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Christianity Today, March, 2007 |

A Spiritual Growth Industry

More than ever, Christians are bringing faith to bear in the for-profit world.

Brad A. Greenberg | posted 3/08/2007 08:39AM

Mike Valleskey was struggling to understand how his job at Sears fit into his new life of faith. Valleskey hadn't been asked to perform unethically or kept at work so late he lost touch with his family. ...

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Seeking His Heart

Posted: March 19, 2007 10:41 AM

As a partner in a women's workplace ministry group, I am continually stunned to see the impact of the open discussion of faith and the availability of Christian fellowship in the workplace. I have witnessed some profound transformation of lives. I would encourage those who are fearful, struggling or even discouraged to step ahead with boldness and watch the Lord provide for those He loves and is waiting to shepherd. It really has very little to do with being trained or untrained, churched or not churched, and everything to do with the heart of Jesus being extended to the lost and faltering. How blessed we are to be a part of this powerful movement! May we be found faithful.

Richard Sides

Posted: March 10, 2007 9:44 AM

I have to agree with Mr. McCook - most churches have avoided the business community, and any limited involvement has been from an "us - them" perspective. As this article expresses, the idea that someone with a "secular job" would need to quit it in order to become involved in full time Christian ministry is absurd - if we view our place of employment as our mission field, we are living the Great Commission.

Bob McCook

Posted: March 09, 2007 12:08 PM

Very good wake-up article. One glaring flaw to me is the comment by Stephen Christiansen indicating that he sees this movement being led by seminary-trained pastors of workplace ministry. In case he hadn't noticed, the reason this movement is doing so well is the lack of seminary-trained leadership. This work needs to be led by businessmen with a heart bent on displaying the love of Jesus Christ for no other reason than fulfilling the Great Commission. The failure of the church to relate to men and women in the marketplace is notorius. These men are doing just fine.

H. D. Schmidt

Posted: March 09, 2007 7:03 AM

Well done Mike! However, what paines one so greatly, is the fact that, at the same time, this great America has its Federal Government unconstitutionally in charge of educating the American children, where in this system all kinds of unChrist like stuff has to be taught to ever younger children an most certainly, not to exclude evermore deviant sexual stuff, and where God is treated no better than a stray dog. Besides, if one compares the hopes and dreams of the Founding Fathers, to what America is now all about the world over with its ever most horrendous war machinery, one can only but wonder if America is truly a blessing for Christianity or a curse. When Darwin came along with his anti-God evolution thing, nothing could be more helpfull to spread his anti-God theory than these unconstitutional public schools and evermore pleasing to Satan himself. while Christians are in full support of public schools. I seem to be the lonely voice pointing out this evilness of the public schools.

George T.

Posted: March 08, 2007 10:50 PM


This article gives a ray of hope for things to come.We are on the throes of moving on to something more meaningful in life. And,important enough,it is moving inside companies---during working hours.

len sterling

Posted: March 08, 2007 9:53 PM

It is so nice to see the Holy Spirit on the move in the workplace. Also refreshing is that companies large and small nurturing our religious freedom. Having people in the workplace displaying the transforming power of the salvation available through Jesus Christ is very encouraging. This may well impact the ethical practices of many companies from employee to executive level in a very positive manner. Just think of how much less theft and how few illicit work related affairs there may be as a result. The most important aspect about this however, is that we are on the fringe of a huge spiritual renewal...just look at the news. There is still so much work to be done for the Kingdom of God. We are no doubt still seeing the ongoing fulfillment of the prophecy by Joel which began in Acts chapter 2 regarding the Lord pouring out His Spirit in the last days…hang on the times are getting interesting!

Ahermit

Posted: March 08, 2007 3:00 PM

This article ignores that witnessing is not just about Bible reading and being nice to others-it is also about the call to 'love your neighbor' in the economic sense as well. 'For profit' companies routinely make decisions that place material gain and security above the commandment to worship God and love your neighbor. Yet 'Christians' routinely fail to preach and practice, that the wealthy are commanded to share what they don't need, and the poor are cautioned to give up greed and not place security in piling up material wealth. And corporations often ignore the need to give adequate wages, benefits, to workers and the need to protect our life support system, the environment.

mike rucker - 5ruckers@bellsouth.net

Posted: March 08, 2007 1:49 PM

"the Holy Spirit has removed Himself from all churches and congregations in these preparation days for judgment"... man, and here i thought tony snow was the spokesman for the Holy Spirit... i would expect the groups to start out with a variety of theological beliefs, but to ultimately become dominated by one view or another. anyone with experience with a workplace study, and whether or not all participants wind up with the same theological bent?

mike rucker - 5ruckers@bellsouth.net

Posted: March 08, 2007 12:17 PM

this is an interesting article. i had been reading recently about workplace chaplains and some organizations that certify them. i always appreciated that bellsouth in atlanta even had a "meditation room" with a Bible, koran, ba'hai literature, a prayer carpet, crucifix, menora. oh, and CDs from the latest american idol winner. obviously, we compartmentalize too much - especially in america. i hope the rising interest in spirituality in the past few years continues and reduces how much we keep areas of our lives separate from one another. and hidden from *each* other, too.

deaconsbench

Posted: March 08, 2007 12:16 PM


There are a lot of positives regarding faith in the workplace. The only concern would be the creation of mini-churches, as the Holy Spirit has removed Himself from all churches and congregations in these preparation days for judgment.

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