Out of the tribe of Benjamin, forcefully living under the empire of Babylon, there was a certain young woman. She was not your average person. She could have been written off as a statistic with low chances of success. She was an ethnic minority, an orphan, and a female in a male-dominant society. Her name … Read More
When I think of Lydia in Acts 16:6-15, I often picture her as a hard-working Nicaraguan woman. Driving with my parents through the Nicaraguan countryside as a little girl, I would often take in the sights and sounds of my tropical country out my window. A typical vignette that captured my attention was the sweat … Read More
I have a weird super power. I don’t like it, but I sometimes disappear. It’s not like a magic trick with stage lights and misdirection of the eye. It happens in the most casual and usual circumstances. I remember when I was in film school in college during my sophomore year, and it was finally … Read More
Ivy League graduate, poet, educator, socially conscious. Rapper, activist, Chinese American. In the popular imagination, many of these identities might not fit together—and yet, meet Jason Chu. He identifies himself as a Chinese American rapper with a mission statement to “bring hope and healing to a broken world.” Jason embodies all of this through his … Read More
Born with cerebral palsy, I am a disabled woman with serious shame about my inability to work and be a productive member of society. This personal shame has often led me to question my value in the eyes of God. Am I only valuable to the kingdom of God because of the work I can … Read More
I remember when I made my first batch of lotion. My hands made their own creative sound. I was excited and amazed at myself and my creativity. It was at that moment that I experienced a unique inner power for the first time. Not a superhero kind of power but a power that went beyond … Read More
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” – John 15:1-2 This time of year, in wine country, the vines stand naked and exposed … Read More
“I have all this wisdom, knowledge, and skill—but I can’t use it.” This was the first thing Louis Jones said to me when we sat down to “officially” talk about the intersection of disability and work. Truthfully though, this topic comes up in one way or another in pretty much every conversation we have. Louis … Read More
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and … Read More
The Christmas season is over. We’ve put away nativity scenes and unstrung our lights. That distinct festivity is no longer in the air. Another year has started, and while this can be an exciting occasion for many—time for resolutions and fresh starts—it can also feel like the great Monday morning of the year. Back to … Read More
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28 The winter rains have begun, and the grapevines have dropped their leaves. Only a few yellow, orange, and red stragglers remain, catching the watery afternoon sun, like tiny stained-glass windows. All the work for the season … Read More
Mothers know what sacrifice means. No one else in this world is asked to give of themselves more wholly to another person than a mother. She gives her body, time, autonomy, attention, food, energy, and life to this little baby being. And after a few short years, she is asked to let go of the … Read More
Advent is the Christian season in which we wait expectantly for the Lord. While the weeks leading up to Christmas can be busy and loud, remembering Advent encourages us to be still and wait on God. This is the first of four posts on Advent, each focusing on one of the season’s four traditional themes … Read More
Near the start of his ministry, Jesus proclaimed at the synagogue in Nazareth that he was the one, foretold in Isaiah 61, who would set the oppressed free (Luke 4:14-28). In doing so, Jesus announced that a central aim of his ministry would be leveling social hierarchies in which some people were favored over others. … Read More
Ephesians 5:20 reveals that, once filled with the Spirit, we should be “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse sparks several questions: 1) How can we give thanks “always”? That seems impossible. 2) Should we really thank God for “everything”? Really? 3) Does … Read More
As I talk with pastors and other church leaders about the integration of faith, work, and economic wisdom, I am often asked: “Where can I find great resources for my church?” A Google search can lead to some of these, but many of the best online resources are not easily found through Google. Here, I’d … Read More
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener… Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. – John 15:1, 4 On my drive through Sebastopol, the vineyards on … Read More
June 2016: I sat in my cap and gown, sweating, with my teeth clenched. I was about to walk across the stage and receive my degree in business. I was incredibly hopeful, and my creative mind was running with all of the possibilities of the future. I was sitting in one of the most significant … Read More
In the New Testament letter known as Ephesians, we find a short list of what might be called “leadership roles” in the church. The word “leadership” does not appear in this passage. Neither does the word “roles.” What we do read is this: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors … Read More
This article is an introductory piece to a new regular series called “Rhythms of Work.” There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot… a time to weep and a … Read More
When I graduated with my doctorate, I did so alongside eight men. As part of the ceremony, each person stood up and gave a short speech. Nearly every man expressed heartfelt gratitude through tears to his family for the time they sacrificed with him in the doctoral process. But when it was my turn to … Read More
Many Christians believe that only a few special Christians have callings. Ordained pastors, priests, and ministers have callings. So do missionaries. And perhaps people in obvious helping professions have callings, folks like doctors and nurses, perhaps teachers and youth workers. But most Christians, it seems, are just ordinary folk, people without a calling. Scripture tells … Read More
Recently, I had two separate conversations with friends who were in career crises. Each crisis was catalyzed by a sense of disillusionment with work—the feeling that the world had promised them something and was failing to make good on that promise. One friend, in her mid thirties, is in the midst of a corporate career … Read More
(Excerpted from “Making Spiritual Sense of Money”) If the first step toward making spiritual meaning about money is to provide a language for being honest with God and with each other about the financial pressures each of us feels, the second step is to make some sense of work. Most adults spend their days working. … Read More
Leadership begins with listening. But our fears take us the other way. They tell us that leadership is about having something to say, about having followers, about having control. But our fears lie. Leadership begins with listening. Leadership begins with listening – listening to God. The Christian life begins when we listen to the generous … Read More
Originally published at Made to Flourish. These three phrases — reconciliation, economic wisdom, and the church — belong together. Why? Let’s begin with a definition of reconciliation. Brenda Salter McNeil’s book, Roadmap to Reconciliation: Moving Communities into Unity, Wholeness and Justice, helps us. McNeil, featured as one of the 50 most influential women to watch by Christianity … Read More
I had the good fortune to work for a CEO who was an incredible leader. I count myself privileged to have worked for such an exceptional person. He had a vision for the direction of our organization and took timely, tangible steps to achieve that vision. My CEO understood the value of a strategic plan, … Read More
Max De Pree has been a defining mentor in my life. I first became aware of Max when I was a young administrator and he was Chairman of the Board at the institution where I worked. As I assumed leadership responsibilities, I was vulnerably aware of my lack of preparation. So I applied for a Kellogg … Read More
In the year 2000 the richest 10% of the world’s population owned 85% of global assets.* Today, more than one billion people live on less than $1 a day.* When I first heard these numbers, I felt compelled to do something. I felt that for-profit companies should share responsibility for changing these realities. During 2011, … Read More
If all work is indeed God’s work, then it is a deep grace that even the work we do out of a place of pain, or insecurity, or constraint, is still work that he can use and redeem for good purposes. Learning to see the value in limitation and constraint has been especially helpful to … Read More
Vocation is a wonderfully broad and encompassing word. In contrast to how we normally think about calling, as something having to do with our career or professional work, instead I find tremendous grace and reassurance in the more biblical understanding of vocation that helps us see all work as God’s work. Etymologically, vocation comes from … Read More
Originally written on September 17, 2013. It is hard to find a well articulated theology of work – especially work involving entrepreneurial and other commercial vocations. Shortly before his death in 2008, Catholic scholar William J. Toth wrote an extraordinary theological examination [1] of the entrepreneurial vocation that addresses this shortcoming. Toth uses Catholic social … Read More
Happy Easter! No, Really! No, I haven’t got my days mixed up. Yes, I do mean to wish you “Happy Easter!” You may be done with Easter Sunday services and Easter egg hunts. You may have put away your fancy new Easter dress and your bunny decorations. But Easter isn’t over, at least not for … Read More
Recently, I was chatting with a client of mine who was a few years into resurrecting an organization that had nearly fizzled out under previous leadership. When she assumed leadership of the nonprofit, it had run out of money, was unclear on its mission, and had major personnel problems. As we talked, she described to … Read More
By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Gen. 3:19) To Dust We Will Return This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, one of the most important days in the Christian year. Millions … Read More
What is Ash Wednesday? What is Ash Wednesday? For most of my life, I didn’t ask this question, nor did I care about the answer. I, along, with most evangelical Christians in America, didn’t give Ash Wednesday a thought. But then, in 2004, Ash Wednesday loomed large in American Protestant consciousness. Why? Because on that … Read More
Stories of sexual harassment continue to get top billing in the news. It seems that each day another prominent man—a leader in government, entertainment, business, news, or whatever—resigns or is fired or is in serious hot water owing to believable accusations of grossly inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Most of these accusations come from women … Read More
At first glance, Advent doesn’t seem to have anything to do with work. Advent, after all, is a special season in the Christian year, a time for people to prepare for the advent of Christ at Christmas. (The English word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.”) Advent is about … Read More
As I was recently re-reading the book of Ruth, I found myself remembering similar stories I have encountered in my own life. I thought especially of my husband, who is a second-generation immigrant. His parents were ranchers in his home country. But the countryside had become unsafe, and economic instability meant that their work was … Read More
When you saw the title, “Thanksgiving and Work,” what was your first reaction? I expect some of you, seeing the title “Thanksgiving and Work,” felt wistful, perhaps even a bit peeved. You may not associate work with being thankful. Your job may be terribly demanding or tedious. Your boss may be a tyrant. You may … Read More
I graduated seminary in 2011, on the heels of the Great Recession. Very few companies were hiring. In fact, many were laying people off. Let’s just say that in a depressed economy there is very little demand for someone with an advanced degree in theology and no record of success in any industry. To complicate … Read More
When I was the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church, a woman from my congregation – I’ll call her Rochelle – made an appointment to see me. When she entered my office, I could tell something was wrong. Normally quite joyful, Rochelle looked distressed. Sitting down, she got right to the point. “I have a … Read More
“But the Midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them.” (Ex. 1: 17) Two women face an ethical dilemma at work. By profession, they are caretakers, nurturers, and guides ushering new life into the world. But in the midst of their life-giving work, there is a death-dealing force at … Read More
I was on a panel recently that opened up with this question: As a woman, what are some of the ways you’ve been discriminated against in the workplace? And, how does the Gospel shape your response? Whoa! Talk about starting off strong. I loved this question. So, seeing that none of my panel-mates were eager … Read More
I hate icebreakers. Maybe it’s the introvert in me. Or maybe it’s because I’m Irish and my face heats up every time I’m put on the spot. Either way, I hate icebreakers. Four or five years ago, during one such icebreaker, I was paired up with a man and asked to talk about our jobs. … Read More
Someone asked me once, “Why are you afraid to fail?” I remember wading through a bunch of half sentences until I admitted, “I don’t want to fail because I’m afraid of who that means I am. Basically, my identity is at stake.” Even though I know that my being is more important than my doing, … Read More
1. Describe the anxiety that comes with your role as an entrepreneur. “Entrepreneurship is an uphill battle. It’s filled with roadblocks, pitfalls, and detours. Often times the pressure of validating an idea, building a quality project and service, and making sure I don’t lose sight of our core “why ” can become very overwhelming. If … Read More
The world will reward agility, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Every manager and entrepreneur recognizes this. But our educational system does not yet prepare people for agility. So managers and entrepreneurs will need to know how to prepare their people for agility. That process starts with understanding why today’s grads come to them without instincts for agility. … Read More
I feel a little sheepish asking this question. I am not eager to join the club of writers who claim Jesus for their particular cause or agenda. You can find books that identify Jesus as a CEO, the world’s greatest therapist, an excellent manager, a revolutionary, a free-market capitalist, and, well, you name it. I … Read More
Together, my husband and I own a creative agency. Separately, I work as a practical theologian and he is a filmmaker. Like many of our colleagues and friends, we are busy “building” our careers. And while I admit to daydreams of snorkeling and sleeping until 10 a.m., our chosen trajectories are ones that require long … Read More
These days, we hear a lot about the need for more inclusive workplaces, especially when it comes to the participation of women in leadership roles. The reasons put forth for why we should include women in traditionally male roles vary. Some base this on basic human rights and equal justice. Others advocate allowing women to … Read More
Calling for Deborah: Investing and encouraging women leaders in the workplace It had been twenty years. Twenty years of Canaanite oppression Twenty years that had devastated Israelite communities; that left roads and highways abandoned (Judges 5:6). Twenty years that had broken God’s people Finally the Israelites cried out to God for help and one leader … Read More
Michaela: What I would love to try to have here are the conversations that I feel like I’m having naturally with people everywhere right now. I feel like the most important work that I’m doing right now is not work I’m getting paid to do. The tricky part is that I can’t, nor do I … Read More
Mark: We were asked by some really strong, competent women to have this conversation about women, work, and church and how we contribute to their flourishing. My first question is, when Meggie said, “Hey, would you participate in this conversation,” what did you think? Marcos: For me, I first think of my grandma who was a … Read More
A note from the Church & Marketplace network staff: We encourage you to use this poem to practice the rhythm of action and reflection by yourself or in community with others–whether that is in a small group, or Sunday morning worship, or shared online with friends and colleagues. We hope this poem will be a creative … Read More
It was the early 90’s and I was a 20 something trying to figure what to do with my life and how my chosen endeavor might make a difference in the world. I’m not sure the dilemma was exclusive to me as many of my peers were also Christians trying to figure out how their … Read More
Several years ago, I helped design an academic study of Christians who held positions of significant leadership in the marketplace. My team and I joined forces with a major university to learn about the lifestyle, beliefs, and work of over seventy leaders. Much of what we discovered through our research was predictable. But one of … Read More