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I began writing this series for those in my spheres of influence who expressed a feeling of transition in their lives; that God was up to something. Over the years, I have recognized this as God’s call to a new kingdom assignment – His call to more of the good work that brings Him glory.
The question in these situations is always, “What does He want me to do?” While the question is reasonable, our expectations for the answer are often misguided. In our get-it-done, “what have you done for me lately?” world, we fall into the trap of, well, just getting it done; so we can move onto the next thing.
Execution without planning is foolish. Planning without first understanding the purpose for the plan, even more so. This is particularly true when our “company” is going through transition. As hard and contrary to our nature as it may be, we must step back and slow down. That has been the message and purpose of this series.
It all boils down to two questions: Who is the Boss? Will I trust Him?
Admittedly, this series is longer than I expected (congratulations to those who have hung in there). At this point, we have journeyed through two of the three phases God encouraged me to cover. The first, positioning ourselves, prepares us for the second, discovering His purpose.
It is important that these phases be completed in sequence. There is more going on here than the collection of information. God always uses these opportunities to draw us to Himself; and He will not continue to participate in the process until His intentions are accomplished.
Let me begin by stating the obvious: God has a way for everything. Read that again: God has a way for everything. Now you say it. Seriously, you say it – out loud. Now that you have heard yourself say it, reckon it to be so. Let the Holy Spirit use it – God has a way for everything – to renew your mind.
While you are at it, consider the intentionally dynamic way God does things. For example, the path God engineered for you – to your current position of influence – is like no other. There are no coincidences for God’s children, He works all things to good, and He is the Great Orchestrator of billions of lives and events. He has brought you this far; and He intends to carry you the rest of the way.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
God’s ways are 30+ billion light years above our own. As impossible as it may seem, He has given us the mind of Christ (1Corinthians 2:16); that we might be faithful stewards of His ways (1Corinthians 4:1-2). He wants us to know and operate in all His ways. And – now get this – He expects us to invest our knowing into others.
The world has many ways for managing people. Some are closer to the ways of God than others. Most of my corporate career was spent suffering under the ways of intimidation and competitive divisiveness. I envied those that enjoyed environments where teamwork and servant leadership were rewarded. But, even those environments – though a close imitation – were not God’s way for managing people.
God’s way for managing people is called making disciples. Now, I want you to recognize what I am trying to do here. I am purposefully expanding the concept of disciple making as far as I possibly can. Disciple making is more than preaching, teaching and evangelism.
How much more? Disciple making is all that Jesus Christ humbled Himself to accomplish while on this earth; and all that He is accomplishing through His disciples. I don’t have the space here to express that fully. I simply encourage you to give it some thought.
Lastly, I am also suggesting that making disciples – and all that means – is the best way for every organization to manage its people (not just the local church). It is the way that supersedes the most sophisticated and celebrated management philosophies of this world.
Consider this: Managing your organization God’s way is one of the best ways to disciple the workplace leaders in your fellowship. Whether it is the CPA serving as your Finance Secretary, or the Corporate President chairing your Administrative Board, you will be discipling them in the ways of God.
Humbly yours and forever His,
As a consultant and minister to Workplace Leaders, I have notice an unfortunate disconnect; a self-imposed separation between church leadership and leaders in other areas of society. Business, government and education leaders see Senior Pastors as, well, pastors. Most of the Senior Pastors I know struggle with the same identity limitations.
I would like to offer a renewed perspective on the role of Senior Pastor as a Workplace Leader. Let’s start with a couple of definitions. First, the workplace is the place where most people spend most of their waking hours – as employees, customers, suppliers, partners, etc. Clearly, church organizations – with employees, suppliers, partners and the people they are trying to serve – are a significant sector of the workplace.
Second, a leader is anyone in a position to influence others. When we consider God’s way for influence – making disciples – we quickly see that the Senior Pastor has the greatest potential for influence in his community. In God’s kingdom, the Senior Pastor is at the top of the influence pyramid.
There was a time when the Senior Pastor of a church was recognized by the community as the senior leader in the workplace. Sadly, much of that influence has been lost. The encouraging news here is that God is in the restoration business; and He has not given up on the workplace – particularly that part which is closest to His heart.
Let me be clear about something: I am not proposing that a church be run like a worldly business. In fact, I believe we have too much of that in the church already. God has a way for everything – including running a business. His way is above, more than, even supernatural. Read the rest of this entry »
Companies spend millions of dollars communicating their vision to their employees. The employees that are eager and able to grasp that vision will be the most impactful assets for the company, and the company’s customers. This is the business application of a higher kingdom principle; a principle that applies to everyone God has positioned for His purposes in the workplace.
God has a way for everything – education, commerce, home making, etc. When we choose to do things His way, He enables us to see our environment from His broader perspective. We not only see further ahead (because He can trust us with more of the plan), we see, with spiritual eyes, more of what is going on around us.
When we commit to God’s ways (Psalm 37:5), we are able to recognize the work He is doing in other people and circumstances that relate to His purposes for us. He also gives us an awareness of those things that are, or will be, a distraction. This works together, in Christ, that our light would shine before men, that they would glorify our Father in heaven (Psalm 37:6; Matthew 5:16).
Workplace Ministry Tip: Consider your operating model and its principles. Commit your ways to the LORD. Do all things as unto Christ; for His purposes. Anticipate the “more than” perspective.
Humbly Yours and Forever His,
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:5-6
On the surface, this saying appears to be nothing more than a repeat of the last, with a different subject – our prayer life. This is true, in part. There is something of a “do not do” tone, a warning against seeking rewards from the world (having the wrong motivation), and a promise of the same kingdom consequence or reward. There is, however, a deeper revelation we should consider.
In this passage, Jesus Christ has given precise step-by-step instructions for the way we are to pray. The simple fact that He has prescribed a process for our prayer life is significant. This leads us to the underlying “to do” of this passage: Do things God’s way.
God has a way for everything that we must do in His kingdom. Jesus came to show us those ways. What we consider to be insignificant differences (i.e., leaving the door open) may be a critical success factor in God’s economy. Furthermore, we must be careful about adding things to God’s way for something. The inventions of man are many times just repackaged ways of the world. I don’t have an example in mind; and this is not an accusation; but a warning that we need to be careful. Read the rest of this entry »
inLight Adventure 