Faith, Business and Serving the Creator

This quote from a recent post by Fuller Seminary President, Richard Mouw grabbed my attention:

...we certainly need more messages about business activity as an opportunity to serve people in ways that please the Creator....

Mark D. Roberts recent series on the history of the Faith at Work movement is saying some similar things. And tomorrow, I am doing my first seminar specifically for a business on Being Powerless Agents of change.

Now, I usually find that when I go somewhere to speak, I am the one who ends up learning the most. So, while in my mind, I know that Monday Morning on Wall Street and Friday Mornings on Main Street should have everything to do with what happens on Sunday Mornings in the pews, I am sure my messages don't say it nearly enough.

I am drawn toward entrepreneurs and business leaders, I love reading books about new models of business and organizational leadership often gleaning insights for leading in churches. I love encouraging groups like "CauseDEPOT" that are trying to make a difference in the world through the market place.

In short, I have been so encouraged in the practice of my faith by business thinking,  perhaps I need to think more and more about how to return the favor.  Any suggestions?   

Comments

[Steve Norris]

Ding!

Remember a zillion years ago when we attempted to do a "Faith at Work" thing at FPCH?

This could be very very good. Ask lots of questions when you speak to the business group. Listen well, ask more questions, and listen again.

Then, call me, and lets have food!

[Steve]

It would be great to be able to hear your tomorrow…any chance they (or you) will record it?

Some additional feedback:

Good paraphrased quote from Martin Luther that keeps me going during the 9-5:
“We are all ministers of the Gospel. Some of us just happen to be clergymen.”

Join LinkedIn and connect with other business folks (in and out of the church).
http://www.linkedin.com

Have lunch or coffee with Jim Moriarty (Christian, Surfrider CEO and entrepreneur here in SC):
http://www.surfrider.org/whoweare5a.asp

Some books to consider (not necessarily Faith-related, but mind-expanding nonetheless):
Let My People Go Surfing
Love is the Killer App
4 Hour Work Week

More books from the ‘b-school pros’:
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/books/index.htm

Enjoy the speaking tomorrow.

[tod]

Steve and Steve,

Thanks for the comments and the encouragement. I will do exactly as both of you suggested.

By the way, you two should meet. When I was having a conversation with Steve Johnson the other day, I thought to myself, "the only other guy I know who thinks of his business as a calling from God is my old buddy, Steve Norris."

So, let me introduce you while I rush "out" and buy that book on the 4 hour work week. (But it sounds like a youth pastor I once worked with.)

[Steve Lavey]

I love your emphasis in this article on faith at work. I am just moving out of ministry and back into the marketplace to start my fifth company, fanfuego.com.

I just came across an oldie but a goodie on the subject at, places of all places, the New York Times (can you believe it?).

Check it out at http://20millionminutes.com.