Amazon Reminds Us to Reflect on Our Own Impact on Workplace Culture

Last updated on: August 20, 2015 at 4:24 pm By Theology of Work Project

Last week, The New York Times published an extensive piece about what it’s like for white collar workers at Amazon. By now, you’ve probably read or heard about its controversial workplace culture. If you haven’t, here’s a brief recap. The article included testimonies from both current and former employees. Here’s a sampling of some of the more disturbing trends. Employees who had personal difficulties such as illness felt they were treated without compassion. A woman who had breast cancer was told that... Read more

Does God Direct Government Leaders?: The Republican Debate and the God Question, Part 2

Last updated on: August 12, 2015 at 9:15 pm By Will Messenger

We posted on Aug. 11 about how leaders in the Bible often receive guidance from God in their work of government and civic leadership. Our conclusion is that God cares deeply about government, and that people who work in government–including candidates–should look to God for guidance in their work. That’s a general answer, but the question that moderator Megyn Kelly asked the candidates was actually a bit more specific: “I want to know if any of them have received a word from... Read more

Does God Direct Government Leaders?: The Republican Debate and the God Question

Last updated on: August 10, 2015 at 11:29 am By Theology of Work Project

Toward the end of Thursday night’s Republican presidential primary debate, moderator Megyn Kelly asked the candidates this question from a Facebook user: “I want to know if any of them have received a word from God on what they should do and take care of first.” The phrase “a word from God” in the context of a political debate may have been a little startling at first. However, the assumption underlying the question—that God can and does call people to... Read more

Tim Keller: Redefining Work

Last updated on: August 6, 2015 at 3:23 pm By Theology of Work Project

Christian understanding of work begins with the affirmation that God created the world as a work of art that he invites all people to contribute to. Although work has become deeply tainted by evil and sin, God has not left us alone. Christ is always working to bring hope and goodness into our work. Tim Keller brings deep theological insight into the practical realities of work. (Who else could discuss Martin Luther’s theology by asking, “What does it mean to be a truly... Read more

Do You Send Too Many Emails?

Last updated on: August 6, 2015 at 2:28 pm By Theology of Work Project

In the book of 2 John, John ends his letter by saying that he wants to continue the conversation in person. Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face. (2 John 12). Perhaps he realizes that whatever else he has to communicate could be misunderstood if presented in the impersonal medium of writing a letter. This gives us... Read more

Donald Trump & the Difficult Art of the Apology

Last updated on: August 6, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Theology of Work Project

Perhaps you’ve made a mistake or offended someone. Perhaps you’ve done something unethical, even unknowingly. You know you should apologize. But what makes apologizing so difficult? Presidential hopeful Donald Trump has been in the news lately for some controversial statements, one of them a remark regarding competing candidate John McCain. While Trump initially refused to apologize, he did eventually offer something-like-an-apology. Headlines described: “Trump semi-apologizes to McCain.” “Certainly if there was a misunderstanding, I would totally take that back,” Trump said Monday to Fox News host Bill O’Reilly. Trump’s... Read more

The Sweetest Sound: Why It’s Important to Know Your Colleagues’ Names

Last updated on: July 21, 2015 at 11:19 am By Theology of Work Project

“A person’s name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.” – Dale Carnegie Who We Talk To Says Something About Us Many of us come face to face with hundreds of people in the course of our work. To some degree, we need to communicate with each of them, even if only to avoid knocking into each other in the hallway. How many of them do we know well enough to greet by name? At... Read more

5 Ways to Bless Others With Your Words at Work

Last updated on: July 16, 2015 at 9:40 pm By Theology of Work Project

The words we use in our places of work have the power either to bless or curse, to build others up or to tear them down. Our choice of words often has more power than we realize. In the book of Numbers, we see that one of the chief roles of the Levites is invoking God’s blessing. God ordains these words for the priestly blessing: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon... Read more

New Bible Study Resources for You and Your Small Group

Last updated on: July 16, 2015 at 9:34 pm By Theology of Work Project

This week, we’re releasing 5 new Bible studies in the The Bible and Your Work study series. The lessons in each chapter are designed to be done in 30 minutes–perfect for your lunch break or small group. Each study guides you through scripture, thought-provoking questions and prayer to help you apply the truths of the Bible in everyday work situations. 1. Genesis 12-33 & Work: Bible Study Apply the Old Testament stories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to your life in positive,... Read more