Larry Peabody

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Resources

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Book

Title Language Resource Link(s) Subject
God Loves Your Work
Book Description: 

"Why did I write the book and create the website? Perhaps Chris Armstrong, Professor of Church History at Wheaton College, best sums up my reason: “After a lot of searching, I have reluctantly concluded that American Christians of my generation have largely given up on finding any spiritual meaning in our work.” (from Chapter 12, Work: Theological Foundations and Practical Implications, edited by R. Keith Loftin & Trey Dimsdale).

My book, God Loves Your Work, helps believers find that meaning. It lays a biblical foundation of truth about our daily work without using theological jargon. And—in this era when many are rethinking the whole idea of working—the book offers at least seven Kingdom-of-God-related reasons for getting up and going to work.

While writing the book, I kept four groups in view: students about to enter the work world, newcomers to that world, seasoned employees, and those not paid for their work."

Visit also Dr Peabody's website at larrypeabody.com to learn more about this book, read his blog and find other Theology of Work resources.

English Theology of Work
God Loves Your Work
Book Description: 

"Why did I write the book and create the website? Perhaps Chris Armstrong, Professor of Church History at Wheaton College, best sums up my reason: “After a lot of searching, I have reluctantly concluded that American Christians of my generation have largely given up on finding any spiritual meaning in our work.” (from Chapter 12, Work: Theological Foundations and Practical Implications, edited by R. Keith Loftin & Trey Dimsdale).

My book, God Loves Your Work, helps believers find that meaning. It lays a biblical foundation of truth about our daily work without using theological jargon. And—in this era when many are rethinking the whole idea of working—the book offers at least seven Kingdom-of-God-related reasons for getting up and going to work.

While writing the book, I kept four groups in view: students about to enter the work world, newcomers to that world, seasoned employees, and those not paid for their work."

Visit also his website at larrypeabody.com to learn more about this book, read his blog and find other Theology of Work resources.

This book is available in Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, and Audiobook versions through Amazon.com.

English Theology of Work
Curing Sunday Spectatoritis
Curing Sunday Spectatoritis
Book Description: 

New Book Helps Church Leaders Make Church Meetings More Participatory

TOW defines the  Church in terms of the Gathered Church (on Sundayor whenever the church meets) and the Scattered Church (sent out to work in all sectors of society the rest of the week).  However, when the church gathers on Sunday seldom is there any learning from or active participation by or informative reporting about what God has done through the scattered during the week.  Dr. Larry Peabody, who wrote his first book about Theology of Work in 1976 has written an insightful book on how Pastors could involve the scattered church on Sunday mornings in practical and meaningful ways.  If you want to begin merging these two arms of the church on Sunday, this book will give some ways to make that happen.

Millennials, and many older Christians, are not responding well to the sit-watch-and-listen format of so many church meetings. A new book, Curing SundaySpectatoritis, confronts that issue head on by offering examples from 25 church leaders who are finding ways to include more participation in church meetings.

One long-time believer compares the Sunday experience to “going to see a good movie where the professional musicians and professional speakers put on such a good show.” He recently stopped participating in the organized church.

The term “spectatoritis” in the book’s title speaks for itself. No dictionary needed. Like arthritis, bronchitis, and appendicitis, spectatoritis brings on a measure of disability. But unlike those and other inflammatory “-itis” conditions that ache and throb, Sunday spectatoritis typically leaves its victims quite pain-free, even comfortable. And who among us, including church people, will seek a cure if unaware of any disabling symptoms? But this book shows how spectatoritis can be cured.

This book is for all who love the Body of Christ and work for its well-being. It is for pastors, church leaders, and church planters in all kinds of communities—in urban, suburban, exurban, and rural congregations. It is for Christians who seek to encourage increased congregational participation and to support leaders as they pursue that objective.

Curing Sunday Spectatoritis is available from Amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle editions. (see links below)

English Theology of Work
Job-Shadowing Daniel: Walking the Talk at Work
Job Shadowing Daniel by Dr Larry Peabody
Book Description: 

Job-Shadowing Daniel,  is available from Amazon.com for $14.91 in paperback and $9.99 on Kindle or purchase 10 or more for $8.48/book from The publisher, Outskirts Press

Although Daniel lived more than 2,500 years ago, his work caused him to confront many of the same "lions" that intimidate contemporary Christians in the work world. He served God while on a non-religious payroll. The co-workers surrounding him included more unbelievers than believers. He worked in "Babylon," a term that speaks of ambition, confusion, and self-centeredness. And his faith sometimes made him the target of strong opposition. 

A major difference from us today also qualifies Daniel as an excellent mentor. He lived and worked long before the centuries of church traditions that have conditioned us to think of work as either "sacred" or "secular." Daniel did not see himself as "just a layperson." He did not dream of quitting his job to go into "full-time service" for God. 
By looking to Daniel as a workplace mentor, you can see that God calls people not only into church-related work but also into non-religious occupations. His experience will show you what "ministry" looks like in the context of the work world. Daniel's decisions display how to live by kingdom-of-God vision in the workplace. He demonstrates how knowing your identity produces stability under the pressures of the work world. And from Daniel, you can learn many secrets for staying spiritually strong in adverse conditions over the long haul.
Job-Shadowing Daniel: Walking the Talk at Work is a Scripture-based book. Modern examples from the workplace bridge the distance between today and Daniel's experiences in ancient Babylon. 
The book naturally works as a study guide for use individually, by small groups, or in adult Christian education classes. Life-application questions conclude each chapter. 

English Theology of Work

Article

Title Language Resource Link(s) Subject
Weaving Theology of Work into Church Life
Sample

Not long ago, someone asked me, “If you could create it from scratch, what would a church look like that fully embodied a proper theology of work and really empowered its members to be ministers in the workplace? What would it do?”

In reflecting on that challenge, I thought of ten ways a “church-from-scratch” might make what God has revealed about work a regular part of its life together. Incorporating these approaches into the DNA of a church with years or decades of history would be more difficult though not impossible. I do not offer these ten practices as a formula for “success.” Instead, I hope God may use them as thought and prayer prompters in shaping your own church menu.

English Empowerment and Equipping

Dissertation

Title Language Resource Link(s) Subject
Christian speak up on living out faith at work
Abstract: 

This dissertation studies the responses of employees in non-ecclesiastical employment to discover what they face in living out the Christian faith on the job so that pastors, with the findings, may equip them with a biblical and relevant theology of work.

The responses were collected from sixty employees, who attend three churches (urban, suburban, and rural). Each completed a forty-one-question survey that asked for answers concerning demographics, scheduling, job suitability, spiritual preparation for the workplace, opportunities for serving others, and potential difficulties in the employee role. The questionnaire included both quantitative (multiple-choice) questions and an invitation for optional qualitative comments.

Quantitative findings were entered into an Excel spreadsheet to compile statistical data and to cross-reference responses to related questions. For the benefit of pastors and church leaders, the results were linked with recommendations on presenting a biblical theology of work to congregants.

Publishing Info: 

Bakke Graduate University, 2012

English Theology of Work

Video

Title Language Resource Link(s) Subject
Job-Shadowing Daniel (Video)

This video is a trailer for Job-Shadowing Daniel which  is based on the book, Job-Shadowing Daniel: Walking the Talk at Work. There are twelve 30-minute videos based on 12 chapters of the book.  The videos are available for you to watch on-demand for $4 each or $45 for all 12 videos.

Note: In some countries the videos which are hosted on Vimeo.com may not be available.  If you are interested or have any question regarding the videos of Job-Shadowing Daniel, please contact Dr. Larry Peabody by going to his profile to see his contact information.

English Theology of Work