The Best Stories and Series of the Movement all in One Place
An 8-part video series that goes deep into the Marks with Henry Kaestner and Pastor J.D. Greear.
An 8-part video series that goes deep into the Marks with Henry Kaestner and Pastor J.D. Greear.
— by Kate Farrar
It has been an unprecedented time for entrepreneurs and professionals during the pandemic crisis of COVID-19. No one has been immune to this rapidly changing market landscape and many are hurting financially as industries are being drastically impacted. If you are like me, the situation has stirred questions of faith. Undoubtedly, times of crisis magnify and reveal strengths and weaknesses, not only within our respective organizations and businesses, but also within each of us as individuals. It may even reveal the areas of our heart that we need the Heavenly Father to tend to.
Perhaps most significantly, these times open our eyes to the little control we have and how desperately we need God. During this season of uncertainty, I am continually reminded to lean into the lessons this season has for me on a practical level for work and on a spiritual level in my relationship with God. I keep hearing the promise from Psalm 23 verse 1: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need."**
In further reflection on how the global pandemic has impacted the economy and many of our individual careers, work lives, and futures, I wanted to write an open letter to you, the Faith Driven Entrepreneur, with a few practical lessons to draw upon during this unprecedented time alongside some spiritual insights:
As much of the workforce is sifting through incredible change, it is clear working remote and virtual offices are here to stay. Even if you work in an industry that demands face-to-face interactions, learning how to adapt your work to a remote environment is critical for both the short-term and long-term future.
Therefore, start figuring out how to be productive in this remote environment. How you perform now can impact your career in what will certainly be an increasingly virtual workforce to come. The internet is crawling with work from home tips, so do your homework and be strategic about developing a rhythm that works for you. As a believer, there may be some new spiritual routines to untap as well.
For example, many of us aren't rushing out the door for our daily commute and we can be intentional with reallocating this extra time to our quiet time (whatever that might look like). Additionally, we have the opportunity to turn our new remote office spaces into altar spaces. Maybe your usual afternoon work break looks like meditating on God's word or putting on worship music. Resist the need to fill this newly gifted time with productivity. Let me say it again, RESIST the need to work during this freed-up time. Instead, start tithing this time back to God. I am so confident He makes much of our little and this includes the time we give back to Him.
As an entrepreneurial-minded professional, you are likely doing this - adapting fast! Many industries and professions are facing unforeseen challenges that will continue on for months after the pandemic. Your company's response rate to change now and in the future will dictate its viability and success. Begin asking yourself: what can you do on your own to help your company become more agile? How can you pivot or tailor your services to make them valuable for such a time as this? What new problems are emerging that you can address as an entrepreneur? Times of crisis necessitate creative solutions that are quick to evolve amidst rapidly shifting realities.
This season with all of its obstacles also means there are many opportunities to step into, but you need not chase down every good idea that comes your way. I want to encourage you to pray through ideas and ask God for His ideas. I believe God can speak to us about our work. I often pray for "God ideas" over my good ideas because my best never comes close to His. Pray for the mind of Christ. Pray boldly for His leading on entrepreneurial endeavors you have yet to even think of!
Whether your leadership has been exemplary or disappointing, we can all learn from our leaders in this season. If you have been pleased with your leaders, let them know! Take note of how they are navigating uncharted waters and communicating to their employees and shareholders. Conversely, if you have felt frustrated, think through areas that could be improved and lead from where you are positioned. Criticism during times of chaos or crisis is not productive; creative solutions are a better way to help. Maybe sharing an encouraging word in love could bless your leadership in this time of difficulty and stress.
In learning from leadership, it is essential to understand that before you can lead, you need to practice being a good follower. Our culture is obsessed with leadership, but as Christ followers we should pay special attention to that word "follow." I know I have had to ask myself how do I follow my leadership well during this season? You might have different ideas on how your company should adapt, but you also need to honor your leadership and be prayerful over the decisions they are making. If you are the leader at your organization, make space to learn from your followers. After all, everyone is learning through this process and humility is a key attribute of Christ-like leadership.
I know there are many facing unprecedented personal and financial challenges amidst this crisis. Many have lost their jobs and missed milestone events. If that is you, I want to extend my deep sympathy. Let us lean into community (albeit virtually), kindness, and generosity like never before to give honor and glory to God whose faithful loves endures forever – enduring through this pandemic. Perhaps extending these virtues despite our own circumstances is the greatest underlying lesson for us as Faith Driven Entrepreneurs and followers of Jesus.
**I love the Passion Translation of Psalm 23, I have it here for you to spend a few minutes reading and resting in:
The Good Shepherd
23 David’s poetic praise to God[a]1 The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.[b]I always have more than enough.2 He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.[c]His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.[d]3 That’s where he restores and revives my life.[e]He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasureand leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness[f]so that I can bring honor to his name.4 Lord, even when your path takes me throughthe valley of deepest darkness,fear will never conquer me, for you already have!You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.Your authority is my strength and my peace.[g]The comfort of your love takes away my fear.I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.5 You become my delicious feasteven when my enemies dare to fight.You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit;[h]you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows.6 So why would I fear the future?For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life.Then afterward, when my life is through,I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!
——
[ Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash ]
Take a step back and evaluate what you’re saying “yes” to. We are all part of a body of believers, the body of Christ, so that no one person has to do it all – thank God!
Undoubtedly, times of crisis magnify and reveal strengths and weaknesses, not only within our respective organizations and businesses, but also within each of us as individuals. It may even reveal the areas of our heart that we need the Heavenly Father to tend to.
One of the major reasons for my affair earlier in our marriage is Holly and I stopped dating each other. We went out together all the time, but it was in groups or double dates. We stopped being intentional with one another. We stopped making time to ask each other questions about ups and downs, hopes and dreams.
A true entrepreneur, once s/he lands on an idea that they believe will make a difference, or solve a real problem, will give everything they have to pursue and realize their dream. In Matt 13:44, the man who discovers the fortune in the field gives up all that he has to buy the field. What are we willing to give up to receive the treasures of God’s Kingdom?
We all have a lot on our plates, and perhaps you strive to become a world-class time manager. Jeff Holler shows us why superior time management can be all wrong when we are masterfully managing our time around the wrong priorities! Intentional time allocation around our highest and most important lifetime priorities trumps superior time management around our calendar. This article was one of CEF’s 2019 White Papers.
This article was from a collection of White Papers compiled for attendees of the CEF’s 2019 Global Event. Today, we share Craig Hill’s White Paper — “I have found throughout my life that if I would accept my role as a Kingdom ambassador in business, there are many more opportunities to minister to unbelievers than I have ever had in church or ministry settings.”
Chris Horst and Claire Stewart share their Christianity Today article “The Christian Roots of the Fair Trade Movement” with us. Beneath the buzzwords around sustainability, transparency, and ethical sourcing we find something far more important than consumerism: Christ-centered love for our neighbors.
Gleaning, the Old Testament practice whereby farmers left an unharvested margin around their fields and the poor came and picked from it, was at the heart of the Book of Ruth. Was gleaning only an ancient agricultural regulation or did it also apply to how he should steward a modern-day tech business?
“What are you doing that will matter in 10,000 years?” It was the kind of question that stops you in your tracks–a truth bomb. And the kind of question rarely asked. Matt McConnell invites us to really think that question through.
Yesterday, our podcast featured Casey Crawford as our guest — an Entrepreneur, Super Bowl winner who leads Movement Mortgage—a Billion dollar business that Inc and several others have recognized. Although they’re known for their business and employee engagement, their community impact is also impressive! Today, we want to highlight some of their resources, specifically their mentoring program.
We’re huge fans of DIFW, Jeff Haanen, and their podcast The Faith & Work Podcast. They recently interviewed New York Times columnist and best-selling author David Brooks about his new book The Second Mountain. We highly recommend you listen in!
An article from Craig Denison at First15 — The format of the presentation is in a “Top 10 List.” Feel free to scroll around and find topics that interest you! Here are his top 10 thoughts around living missionally…
Originally published by WRAL TechWire — Bandwidth , a Triangle-born provider of communications-related services that has grown into a venture with global reach, might be riding high at the moment after recently hitting the $2 billion valuation mark. But as its founder and CEO David Morken can attest, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. He credits one thing for getting him through: his Christian faith.
Practicing the King's Economy invites us into the biblical story of the "King Jesus Economy." This book explores six key biblical themes and shares practical insights into ways to you can embody God's love and provision for the world.
In today's short video, Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Walmart Stores, Inc., shares his perspective on how to intentionally and deliberately pursue your highest priorities. Are you giving too much time to things that are not top priorities?
Praxis is always looking for models, both in the present and in the Christian tradition, of entrepreneurs who clearly lived out a redemptive story. And for a model of a redemptive entrepreneur from the New Testament itself — maybe the whole Bible — it’s hard to beat the Apostle Paul.
One day, our jobs will end. In that moment, what will people say about you? Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart, addresses the importance of building a lasting legacy through a life of honesty and humility.
Aaron Klusman's fast-paced baseball career is a model for Christian entrepreneurs nationwide. While playing baseball at ASU, Klusman tried his hand at business by starting a retail clothing company, which grew to include sales representatives nationwide.
Who wins when I ask for big things? I have thought it was me, of course. Recently, however, I have been seeing a different dynamic at work when looking at three passages that follow each other in the book of John.
At Generous Giving’s annual gathering, John Cortines and Greg Baumer were invited to speak about their book, Through the Needle. The book covers the Harvard MBAs’ struggle to answer - “As young Christians with sky-high earnings potential, what should they plan to do with their money?”
Andy Crouch from Praxis was a guest on this week's podcast and shared about the powerful book they released called “A Rule of Life." At FDE, we believe it’s one of those essential pieces of reading for entrepreneurs and others called to leadership.
A White Paper from The Christian Economic Forum —
Matt Lesser shares a personal letter he received from his father to encourage him as an entrepreneur —“We have the opportunity and the responsibility to influence generations for God’s Kingdom through the marketplace. It will take concentration of effort and unified commitment to creating financial, cultural, and Kingdom returns…for such a time as this. As you embark on this journey, keep these principles at the forefront of your thinking: Vision, Impact, People, Balance, and Returns.”
A White Paper from The Christian Economic Forum —
“I am increasingly convinced, however, that we have missed an important foundation of healthy culture and effective leadership. Emotional health is not a popular or familiar topic. These issues cannot be fully resolved by the human resources department of a company. They also cannot be fully addressed through a Corporate Chaplain program. Professional counseling or therapy is needed for individuals to be equipped with the appropriate tools, awareness, and resources.”
This week we get into Part Two of the Lightning Round episode, fielding your questions. Henry, Rusty, and William tackle two really important questions for the faith driven entrepreneur: how we handle our resource of money and time.
Take a listen to this sermon by Toby Kurth at Christ Church San Francisco for a check on your motivations. This message isn’t necessarily about being an entrepreneur, but is very much about being a follower of Christ, and so it has everything to do with being a FAITH DRIVEN entrepreneur.
For the Christian, the key to being wildly productive is realizing that you don’t need to be productive.