|
| Christian news worldwide |
 Home |
 Archives |
 Subscriptions |
 Adverts |
 Find a church |
 About us |
 Contact us |
 Site Map |
 PrintableVersion Mastering MondayExperiencing God's Kingdom in the workplaceWork experienceMASTERING MONDAY John Beckett’s book gives inspirational and encouraging help to lay Christians seeking to apply their faith and biblical principles to the secular workplace. While Beckett, the chairman of a family-run manufacturing business in Ohio, speaks from the point of view of an entrepreneur and owner of his own business, the principles he sets forth provide helpful, practical ideas to Christian workers at all levels. The book divides into three sections. The first is a candid personal testimony about coming to faith and the struggles he faced taking over and leading the family business. Second, Beckett discusses several biblical characters (Noah, Moses, Bezalel, Boaz, David and Solomon) who were influential to him as ‘business leader’ role models. He provides a fresh and insightful look at the practical work responsibilities of these leaders. Their examples decisively answer the question that many Christians have: God does not merely call people to ministry; as Beckett shows, one can be called to be an ‘ordained plumber’. In the third section he unpacks five major biblical themes relating to the workplace that can frame how Christians approach their work: purpose, values, people, stewardship and serving. Citing Scripture and several case studies effectively, Beckett shows how he translated these principles into practical policies at his own company. To his surprise, his efforts resulted in national recognition through interviews on national news programmes, several invitations to the White House to discuss his ideas and even an invitation to Vladivostock to conduct a seminar on implementing biblical principles in the workplace to a group of Russian business people! Beckett’s experience reminds this reader of the principle of the mustard seed. Faith and diligent prayer can lead to much more direct impact on God’s kingdom in the workplace than one can imagine. While thankfully rejecting the ‘health and wealth’ gospel, Beckett’s ‘pro-business’ tone and several of his illustrations may strike a British reader as distinctively American, where business is perhaps more highly regarded. (The company rallies and ‘purpose statement’ T-shirts will certainly seem over the top!) Nevertheless, the principles Beckett sets out provide a helpful and encouraging framework to Christians struggling to apply their faith in the workplace. Steven L. Gandy © Evangelicals Now - February 2007 |
|
