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In times of uncertainty and chaos, it is important and possible for all Christians to avoid worldly fearfulness and carnal foolishness. This is particularly true of the Christians whom God has positioned with authority for leadership in the workplace. People in your spheres of influence will be looking to you.
Our prayer is that they will find you to be a house standing in the storm – a refuge of peace and sensibility. To that end, I humbly offer a few encouraging thoughts. These may not be new for you; meditate on them nevertheless, recognizing they are also for the edification of those in your spheres of influence.
First, it will help you to know that, for the Christian, chaos is normal. Almost every book in the New Testament promises it. 2Corinthians 3:18 is one of my favorite examples:
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Greek word translated as “transformed” is metamorphoo. Metamorphoo offers a perfect word picture for the process God employs to mature us as Christians. Anyone who has ever seen the inside of a cocoon knows what a mess it is for an ugly caterpillar to become a beautiful butterfly. This transformation is “by the Spirit of the Lord”. In other words, the Holy Spirit is our transformer.
As leaders, we are blessed with the opportunity to be the vessel and instrument of God for the metamorphoo of those in our spheres of influence. Our only responsibility is to choose to participate in the work God is doing.
Second, it is particularly important in times of chaos to resist the temptation of turning to our carnal mind for advice. This is exactly what we have been taught for most of our lives. It is a lie and a deception. Read the rest of this entry »
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:5-6
One of the tricks our mind tries to play on us is the interpretation of Scripture to meet its preferences, and prejudices. This is perfectly normal… for the carnal mind.
But, we have the mind of Christ. We are empowered and responsible to think differently.
Consider Psalm 37:5-6. My carnal mind would prefer “commit your way to the LORD” to mean, “Here is my plan God, please bless it.” My carnal mind will pursue this line of thinking, hidden away in my subconscious. To avoid this deception, I must be diligent in my suspicion of the way my mind is thinking.
Jesus came to help us with that. His expression of Psalm 37:5-6 is “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” It is important to note that Jesus made them disciple makers. That’s a lesson for another time. The point here is that God’s planning process is a following and making process.
Let me be clear: Failing to follow Jesus will result in the failure of God’s plan for you. Refusing to be made is a refusal of His plan.
Our ability to navigate God’s call to more rises and falls on our understanding, belief and obedience to His greater purposes. To understand them, we must surrender to His will (John 7:17).
It is in our hearts – where man believes – that God stores His desires for “greater than” things. These are the desires He will give us as we surrender to His will (Psalm 37:4).
The LORD’s greatest commandment is that we love Him with all our being. Love is more than an emotion. It is a choice that catalyzes our obedience to His will. If we love Him, we will obey His commandments (John 14:15).
To understand the greater purposes of God is to know His heart; for those purposes are His greatest desires. We appropriate His grace for them through the faith He has given us in them. The joy of participation in the greater work of God is found in our obedience to them.
So, how can we know the greater purposes of God? Let me suggest we look at the beginning and the end of His story. Read the rest of this entry »
The images of war in the Old Testament are a foreshadowing of the battles that Christians face in the new. My favorite warriors are the mighty men that served under King David. Here are a few of their exploits (from 2Samuel 23:8-12, 18-23):
- Adino killed eight hundred men at one time.
- Eleazar was one of four that defied the Philistines when the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand stuck to the sword. The people returned after him only to plunder.
- Shammah killed a troop (300) of Philistines in a lentil field. So the LORD brought about a great victory.
- Abishai lifted his spear against three hundred men and killed them.
- Benaiah killed two lion-like heroes of Moab, went down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day, and killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man.
These men knew that the LORD was with them; that their feats were beyond human ability. David knew it, too. He had no worries when it came to His army.
When the call to war was given, his mighty men waded into the battle, full of faith and courage. By just being in the presence of David’s mighty men, the remainder of David’s army (including green recruits) learned both how to fight and how to have faith in their God.
The same must be true for us today! God is raising up mighty men and women, in the Workplace, to fight for His Kingdom. Sadly, many of them have forgotten (or have not been told) who they are.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:23-24
As their brothers and sisters in Christ, each one of us have a blessed privilege and responsibility to remind Workplace Leaders of their kingdom identity. God has given them positions of influence and authority for great kingdom exploits – much like David’s mighty warriors.
These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised… 1Chronicles 11:10
The men and women God has raised up in the Workplace are there to give the king strong support to extend His reign over the whole land.
Consider this: Who are the Workplace Leaders in your spheres of influence? How can you be the King’s instrument – to remind them that they are His mighty men and women? NOTE: You don’t have to be a boss or pastor to be a reminder; and an encourager. Let me know how I can help you (start by sharing this article with them).
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
When needs converge, there is great potential for synergy; and the advancement of God’s kingdom. Here is a great example.
Need One: You do not have time to reach your community (much less “all the nations”) with the Gospel. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:18-19). Time is the Pastor’s most precious commodity. Investing it wisely should be one of his chief concerns.
Need Two: The King needs more disciple makers. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:37). God has positioned Leaders in the Workplace, giving them authority and influence for the advancement of His kingdom.
Need Three: Disciple makers in the Workplace need a shepherd. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Workplace Leaders desire to make a difference for the kingdom, but they lack true discipleship.
If you are a Pastor, consider this: Of all the demographic groups in your fellowship, none has more potential for kingdom impact than the Workplace Leaders whom God has placed under your care. These individuals are in contact with hundreds of people every week. Why are they the only group without a focused ministry? Why are they the most neglected disciple makers in your congregation?
Mobilizing Workplace Leaders is not as hard as you might think. They are industrious self-starters. Most are process oriented problem solvers. God has positioned them, with heart desires for kingdom success.
The investment you make in the lives of Workplace Leaders will be multiplied 100 times over. The risks are negligible. The kingdom returns are exceedingly abundantly more than you can ask or think. I am here to help you get started.
If you are a Workplace Leader, consider this: God has given you influence and authority for the advancement of His kingdom. He may be calling you to ignite such a ministry in your fellowship. You will need your Pastor; and he may not know it. Warning: Do not try to give him this task, nor do it on your own. Instead, ask him to be your covering in it. Then go find the other Workplace Leaders God has called to join you. I am also here to help you get started.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12
Have you ever wondered: Where are the “greater works” that God has made possible for His children? What must we do to walk in them?
Many will say that faith is the issue; the lack thereof. The greater works are for all who believe in Jesus. So, what then do we make of the faith of a mustard seed moving a mountain?
Are those that claim to believe simply deceived about their faith? Or, is something else contributing to our lack of greater works?
As we explore this possibility, keep in mind that God is raising up Christians in the workplace to be disciple makers and transformation agents – to lead others into this life. Furthermore, Jesus has given pastors and teachers, as gifts to the church, to encourage and equip them for this ministry.
So, how does a leader in the workplace (and the pastors/teachers leading them) become transformation agents?
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Corinthians 3:18
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
No one can be an agent of transformation without first experiencing the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, through the renewal of their mind.
Many times, the gap between our hearing and doing greater works exists because we do not participate with the Holy Spirit in His renewal work. Consequently, the faith that comes from the word of God gets stuck in our hearts, failing to come alive in the greater works of faith.
So, how do we actively participate with our Transformer – the Holy Spirit? Read the rest of this entry »
Foundations are important in the kingdom of God; and they are important in the workplace. Christian leaders have been given position and influence in the workplace for God’s kingdom. Therefore, it can be said that foundations are doubly important for Workplace Leaders.
This matter of foundations is a concept of leadership that will help you connect with the Workplace Leaders in your spheres of influence. But first, it is important to speak from what you yourself know, believe and walk out in faith.
To that end, here are three foundational considerations; first for your own organization, and then for the leaders you are discipling.
Strong Foundations Take Time
Therefore thus says the Lord God
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily.” Isaiah 38:16
Foundation building should not be done hastily. Progress for progress sake can be disastrous. Don’t start on the superstructure until you are sure the foundation has been laid firmly on the Cornerstone. Inspect the foundation regularly. Read the rest of this entry »
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9
Imagine your boss, or the best consultant in your field, has offered to meet with you every morning. What would you do? Well, if you were smart, you would block out time on your calendar; and you would not allow anyone, or anything, to interrupt that appointment.
For the workplace leader, our calendar says a lot about what is important to us. Meeting with God, our new Boss, has got to be the most important thing. It is His desire to talk to us about our work. In fact, He loves talking to all His stewards – and on a very regular basis.
Consider this: God’s thoughts and ways are above our own; and above those of the competition. Doesn’t it make good business sense to talk to Him daily? How about before every major decision?
Humbly yours and forever His,
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 »
inLight Adventure 