Developing a Christian World View at Work
Posted: 11 yrs 7 mths ago
Have you ever seen a business leader take an unfair advantage of a competitor and then comment, “it’s just business.” Have you ever observed an employee being terminated and then wonder whether the employee was treated respectfully and fairly? I am also sure that you can think of times, in your own life, when you wondered about the appropriateness of one of your own decisions at work. I know that I have. The world can be a very tough and unfair place. Sometimes one has to make a key decision and it feels a bit gray. The lines of right and wrong can seem fuzzy. Almost everyone in a policy-setting capacity has been there at one point or another.
Herein lies a tremendous opportunity to “live sent” in the marketplace. As Darrow Miller says in his new book, LifeWork, “moral and spiritual poverty reign in the Christian West” (pg13). Despite this negative perspective and the uncertainty we sometimes face with our decision-making at work, there is real cause for hope and optimism. That hope and optimism comes from the good news of Jesus Christ. It also stems from the opportunity to develop a “Christian Worldview at Work.” And we can take satisfaction from the fact that many marketplace leaders are already at work developing their Christian Worldviews!
According to Mr. Miller, there are three basic Worldviews. They are: Animism, Secularism, and Biblical Theism. Animism is often found in developing countries. In these societies, corrupt government officials, mercantilists, and tribal chiefs control the economy. There is no moral challenge. The Animists belief system takes over. It is one in which people are left in the hands of “the fates” or even hostile spirits. God is left out of the picture.
A second world view, and one that runs rampant in the Christian West, is Secularism. In this view, there is no spiritual reality, only a physical reality. Rather than seeing work as a part of God’s plan, work’s purpose is to allow us to consume. Our value as human beings gets caught up in what we have. This pursuit of gathering up all “the Toys” we can often yields train wrecks in life. This view can equal broken marriages and families, and weak spiritual foundations. To achieve success at work, one does whatever it takes in the marketplace. As a result, God is diminished and people get hurt unnecessarily. Family life is too often marginalized.
The third Worldview is Biblical Theism. Biblical Theism is defined as the renewing of our minds according to the Kingdom of God. To better understand it, let’s look at Paul’s comments in Romans 12:1-2:
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Put simply, Biblical Theism (a Christian Worldview) calls for us to repent of our sins and to adopt the mind of Christ and not the culture. We are challenged to see the world as God sees it. We strive to be more Christ-like (see Who We Are Menu Tab-Purpose and Values #4). Our Worldview is guided by God’s plan and not that of our culture or society.
How then do we rise to the challenge of Living Sent at work? How do we rise to that challenge in the community?
Jerry's Blog
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Read MoreDeveloping a Christian World View at Work
Have you ever seen a business leader take an unfair advantage of a competitor and then comment, “it’s just business.” Have you ever observed an employee being terminated and then wonder whether the employee was treated respectfully and fairly? I am also sure that you can think of times, in your own life, when you wonde...
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Read MoreJerry's Blog Index
- For Our City Mount Juliet Transformation Initiative
- Social Enterprise: A Great Mission Field Opportunity
- Play Offense This Year and Sound the Charge to Spiritual Arms
- Faith is a Business Strategy
- Help build the Kingdom of God this year at Work!
- Lead with True Passion in 2013; A work Prayer for the New Year.
- Christmas demonstrates that God loves you more than your net worth!
- Are you a bit unsure of yourself and need encouragement from Jesus today?
- 1.31.12 Winter Awards Banquet & Fundraiser A Huge Success
- Biblical Principles and Our Economic Strength as a Nation
- Developing a Christian World View at Work
- Jesus Heals a Lame Man by the Pool, John 5:1-18
- Jerry's Blog
- Pastor Shane's Blog
- Rick Isaacson's Blog
- Mike Cowart's Blog
- Larry Crain's Blog
- David Litwin's Blog
- Clark Boyd's Blog:
- Ms. Melanie Walker's Blog
- Dr. Conrad Shackleford's Blog
- William Slater, Past Board Chair & Chair Advisory Council / Board of Directors
- Ms. Geri Forkum / Board Officers
- Roger Sindle, Esquire, Board Chair / Board Officers
- Dr. Dan Boone / Advisory Council
- Governor Bill Lee / Advisory Council
- Rev. Jerry L. Moll, Founder/President/CEO Living Sent Ministries / Board Officers
- John McDearman / Advisory Council
- Bob Williams / Board of Directors
- Eddie Poole / Board of Directors
- Mr. Peter Demos / Board of Directors
- LivingSent_May19 Dan(1) / Video / Video Testimonies
- LivingSent_May19 Tiffany(1) / Video / Video Testimonies
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How to Live Sent
According to Dr. Amy Sherman, there are at least 4 ways to Live Sent:
1. Bloom where you are planted.
Care to help build the Kingdom right where God has you assigned in the marketplace?
2. Start something new.
Do you have a passion for addressing an unmet community need? Consider forming either a for profit or nonprofit company and start something new.
3. Give your skills (vocational) away to a community ministry.
Is there a community ministry that could benefit from your vocational skills and talents?
4. A Church Big Vision for the City.
Does your church have a Big Vision for the City? Do you have one and want to encourage your church to consider helping you to develop it?
Living Sent Ministries Growth Track
1. Attraction: Become inspired to live out your Christian faith at work
Register and attend one of our monthly inspirational meetings and events.
2. Incarnation: Learn how to serve and lead like the greatest leader to ever walk the earth
Contact us about serving in a Christian Executives Group (CEG) and/or a church "Men or Women at Work" teaching and equipping class.
3. Mission: Do one more thing vocationally to advance the cause of Christ
Contact us for information on how to prepare and implement a Ministry Action Plan (MAP).
4. Transformation: Transform your heart, the organization you serve, and the community around you
Let us know if you wish to learn more about spiritual transformation.
Jerry's Message
The purpose of Living Sent Ministries is to inspire and equip business and professional leaders to live out their Christian faith. It is about "Connecting Sunday to Monday". A core principle of Living Sent Ministries is that God gave you your business or job (vocation) to build the Kingdom.
Invest in the Kingdom
Colossians 3:17, NIV: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."