Resources

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Theology of Work Resources
Title & Author Language Links Tags
Organizational Culture and Change by R. Paul Stevens
Sample

Culture is a dimension not only in the life of countries and ethnic groups but also in organizations. Every organization has a corporate “feeling” or environment that communicates to new and old members what is important and what is permitted. This is true of businesses, small groups, clubs, churches, nonprofit and parachurch organizations. The minute a person walks into the meeting room, the store, the office or the sanctuary, he or she picks up a nonverbal message that is more powerful than such mottoes as “The customer is number one”; “We exist to give extraordinary service”; “This is a friendly, family church.” Culture turns out to be profoundly influential in determining behavior, expressing values and enabling or preventing change.

English
Joy at Work Bible Study Companion by Brad Smith
Joy at Work Bible Study Companion
Book Description: 

Back in the Garden, work was fun. Yet, in today’s fallen world, joy and work are rarely used in the same sentence. But God really does intend for us to find joy in our work. Join Raymond Bakke, Brad Smith, and Bill Hendricks as they explore what the Bible says about the purpose of business and our right to a joyful workplace. No matter where you spend those 50 or 60 hours during the week—whether it’s in business, government, or the nonprofit sector; in church, at home, or anywhere else—God intends for you to find joy in your work. This 10-week study accompanies Joy at Work, a book by Dennis W. Bakke, co-founder and CEO of AES, a worldwide energy giant with 40,000 employees in 31 countries. Shaped by his faith, Bakke recounts his quest to create the most fun workplace ever—using principles established in the Garden. This study provides the biblical map that he used as he charted and led that journey. Starting with the Genesis record of creation and moving through Revelation, this Bible study supplements Joy at Work with: Biblical readings that unveil the principles behind each chapter in Joy at Work A synthesis of theological principles Reflective questions to prepare readers for small-group discussion Questions for small-group discussion Guidelines for immediate and long-term application for business and nonprofit leaders at all levels of corporations and organizations. The Joy at Work experience has the power to profoundly change your workplace and your life.

English
Joy at Work: A Revolutionary Approach To Fun on the Job by Dennis Bakke
Book Description: 

Imagine a company where people love coming to work and are highly productive on a daily basis. Imagine a company whose top executives, in a quest to create the most "fun" workplace ever, obliterate labor-management divisions and push decision-making responsibility down to the plant floor. Could such a company compete in today's bottom-line corporate world? Could it even turn a profit? Well, imagine no more.

In Joy at Work, Dennis W. Bakke tells the true story of this extraordinary company--and how, as its co-founder and longtime CEO, he challenged the business establishment with revolutionary ideas that could remake America's organizations. It is the story of AES, whose business model and operating ethos -"let's have fun"-were conceived during a 90-minute car ride from Annapolis, Maryland, to Washington, D.C. In the next two decades, it became a worldwide energy giant with 40,000 employees in 31 countries and revenues of $8.6 billion. It's a remarkable tale told by a remarkable man: Bakke, a farm boy who was shaped by his religious faith, his years at Harvard Business School, and his experience working for the Federal Energy Administration. He rejects workplace drudgery as a noxious remnant of the Industrial Revolution. He believes work should be fun, and at AES he set out to prove it could be. Bakke sought not the empty "fun" of the Friday beer blast but the joy of a workplace where every person, from custodian to CEO, has the power to use his or her God-given talents free of needless corporate bureaucracy.

In Joy at Work, Bakke tells how he helped create a company where every decision made at the top was lamented as a lost chance to delegate responsibility--and where all employees were encouraged to take the "game-winning shot," even when it wasn't a slam-dunk. Perhaps Bakke's most radical stand was his struggle to break the stranglehold of "creating shareholder value" on the corporate mind-set and replace it with more timeless values: integrity, fairness, social responsibility, and a sense of fun.

English
Questions of Business Life by Richard Higginson
Questions of Business Life by Richard Higginson
Book Description: 

Many important questions of life concern business. But too often they are left unanswered. Richard Higginson concentrates on the tough and complex issues that confront business people in their everyday circumstances. Practical, plausible and definitely thought-provoking, Questions of Business Life explores the interconnection between faith, values and business practice to offer the Christian alternative of 'doing business'.

What is the Christian perspective on business and business issues, such as the ethics of marketing, tackling corruption or sustainable development? How can we incorporate faith in business, and what does it mean for the Christian to 'do' business corporately, globally and individually?

Based on seminars run by the Ridley Hall Foundation, this shows that Christianity does have a constructive contribution to make in today's commercial and industrial world. Practical, plausible and definitely thought-provoking, Questions of Business Life explores the interconnections between faith, values and practice to offer the Christian alternative to doing business. 

English
The Biblical Doctrine of Work by Alan Richardson
The Biblical Doctrine of Work by Alan Richardson
Book Description: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

English
The Abolation of the Laity: Vocation, Work and MInistry in Biblical Perspective by R. Paul Stevens
The Abolition of the Laity by Dr. R. Paul Stevens
Book Description: 

"HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?

The church is a people without laity or clergy, summoned and equipped by God for the life of the world. The triad of theological virtues (faith, hope and love) appears so often in the New Testament, sometimes together and often singly, that we cannot miss their central significance.1 They are what makes the Christian "tick." For example Paul says, "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess 1.2-3). Vocation, work and ministry can be pleasing to God not because of its religious character (or even its public character in advancing the Kingdom) but because it is done with faith, hope and love (Col 3:23-24; 1 Cor 15:58; Eph 6:5-8)."

English
Work by Gordon Preece
Sample

Work, whether in its presence or absence, is a pervasive part of everyday life. One of the first things we want to know about people is what they do. The waking time of most adults is taken up with work, and a person’s passing is often noted in terms of their workplace achievements. Work and worth, industry and identity, are very closely related in contemporary culture. This article deals with work in this modern context. It will examine (1) a wider definition of work, (2) a biblically integrated view of work, (3) the disintegration of work and faith, (4) reintegrating spirituality and work and (5) redirecting Sunday towards Monday.

A Wider Definition of Work

Over the last two centuries work has become equated with a job.

This is a seismic shift in our understanding of ourselves, our world and even our God. It has had earthquake like effects on people’s emotional, family, social and spiritual life. The tremors have been felt hardest by the overworked, the unemployed, housewives, the forcibly retired and the attention-deprived children.

English
Muhutasari wa Utendaji wa Theologia ya Kazi by R. Paul Stevens & Samuel Maduma

[translated by Samuel Maduma]

Document Description: 

MUHUTASARI WA UTENDAJI WA THEOLOGIA YA KAZI is the Swahili version of Theology of Work - Executive Summary by Dr. Paul Stevens, translated by Rev. Samuel Maduma

MUHUTASARI WA MAFUNDISHO YA THEOLOGIA YA KAZI

Miongoni mwa changamoto zinazotukabili katika kuwaweka pamoja na kuwahudumia watu katika maeneo yao ya kazi ni upungufu wa uelewa wa mafundisho ya Theologia ya kazi. Upungufu huu wa mafundisho kwa ujumla wake unasababishwa na uelewa mdogo wa theologia ya uumbaji, ukombozi na theologia ya mambo ya mwisho (eskatolojia)

Mungu mfanyakazi

Mungu siyo tu mwanzilishi wa kazi bali yeye alikuwa mfanyakazi (Mw 1, 2; Yoh 5:17, Uf 21:5. Tunaposoma Biblia kuanzia mwanzo hadi ufunuo tunamuona Mungu katika taswira tofautitofauti zinazomuonyesha kama mfanyakazi katika nyanja mbalimbali: Mungu anaonekana kama mchungaji (Zab 23), mfinyanzi (Yer 18:6) Daktari (Math 8:16), Mwalimu (Zab 143:10), Mkulima (Isa 5:1-7) na kadhalika. Mungu anaendelea kufanya kazi hata sasa; anaumba, anatunza, anaokoa na kuendeleza uumbaji wake kama vile alivyofanya takribani miaka bilioni tano ya nuru iliyopita tangu ulimwengu ulipoanza.

Swahili
Muhutasari wa Utendaji wa Theologia ya Kazi by R. Paul Stevens & Samuel Maduma

[translated by Samuel Maduma]

Document Description: 

MUHUTASARI WA UTENDAJI WA THEOLOGIA YA KAZI is the Swahili version of Theology of Work - Executive Summary by Dr. Paul Stevens, translated by Rev. Samuel Maduma

MUHUTASARI WA MAFUNDISHO YA THEOLOGIA YA KAZI

Miongoni mwa changamoto zinazotukabili katika kuwaweka pamoja na kuwahudumia watu katika maeneo yao ya kazi ni upungufu wa uelewa wa mafundisho ya Theologia ya kazi. Upungufu huu wa mafundisho kwa ujumla wake unasababishwa na uelewa mdogo wa theologia ya uumbaji, ukombozi na theologia ya mambo ya mwisho (eskatolojia)

Mungu mfanyakazi

Mungu siyo tu mwanzilishi wa kazi bali yeye alikuwa mfanyakazi (Mw 1, 2; Yoh 5:17, Uf 21:5. Tunaposoma Biblia kuanzia mwanzo hadi ufunuo tunamuona Mungu katika taswira tofautitofauti zinazomuonyesha kama mfanyakazi katika nyanja mbalimbali: Mungu anaonekana kama mchungaji (Zab 23), mfinyanzi (Yer 18:6) Daktari (Math 8:16), Mwalimu (Zab 143:10), Mkulima (Isa 5:1-7) na kadhalika. Mungu anaendelea kufanya kazi hata sasa; anaumba, anatunza, anaokoa na kuendeleza uumbaji wake kama vile alivyofanya takribani miaka bilioni tano ya nuru iliyopita tangu ulimwengu ulipoanza.

Swahili
Job-Shadowing Daniel: Walking the Talk at Work by Larry Peabody
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

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