Category: Vocation
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ReFrame: Following Christ in the Modern Era
What does it mean to follow Christ in our era? That is the central question for Christians in any era, but it is particularly challenging today. Some suggest that our postmodern and post-Christendom context is creating a level of disruption in the Church not seen since the Reformation. I think that is likely true. So…
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Followership: The Other Side of Leadership
Ivey Business Journal: Followership: The Other Side of Leadership "… Followership is a straightforward concept. It is the ability to take direction well, to get in line behind a program, to be part of a team and to deliver on what is expected of you. It gets a bit of a bad rap! How well…
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Prudent but not puritan (Religion and Spending)
Economist: Prudent but not puritan … After using a lot of fancy statistical tools, they came up with some expected findings, and some rather unexpected ones. Households "with a strong commitment to faith"— demonstrated by higher spending on religious activities—are less likely to be weighed down by excessive mortgage outgoings or loan payments for cars.…
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“Nothing is Free: The Price Only Business can Pay to Protect Free Markets” by Dave Geenens – Book Review
Order at Amazon: Nothing is Free: The Price Only Business can Pay to Protect Free Markets. What is the purpose of business, particularly as it relates to the welfare of employees? Economists, business leaders, and theologians engage in endless debate about this topic. Regrettably, it tends to be two separate debates with economists and business…
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The Value of a Person Versus the Value of Labor (Part 1)
(Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Index) On what basis should people be compensated for their work? Economists say the value of labor is a function of supply and demand. Wages should correspond to the economic value of work. Theologians often object. (Note: We are all theologians, but here I'm referring to those formally educated…
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Two-thirds of churched adults say it has been at least three years or more since they heard church teachings on work and career
Barna Group: Three Trends on Faith, Work and Calling I'm two months slow in posting this article, but it is important. … Barna Group's new research shows that three-quarters of U.S. adults (75%) say they are looking for ways to live a more meaningful life. Whether such meaning is found in family, career, church, side…
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Faith and Business – Michael Jinkins
Huffington Post Business: Faith and Business – Michael Jinkins The church has a knack for depreciating the vocations of the laity. Well, perhaps not all vocations of the laity. The church routinely blesses vocations like the helping professions and education, especially if they are in the not-for-profit realm. But the church is ambivalent, at best,…
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Does God Ordain Us to the Hardware Business?
I preached at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church, in Kansas City, MO, on March 16, 2014. The sermon begins by wondering if it is appropriate to ordain people to the hardware business. The sermon text is Genesis 12:1-4, and the real issue is the ministry of work in everyday life. I think this is the first…
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Should Christians Really Stop Saying This?
A Facebook friend linked this article this week, The One Thing Christians Should Stop Saying. I get the gist of what he is saying, but I also have reservations. He is a businessperson and tells of how a friend asked how his business was going. He answered with his usual response: "Definitely feeling blessed. Last…