Making It Work: God and Your Work

Groups reading the Scripture out loud meet all over the world, from pastors in Korea to tech workers in Seattle, to a group of financial services professionals in New York City, meeting every week to listen to the Bible and talk about their work. Tom Cole, our guest today has experienced this practice as one of the leaders of the New York group, Faith in Financial Services. He's here today to tell us about how he's seen himself and members of the group, helped by the power of listening to the Bible. 

Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 4:13

Additional Resources: Public Reading of Scripture for Work, www.prs.work

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute 

Sensitive, empathic, introverted. These are some of the ways that today's guest Dorcas Cheng Tozun would describe herself. Learning to thrive as a sensitive person, especially in the world of work, where those who are aggressive or assertive may often dominate, has been an important part of her journey and of many of our journeys. Dorcas has nearly 20 years of experience as a nonprofit and social enterprise professional. She's an award winning writer, editor, speaker and communications consultant. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal and Christianity Today and dozens of other publications. She's also, at her core sensitive, and most recently, she's the author of Social Justice for The Sensitive Soul: How To Change The World In Quiet Ways.

Scripture References

• Matthew 9:36
• Exodus 2:11-15
• Nehemiah 1

Additional Resources

• Social Justice for The Sensitive Soul: How To Change The World In Quiet Ways by Dorcas Cheng Tozun

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute 

We all make plans for our work, whether that’s a list of things to do today, or a ten year plan. We have hopes, dreams, and goals for the future. But what does it mean to let God shape your work plans? And how do you know if you're submitting to God’s plan, or simply fitting God into yours? We talk with Barry Rowan, author of The Spiritual Art of Business: Connecting the Daily with the Divine. Barry has spent his career in a variety of C-suite roles and has been instrumental in building and transforming businesses. He is also deeply committed to contemplation and prayer, and he’s here to tell us how the two mix together to let God shape our plans for work. 

Scripture References

• Luke 14:33
• John 10:10
• John 4:34
• Isaiah 55:11
• James 1:2-4
• Psalm 139:13

Additional Resources

• The Spiritual Art of Business by Barry Rowan https://theologyofwork.christianbook.com/spiritual-business-connecting-daily-with-divine/barry-rowan/9781514007624/pd/007624
  
  
• Working in the Presence of God: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Work by Denise Daniels and Shannon Vandewarker https://theologyofwork.christianbook.com/working-presence-spiritual-practices-everyday-work/denise-daniels/9781683072225/pd/072225 

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute 

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/how-i-learned-to-let-god-shape-my-plans-barry-rowan/

In addition to being named one of Sports Illustrated’s Top 100 most influential black women in sports, Jasmine Bellamy is an influential figure in bringing the practice of love to transform workplace culture from the inside out. She's the Vice President of Merchandising, Planning and Allocation at Reebok. She also is the founder of Love 101 Ministries, which is dedicated to the theology and practice of love. And she is the creator and co-facilitator of Courageous Conversations, a platform that engages issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and inspires transformation in community. Jasmine earned a BS in marketing and management from Syracuse University, a Master's of Business Administration from Fordham University and a Master's of Arts in Theology from Fuller Seminary, where she is pursuing a doctorate in global leadership, focusing on the redemptive imagination of the marketplace. She's here today to talk to us about living out the call to love in secular workplaces.

Scripture References

• 1 Matthew 22:36-40
• 1 John 4:8
• John 14-17
• Matthew 25:14-30
• Romans 14:15

Additional Resources

• Love 101 Ministries: http://love101ministries.com
  
  
• Jasmine Bellamy’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminebellamy/
  
  
• Love 101 Ministries on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Love101Ministries
  
  
• Love 101 Ministries on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaS5QPACZvxpa857gomUGPQ

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at www.theologyofwork.org/contribute 

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/how-i-learned-to-let-god-shape-my-plans-barry-rowan/

Faith-based employee resource groups can be a bridge to building relationships within your own faith and across different faiths. One example of a successful faith-based ERG is Google's Inter Belief Network. Guest Barbara Villasenor is a founding member and global chair of Google's Inter Belief Network, co-lead of the Google Christian Fellowship chapter, an economics business partner to Google's chief economist. Barbara is here today to talk to us about ERGs, her own experience starting one, and how these groups can improve the experience of work.

Scripture

• Acts 18:1-3
• Isaiah 11:2
• Isaiah 43:1-2

Additional Resources

• How to Start a Faith Based Employee Resource Group (ERG) - Playbook: https://www.theologyofwork.org/how-to-start-a-faith-based-employee-resource-group-erg/

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at www.theologyofwork.org/contribute 

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/faith-based-ergs-building-bridges-in-the-workplace-barbara-villasenor/

The enneagram, a personality typing system, has exploded in popularity in recent years. For followers of Jesus, the enneagram can be a useful tool on the road to healthier relationships with God, yourself, and others on your team. Guest Jesse Eubanks is a certified Enneagram coach and host of The EnneaCast, a podcast exploring personality and relationships through the lens of the Enneagram. Jesse is also the founder and executive director of Love Thy Neighborhood, a nonprofit mobilizing people to follow Jesus and serve the poor in modern culture. Relevant named him one of the top 50 Christian artists and activists who are making an impact on culture in the United States. 

Scripture Reference: John 8:32 

Additional Resources

• How We Relate by Jesse Eubanks https://theologyofwork.christianbook.com/relate-understanding-yourself-others-through-enneagram/jesse-eubanks/9780310365211/pd/122762EB
  
  
• Relate Better: www.relatebetter.com
  
  
• The Enneacast podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatebetter-presents-the-enneacast/id1410031710

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at www.theologyofwork.org/contribute 

Transcript available at  https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/the-enneagram-building-better-relationships-at-work-jesse-eubanks/

Research shows that forgiveness may positively impact your experience of the workplace and the people around you. Guest Dr. Loren Toussaint is a Professor of Psychology at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He directs the laboratory for the investigation of mind, body and spirit, that studies virtues, especially forgiveness and their relationship to health and well-being. He is the Chair of the Discover Forgiveness Advisory Council for the Templeton World Charity Foundation, President of The Forgiveness Foundation, Associate Director of the Sierra Leone Forgiveness Project, and a consultant to Mayo Clinic Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Boise State University. He encourages everyday forgiveness to build resilience and to minimize stress in families, schools, healthcare, workplaces and communities. Loren Toussaint welcome to the podcast.

Scripture References

• Matthew 6:14-15
• Matthew 12:43-45

Additional Resources

• The Forgiveness Foundation https://forgivenessfoundation.org/

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/the-power-of-forgiveness-at-work-loren-toussaint/

If you’re a follower of Jesus suffering with chonic pain at work, you may find yourself asking, where is God when I’m in pain?  According to the Harvard Business Review, studies suggest that up to 40% of American workers experience chronic pain - pain that persists for more than 3 months - sometimes unbeknownst to managers and co-workers. For workers, chronic pain can be debilitating and discouraging. 

Today we talk with guest Grant Hoffecker. Grant has worked for LinkedIn as a Senior Software Engineer and Google as a Developer Relations Engineer. He was a leader for LinkedIn's inChrist workplace fellowship group and is an advisory board member for Faith and Work Movement. His passions include reconciliation in the workplace, basketball, and adventuring outdoors. He writes about faith and tech at granttheyeti.medium.com and co-hosts the Grape-Nuts Podcast, where he has lighthearted conversations about the small things that stir up our passions and bring joy to the new day. 

Grant has worked with chronic pain for the past 3 years, seeking God in the midst of his pain. 

Scripture References

• Psalm 42
• Job 23:8-10
• Lamentations 3:16-23

Additional Resources

• Grant’s Blog: granttheyeti.medium.com
• The Grape-Nuts Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/grapenutspodcast

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/trusting-god-in-chronic-pain-grant-hoffecker/

Anxiety and uncertainty about finances is part of most people's lives, even followers of Jesus. Our choice of work, our feelings about money and our faith are constantly intertwined in changing and complicated ways. Guest Katrina Miles started her own company, a step of faith that has challenged her to trust in God's provision to pay the bills while seeking God's kingdom in her work. Her company, Inkyverse Media Group is a creative management agency focused on the fields of fine art, illustration, media and publishing. You can find them at Inkyverse.world. Katrina was featured in The Missional Disciple, Pursuing Mercy and Justice at Work, a six week workbook and video course exploring the intersection of mercy and justice at work. The course was created by the Global Faith and Work Initiative at Redeemer City to City and is available for purchase. You can learn more at www.globalfaithandwork.com/missionaldisciple

Scripture References

• Psalm 112

Additional Resources

• Inkyverse Media Group: inkyverse.world

• The Missional Disciple: Pursuing Mercy and Justice at Work: www.globalfaithandwork.com/missionaldisciple

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/trusting-gods-provision-katrina-miles/

How do you find purpose in your work? Does your faith give your work purpose? Or does your work give you perspective on your faith? We explore what the Bible has to say about the purpose of your work with guest Tom Lutz. Tom brings decades of entrepreneurial experience to his work coaching marketplace leaders. He also teaches biblical studies at Metro Atlanta Seminary and leads workshops to help Christians work with purpose. Tom is the co-author of the book Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in Their Work.

Scripture References

• Matthew 5:1-12
• Ephesians 2:8-10
• Ephesians 4:11-13
• Genesis 50:20
• Mark 4:1-20
• Matthew 7:24-29
• Matthew 25:31-40
• Genesis 1:26-30
• Genesis 3:1-19
• Revelation 21:9

Additional Resources

Equipping Christians for Kingdom Purpose in Their Work, by Tom Lutz

Guests Denise Daniels and Shannon Vandewarker discuss connecting with God when working from home and their new book, Practices for Working in the Presence of God: A Guided Journal.

Scripture References

• Matthew 9:1-22
• Psalm 62:8
• Proverbs 16:9

Additional Resources

• Practices for Working in the Presence of God: A Guided Journal by Denise Daniels and Shannon Vandewarker (2022)
• Working in the Presence of God: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Work by Denise Daniels and Shannon Vandewarker (2019)

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/experience-gods-presence-when-working-from-home-denise-daniels-shannon-vandewarker/

Whether you work in management, customer service, as a teacher, or as a parent, no matter what your job is, the daily pressures of work can get to you. You may react in ways that hurt others or don't feel consistent with the person you want to be. If you're interested in improving how you respond when the pressure is on, our guest today is here to help. Recently named among the top 30 most influential psychologists, Dr. Rob McKenna is the founder and CEO of WiLD Leaders. He's worked with thousands of leaders across corporate, not for profit, and university settings, has given him insight into the real and gritty experience of working under pressure. His latest book, Composed: The Heart and Science of Leading Under Pressure, focuses on the specific strategies leaders can use to stay true to themselves and connect to others under pressure.

Scripture References

• James 1:19
• John 21:15-18
• Philippians 2:6

Additional Resources

• WiLD Leaders Website
• Dr. Rob McKenna's Speaker Page
• Dr. Rob McKenna's LinkedIn
• Dr. Rob McKenna's TEDx: Whole Leaders Under Pressure

Over 15 million people in the United States work in the hospitality industry today. You may not typically think of working in hospitality as a particularly powerful job, but this work holds great power when we connect it to God's hospitality and God's powerful welcome to all people. Guest Teena Dare, spent 10 years in the restaurant industry, where she learned to love the rhythms of hard work and hospitality. 

Scripture References

• Genesis 1-2

• James 2:1-9

• Roman 12:13
• 
Luke 22:7-21

Additional Resources

• The Missional Disciple: www.globalfaithandwork.com/missionaldisciple
  
  
• Teena Dare’s Blog: www.shakingspirits.com
  
  
• Faith, Work and Rest Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-work-rest/id1356221317

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/the-power-of-hospitality-teena-dare/

Our workplaces are broken in all sorts of ways. By greed, by selfishness, short sightedness, lack of consideration, and lack of love for others. As followers of Jesus, how can we resist replicating the brokenness and instead act as a restorative presence in our workplaces and industries? Here to talk to us today about being a restorative presence in his industry is Ben Stamper. Ben is an award winning filmmaker. He has been commissioned to create numerous short films, video installations and projections by many cultural organizations, including the Guggenheim Museum's Works and Process art series, Metlife Art, and the Center for Faith and Work, and he has received numerous awards for his documentary work about survivors of trafficking in India and Africa as well as his films about young people on the autism spectrum.

Ben was featured in The Missional Disciple: Pursuing Mercy and Justice at Work, which is a six-week workbook and video course exploring the intersection of mercy and justice and work. The course was created by the Global Faith and Work initiative at Redeemer City to City, and is available for purchase. You can learn more at www.globalfaithandwork.com/missionaldisciple

Scripture References

• Galatians 5:22-23 
• John 15:1-17
• Psalm 51:12-13

Additional Resources

• The Missional Disciple: Pursuing Mercy and Justice at Work www.globalfaithandwork.com/missionaldisciple
• Ben Stamper Film - https://benstamperpictures.com 
• The Deep Place - https://benstamperpictures.com/work3

Do you feel overwhelmed, distracted or stressed at work? Do you feel yourself hurtling towards burnout? It might not be that your job is a bad fit for you. It could just be that you're working at the wrong pace. Our guest today argues that the leading cause of burnout is an institutional pace that doesn't match the natural pace of workers. Caitie Butler is the co-author of Work Reimagined: How the Power of Pace Can Help Your Organization Achieve a New Level of Focus, Engagement and Satisfaction. 

Scripture References

• Ephesians 4:11-13

Additional Resources

• MatchPace ChronoPace quiz: https://www.matchpace.net/resources
• Work Reimagined by Elizabeth Knox and Caitie Butler

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/working-pace-caitie-butler/

Sam Thevanayagam talks with us about God’s work of re-creation and “making all things new” through our everyday work. Sam is the president and CEO of three companies—Parts Life, Inc., DeVal Lifecycle Support, and LC Engineers—focused on aerospace and defense systems used with domestic and international platforms. Sam is a TEDx speaker and the author of The First 10 Runs in Singles: Life Lessons from the Game of Cricket. He is devoted to empowering, mentoring, and developing people within his sphere of influence, and is deeply involved in his community and church. 

Scripture References

• Psalm 51:10
• Luke 10:38-42
• Luke 19:1-10
• Ephesians 2:10

Additional Resources

The First 10 Runs in Singles: Life Lessons from the Game of Cricket by Sam Thevanayagam

You might feel out of place, praying at work or offering to pray for someone you work with. But some Christians, including our guest today, Barbara Myrick, credit prayer at work with stronger relationships and even better business results. Barbara Myrick is the president of B&M Construction Inc. Barbara has grown the company to become one of the most respected construction companies in Colorado. She's obtained many awards in her industry, with the most recent being that 2020 enterprising Woman of the Year 2018 Southern Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce Minority Business of the Year and the 2018 Women's Veterans Business Enterprise of the Year given by JPMorgan Chase & Co and the National Veteran Owned Business Association. Barbara believes in people and community and in remembering that every individual has a contribution to offer. And she talks to us about the power of prayer at work.

Scripture References

• Psalm 23

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/prayer-at-work-barbara-myrick/

Deb Liu is a former VP at Facebook and the current President and CEO of Ancestry. As a woman who has worked her way to the top of the corporate ladder in Silicon Valley, she knows firsthand the challenges that keep the deck stacked against women in the workplace and the ways to overcome them. She is the author of Take Back Your Power: 10 New Rules for Women at Work. She's here to talk to not only women but to anyone who wants to find their voice and achieve great things in a system that wasn't created for you.

Scriputre References

• Proverbs 31:10-31
• Judges 4

Additional Resources

• Take Back Your Power: 10 New Rules for Women at Work by Deb Liu

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/find-your-voice-take-back-your-power-deb-liu/

Do you work a job? Or do you live a calling? Today we talk with guest Bryan Dik about the common myths and half-truths about calling. Bryan Dik is a vocational psychologist and professor of psychology at Colorado State University, where he serves as Director of Training for the university’s Ph.D. program in counseling psychology. He is also co-founder and Chief Science Officer of jobZology and co-inventor of the award-winning PathwayU career assessment platform. Bryan’s scholarly work focuses on meaning and purpose in the workplace, calling and vocation in career development, and the intersection of faith and work. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and American Scientific Affiliation, and is recipient of the John Holland Award for Outstanding Achievement in Career or Personality Research. His published books include Redeeming Work and Make Your Job a Calling.

Scripture References

• Exodus 3
• Acts 9:1-19

Additional Resources

• Redeeming Work by Bryan Dik

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/myths-and-half-truths-about-calling-bryan-dik/

If you're looking to make your next move, but not sure how to get started, this episode is for you. We talk with Jeff Henderson, an entrepreneur, business leader, former pastor, and author of What To Do Next: Taking Your Best Step When Life is Uncertain.

Scripture References

• Genesis 12:1
• Genesis 15-18:15

Additional Resources

• What to Do Next by Jeff Henderson 
• Jeff’s Website: https://jeffhenderson.com/

Donate. This podcast is made possible through the financial support of people like you. Your gift of any size will enable us to continue resourcing Christians with high-quality biblically-based content that applies to everyday work. Donate at https://www.theologyofwork.org/contribute

Transcript at https://www.theologyofwork.org/makingitwork/episode/what-to-do-next-jeff-henderson/