose you are a piano tuner. Is that something God wans done? It unquestionably is, because the pianist cannot play on a piano that is out of tune.. Furthermore, if you have the ear for it, then you have a God-given means of providing for this need and for your income.
I encourage you as a worker to think through your job on this basis. At first it may be hard to see how your work connects with anything that God wants done. But I advise you to hink very broadly about the needs that people have and hte work that God has given mankind to do.
Note: this is only a small part of what Sherman have to say about this subject of loving God through your work.
*Excerpts from Your Work Matters to God by Sherman/Hendricks
God gives us 5 reasons to work (page 87);
1. Through work we serve people
2. Through work we meet our own needs
3. Through work we meet our family's needs
4. Through work we earn money to give to others
5. Through work we love God
Through Work We Love God (pages 93-94)
The final reason God has given us work is so that we can love Him. Does this sound odd to you, the idea of work as a means toward loving God?.....
Let me suggest that your work makes loving God very practical....
The test of love. That is, after all, what it means to love God: to do what God wants us to do, and to do it out of a sincere desire to please Him. In fact, that is the only way we can love Him.
Let me apply this idea to you and your work. If you want to love God through your work, then you need to determine that what you are doing in your job is something God wants done, and that you are doing your job becasue God wants it done.
Suppose you are a piano tuner. Is that something God wans done? It unquestionably is, because the pianist cannot play on a piano that is out of tune.. Furthermore, if you have the ear for it, then you have a God-given means of providing for this need and for your income.
I encourage you as a worker to think through your job on this basis. At first it may be hard to see how your work connects with anything that God wants done. But I advise you to hink very broadly about the needs that people have and hte work that God has given mankind to do.
Note: this is only a small part of what Sherman have to say about this subject of loving God through your work.
Book titled: "The Call" by Os Guiness
Dialog about this book can be found at http://great-leaders-are-readers.blogspot.com/
Book titled: "Joy at Work Bible Study Companion" by Raymond Bakke, William Hendricks, Brad Smith
Starting with Genesis record of creation and moving through Revelation, this Bible study supplements the book Joy at Work with:
- Biblical readings that unveil the principles behind each chapter in Joy at Work
- A synthesis of theological principles
- Reflective questions to prepare readers for small-group discussion
- Questions for small-group discussion
- Guidelines for immediate and long-term application for business and nonprofit leaders at all levels of corporations and organizations
Excerpt from the cover
Book titled "Joy at Work" by Dennis Bakke
I first read this book in 2004 after receiving the book from Don Harris. Don had heard Dennis speak at DTS' Leaderboard.
The principles Mr. Bakke used to run his business are....profound. While I have attempted to use many of these in my company, Alethes LLC, I have found them to be difficult. I suspect the difficulty is in part due to the culture. It is undoubtedly also do to my lack of spiritual maturity.
While the book was a great addition to what I had been learning about God's intention for me in the workplace, it was listening to the CDs of Dennis' Leaderboard class (thanks Don for the loan of those CDs) that made a profound impact. This led me back to the book and workbook.
I'll comment more on this book in my notes from the workbook.
Danny
The principles Mr. Bakke used to run his business are....profound. While I have attempted to use many of these in my company, Alethes LLC, I have found them to be difficult. I suspect the difficulty is in part due to the culture. It is undoubtedly also do to my lack of spiritual maturity.
While the book was a great addition to what I had been learning about God's intention for me in the workplace, it was listening to the CDs of Dennis' Leaderboard class (thanks Don for the loan of those CDs) that made a profound impact. This led me back to the book and workbook.
I'll comment more on this book in my notes from the workbook.
Danny
Book titled "Doing God’s Business: Meaning and Motivation for the Workplace" by R. Paul Stevens
The author is the instructor for the April, 2008, class at BGU.
I'll summerize what I've read by quoting from the books "epilog:"
"The contemplative Leaders are saints dressed in ordinary business suites. They know the complexity of working in the real world of trade-offs, deals, and half-truths and they live by grace, God's gratuitous unselfing of himself that enables them to go the extra mile, to offer extraordinary service, to see the slimiest competitor as one made in God's image, albeit distorted and twisted.
The contemplative leader know themselves to be deeply approved by God.
They know it is not work itself that makes them acceptable to God and that the most menial seeming job is meant to please God.
The contemplative leader knows that God is present in the marketplace, have gospel confidence and their identity is not wrapped up in making the best deal, or advancing up the corporate ladder, or owning more than others.
The contemplative leader is acquainted with compromise but are never of touch with God.
The contemplative leaders prays; lifts everything up to God - meetings, contacts with others, decisions, and intercession for the company or institution; engages in spiritual warfare because he/she faces a multi-level resistance from the world, the flesh, and the devil Deals with the world by non-conformity (Romans 12:1-2), yet loving the world as God does; deals with fallen structures by engagement and transformation, making a difference where they can by participation and sometimes by non-violent suffering; deals with the flesh by crucifying the flesh (not the body but life lived without God and turned in on oneself) and by walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:24-25); deals with the devil by the Word and prayer."
If this book is an indication of the class led by Professor Stevens, I'm going to need to buckle-up.
I'll summerize what I've read by quoting from the books "epilog:"
"The contemplative Leaders are saints dressed in ordinary business suites. They know the complexity of working in the real world of trade-offs, deals, and half-truths and they live by grace, God's gratuitous unselfing of himself that enables them to go the extra mile, to offer extraordinary service, to see the slimiest competitor as one made in God's image, albeit distorted and twisted.
The contemplative leader know themselves to be deeply approved by God.
They know it is not work itself that makes them acceptable to God and that the most menial seeming job is meant to please God.
The contemplative leader knows that God is present in the marketplace, have gospel confidence and their identity is not wrapped up in making the best deal, or advancing up the corporate ladder, or owning more than others.
The contemplative leader is acquainted with compromise but are never of touch with God.
The contemplative leaders prays; lifts everything up to God - meetings, contacts with others, decisions, and intercession for the company or institution; engages in spiritual warfare because he/she faces a multi-level resistance from the world, the flesh, and the devil Deals with the world by non-conformity (Romans 12:1-2), yet loving the world as God does; deals with fallen structures by engagement and transformation, making a difference where they can by participation and sometimes by non-violent suffering; deals with the flesh by crucifying the flesh (not the body but life lived without God and turned in on oneself) and by walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:24-25); deals with the devil by the Word and prayer."
If this book is an indication of the class led by Professor Stevens, I'm going to need to buckle-up.
Why take this course?
In summary:
I became a "praticing Christian" in late 1989 and was led to a Bible study "Your Matters to God." This was a video/workbook instruction spun off of the book with the same title authored by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks. During the next few years I participated and/or led numerous of these studies while steadly pursuing what it means to work and lead according to Biblical principles.
In 2003 I began a quaterly class presented by the Center for Christian Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary. The class, THE LEADERBOARD, was sponsored in part by Howard Hendrick, "the Prof," who is a DTS professor and father to William Hendricks.
A speaker at the 2004 Leaderboard was Dennis Bakke, successful businessman and author of "Joy at Work." Though I did not attend, a friend brought me the book and I later purchased the workbook.
One of the 2007 Leaderboard sessions led me to the Bakke Graduate University's Theology of Work course.
The reading for the preparation has been extensive (see list at BGU website) but incredible.
Note: while I do not have an undergraduate degree and thus not taking the class for credit, I will be completing all the coursework for review.
Why take this class, or any such class? Because, I know I need to be transformed through the renewing of my mind. I know I need to be reminded of what is good and true. I know I need help in being a Godly worker, employee, boss, businessowner. I know I am not well equipped in these (and other areas). I don't have the training I need to "soften peoples hearts to the point they ask about Christ." If I live a normal life span, I will likely spend another 30,000 hours in the workplace and I want those hours to be for the glorification of God; I want it to be about Jesus.
And, I struggle with the mainstream teachings, or lack of, in this part of my life. I struggle with much of what is being taught by those that are focusing on workplace ministries. And I know I am likely very wrong by struggling.
Why am I taking this class? Because I want to really know what it means to live out Matthew 28:18-20 and Colossians 1:28-29. I want to know about real discipling, baptizing, and teaching and presenting every man complete in Christ.
God has called me to work and I know it has to be more than what I've been doing. I know it is more about Him, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. I know it is about loving Him and loving others.
Thus, this is in part why I'm taking this class.
Pray for me as I complete the reading, the coursework, the class in April, and as I learn how to love Him more.
Danny
I became a "praticing Christian" in late 1989 and was led to a Bible study "Your Matters to God." This was a video/workbook instruction spun off of the book with the same title authored by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks. During the next few years I participated and/or led numerous of these studies while steadly pursuing what it means to work and lead according to Biblical principles.
In 2003 I began a quaterly class presented by the Center for Christian Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary. The class, THE LEADERBOARD, was sponsored in part by Howard Hendrick, "the Prof," who is a DTS professor and father to William Hendricks.
A speaker at the 2004 Leaderboard was Dennis Bakke, successful businessman and author of "Joy at Work." Though I did not attend, a friend brought me the book and I later purchased the workbook.
One of the 2007 Leaderboard sessions led me to the Bakke Graduate University's Theology of Work course.
The reading for the preparation has been extensive (see list at BGU website) but incredible.
Note: while I do not have an undergraduate degree and thus not taking the class for credit, I will be completing all the coursework for review.
Why take this class, or any such class? Because, I know I need to be transformed through the renewing of my mind. I know I need to be reminded of what is good and true. I know I need help in being a Godly worker, employee, boss, businessowner. I know I am not well equipped in these (and other areas). I don't have the training I need to "soften peoples hearts to the point they ask about Christ." If I live a normal life span, I will likely spend another 30,000 hours in the workplace and I want those hours to be for the glorification of God; I want it to be about Jesus.
And, I struggle with the mainstream teachings, or lack of, in this part of my life. I struggle with much of what is being taught by those that are focusing on workplace ministries. And I know I am likely very wrong by struggling.
Why am I taking this class? Because I want to really know what it means to live out Matthew 28:18-20 and Colossians 1:28-29. I want to know about real discipling, baptizing, and teaching and presenting every man complete in Christ.
God has called me to work and I know it has to be more than what I've been doing. I know it is more about Him, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. I know it is about loving Him and loving others.
Thus, this is in part why I'm taking this class.
Pray for me as I complete the reading, the coursework, the class in April, and as I learn how to love Him more.
Danny
Description of Course
This is a class offered by Bakke Graduate Universtity in Seattle, Washington.
The course syllabus and discription can be found at http://www.bgu.edu/scripts/courseView.asp?courseId=141 .
My notes in this blog are part of my reflections while reading the books, taking notes, and outlining each book.
This is a subject I've found severly neglected in the everyday Christians life. I am blessed to be able to take on this study and pray for God's wisdom in what He wants me to learn (and change).
Danny
The course syllabus and discription can be found at http://www.bgu.edu/scripts/courseView.asp?courseId=141 .
My notes in this blog are part of my reflections while reading the books, taking notes, and outlining each book.
This is a subject I've found severly neglected in the everyday Christians life. I am blessed to be able to take on this study and pray for God's wisdom in what He wants me to learn (and change).
Danny
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