I have posted other Influential Leadership posts.
"The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day to have my soul happy in the Lord." George Muller.
On a very personal note, my current circumstances, being out of vocational ministry for almost two years, and working at a warehouse have changed the way I have approached the topic of influential leadership at work. I always knew people needed to live out their faith at work. At the same time, I probably would have emphasized the impact of people's ministry at and through the church. Church ministry was the most important ministry you could be involved in. Through this time I have been reminded the HUGE ministry impact members can have in their individual workplaces for the kingdom of God.
For many different reasons your co-workers may never set foot in your local church but that doesn't lessen the Gospel-influence, you may have in their lives. Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." With this in mind, you are for the Lord and not men. No matter what the job is my goal should be to bring God the glory.
The Gospel at Work by Greg Gilbert and Sebastian Traeger is a great resource designed to help Christians think about the why's and how's of work. Much of the information below has been taken or adapted from this book.
In talking about the Christian and work, two fallacies need to be corrected. The first is "God helps those who help themselves." This motto, which many people believe is a Bible verse, originated in Ancient Greece and was popularized by Benjamin Franklin. While the Bible does encourage hard work, this motto goes against the heart of the Bible's message - God's power and grace (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9). The other is "Work is the result of sin." In Genesis 1:28, before the fall, God gave Adam work to do. As a result of the fall, work became difficult.
In this first of six short videos designed to help study the book, Traeger talks about the two extremes of making work an idol and being idle at work.
In Appendix 2, the authors share a Biblical theology of work that is very helpful and encouraging to think through. God is a worker. We are created in God's image. Thus, we are created to be workers also. Sin is a spiritual condition and made work hard, futile, and difficult. Jesus worked and changes the way we work. Work is worship, just as all of life is.
In this second video, Gilberts talks about why we work...
to love God (Matthew 22:37)
to love others (Matthew 22:39)
to reflect God's character (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15)
to earn and share resources (Proverbs 12:11; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10)
to enjoy it (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19)
to adorn the doctrine of God (Titus 2:9-10)
to love others (Matthew 22:39)
to reflect God's character (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15)
to earn and share resources (Proverbs 12:11; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10)
to enjoy it (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19)
to adorn the doctrine of God (Titus 2:9-10)
Here are some additional resources on this topic:
- Book Study Resource: The Gospel at Work study Guide - http://www.thegospelatwork.com/studyguide/
- Website: The Gospel at Work resource page - http://www.thegospelatwork.com (This has many different seminars and messages on a wide variety of work-related issues)
- Article: 26 Ways to Provoke the 1 Peter 3:15 Question at Work - https://jdgreear.com/blog/26-ways-to-provoke-the-1-peter-315-question-at-work/
- Podcast: Help! I Hate My Job - https://www.crossway.org/articles/podcast-help-i-hate-my-job-james-hamilton/ (Don't let the title deceive you. It is helpful even if you love your job.)
Shelter-In-Place Notes:
The George Muller quote at the beginning of this post is very appropriate during this talk of essential/non-essential businesses. As Christian workers, our happiness, joy, and satisfaction are in the Lord. Not infallible business or governments. We need to remember that and show that to those we work with.
If you are an essential worker, first of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH for what you are doing. Second, please use this time to show co-workers, patients, and/or customers the Hope of Christ.
If you are not an essential worker, first of all, REMEMBER YOUR WORK IS IMPORTANT to your family and others and because it provides an opportunity for you to glorify God. Second, as you interact with essential workers be kind and thankful. Also, communicate to your kids and others the importance of work, even work at home. The Gospel Coalition posted a working from home prayer.
Pray regularly for your supervisors and co-workers. Pray that God would use this time to draw them to Him. Pray that God would give them wisdom in how to navigate their circumstances.
If possible find ways to communicate with people you work with. This may be specific individuals or groups of people and can be done through text, email, social media, or other means. The purpose would be to check up on them and let them know how you are doing.
If you are an essential worker, first of all, THANK YOU SO MUCH for what you are doing. Second, please use this time to show co-workers, patients, and/or customers the Hope of Christ.
If you are not an essential worker, first of all, REMEMBER YOUR WORK IS IMPORTANT to your family and others and because it provides an opportunity for you to glorify God. Second, as you interact with essential workers be kind and thankful. Also, communicate to your kids and others the importance of work, even work at home. The Gospel Coalition posted a working from home prayer.
Pray regularly for your supervisors and co-workers. Pray that God would use this time to draw them to Him. Pray that God would give them wisdom in how to navigate their circumstances.
If possible find ways to communicate with people you work with. This may be specific individuals or groups of people and can be done through text, email, social media, or other means. The purpose would be to check up on them and let them know how you are doing.
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