Articles Library

 

What does Christian mean on Monday morning? It means, first and foremost, that we recognize God as our ultimate boss and work for God in all that we do. And that has enormous implications, among them, that we:

Enabling all of this is the cultivation of Christian character -- taking seriously our call to be Jesus' disciples by growing to become more like Him. This is the foundation for faithful Christian living, including living our faith in the workplace.

In this free Articles Library, we’ve compiled dozens of the best insights into all these topics; insights that we hope you can use this coming Monday morning!

(see also our editorials for some original commentary on these topics, as well as several other articles on church and educational leadership)

 


 

Work for God in All We Do

 

Why Your Work Matters to God

Doug Sherman and William Hendrix

Does your work matter to God? If so, how? In this best-selling book, the authors explain five ways that our work serves God’s purposes: Through work we serve people, we meet our own needs, we meet our family’s needs, we earn money to give to others, and we show our love for God.

 

How Business Glorifies God

Wayne Grudem, On Kingdom Business

In this article, a world-renown theologian turns his attention to business, identifying several business activities that glorify God. In particular, he makes the case that God-honoring business activities include producing goods, employing people, buying and selling, earning a profit, and borrowing and lending.

 

The Sacrament of Living

A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Which parts of your job please God the most? Which parts are more sacred, and which are more secular? Don’t be surprised if your answers change after you read this masterpiece from Tozer.

 

Roaring Lambs

Bob Briner, Roaring Lambs

Looking for your vocation? Seeking your calling in life? Consider abandoning the comfort zone of the Christian sub-culture and pursuing a career in secularized industries like art, entertainment, the media, and education. In this classic work, the nationally-renown author fervently challenges Christians to engage and change the world by taking positions in culture-shaping professions.

 

What Drives Your Life?

Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Life

Without a clear purpose, the author of The Purpose-Driven Life explains, you will keep changing directions, jobs, relationships, and even churches, hoping each change will finally fill the emptiness in your heart. If this describes you even a little, the timing of this article may not be a coincidence. 

 

Rediscovering Joy in Your Work (pdf file)

Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth

No Christian, says Nancy Pearcey, can be truly happy at work when torn between a secular and a supernatural perspective on that work. In this excerpt from her profound book, Total Truth, Pearcey encourages Christians to discover the joy of finally thinking rightly about their work--of thinking about it from a biblical worldview.

 

A Scholarly Look at the Faith at Work Movement (pdf file)

David Miller, God at Work

Yale Divinity School professor David Miller offers us a rare, erudite perspective on the broad-based movement to live out our faith in the workplace. If you're hungry for something deeper than what's typically offered by workplace Christianity books, this excerpt from Dr. Miller's new book, God at Work, is just for you.

 

Laborem Exercens (On Human Work)

Pope John Paul II

A major document in the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, this lengthy, landmark encyclical from Pope John Paul II sets forth the Catholic Church’s position on the dignity of human labor, on the primacy of labor over capital, on worker rights, on labor unions.

 

What Matters Most in Your Job?

Michael Zigarelli, Faith at Work

How can you assess what really matters in your work and in your career? Try this powerful exercise: consider what Jesus would say about you if he were asked to speak at your retirement dinner.

 

The Parable of the Janitor and the CEO

Buck Jacobs, A Light Shines Bright in Babylon

A brief but powerful story that poignantly reminds us about what’s really important in God’s eyes.

 

The Faith at Work Movement: Opening the "9 to 5 Window"

Os Hillman

From major companies to proliferating ministries to colleges to local churches, there’s abundant evidence that the faith at work movement is spreading rapidly.

 

What Work Matters to God? Three Dangerous Myths

Doug Sherman and William Hendricks, Your Work Matters to God 

What work really "counts" from God's perspective? Some people mistakenly believe (or even teach) that God sees some work as contributory and holy, but is indifferent to "secular" work. This article sets the record straight, affirming that what we do is less important to God than why we're doing it. 

 

Sacred Work and Secular Work

Os Hillman, Faith & Work: Do They Mix?

Many people today see no relevance between God and work in today’s marketplace. Why is this? And, more importantly, why do so many Christians believe this? In this article, a leader in the marketplace ministry movement tackles the problem of our separating “sacred” work from “secular” work.

 

Should Your Leave Your Job for Full-Time Ministry?

Tom R. Harper, Career Crossover

If you've been sensing that God is calling you into full-time ministry, read this first. Based on his study of 344 “crossover leaders”—church leaders who once worked in the secular marketplace but then crossed over to full-time ministry work—Tom Harper offers some clarifying perspective.

 

 

Care for Those Around You

 

Putting People First

John Beckett, Mastering Monday

According to John Beckett, one of the great ambassadors of the faith in the business world, “It is because of the Father’s great love for each person that every follower of Christ is called to put people first.” Despite the financial tradeoffs that may entail in management, “from God’s perspective there is no greater priority on this earth than people.” What does that mean on Monday morning? This excerpt from John’s new book, Mastering Monday, explores some of the practical implications.

 

Practice the Significance Principle

Les Carter and Jim Underwood, The Significance Principle

Whether in the board room or on the loading dock, people are starving to hear that they are significant, that they matter, that what they are doing is valued and appreciated. In this article, the authors argue that it is our task as Christians to be encouragers and to recognize the God-given worth of each person.

 

Giving Something Back

John Beckett, Loving Monday

In this article, the author, a Christian CEO, describes how and why his corporation has used corporate resources to “give something back” to the local community, to the employees, to the needy around the world, and to many others. As he explains, this is simply part and parcel of good stewardship, acknowledging that the business really belongs to God and that its resources are to be managed for His purposes.

 

Becoming a CEO (a "chief encouragement officer," that is)

Michael Zigarelli, Management by Proverbs

Scripture has a lot to say on the topic of encouraging one another – a testimony to the issue’s significance. In particular, it counsels us on the value of praising others, as well as on the specifics of how and when to bestow it. This article unpacks some of that Biblical wisdom.

 

Overcoming Compassion Fatigue

Michael Zigarelli, Faith at Work

If you don’t care as much about the people around you at work as you used to, you may suffer from “compassion fatigue” – a common stress that is a cousin of burnout.  In simplest terms, it means that you’ve grown tired of caring, that you don’t have anything left for anybody else. What can a person do about it? This article explains what scripture says as well as what we’ve learned from research.

 

 

Operate with Integrity and Excellence

 

Dishonesty and Deception in Business

Alexander Hill, Just Business

Dishonesty and deception are concepts that are pervasive in business, but they are concepts that are often difficult to apply with precision. In this article, the author, a former dean of a Christian business school, presents a careful exposition of the nature and consequences of dishonesty and deception in business, replete with useful examples and case scenarios. He also addresses the tough question of whether deception is ever justified.

 

Three Rules for Promise Keeping

William Nix, Transforming Your Workplace for Christ

Breaking even small promises can affect your witness, so become intentional about promise keeping. In this article, the author offers three useful guidelines to help keep us on track: promise only what is consistent with God’s will; promise only what is in the best interest of the recipient; and promise only that which you know you can deliver.

 

Business Excellence as a Virtue

Buck Jacobs, A Light Shines Bright in Babylon

In this article, the author teaches about God’s calling for our companies to do everything with excellence, providing nine practices of excellent companies.

 

Gutting Gossip: How to Kill the Poison Grapevine at Work

Michael Zigarelli, Christianity 9 to 5

Workplace gossip is everywhere. So what’s a Christian to do? This article explains what gossip is, why it’s so pervasive, and most importantly, what a person can do to diplomatically extinguish it.

 

Conquering Lust on the Job

Jeff Wright and Mick Bates

You understand the problem, but you might not understand its many causes and consequences – or what to do about it. Here’s substantive help for one of our greatest battles.

 

 

Balance Work and Life

 

Profession or Obsession?

Bill Hybels, Christians in the Marketplace

In this article, internationally-acclaimed author Bill Hybels, founder of Willow Creek Community Church, describes the problem of workaholism, its effect on the worker and his family, its root cause, and its cure.

 

Practical Advice for Prioritizing Family Time

Pat Gelsinger, Balancing Family, Faith & Work

You think you’re busy? How busy would you be if you were the Chief Technology Officer at Intel? Here are his secrets to success for putting family before work.

 

Balancing Work and Family

Michael Zigarelli, Christianity 9 to 5

Family comes before work, and not just in the dictionary. That’s God’s intention.  This article describes the serious consequences of putting work and career first and offers several practical tips for how to strike an appropriate work-family balance. 

 

Scheduling for Sanity

Bill Hybels, Christians in the Marketplace

Bill Hybels builds on his thoughts from “Profession or Obsession” (above) with some candid observations about the consequences of overwork and over-scheduling, and he encourages the adjustment of priorities so that family time is both abundant and non-negotiable.

 

A Theology of Enough

Greg Pierce, Spirituality @ Work

In many workplaces, enough is never enough. But from God's perspective, saying "enough" is a critically important discipline, both on and off the job.

 

Re-discovering Sabbath

Benny Tabalujan, God on Monday

There's a reason that God created the Sabbath, but it may not be what you think. Discover, or perhaps re-discover, the meaning of Sabbath, and take inventory of whether some "Sabbath spoilers" are stealing from you God's awesome gift.

 

Escape the Bondage of Busyness

Michael Zigarelli, Freedom from Busyness

We live in a culture that encourages us to work too much, to spend too much, to do too much, and to strive for “the good life" through accumulation and activity. The bitter irony, of course, is that the pursuit of that sort of good life makes us miserable. Excerpted from the author's book, Freedom from Busyness, here's some Biblically-based perspective on how to escape, once and for all.

 

The Epidemic of Busyness Among Christian Leaders

Michael Zigarelli

Three out of four Christian leaders we surveyed say that the busyness of their lives undermines their relationship with God. Most also say they eat quickly and they are exhausted at the end of their day. Here's help for a lifestyle that crowds out God.

 

Expect Conflict and Respond Properly

 

Time Honored Advice to Coping with Your Boss

Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

"The only reason why criticism cuts you to the heart is that you are still ruled by your old nature and take more notice of men than you should." In the fifteenth century, theologians didn't mince words or worry about people's self-esteem. They just told it like it is.

 

 

The Hardest Prayer of All: Praying for Our Enemies

G.D. Watson, Soul Food

Is there someone at work who’s simply driving you crazy? Maybe someone challenging you or even undermining you at every turn? This nineteenth century classic offers some profound insight into how to pray for our enemies.

 

Four Steps to Forgiveness at Work

William Nix, Transforming Your Workplace for Christ

If you work around people for any prolonged period of time, you will be wronged. In this article, the author succinctly and helpfully offers four guidelines that enhance our ability to forgive these wrongs: see others from God’s perspective; leave the offense at the cross; act out of reason, not emotion; and then restore and rebuild the relationship.

 

A Right Response to Wrongful Treatment

Michael Zigarelli, Christianity 9 to 5

This article presents a step-by-step approach for dealing with unfair treatment. The author offers four sequential, scripturally-grounded steps that will help to resolve most conflicts while at the same time reflecting Christian character.

 

Christian Rights in the Workplace

American Center for Law and Justice

Sometimes, as a last resort, it will make sense for a Christian to rely on the legal system for protection. This article, a Q-and-A with the American Center for Law and Justice, offers answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding the rights of Christian employees and employers. 

 

Taming the Temptation to Retaliate

Michael Zigarelli, Faith at Work

At the emotional moment of decision, we have two powerful forces pushing us toward reprisal – our desire to strike back and the abundant opportunity to strike back. Addressing these two forces is the key to responding to conflict God’s way.

 

Ten Commandments for Difficult Conversations

Michael Zigarelli

There's a lot of advice out there for how to handle that conversation you've been dreading, some good, some not so good. Here's a handy checklist of advice from the most reliable source.

 

Adversity: How God Shapes a Christian Leader

Os Hillman, The Upside of Adversity

If you’re experiencing significant adversity in your life, congratulations! God has selected you to embark on the journey of a lifetime. He has chosen you to join the select company of people like Job and Joseph, Daniel and Paul—people who have undergone adversity to emerge with stronger character and enlarged leadership ability.

Managing a Micromanager

Michael Zigarelli

If the title of this article caught your eye, you’ve probably known a micromanager or two. Maybe you see the profile daily, in all of its domineering, insulting, oppressive, control-freakish glory. Most of the standard approaches to persuasion will not get this person to back off. But here’s an idea that just might work.

 

Understand Other Worldviews and then Share Ours

 

Worldview @ Work

Michael Zigarelli

How people make decisions, what they find persuasive, and their whole philosophy of right and wrong is a function of their “worldview” – their core assumptions about God, about the world, and about the relationship between the two. In this article, the author demystifies the concept of worldview, identifies the predominant worldviews we see in the workplace, and shows how to strategically use this knowledge to advance the kingdom at work.

 

Best (and Worst) Practices for Sharing Your Faith

Tim Downs, Finding Common Ground

With wit and wisdom, this article offers five powerful approaches to becoming more persuasive with non-Christians: Speak the Unbeliever’s Language, Show an Understanding of the Unbeliever’s World, Be Intelligent and Credible, Use Tools That Raise Good Questions, and Have a Reasonable Persuasive Goal.

 

Four Attributes of an Effective Workplace Witness

Os Hillman, The 9 to 5 Window 

The Great Commission makes no exception for the workplace, but in a corporate culture that's often hostile to the gospel, how can we share the love of God on the job? Os Hillman, a leading spokesman in the faith-at-work movement, offers these four great ideas in his new book.

 

Influence Through Storytelling

Michael Zigarelli, Influencing Like Jesus 

Jesus used stories all the time, but he used them for far more than inspiration or entertainment. He introduced, through his parables, a new way to understand and relate to God and to the people around us. In fact, storytelling was arguably Jesus’ primary approach to persuasion. This article explores what makes that approach so powerful and offers several practical tips for improving our own storytelling.

 

Rabbinic Questioning: A Better Way to Evangelize 

Randy Newman, Questioning Evangelism

There's a better approach to sharing the gospel than our traditional argumentation -- an approach that looks, sounds, and feels more like Jesus the rabbi, than Murray, the used car salesman. It involves more listening than speaking, more inviting rather than demanding "a decision." And, perhaps most importantly, it involves answering questions with questions rather than giving answers.

 

How the Gospel of Evolution Steals Our Faith

Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live?

If Darwin's theory is right, then the Bible is wrong. Notwithstanding, his ideas are usually presented as facts rather than theory -- irrefutable facts that "everyone" knows to be true. In this article, Chuck Colson and Nancy Pearcey tell an eye-opening story about how this unproven but dogmatic gospel of evolution steals our faith by subtly changing our thinking about God.

 

Maintaining a Christian Worldview: An Introduction to the Work of Francis Schaeffer

Todd Kappelman, Probe Ministries

Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984) was one of the most recognized and respected Christian authors of the twentieth century. As a consummate scholar with a deep concern for the average Christian, his books are both profound and highly-accessible. Here's an introduction to some of his greatest work.

 

Launching a Work-Life Ministry in Your Church 

Doug Spada and David Scott

The members of every church are in touch with thousands of spiritually-needy people from Monday through Friday. Here’s how they can be equipped to make the most of that opportunity.

 

Watching for Doors of Opportunity

Kent and Davidene Humphreys, Show and Then Tell

When is the best time to broach the sensitive subject of God with our co-workers, our friends or our family? A veteran businessman and his wife share their vast experience about when people are most amenable to talking about God and considering the invitation of Jesus.

 

I Was Suspicious of Christians Until I Met Arthur  

James O'Donnell. Walking with Arthur 

1984. The hinge of my life. I found I believed in nothing. I trusted no one. And no one I knew was worth trusting. That is, until I met Arthur.

 

Five Keys to Spiritual Influence at Work

William Peel and Walt Larimore, Going Public with Your Faith

In every part of the world, people are looking for spiritual answers and resources as never before. But you don’t need to travel to some exotic foreign mission field to find hungry hearts. You spend hours every day in the most strategic place of impact in the world—your workplace. Here are five practical keys to help you with your ministry.

 

Absolute Truth? Absolutely Not!

George Barna, Barna Research Group

Reporting on a survey of over 1,000 adults nationwide, the Barna Research Group found relativism to be the most pervasive worldview among Americans. Among both adults and teenagers, “doing whatever feels right or comfortable” far outpaced Biblical principles as the basis on which people make ethical and moral decisions.

 

Few Have Positive View of Christians

George Barna, Barna Research Group

A nationwide survey of 1,000 non-Christians finds that fewer than half of those sampled have positive views of clergy, only one-third have a positive impression of born again Christians, and just one-fifth have a positive view of evangelicals. Interestingly, according to the lead researcher, “Our studies show that many of the people who have negative impressions of evangelicals do not know what or who an evangelical is.”

 

The Marketplace is a Mission Field

Buck Jacobs, A Light Shines Bright in Babylon

Your business may touch more lives than most churches ever do. In this article, the author reminds us that the marketplace – customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, trade associates, and so on – is as much a mission field as are the jungles in some far-off land.

 

Called to Impact the Culture

Os Hillman, Faith and Work: Do They Mix?

In this article, the author encourages the Christians in business to do great things to grow God’s kingdom. In support, he offers some helpful historical perspective to show how marketplace Christians have been used by God throughout the centuries.

 

 

Manage Based on Christian Principles

 

Leading from a Christian Worldview

Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth

“The central problem of our age is not liberalism or modernism,” writes Francis Schaeffer—or even hot-button social issues like evolution, abortion, radical feminism, or homosexual rights. The primary threat to the church is the “tendency to do the Lord’s work in the power of the flesh rather than the Spirit.” This paradigm-changing article, excerpted from Pearcey's book, Total Truth, presents an essential alternative for every ministry leader.

 

The Attributes of Leadership: A Checklist

Max DePree, Leadership Jazz

A dozen qualities of an effective leader, presented by a Christian CEO with over forty years of corporate experience. This article is his culminating chapter in his bestselling book, Leadership Jazz.

 

Honoring God at ServiceMaster

William Pollard, The Soul of the Firm

The ServiceMaster Company is a global corporation, operating in over 40 countries and generating annual revenues of several billion dollars. But it is also a company whose first objective is “To honor God in all we do.” In this article, the Chairman of ServiceMaster explains the company’s connection between honoring God and generating profits.

 

The Christian Leader's Guide to Making Decisions

Michael Zigarelli, Management by Proverbs, 2nd Edition

How should Christians in managerial and leadership positions make decisions? Here’s one time-honored tool that can keep us on track to do His will consistently.

 

You Need a Leadership Coach

Andy Stanley, Next Generation Leader

In the world of athletics, nobody performs his way out of needing a coach. In the world of leadership, though, we operate under the misguided assumption that because we are leaders, we don't need to be led.

 

Doing Justice in the Marketplace

Richard Chewning, Biblical Principles & Business

The author, one of the most revered thinkers in the field of workplace Christianity, presents in non-academic language his justice-based model of what it means to be a Christian in the marketplace. In particular, he unpacks here what it means to do justice to employers, employees, peers, customers, competitors, owners, the government, and to society generally.

 

The Purpose of a Business: A Catholic Perspective

Jean-Yves Calvez and Michael Naughton

For more than a century, the Vatican has spoken to social and economic issues, from poverty to world peace to the morality of capitalism. Collectively called “Catholic Social Teaching,” these pronouncements also include significant guidance about a proper conceptualization of business management. In this article, the authors distill for us the essence of Catholic Social Teaching regarding the nature and purpose of the business enterprise.

 

The Primary Obstacles to Christian Leadership...And How You Can Overcome Them

Michael Zigarelli, Ordinary People Extraordinary Leaders

What’s preventing you from more God-honoring leadership? And what can you do to make real progress, overcoming these impediments? Based on a study of over 300 Christian leaders and managers, the author presents both the major obstacles and the primary pathways to authentic, consistent Christian leadership.

 

Experiencing Joy at Work

Dennis Bakke, Joy at Work

Dennis Bakke co-founded The AES Company in 1981 and grew it to be a major multi-national organization by the time he retired from the company in 2002. The real news, though, is how he grew it on the core value of ensuring that employees experienced joy in their work. How did he do it? Read this article for a chapter-by-chapter executive summary of his book, Joy at Work.

 

Building a Great Commission Company

Steve Rundle and Tom Steffen, Great Commission Companies

You too can launch a “Great Commission Company” -- a successful business that also introduces people to God in the least developed areas of the world. Based on a five year study of such companies, here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started.

 

What Makes a Business Christian?

R. Paul Stevens

A professor of theology, widely recognized for his practical application of the faith to everyday life, turns his attention to business. Here, Dr. Stevens answers the pervasive question of what makes a business “Christian” by offering ten distinctives.

 

Unconcealed Faith, Uncommon Profits

Christopher Crane and Mike Hamel, Executive Influence

It is possible to put God first and run a successful business at the same time – but it isn't easy. Here is the inspiring and instructive story of how Ken Eldred, founder of Inmac and of Ariba Technologies, did it.

 

Godly Guidelines for Dealing with Suppliers and Customers

Buck Jacobs, A Light Shines Bright in Babylon

In this article, the author, seasoned veteran of the business trenches, presents several common-sense principles and practices that are not always common in business.

 

Ten Tips for Delivering Criticism with Care

Michael Zigarelli, Management by Proverbs

By most accounts, delivering negative feedback remains one of the greatest workplace challenges, even for senior managers. And when a Christian does this poorly, there's even more at stake since he or she is quickly considered a hypocrite by the person receiving the feedback. So here are ten Biblically-consistent tips to deliver criticism with care.

 

Twenty Time-Tested Tactics for Improving Your People Skills

Michael Zigarelli, Management by Proverbs, 2nd Edition

Want to succeed in your career and reflect the love of God at the same time? Your interpersonal skills are critical. At work, in the home, at church, around the neighborhood and just about everyplace else, these skills can enhance your ability to both get things done and to model Christ. In this article, the author offers an extensive and practical list of people skills strategies.

 

 

Labor and Capital--Partners

John D. Rockefeller, Jr., The Atlantic Monthly 

A path-breaking article originally published in 1916. In the era of Scientific Management, when employees were routinely exploited and often abused, a Christian CEO came forward to call for a radical change in mind-set. Rejecting both neo-classical and Marxist assumptions about the employment relation, the author argues that “mutual respect and fairness produce larger and better results than suspicion and selfishness” – an argument that spawned more humane and even paternalistic treatment of employees and, in the modern era, more productive, more profitable corporations.

 

The Strongest and Weakest Character Traits of Christian Leaders

George Barna, Barna Research Group

What are the character strengths and weaknesses of Christian leaders? This survey of more than 1,300 church leaders concluded that among their strongest character attributes are morality, sensitivity to sin, godly demeanor, and trustworthiness. Attributes that are not as strong include using appropriate speech and having a controlled temper, and attributes that rate lowest are a loving heart, servanthood, and having godly wisdom.

 

The Priorities and Practices of Christian Managers

Michael Zigarelli, Ordinary People Extraordinary Leaders

What do Christian managers do on Monday morning? What are their priorities and practices? Based on a study of over 300, the author offers a first-of-its-kind look at practices related to customer focus, financial management, employee management, and workplace evangelism.

 

A Christian Approach to Firing People

Michael Zigarelli, Management by Proverbs, 2nd Edition

The prospect of terminating a subordinate can turn even the most seasoned business professional into a nail-biting novice. And when that professional is also a Christian, there’s the added difficulty of reconciling the firing with God’s call to servanthood, forgiveness, and love. In this article, the author presents a Biblical approach to firing people and offers termination tips that comport with both God’s law and man’s law.

 

A Theology of Fair Pay

Michael Naughton

As Christians, how much should we pay people? What’s too little and what’s too much? How should we balance employee needs with the economic realities of the organization? These are not easy questions, but one courageous theologian, who’s also a professor of management, tackles them head-on.

 

Three Essentials of Christian Leadership

William Heisler

There are a lot of models of leadership, but for the Christian leader, three pillars of success will always be commitment, character, and compassion.

 

Should You Hire a Workplace Chaplain?

Keith Starcher

Workplace chaplains are not just for the military
anymore. Here's info on the practice of chaplaincy, the
legal issues, the costs, and the business results you
can expect.

 

How to Build Trust in Your Organization

Michael Zigarelli, Management by Proverbs

When it comes to building trust at work, the principle of reaping and sowing is clearly in full operation: trust begets trust, distrust begets distrust. This article uses lessons from the books of Proverbs and Isaiah, as well as from the research on trust-building, to show that the transition to a more trusting work environment can begin entirely with you.

 

Theory R: How Relationship Builds Trust  

Wayne Alderson and Nancy Alderson McDonnell, Theory R Management

 

While vice president of Pittron Steel Foundry, Alderson faced the monumental task of unraveling decades of mistrust between labor and management. Within twenty-one months he had moved the company from 35th to one of the top ten divisions in Textron. He shares with us in this article how he did it.

 

Choosing the Right Story for Your Leadership Challenge

Steve Denning, The Leader's Guide to Storytelling 

Storytelling is an art, but there's also a science to knowing when to use what type of story. In this excerpt from his book, The Leader's Guide to Storytelling, best- selling author Steve Denning advises leaders how to choose different stories for different managerial situations.

 

Essential Lessons from Peter Drucker (pdf file)

John Pearson, Mastering the Management Buckets

Of all the lessons Peter Drucker taught us, what are the most essential? And how can we continue to learn from this remarkable man? Consultant John Pearson, former President of the Christian Management Association, offers some insight in his practical new book, Mastering the Management Buckets.

 

How to Lose Friends and Infuriate People: A Manager's Guide

Michael Zigarelli

Looking for something humorous to post on your door? Check out these 15 worst practices in management. Beware, though: your boss may find them less humorous than you do.

 

 

Cultivate Christian Character

 

Simplify Your Prayer Life

Donald S. Whitney, Simplify Your Spiritual Life

From his refreshingly practical book, Simplify Your Spiritual Life, Professor Whitney counsels us how to strengthen our prayer life through simplifying it.

 

A Pattern for Spiritual Change

Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart

Like all of Dallas Willard's work, this is an article to be studied, not just read. Willard explains the general pattern for how we can change and applies it to spiritual transformation, giving us a much-needed road map for how to become more like Jesus.

 

Pride: The Great Sin 

CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

A "spiritual cancer," "the complete anti-God state of mind," and "the chief cause of misery in every nation and in every family since the world began." These are just of few of the descriptors that C.S. Lewis uses to describe our pride. Here is his penetrating chapter on "The Great Sin" from his classic, Mere Christianity.

 

Restoring Joy to Your Life

Michael Zigarelli, Cultivating Christian Character

What’s the difference between joyful Christians and the rest of us? How do they manage to retain a joyful disposition, despite their circumstances? What’s the secret to success here? This study of more than 5,000 Christians provides some answers you won’t find anywhere else.

 

Gratitude: Pathway to Permanent Change

Michael Zigarelli, Cultivating Christian Character

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, it is also the parent of all the others." So said the ancient philosopher Cicero. Two millennia later, our study of thousands of Christians confirms that gratitude indeed spawns myriad elusive virtues, like joy, inner peace, patience, forgiveness, and self-control.

 

Coming Home: A Christian CEO Recounts His Spiritual Journey to Help Us With Our Own

John Beckett

John Beckett, author of Loving Monday and Mastering Monday, has become a role model for his faithful implementation of Christian values in business. But here he offers more than wisdom for God-honoring business practice; he offers wisdom for living a God-honoring life.

 

Contentment: Wise Counsel from the 18th Century
Richard Steele (modern English version by Randall Caldwell),  The Religious Tradesman

You probably haven't heard of 18th century author Richard Steele, but one of his books, a classic in its day, has been given new life by editor Randall Caldwell. Steele's teaching on the elusive virtue of "contentment" still rings true today and it may bless you with some timely perspective on a timeless problem.

 

Slaying Your Golden Calf at Work

Michael Zigarelli, Faith at Work

Money. Power. Respect. Reputation. Security. Control. If any of these motivates your work more than "pleasing God" motivates your work, it may be time to slay your golden calf once and for all.

 

The Blessing of Personal Inadequacy

Jim Petersen and Mike Shamy, The Insider

 

It is possible to discredit the gospel by our inadequacies, but this doesn’t happen as often as we may think. And beyond that, often the gospel is advanced because of our inadequacy.

 

Where Character Bottoms Out: The Over-Extended Years of the 20s and 30

Michael Zigarelli, Cultivating Christian Character

Based on a study of almost 2,500 Christians age 20 to 40, here are the striking findings: Without question, this is the time of life when God gets crowded out, character bottoms out, and life satisfaction strikes out.

 

Distracted from God: A Five Year Worldwide Study

Michael Zigarelli

Among the primary obstacles to living well is today’s frenetic pace of life. Busyness, hurry, overload, burnout—it’s known by many names, but there are two common outcomes: this lifestyle distracts us from God and undermines the abundant, joyful life God desires for us. That's not just speculation; it's the conclusion from this study of 20,000 Christians in 139 countries.

 

Reversing the Power of Porn

Michael Zigarelli

Hey you. Yeah, you. Married guy surfin’ the Internet for your daily dose of porn. I’ve got a potential solution for you that doesn’t involve a twelve-step program or a public confession in front of your church. It leverages in reverse the very power that got you into this mess.

 

Devotional: Doing Your Job as Jesus Would Do It

Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy

Willard may be to the 21st century what C.S. Lewis was to the 20th. He says more in this brief devotional piece than most writers say in an entire book.

 

Devotional: A Better Way to Think About Prayer

David Steindl-Rast, Gratefulness: The Heart of Prayer

For some of us, saying prayers wholeheartedly may be the crowning achievement after we have learned to make every other activity prayer. If your prayer life is not what it should be, maybe it's time to try something else. 

 

Devotional: The Science of the Crucifixion

Cathleen Shrier and Tally Flint

Reflecting on the physiology of Christ’s crucifixion is a powerful reminder of the magnificent demonstration of God’s love for humanity, expressed that day on Calvary.

 

Devotional: Courage, Character and Civility

Randy Kilgore

It was a moment it took twenty years of incredible sacrifice to create, and even then it would be another twenty-seven years before the real celebration could begin. But it was an inspiring moment for the ages.

 

Devotional: The Battle for Your Heart

Michael Zigarelli

When we live and work in a secularized culture, the transformation of our worldview—of our most basic assumptions about who God is and how we should live—happens invisibly and it happens inevitably…unless, that is, we actively guard against it.

 

Devotional: How to Know God is About to do a Big Thing

Michael Zigarelli

I knew God was about to do something big when, on the plane, a very attractive woman in the seat next to mine struck up a conversation that culminated, one hour later, in a roguish proposition from her.

 

Devotional: The Parable of the Thermostat

Michael Zigarelli

I came in today and the thermostat was set on 70 … but it was 58 degrees in the office! So I moved the thermostat to 75 and a few hours later it was 60 in the office. Being a researcher, I went one more step and set the thermostat to 55 to see what would happen. A few hours later, it was 65 in my office. Hmmm.

 

 

 

Editorials

 

Decoding The Apprentice  The Apprentice is just a TV show, right? Just another one of those insipid, gimmicky attempts by Hollywood to win the ratings war. In reality, though, this “reality show” can shape the reality of how people think about business and how they behave in organizations. Mere entertainment? We think not.

 

Dictators Masquerading as Christian Leaders  It’s a dirty little secret in Christendom, but it’s becoming more and more public. There are some Christian leaders who are veritable ogres. And it's nothing short of scandalous.

 

Teach the Whole Truth

Pastors and Christian educators can suffer from two opposite but related errors in their teaching. Pastors usually impart Biblical knowledge while ignoring scientific revelation; Christian teachers usually impart scientific knowledge while ignoring Biblical revelation. We would all benefit if these leaders broadened their epistemology—their understanding of what counts as "knowledge"—and taught more often from the whole truth of theology plus science.

 

GM's Hit-and-Run on Christian Employees Cannot Be Ignored  General Motors has put the brakes on the establishment of a Christian employee group, while permitting several other affinity groups to be created. This is dangerous precedent for several reasons.

 

A Rebellious (Court) House  On June 26, 2003, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the American people can no longer deem certain sexual conduct to be immoral, striking down a Texas law that criminalized gay sex acts. That precedent poses an almost unprecedented problem for Christians.

 

The "What Would Jesus Drive?" Campaign  Would Jesus drive an SUV? A controversial ad campaign suggests that he wouldn't - and that you shouldn't either. Is this a legitimate interpretation of scripture or just more "eiseJesus"?

 

 

Leveraging Hollywood: "If We Come, They Will Build It" This month marks the release of the big screen version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a $200 million gamble by Disney that evangelicals will turn out in huge numbers to see another Christian-friendly film. We should ensure that the gamble pays off. Hollywood is willing to step to our side in the culture wars, but only if we make it profitable for them to do so.

 

Cut Off By A Little Fish  What do your co-workers think when you do something that's less than godly? Here's some quick perspective.

 

 

Never Go to "Work" Again  Here's a powerful exercise.  Try it in earnest and you may be surprised by what you learn. Changing how we frame our work can instantly change everything about that experience.

 

Why Discipleship Fails  Why is it that even when we know what's right, we often do what's wrong? A lot of reasons, perhaps, but the most basic is this: We never really intended to do what's right, at least not consistently. That's a personal failure, for sure, but it's also a failure of how we disciple people.

 

 

 

Church and Educational Leadership

 

Churches that Develop the Christian Mind

J.P. Moreland

The church – not the university, the public schools, or the media – has the primary responsibility to teach truth, train the mind, and properly orient our thinking. But you would never know that by examining the structure, practices or goals of our local churches. In this chapter from his path-breaking book, Love Your God with All of Your Mind, philosopher and theologian J.P. Moreland calls local churches back to this vital function of developing the Christian mind and offers several practical suggestions for how any church can do that.

 

Building a Simple Church  (pdf file)

Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger

Based on an in-depth study of four hundred American churches, the authors now share their breakthrough conclusion: "simple" churches -- focused, well-aligned churches with complete clarity of purpose --  are more vibrant, more effective churches. Here's chapter 1 from their award-winning book, Simple Church.

 

Marketing for Ministries: How to Win the Battle for Hearts and Minds (pdf file)

George Babbes and Michael Zigarelli

Why should a ministry care about marketing? Because people do things for their reasons, not yours.  And because we live in a world of unlimited choices.  To help you win the battle for people’s hearts and minds, this chapter from The Minister’s MBA offers a primer on ethical, effective marketing.

 

The Art of Leading a Small Group (pdf file)

Michael Zigarelli

There’s been a lot written on how to lead a small group and how not to lead one. Here’s a compilation of some of the best ideas out there—twenty tips that will assist you in leading your group to a life-changing experience.

 

The Gap Between Pastor Perceptions and Church Member Realities

George Barna

Based on interviews with a representative national sample of 627 Protestant pastors, this Barna study discovered that pastors believe the vast majority of their congregants deem their faith in God to be the highest priority in their life. But when the researchers asked the congregants to identify their top priority, a very different picture emerged.

 

A Dozen Ways to Improve Your Worship Service

Michael Zigarelli

As good as worship is at many churches, there are many things churches can do to make Sunday morning services more effective. Here are a dozen suggestions from a management professor and organizational consultant who's spent a lot of time in a lot of churches.

 

The Gap Between Pastor Perceptions and Church Member Realities

George Barna

Based on interviews with a representative national sample of 627 Protestant pastors, this Barna study discovered that pastors believe the vast majority of their congregants deem their faith in God to be the highest priority in their life. But when the researchers asked the congregants to identify their top priority, a very different picture emerged.

 

The Mission of the Christian University (pdf file)

Michael Zigarelli