I Could Have Used The Help Of A Freelancer

As is my custom, I’ll be taking a summer break from blogging to re-charge my batteries. 

I have enjoyed “peeling the onion” this past year regarding the role of education in preparing the next generation to make intentional connections between the biblical worldview and daily work. Not only in future work as adults, but current work as students.  Although it was once standard fare at early Harvard and Yale, "the doctrine of work" has disappeared from Christian education, at least in an intentional and systematic way.

I believe this is a big key to cultural transformation. When people go to work with a biblical Weltanschauung and apply it within every sector of society, God goes to work too.

In closing, let me say a word to Christian school leaders: 

I know what it’s like to be a busy school head, attending to "the urgent" and dealing with non-instructional matters demanding so much time and energy that the essential task of equipping teachers to integrate the biblical worldview throughout the curriculum gets lost in the shuffle. 

During the 14 years I served as headmaster of a Christian school, I could have used the help of a freelancer,  providing customized assistance to fit the needs of myself and my staff—as well as my budget. 20 years later, I am able to serve in ways I would not have dreamed possible when I needed this kind of help.    

Each school is unique, and the needs of its staff and leadership vary.  I will be happy to develop a customized plan with any Christian school principal who wants to work with me, to whatever degree of involvement is deemed most fitting for your school and your budget, until my quota is full.

If you have not considered developing specific standards and benchmarks for the "doctrine of work" throughout your elementary and secondary school curriculum, please take another look at David Oliver’s guest post: click here.  Whether you move to that level or not, I would count it a privilege to come along side you. My coaching services vary from as little contact as two hours a month, to as much as two hours a week. For more information, click here.  

The process starts with an exploratory chat. This costs nothing but a bit of time. To set your appointment, click here.

See you in September!

 

Questions That Stimulate Action

Two weeks ago we looked at questions that prompt reflection on how our work can be aligned with the bigger, grander picture of the biblical view of Creation and Humanity. Below are questions that stimulate action relating to the bigger, grander picture of Moral Order and Purpose.

Pick one that especially speaks to you, and take a moment (or two) to consider the personal ramifications for you and your work:

• What does the Kingdom of God "look like" when His Kingdom "comes" to my work? How can I move things further toward this picture?
• How can my biblically-informed faith turn __________ around? ...restore it? ...redeem it?
• With respect to __________, what has not been said that should be said? Or, not been done that should be done?
• What responsibility do I have toward God in this activity? 
• How does biblical teaching about poverty and wealth relate to my work? What more could be done in this regard?
• What might happen if my thoughts were carried to their logical conclusion at work?
• What are biblically acceptable goals and objectives for my work? 
• How does _______ relate to the First Commission of Genesis 1:26-28? …to the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20? …to the Great Commandment of Mark 12:30-31?
• How does my work relate to the future of Planet Earth? 
• How is God's will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven today through this activity?
• How specifically does this activity contribute to the reconciliation of all things to Christ? (Col. 1)
• What qualifies this activity to be called "the Lord's work?" What disqualifies it?

 

Under Construction Now For 130 Years

Last week we looked at ways we can bring meaning to our work by connecting it with something bigger and grander than ourselves. A dramatic illustration of this is the life and work of Antoni Gaudi. The people of Barcelona, Spain, affectionately dubbed him, God's Architect.

Antoni Gaudi designed a cathedral that he knew he would never see completed in his own lifetime. Imagine that! The building has been under construction now for 130 years--and is not expected to be completed for at least another thirteen years.

I hope I live long enough to see this finished work with my own eyes. It's on my bucket list. This stunning basilica is called The Sagrada Familia, or The Holy Family. If I don't see it in this current world, I believe I'll see it in the new one.

Please watch the episode of CBS 60 minutes below, to view an extraordinary example of what it means to bring meaning to one's work by aligning it with something much bigger and grander than oneself.

It also illustrates where visionary thinking can lead, when added to the commitment of people who keep the goal clearly in mind, working toward its realization with unified efforts, year after year, after year after year, come hell or high water.

Click the "full screen" icon in the lower RH corner to get the best effect. If the video does not play try this link: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50148541n

  

Something Bigger Than Oursleves

It's possible to bring extraordinary meaning to ordinary work by aligning it with something bigger than ourselves. This is where aligning our work with the bigger picture of a biblical Weltanschauung comes in powerfully.

Last week we looked at some questions that prompt reflection on how our work can be aligned with the bigger, grander picture of God. Below are some questions pertaining to how our work can be aligned with the bigger, grander picture of Creation and Humanity.

Pick one that especially speaks to you, and take a moment (or two) to deeply reflect: 

• What physical, emotional or spiritual needs of others are being met through my work?
• How does _________ [fixing cars, managing a grocery store, providing legal counsel] relate to the First Commission of Genesis 1:26-28, the "Cultural Mandate" to rule over all the earth?
• Why is __________ [water used to wash dishes, wood used to construct a house, electricity used to operate a computer] a part of creation?
• What unseen spiritual entities might be affecting this activity?
• What is particularly human about _________?
• When it comes to _________, what aspects of my mind need to be transformed by Christ?
• How does _________ unite people? ...divide people? ...fulfill people? ...minimize people?
• What character qualities can this situation develop or further strengthen in me? How might this be an opportunity for spiritual growth?
• How might this situation be an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak deeply to my co-worker [my boss, my customer]?
• How might this situation be an opportunity for me to be "salt" and "light" in the world in which I work?
• What about ____________ is in harmony with a biblical view of humanity? …in opposition to it?
• When it comes to making the best use of my God-given gifts and abilities at work, what is missing or being under-utilized?
• When it comes to the best use of the God-given gifts and abilities of others [my co-workers, boss, employees, customers, etc.], what is being under-utilized? How could I help in this regard?
• How does my work draw upon (or exercise) the reality that I am created in the likeness and image of God? 
• How does my work affirm the intrinsic value and inherent worth of others, as created in the likeness and image of God, whether they are Christians or not?