Social entrepreneurs are persons who apply novel applications to solve community problems. They use market-based methods and risk capital to change our society for the better. While these methods are designed for profits, the primary purpose is to positively uplift communities. For example, a …
Passion or Duty?
I lived in Europe for over 9 years and traveled to many countries, both professionally and personally. I observed that different cultures have different views on work. For example, when I discussed with Shell Hamburg (Germany) gas marketing staff what aspects of their work motivated them, I was …
Labor Day 2019: Dignity in Work
On September 2nd, the United States celebrated its 125th Labor Day. In 1894, the U.S. federal government passed a law designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day. Canada designates the same day as Labour Day. In 80 countries, May 1st is International Workers’ Day. It seems that we like to …
Work as Worship
For the vast majority of Christians, Sunday is the primary day of community worship. It is the day when Christians gather to pray, hear the Word, profess our beliefs, confess our corporate and individual sins, and sing praises to God. Worship is a community gathering as collectively we bond with …
Know Your Why
In the introduction (p. xv) of my recently published book, Trading with God, I write about hearing Ken Costa, an internationally renowned UK banker, preach at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) church in central London. His book, God at Work, was my introduction to the faith and work movement. Ken is both …
Family Business
Jesus taught his followers to look outside their self-interests and show love and hospitality to their community. In his paper, Faith, Family, and Work: A Christian Perspective on Family Businesses, published in the book Faith & Work: Christian Perspectives, Research, and Insights Into the …
Caring for Employees
I have never met a corporate chaplain nor seen a minister, priest, or rabbi in my office. Those with spiritual vocations and employed within religious organizations are certainly welcome in corporate offices but during my career, I just never witnessed it. In their paper, Caring for Employees: …
On July 22 of 2019, my first book, Trading with God: Seven Steps to Integrate Your Faith into Your Work, was published by Wipf and Stock. I finished the preliminary manuscript the previous August, then sent book proposals to publishers and literary agents. I wasn’t a best-selling author, nor did I …
“Eyesore” House
I like the landscaping around my home to look beautiful: no weeds, trimmed bushes, and green grass. I spend many morning hours keeping my yard in pristine condition. My wife believes that I spend too much time outside doing yard work and she is probably right. I just fear getting behind in my yard …
“As the Birds to Flying, So Is Man Born Unto Work”
Martin Luther (1483-1546) is well-known for his stand against the Catholic Church and the start of the Protestant Reformation. But far fewer people know that he wrote extensively about work. In their paper, Martin Luther’s Notion of Work as an Individual Source for Meaning, published in the book …