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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)