Off to work we go Jobs in Flux: Navigating Seasons of Transition Keeping Work Sacred: Finding God on the Job Overworked: Addicted to ‘Success’
march – april, 2014 newsstand price cdn $4.95
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SEVEN Magazine Men. God. Life. A Christian magazine for Canadian men. Relevant, exciting and biblical.
Men of Integrity Devotional Especially written for men, personally challenging, eternally rewarding. Available in a 60 page booklet or as an email devotional.
Visit us online at www.PromiseKeepers.ca and seven – issue thirty-five march – april, 2014 page 2
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march – april, 2014 newsstand price cdn $4.95
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ON THE COVER: THE WORK ISSUE Work gives us purpose, but it shouldn’t define us entirely. While having a job and doing it well is something to aspire to, we all know there’s more to life than what we do from nine to five.
FEATURES: 11 Off to work we go Jobs in Flux: Navigating Seasons of Transition Keeping Work Sacred: Finding God on the Job
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Overworked: Addicted to ‘Success’
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Defining Duty: How Men Identify with Work | Sonny Lemmons Career changes can often have a profound impact on men, and a loss of a professional career can often leave men feeling a lack of purpose or identity. Stay-at-home-dad Sonny Lemmons examines the culture of career and care giving. Sacred Work | Steven Sukkau Going beyond the daily grind: a pair of Canadian Christian employers are redefining some common notions of ministry and turning with they do into “Kingdom business.” Plus: if you’ve ever felt your job was lacking something, here’s some tips for avoiding a mundane mindset at work. Addicted to Success | Rob Horsley Being a “workaholic” is perhaps the only addiction that rewards its victims for continued usage. But avoiding one’s spiritual and relational needs for the sake of a career will inevitably lead to destruction—every bit as much as an addiction to drugs, alcohol or sex. Men at work: Sharing Christ on the job | Paul Boge “You’re at your job and see your co-worker. You know him well enough to strike up a conversation. Maybe you’re even friends. You feel a responsibility to tell him about Jesus. And yet you wonder how this may affect your relationship…”
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The name reflects the seven promises that form the basis of the Promise Keepers organization, which works with churches to minister to men across Canada. one – A promise keeper is committed to honouring Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, and obedience to God’s Word in the power of the Spirit. two – A promise keeper is committed to pursuing Christ-centred friendships with a few other men, connecting regularly, understanding that he needs brothers to help him keep his promises. three – A promise keeper is committed to practicing biblical integrity: spiritually, morally, ethically and sexually. four – A promise keeper is committed to strengthening families and marriages through love, honour, protection, and biblical values. five – A promise keeper is committed to supporting the mission of his church by honouring and praying for his pastor, and by actively giving his time and resources. six – A promise keeper is committed to reaching beyond racial, social, economic, generational, and denominational barriers to demonstrate that power of biblical unity.
COLUMNS:
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SEVEN is a Christian magazine for Canadian men that exists to help men lead more fulfilling lives and leave enduring legacies.
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PK Podium Finding passion, seeking purpose
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Sports Scene Olympian bobsledder carries courage downhill
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Out of My Depth Answering the “call” to full-time ministry
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What Women Want In marriage, nice guys finish first
seven – A promise keeper is committed to influencing the world by his fervent love for God while loving his neighbour, seeking justice for the poor and oppressed, and making disciples of Jesus Christ.
DEPARTMENTS: 7
Reviews: Fatherly advice for daughters
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Pulse: Bits. Blips. Beats. Blurbs.
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Power Play: Toys. Tools. Technology.
28 25 Publisher: Brian Koldyk Editorial Director: Jeff Stearns Managing Editor: Rob Horsley Copyeditor: Kelly Rempel ADVERTISING Rick Verkerk rick@promisekeepers.ca 1.888.901.9700
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD MARC BRULE: WellSpring Community Church ROB HORSLEY: ChristianWeek KIRK GILES: Promise Keepers Canada JEFF STEARNS: Promise Keepers Canada MATT BREIMER: Promise Keepers Canada
EDITORIAL 204-424 Logan Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3A 0R4 Phone: (204) 982-2060 (800) 263-6695 admin@christianweek.org
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ISSN 1916-8403 Cover Photo: iStockphoto
The PK Canada logo features a maple leaf, indicating our dedication to serve the men of Canada. An arrow breaks into the maple leaf symbolizing the impact we believe God wants to see Promise Keepers and men making in our nation. A special thank-you to all the pastors who continually encourage us to communicate God’s truth with grace and love.
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“Be strong and courageous.”
Joshua 1:9
MEN’S CONFERENCE
Join men from all across Canada for Promise Keepers Canada’s Stronger men’s conferences. Fantastic speakers, live music and resources to equip you for life.
“There’s a place in every man’s heart that longs to be courageous, to be bold and gutsy and etch a masculine mark of bravery on the human landscape. In our hearts, we know that a part of the core of true manhood is courage.” – STEPPING UP, AUTHOR DENNIS RAINEY
“Nehemiah’s life is a testament to courage. God is looking for leaders like Nehemiah to fight moral, physical, political, and spiritual battles. He is looking for those who possess the spiritual courage to trust Him and take their faith in him into the daily battles of life.” – A LEADER AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART, AUTHOR JIM GEORGE “The man who claims he’s never done anything courageous doesn’t understand what courage really is – or how often he faces decisions that require courage.” – STEPPING UP, AUTHOR DENNIS RAINEY
“A real man rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects God’s greater reward.” – MEN’S FRATERNITY CURRICULUM, AUTHOR ROBERT LEWIS
www.PromiseKeepers.ca
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“There comes into the life of every man a task for which he and he alone is uniquely suited. What a shame if that moment finds him either unwilling or unprepared for that which would become his finest hour.” – WINSTON CHURCHILL
P K Podium
Finding passion, seeking purpose The struggle to reconcile evangelism and social justice By Kirk Giles
One of my first “real” jobs was working as a telemarketer—raising funds for a charity that assists children who have cancer. Naturally, working as a telemarketer made me very popular with all of the people around me. It’s one of the few careers in this world that is almost universally disliked—both by the so-called customers that we were phoning and also by the people making the phone calls. Every day, I was surrounded by people who were consistently complaining about their jobs. I have to admit that I did not wake up in the morning eager to go to work, either. Yet, there was something strangely rewarding about being a small part of bringing some happiness to these children who faced very difficult circumstances. There’s something about work that makes so many men come alive. I’ve met plumbers, garbage collectors, teachers, truck drivers, business owners, financial advisors and more who absolutely love their jobs. Work is good. Work was created by God in the beginning of time, and before sin ever entered in to the world. Despite what some people may believe, work is not a consequence for the sin of Adam, work being hard or difficult is a result of sin. The danger for many men is for work to become their identity. Work will often become
the place where we seek validation or even our primary purpose. If we are doing well at work, then we feel like more of a man and more of a success. If we are struggling at work, then we can end up defining ourselves as a failure. When our identity is so strongly connected with our work, we miss out on the joy of the gospel message that says we are worth something because God says we are—not because of anything we have done. The gospel actually sets you free to be an even better worker because you are not trapped in the performance of proving your worth, you are free to simply be yourself and allow God to work through you to accomplish your work. When it comes to work, the attitudes of men vary. In recent months, I have met men who detest their jobs and those who love them. Increasingly, I have been meeting men who are struggling with work-life balance issues as their jobs are requiring more and more of them. There are also men who are unemployed and would do anything to have a job. The importance of work in a man’s life, and the amount of time men spend at work is part of the reason that this edition of Seven is focused on the topic. It is also the reason we introduced a new workshop this year that local churches can access to equip their men in the area of God’s design for us in our work. For more information on how to bring the “Work” workshop to your church, visit www.promisekeepers.ca. Whatever you are experiencing in your work, it’s important to remember what Scripture ultimately teaches us—“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (Colossians 3:23).
Kirk Giles is the president of Promise Keepers Canada. However, his most important roles as a man are husband to Shannon and father to Carter, Joshua, Sydney and Samuel.
seven – issue thirty-five march – april, 2014 page 5
WE promise To give you great service and competitive insurance pricing
special INSURANCE rates for members of an evangelical church Please give us a call and see if you qualify for special rates on your AUTO-HOME-CONDO or TENANT insurance through the Evangelical Group Insurance Plan.
1-800-240-5283 www.deeksinsurance.ca Available in Ontario/Alberta/New Brunswick D.L. Deeks Insurance is a proud supporter of Promise Keepers
seven – issue thirty-five march – april, 2014 page 6
THE EVANGELICAL GROUP INSURANCE PLAN
reviews
Fathers, be good to your daughters Reviews by Cindy Janssens
WHAT EVERY WOMAN WISHES HER FATHER HAD TOLD HER Byron and Robin Yawn Harvest House Publishers, 2013 Byron Yawn is the senior pastor of Community Bible Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He and his wife Robin have a daughter and two sons. After graduating from Master’s Seminary in 1996, Byron became an associate pastor position at a Bible Church in Texas where one of his main responsibilities was men’s ministry. His deep sense of calling today in his present position continues to be the discipleship of men. As the primary writer in this book, Byron (also the author of What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him) addresses the unrelenting barrage of negative messages the world continually fires at women. His passion is that fathers embrace their role as protector and step up to the challenge of speaking God’s truth into their daughter’s life in a way that can equip and guard her from the damaging lies of the world that head her way. Although the book provides a helpful perspective for fathers, it is not really a guide on “how to raise your daughter” which the title suggests. The book opens with a letter Byron has penned to his daughter and sets a tone of tenderness and honesty that carries throughout the chapters. Interspersed are thoughts from his wife, Robin, made even more personal with the added family photos. Robin contributes a chapter on “biblical womanhood,” which moves away from Byron’s overall tone with more of a critique than words of counsel or teaching. However, the following chapters re-engage readers with advice and stories borne from the couple’s collective years of ministry and counselling experiences. Byron includes humourous tidbits and lists, my favourite being the “application for permission to date my daughter,” addressed to a young, unsuspecting suitor. At times the flow of the book can be confusing, as it is initially addressed to young single women, but other times the intended audience changes to address an already-married wife. However, the upside to this is that the solid, balanced advice regarding love, purity, self-esteem and respect can apply to a broader readership—fathers, mothers, daughters, husbands and wives—and deepen and enhance discussions and relationships, ultimately strengthening and equipping the relationships and self-image of every father’s daughter.
Cindy Janssens is assistant to the president of Promise Keepers Canada. But most importantly, she is a wife to Peter and mother to Christy, Heather and Ryan. They make their home in Burlington, Ontario.
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Bits + Blips. Beats + Blurbs. by Rob Horsley, PULSE Editor
BLURBS
FIVE REASONS TO NEVER EAT LUNCH AT YOUR DESK AGAIN SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Fast Company writer Drake Baer says he’s “never eating lunch at his desk again,” according to a January article. According to Baer, desk employees spend up to 80 per cent of their lunch hours at their workstations, something he says is “terrible for your workday since it’s scientifically proven that our brains need breaks.” In what initially started as a ‘bold experiment,’ Baer discovered that taking an actual lunch break, away from one’s computer, leads to several benefits: 1. Health: Being able to pay attention to food leads to greater meal enjoyment and thereby less snacking 2. Recharging mental batteries: A change of environment (e.g. being outside, working elsewhere on occasion) leads to an increased mental stimulation 3. Productivity increases: people generally aren’t as good at multi-tasking as they think, and quality work is most often done when it’s free of distractions (ie. The process of eating) 4. Decreased likelihood of burnout: for the same reason that checking your work email on the weekends can be a fast lane for work-related meltdowns, removing oneself from all work, even for 30 to 60 minutes a day, can make a huge difference in avoiding work fatigue 5. Greater sense of ownership: While most people aren’t required to eat lunch at their desks, the act of doing so can often subconsciously make them feel worse about their job freedom. Exercising choice provides a greater sense of job flexibility and in turn can lead to an increase in satisfaction. (Fast Company)
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puls e
BLURBS
CANADIANS QUIETLY CHARITABLE, GIVE OFTEN WITHOUT TAX BENEFITS TORONTO—Despite recent reports to the contrary, The Globe and Mail’s Barrie McKenna reports that Canadians are perhaps equally as generous as our neighbours to the south. The most recent Generosity Index from the Fraser Institute reports that Americans give 1.33 per cent of their annual income to charities, whereas numbers in Canada dip to about 0.64 per cent. But while these numbers would seem to indicate that we’re less generous in the Great White North, McKenna says that the discrepancy may lie more in the way charitable giving statistics are tracked. While the CRA doesn’t typically track giving habits for things like store-counter coin boxes, clothing bins at shelters or non-perishable food items at a grocery store, the IRS provides American givers tax credits for all of those things—often without the requirement of receipts, unless you’re audited—and at a greater amount. “In essence, the U.S. tax system more closely tracks the actual value of charity, including the expenses incurred in the act of giving, such as gas or the use of your car,� says McKenna. Statistics only go so far, he adds. “In Canada’s case, simply tracking tax-deductible donations isn’t a fair measure of the country’s overall generosity. Far too much goes uncounted.� In terms of overall giving, Canada still ranks second worldwide behind the United States, even with far less being recorded by the CRA. Take into account that Canadians also fund things like universal healthcare and a “broader publicly funded education system,� and the disparity shrinks even more, McKenna says. “Americans have more incentive to be more generous because their country has more pronounced socioeconomic disparities. Factor in a much wider income gap between the wealthy and the poor in the United States, and Canada’s level of giving looks even more impressive.�
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seven – issue thirty-five march – april, 2014 page 9
BLURBS
AND WHILE WE’RE AT IT… In another work-related story from The Globe and Mail, Nicole Gallucci of the publication’s “Leadership Lab” lists five ways that employers can motivate the next generation of the workforce—the much bemoaned, and ever-mystifying millennials. In her description of the young demographic of people born somewhere between 1980 and 1999, Gallucci generalizes millennials (or “Generation Y-ers” as they’re sometimes called) as “non-conforming, vibrant and passionate to their core. They do not follow the conventional path, and they have high expectations of themselves, of others and of life. They are committed— but their commitment is very individual. Self-aware, they follow a career path of their own design and are not willing to settle or adhere to expected behaviour the way their parents did.” Though perhaps it’s impossible to classify an entire age bracket as any or all of those things, Gallucci adds that passion is key for motivating the millennial workforce. “When you manage millennial employees, as I do, you need to fuel that passion and harness it to meet organizational objectives. This often means finding a balance between adapting the workplace to millennial employees and helping millennials adapt to your workplace,” she writes.. Her tips, para-phrased: 1. Clarify your expectations – through conversation, not internal office memos. The reasoning behind key decisions matters to Gen Y-ers. 2. Give them the tools they need to thrive – Skill and creativity is not enough. Teaching millennials to effectively present themselves may be required. 3. Show them why their work matters – Individual tasks are important and make up the greater impact of a workplace. If a young employee is unable to see how their individual contributions have an effect, it can be difficult to get results. 4. Give them regular feedback – Feedback, reviews and reflection are all important to grow young employees into truly effective members of the workforce. Be sure to give them the constructive criticism (and praise, when appropriate) they need. 5. Share the big picture – It’s important for millennial employees to feel that they’re more than just worker drones. Encourage them to share their personal goals and motivations, and set out your dreams for the organization as an employer. Understanding where your employee is coming from is important to harnessing their effectiveness. (The Globe and Mail)
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DISCOVERING THE DIVINE DESIRE BENEATH SEXUAL STRUGGLE
available where books are sold
Defining Duty: How Men Identify with Work “What we do” is not all of who we are By Sonny Lemmons
The single-earner nuclear family sometimes depicted in pop culture is a relatively recent development, a byproduct of post-industrial revolution North American culture. As cultures and circumstances change, roles tend to change along with them—both at the societal level and the individual level. Sociologists refer to this phenomenon as a “culture lag,” meaning the culture itself shifts first and people’s behaviours and attitudes catch up afterward. Data pulled from the Employment and Social Development Canada website states the unemployment rate was 7.7 per cent for men in 2012, and that men tended to remain unemployed slightly longer than women (averaging 21.0 weeks as opposed to 19.2 weeks for women). Given the number of men who have lost their jobs in the last few years due to the economy, it is reasonable to assume these numbers have increased and will continue to grow. A survey of national salaries in 2011 posted at cataylyst.org showed that in 18 per cent of dual-earner households, wives were the primary breadwinners when measured in hourly earnings, bringing in more than 55 per cent of the household income. seven – issue thirty-five march – april, 2014 page 11
fea tu r es
defining duty
According to 2013 data from Statistics Canada, 13 per cent of two-parent households in the country have a stay-at-home dad who serves in the role of primary caregiver. A 2013 report from Marriage and Family Canada shows 76 per cent of the respondents believe that in a household with children under the age of six, one parent should stay home full time. Last year, Men’s Health magazine reported that in a poll conducted amongst its readership, 61 per cent of the male respondents who are fathers believe it important to actively place their family before their careers. But these numbers do not measure the emotional duress many men undergo while in transition between careers or when forced through circumstances to take on the role of staying home to take care of the family while their spouse assumes the position of financial responsibility. Regardless of how a man came to be in what has been—ironically enough—traditionally a non-traditional role, these numbers do substantiate and give hope to a fear some men may feel: you are not alone. Sonny who lives at home You might think that by now I would be somewhat immune to the stares, reactions, and stream of comments or questions from individuals once they learn about my job. After all, I’ve been at it for nearly half a decade now, so what I do doesn’t have the same air of uniqueness to me as it may to others. Plus, by the time I get ready to re-enter the traditional workforce, I will have had the better part of 10 years’ worth of experience in my position. I’m a dad. A full-time, stay-at-home dad (SAHD) to two boys, one who is five years old with wild, curly hair and attitude to match, and one who is a year old, cuddly, teething and babbling the greatest stories he can tell. Yet for as much fulfillment I find in endlessly constructing Lego towers, changing yet another diaper, or trying to convince both of them “vegetable” is not a dirty word (or food), it wasn’t always the case. What I, and many of my fellow SAHDs, have had to deal with is confronting the expectations and burdens placed on us through society, the Church, and our own ingrained insecurities, to say nothing of dealing with our doubts and questions of self-worth about not being the primary breadwinner in our families. On a grander scale, the concerns and questions we have expressed are echoed in many men who have found themselves between jobs or changing jobs, if not entire careers, often due to circumstances beyond their control. No matter what led us to this point where we are in not in a “traditional” role within our family structure, collectively at the core of these identity struggles is discovering if these insecurities are rooted in a biblical or societal understanding of our roles as men, fathers, and husbands.
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Yes: I chose to do this Five years ago, after our first child was born, my wife and I were faced with the same choice as many other parents: do we put the little bundle of joy into daycare, or does one of us stay home to raise the man-cub? After a lengthy analysis of what our work schedules looked like on a “normal” week, we realized that between the time and cost of daycare and babysitters, we would effectively be paying someone to raise our child for us. Financially, we could afford it; but emotionally, we couldn’t afford the toll it might take our family. Since my wife’s position provided us with a place to live as part of her salary package, leaving my job seemed the more logical decision. To us. Once we began telling family and friends, many of them looked at me like I had gone mad. Because, as I was told both to my face and in inference from attitude, that’s just not what men do. One of my professors from graduate school told me if I did this I would never again find employment once I decided to return to the workforce. My decision to leave not only flew in the face of traditional social convention, but it came at a time when my career trajectory was on the rise. She used the phrase “committing professional suicide” to illustrate that I was effectively killing all the hard work, years of effort, and sacrifices I had made for my career should I opt to follow the dictates of my heart and place the needs of my family over what might be best for my resumé. Men are, for the most part, conditioned to function in a rewards-based structure (make this sale, get this bonus; X=Y). A vocation or even life that flies counter to this is seen as odd and incongruous. Biblically, we tend to hearken back to Adam’s curse given in Genesis 3:17-20, highlighting the idea of working by the sweat of our brow to earn our daily bread (3:19) as our duty and “the way it should be.” Yet Adam spent his days and nights focused on God and what identity was found in Him. Adam’s work of cataloguing creation (Genesis 2:19) came only after he was first created for fellowship (Genesis 1:26). Once Adam sinned, identity became a commodity for mankind. When God strolled through the garden calling out to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8), they emerged from hiding, ashamed. The first question the Father asked was, “Who told you that you were naked?” The implication of this question is that God was asking them “Who told you that your identity is not found in Me?” From that moment on, Adam’s sense of fulfillment—and conversely, what we as men have inherited from our fathers— fell from finding identity and contentment in God to naming our identity in what we do vocationally. Ever since, it has been a struggle for men and our sense of identity and self-worth to not exclusively take delight in what we do, have, know, have done, make, or perform.
features
Providing love When initially meeting someone in a social setting, one of the easiest ice-breakers is to ask “What do you do?” Often we use this as an opening to try to find common vocational ground. Men especially utilize this as a way to connect with one another, citing either a friend who does something similar or remarking what an interesting profession it must be as a way to keep the conversation continuing. For men who are between careers either through choice or circumstance, it is unnerving to be so vulnerable with a stranger. As men it is easier at times to define ourselves by our profession than by any other codifier. We often take pride in stating what it is we do, when the deeper question we need to ask of ourselves is who we are. I worked as a career advisor at a local university for several years where I taught a class to graduating seniors about work-life balance while maintaining professionalism. I often used the phrase “Your last name is not whatever organization you work for; remember you are a person first and foremost with a life outside of your office space.” For men who are between careers, this sense of a loss of identity can be deeply wounding, at times paralyzing us to the point where our families begin to suffer alongside with how we are feeling. Losing that daily connection and friendship with co-workers in exchange for days searching for a new position or filled with crayons or yet another trip to the library can leave a man with a deep sense of isolation, could lead to a struggle with depression, and self-doubt about their ability to function as the head of their household. 1 Timothy 5:8 is often cited by pastors who take a stance against men who are stay-at-home dads or are not the primary breadwinners in their family. The problem is, the verse starts off with the phrase “If anyone does not…” (emphasis mine), with “anyone” being a gender-neutral term only given the masculine inference in later translations of the Bible.
Furthermore, the phrase “does not provide for” refers in Greek to proneno, meaning “to care for,” “to think of beforehand” and “to take thought for.” We have mistakenly taken this to specifically and exclusively mean “to provide for financially,” when that’s not what the intent was at all; as husbands and fathers, we are to first and foremost place the emotional and physical well being of those in our families before our own wants. Regardless, the people described as “worse than unbelievers” in the instructions from 1 Timothy 5 were relatives of widows who were shirking their responsibilities to them by exploiting the church’s provisions for widows. So the “biblical” foundation for men to stay rooted in their careers begins to erode away when the context of this verse in question is more carefully examined. Most men will agree that by providing a positive example of what a marriage of equals can look like, we are honoring our first responsibility as a husband and father. There are far too many men who contribute financially to the stability of their families and yet leave bankrupt hearts and memories in their wake. During the period of transition men may find themselves in—whether leaving their vocation through choice or out of their control—we often feel as if we are lost in a wilderness of trying to find our own identity. Mercifully, that same wilderness is the first place where John the Baptist began to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand (Matthew 3:1) and also where Christ Himself came to be baptized (Matthew 3:13) as well as to find Himself ministered to by the Father (Matthew 4:11).
Sonny Lemmons has written extensively on the topics of faith and parenting for numerous magazines and anthology books. The Myth of Mr. Mom, for which he was the lead author, was ranked as the bestselling eBook on Parenting at amazon.com in April 2012. He and his wife Ashley currently live in Columbia, South Carolina. A sought after speaker for high school, college, and young adult church groups, Sonny can usually be found Tweeting (@sonnylemmons), blogging (www.lookthrough.net) or doing laundry while his sons are napping.
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fea tu r es
Sacred work From Top to Bottom, “It’s a Kingdom business”
By Steven Sukkau
When Paul Neustaedter graduated from Briercrest Bible College in 1985, he was fully prepared to enter the mission field, but God had other plans. Instead of the jungles of Africa, he found himself in the urban jungle of the business world. But while Neustaedter doesn’t spend his afternoons translating the Bible into an obscure tribal language, or pouring over his sermon notes late into the evening, he believes he is still neck deep in ministry as the president of a prominent car dealership. At Steinbach Dodge Chrysler, located in Steinbach, Manitoba, half an hour outside Winnipeg, Neustaedter sees himself actively building the Kingdom of God. Others may not see it that way, but he believes church work and selling cars are not so different. What we usually think of ministry within a church or non-profit, and living out our faith in a day job are very similar at their cores, he says. “It’s simply helping other people move to God’s agenda.” At Steinbach Dodge, five employees have left in the past six years, each to enter full-time ministry. How does a business prepare men and women for the same mission field Neustaedter considered? It all comes back to taking the role of a Christian employer seriously; embodying Christ in everything you do whether it’s in the office Friday afternoon or in a pew on Sunday morning. Merlin Bartel started Epic Roofing out of a desire to create income to support a church plant that couldn’t pay his salary. It was his “tent-making” endeavour, Bartel says, and now the award-winning Calgary-based business provides the resources to support multiple ministers. “It’s a Kingdom business,” Bartel says. To achieve that, Bartel seeks to create a unique atmosphere at Epic Roofing, hiring like-minded people who seek God’s Kingdom. It includes philanthropic efforts like taking teams to build homes overseas, and using money set aside for gifts to buy employees and vendors gifts that support charity. Bartel invites inspirational speakers to the office over lunch hours, exposing his team to the missional DNA of the company including angel investment, as well as using business and ministry expertise to start missional businesses overseas, especially in places where missionaries are not welcome, but general businesses are. Bartel says another ministry, BAM (Business As Ministry) Think Tank, embodies these ideas as a networking initiative to bring together the business as mission movement, releasing business leaders involved in God’s mission to the world to share the gospel.
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features
The idea hinges on expanding people’s view of the God-given role of business, and the influence it wields, creating new jobs, driving innovation and increasing resources to address spiritual and social and economic needs around the world. “We didn’t hang up our pastor hats,” Bartel says. “Just changed location.” However, the business world also has its challenges in working with employees, people come into a new job with their own baggage. “People don’t change overnight,” Neustaedter explains. “It happens over time through influence and relationship.” The work place offers those opportunities of influence, work conversations turn into life conversations, employees share struggles, hopes and dreams with their boss and each other. The sheer close proximity and number of hours together creates ample opportunity to enter one another’s lives and offer the hope of Christ. “It’s a great opportunity to introduce them to my best friend Jesus,” says Neustaedter. “He has the ability to do what we can’t, and it’s exciting to see that, to see the change in their lives.” One such employee came to Neustaedter six years ago looking for a job. He had been a drug dealer, though Neustaedter said he felt the Lord’s directing to hire him, despite his empty resumé. The man had just become a Christian before being hired, and under Neustaedter’s and his church’s guidance developed the work skills and spiritual growth he needed. When the young man left for full-time ministry the staff at Steinbach Dodge Chrysler threw him a “graduation” party. When someone asked why he would throw a party for an employee who was quitting, Neustaedter answered simply. “Anybody that comes to our store in the situation that he came in, proves themselves in helping others and leaves to lead a ministry? Yes, you’re going to get a party.” For Neustaedter it all comes down to the fact that being a minister doesn’t necessarily mean working in a church. It’s common in the dealership for the staff to pray in the lounge or parking lot. It’s informal, says Neustaedter. “As Christian marketplace leaders, we are all pastors,” he explains. “We are all ministers in our sphere of influence.” Last summer Neustaedter travelled to China with a group of Christian business leaders, and visited with the pastor of a church of 10,000. He asked the pastor what he felt the difference was between the Church in China and the West. “In the West, you serve the Lord after you’ve gone to Bible
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school and after you graduated you study some more,” the minister said. “In China you pray and then do what God tells you to.” Likewise, Neustaedter sees the body of Christ as outside the church building. When someone opens up about a problem, that’s his opportunity to help. “I don’t have to contact someone at my church to pray for someone,” says Neustaedter. A lot of people who are hurting won’t walk into a church, he says, but they will talk with you at work. “God keeps opportunities in front of us, if we’re faithful,” says Neustaedter. “And we are the Church, it’s our responsibility. We have great opportunities to share Jesus’ love. It’s life changing, sharing our story of how Jesus made a difference in our lives.” The staff Christmas party is one of those times where he takes the time to share the story of Christ and challenges the staff and their spouses to consider what Christmas is really about. He also has held a Bible study at the dealership open to staff, even though many asked him, “but who would come?” Turns out a lot of people are interested; they’re just waiting to be invited. Recently one of his employees made the decision to become a Christian after Neustaedter invited him to do so. “There’s a fear factor in making a stand, in living out church in the workplace,” says Neustaedter. “Afraid of saying things, even if we know God calls us to.” There is often a gap between sacred and secular lives. The Christian part of themselves serves on a church board, but the secular side is the boss at work. Bartel says the first step is admitting the divide exists in your mind. “Far too many business leaders don’t realize it,” says Bartel. “You have to admit the gap exists.” Bartel doesn’t allow any segregation of sacred and secular work. Instead, he lives business as mission 24/7, whether preaching at a pulpit or making decisions about the budget, “both need the holy spirit,” he says. Too many live as closet Christians, but once the divide between your secular life and your sacred calling is torn down, “the Holy Spirit will show you how to operate within your sphere,” he says. Neustaedter says it doesn’t require extraordinary courage, but simple prayer. Prayer before the day begins, prayer for the opportunity to serve others as Jesus’ hands and feet. Then when the opportunity invariably comes, it’s another small prayer, and then the most important step of all, opening your mouth and beginning to speak. It’s as simple as that, he says.
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“It’s amazing how He is faithful,” says Neustaedter. He says people don’t tend to get upset after you’ve taken the time to listen to their story, and you offer them the hope and love that you have found in Christ. He may not be a preacher pounding the pulpit, but as a business owner, Neustaedter finds even more influence in building credibility through working together, taking the time to listen and build relationship, treating employees with respect, being the kind of boss that is simply, “not a jerk” he says with a laugh. “If they respect me, that is a wide open door,” says Neustaedter. “It’s exciting to come to work.” Jeff Reimer works as a service manager at Steinbach Dodge and struggles with how faith and work intersect. The more your testimony is at the forefront of your life, Reimer says, the more your lifestyle has to reflect your faith. However, without his faith, Reimer says it wouldn’t be possible to work. Reimer is open about his struggle with bi-polar disorder and depression, something that he says is under control, thanks to God’s grace and a network of support. He says challenges like working and excelling as a service manager, at times a high stress position, is possible thanks to his decision to make God his life’s top priority. Serving under Neustaedter, whom he calls a great man of God, makes it easier. At times they’ve even prayed in his office. Many times, his faith doesn’t hinder his work, but enhances it, Reimer says. He brings to his job integrity, honesty and treating people fairly, in a position where people are wary of being taken advantage of. Many times working with integrity means assessing which mechanical fixes can wait, allowing customers to pay for the work as they can afford. It’s a daily decision, Reimer says, to live as if God is watching, and it spills into all avenues of life. While he may not be a minister, as a man of integrity, other staff are drawn to him, bringing concerns and asking for his opinion. In this way he finds himself ministering to a congregation outside of the church. Together, the staff encourages each other, like iron sharpens iron, and as others have poured time into his life, so Reimer says he now gives to others. “I don’t consider bi-polar or depression a hang-up anymore,” Reimer says. “I couldn’t do this job if there wasn’t something supernatural. God sets out the course before us, His strength allows me to do this.” But even more insidious than the temptation to overcharge a customer is simply becoming numb to the day-in, day-out nature of working. Nick Janz is an electrician working in Winkler,
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Manitoba, and admits work can often become stuck in routine. “You just do it,” says Janz. Work is based on productivity and meeting deadlines, Janz says, and it’s easy to look up and realize many days have gone by without even noticing. But, he adds, there are always times when discussions at coffee break turn towards belief, or someone approaches with a deeper question. “It’s important to take notice of those moments,” Janz says. “And not let them pass you by.” It’s only by learning about where people are coming from and understanding their thinking and life experiences that an atomosphere is created where faith can be shared.
“You have to care about them, and get to know them,” Janz says. “And it’s important to be available, you have to give people space.” When work becomes monotonous, it presents a big challenge. “It can take away the sense of living in a bigger story,” Janz says. It’s important, he says, to remember that what matters isn’t necessarily your position or title, but how you act. Part of the reason Janz chose to become an electrician was to make his father proud, but says it is how he conducts himself on the job that makes God proud. Steven Sukkau is a freelance writer who also serves as a staff writer for the Winkler Times in Winkler, Manitoba, where he resides.
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Addicted to Success Being a “provider” goes way beyond dollars and cents
By Rob Horsley
“She’s a busybody.” “She’s too bossy.” “She’s a real…” Well, you get the idea. If you’ve ever had thoughts like these for a female superior in the workplace, chances are you’re not alone. Women in positions of management are often criticized for being too controlling, too particular, too overbearing, and so forth. But it begs the question—would you say the same thing if it were a man? Last year, Christianity Today published a story about the work habits of Hillary Rodham Clinton, former First Lady of the United States and ex-Secretary of State under President Barrack Obama. In the article, Clinton’s professional practices were called into question based on reports that her health had suffered as a result of overwork. “Such effusive praise for workaholism? It should have shocked me less,” wrote Jen Pollock Michel, the author of the story. “Hard work, overwork even, seems to pave the road to achievement. But if Clinton’s and [Erin] Callan’s cases prove that consuming work habits jeopardize the health of our bodies and our relationships, might we not be driving a Faustian bargain of success? Furthermore, isn’t there more we stand to lose when we allow work to bleed into the margins of rest and recovery?” And while she may have a point in questioning Ms. Clinton’s work ethics—considering the numerous other women who have striven for professional success, often at the expense of their health or relationships—it’s far less common to see men criticized for doing the exact same thing. After all, if a woman were to sacrifice her family life for the sake of her career, she’s “irresponsible,” and probably “a bad wife/mother.” If a man does it, he’s just “a hard worker”—and likely to receive a promotion. Author and speaker Nate Larkin says that for many men, work has become an addiction and that being a work addict or ‘workaholic’ can be just as damaging as an addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex or pornography, something he’s shared with audiences at many points in his speaking career. “It struck me a few years ago that a workaholic will destroy himself and his family every bit as much as efficiently and effectively as an alcoholic will. The only difference is that we’ll put him on the board and pat him on the back while he commits suicide.”
Statements like these may be shocking, considering our culture that often tells us to strive to achieve all we can, “be all we can be,” and make as much money as we can while doing it. So while it might seem odd to put “overwork” in the same category as cocaine or heroin, Larkin’s says his audiences seem to know he’s right. “That has become an applause line. People recognize the truth of it. It’s not something that is said often but it’s something that when people hear it, they recognize it as true.” Larkin is quick to point out that there’s nothing wrong with work inherently, and in fact, it’s a good thing—one that the Bible commands. “God gave us work before the fall. Work is not a consequence of the fall…we all need purpose and we all need to be engaged productively in something. But any good thing can be used in a destructive way. Food, sex—work is no exception.” Biblical passages like 2 Thessalonians 3:10, wherein Paul writes “…if any should not work, neither shall he eat” (NLT), and 1 Timothy 5:8 which says, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (NASB) are often cited as Christian ‘proof texts’ for the type of work ethic that often occurs in Western society. And it would seem there’s a good case to be made—the Bible looks favourably on those willing to work. But does the message get taken too far? Larkin thinks so. “We live in a culture that worships success and defines success in terms of monetary achievement and social status…what they find out is that, in the end, they haven’t nurtured relationships. They’ve sold off relationships for the sake of success. “If I calculate my value by counting my achievements or the digits in my bank account, there are never enough. There’s never enough money, there’s always another rung on the ladder.” For a lot of men, work can be seen as an escape from family, commitments, or otherwise. And deep down, most men probably recognize their need, to some degree at least, to “not work so hard” as Larkin’s experience in speaking to crowds would suggest. But it often doesn’t seem to matter how many sermons one can hear about “serving two masters” or “the importance of rest”—a lot of men won’t stop working, often until it’s too late. “If an addiction is defined as ‘self-destructive behaviour that I continue to engage in, even though I know it’s killing me,’
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Addicted to success
then workaholism certainly fits that definition,” Larkin adds. “Everybody applauds, everybody says ‘I’m working too hard. This is too important. I’m working too much. I need to have a Sabbath. I’ve lost track of my priorities. “Everybody agrees and yet typically unless there is a crisis... unless there is a crisis, typically the pattern does not change.” Being overworked poses a number of health-related risks. Men who travel on business are often prone to eating what’s fast and convenient—and usually not healthy. A lack of sleep also poses significant physical and mental challenges, and can often contribute to an emotional or psychological breakdown at some point down the road. A constant stream of stress and work-related pressures can often lead to depression. “God did not create us as perpetual motion machines…If we neglect the needs of our physical bodies, if we neglect spiritual nourishment, emotional connection all for the sake of work, then breakdown eventually happens,” Larkin says. “You can get away with it for a few years when you’re young and you don’t even notice what you’re losing until you finally knock out that last support and the structure begins to collapse.” But the most common negative by-product of being “overworked” is also the most devastating—the damage that is often inflicted on the lives of family members. “We become accustomed to a smaller and smaller life, but [with] those around us it can eventually reach a point where they can’t handle it anymore,” says Larkin. “And suddenly, we discover that the relationships that we’ve been telling ourselves that we have are done. “Children explicitly or implicitly declare that they’re done with us. A spouse says, ‘I can’t go on like this.’ All of those things can and do result from an over emphasis upon work.” Oftentimes, the desire to be a hard worker or ‘breadwinner,’ comes from a place of good intentions. Though perhaps not universally the case, most men only want to provide for their family in a way that seems consistent with passages like those in 1 Timothy. But it’s important to keep in mind that “being a provider,” like any desire, can sometimes take the place of God. “I think it all comes down in the end to idolatry,” Larkin says. “What do we put in the place of God? If I’m a Christian, I work— but God provides. When I slip into idolatry then I put myself in the place of the Provider and I assume God’s responsibility.” Giving up control can be an uncomfortable idea for many men, but Larkin says that he’s found it necessary in his life to trust that God will provide as only He can. “To use a phrase from 12-step recovery: I’m going to do the footwork—and let God do the legwork. In other words, I realize I do have to work, but I also have to rest.”
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Being a husband and father that provides means thinking about “needs” in more than just money and possessions. While the desire to provide a house with lots of space, family vacations, or new toys might come from a good place, it’s important that men recognize that paying too much attention to the material things might actually be the thing that drives their family away, if left unchecked. It’s a sad irony that’s all too commonplace in modern times. Instead, Larkin advocates that men focus in on the true sources of nourishment—relationships, with spouses, children, friends and family, and most importantly, their heavenly Father. “I now recognize that I need to be in relationship every day. I wither without real, honest, direct relationship with other people—with my wife and with brothers. I need to be nourished spiritually every day.”
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Recreation is also important. “I need to play every day,” he says. “I need to schedule a recreation and reward into my day so that it doesn’t just become this joyless grind—this endless train of obligations. If all it is is work, that builds up—that feeds the sick addict part of me that will eventually declare a vacation…that sick part of me will go look for some illicit reward. I need recreation and it’s either going to be a healthy kind that I plan, or it’s going to be an unhealthy kind that the fallen part of me is going to plan.” Men are expected to work. Men are expected to provide for their families. But it’s important to keep in mind what is being provided, and to prioritize for the sake of maintaining healthy relationships with God, and their families. In an online article from Relevant magazine, missionary Kera Package reflects on her experiences with burnout in her work overseas. “For much of 2011, I tried to prove to myself and to others I was making a difference. I worked harder, took on too much and was fueled by a competitive desire to succeed. In doing so, I wrongfully attempted to take control of things in my life and simultaneously quenched God’s ability to work through my life.” Once again, it’s the willingness to hand the wheel over to God that poses the biggest challenge for many, and particularly men, having been trained to be “self-made men” in many cases. But Package says it’s necessary to ditch those conceptions and admit that it’s not healthy to long for absolute control in life, nor is it possible. “If I remembered who God is and who I am in Him, I would be less likely to work myself to the point of burnout. I have to trust He is working through me and guiding my steps. I have to stop trying to wrestle control from Him.”
The Father’s Love When Adam Hoskins [BA 2015] was twelve, his father died due to a blood clot after falling off a ladder. This left him confused and angry. He had many aching questions but no answers to ease his pain. He was now the man of the house, he was told. There was no option for expressing his pain. Being fed up with people telling him what to believe, Adam made friends with people who could relate with his struggles. Soon, drugs and drinking ensued. His life began to crumble, until his Mom intervened.
This led him to a home for troubled teens. While here, Adam gave his life to Christ. Adam attends Tyndale now and serves God with his whole heart. On top of being a youth pastor, Adam is also the Chapel Coordinator, leading worship services for the Tyndale community. Adam knows and trusts that his “Heavenly Father has taken care of everything.” It’s the Father’s love that paved the way for Adam to attend Tyndale. Discover your passion and calling at Tyndale.
www.tyndale.ca
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Men at work: Sharing Christ on the job The “occupational hazards” of workplace evangelism
By Paul H. Boge
You’re at your job and see your co-worker. You know him well enough to strike up a conversation. Maybe you’re even friends. You feel a responsibility to tell him about Jesus. And yet you wonder how this may affect your relationship. So what do you do? Do you take the quiet approach, secretly praying for him and waiting for him to ask questions, or do you invite him to your church’s annual Christmas or Easter program? Or do you take a more direct approach by praying, and then talking to him about his thoughts on spirituality? How can a man at work share his faith? There are a variety of approaches to sharing Christ. God has uniquely designed each of us to share His light in a way that is genuine and unforced. As the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth He will give us specific insight and peace regarding timing and the right way to approach someone. Sometimes the need is there, but the timing isn’t right. I was working on a project with a person from a different company. He had an explosive temper. And when I say explosive, I mean red face, fuming, shouting, the whole nine yards. He lost it over something really small. It was hard not to laugh. As he sat there huffing and puffing, his eyes bulging out, I resisted the urge to ask him: Would you like to pray about this? But another time I was able to share openly with a client. I emailed her an update on the project and asked how she was doing. She emailed back that she had been going through a rough time as of late. As we exchanged emails that evening it became apparent that God was bringing her to a place where she was realizing she needed the Saviour. I wondered if I should ask her if she would be interested in making that commitment. I typed the words “Have you ever thought of giving your life to Jesus Christ?” and sat there staring at my computer with my hand ready to click the mouse. E-mail may not be the conventional way to share Christ, but somehow in this application it seemed like the perfect way. To send or not to send?
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If I sent it, she would be challenged to consider Him. But if it was too soon it may seem out of place and I might lose the only opportunity to share Christ. I prayed. I hit send. I should have felt relief. But instead, in that moment I really began to wonder if I had done the right thing. Had I let God down by evangelizing her in this way? Was this the right approach? Was I pushing it too fast? I waited and left it in God’s hands. If it didn’t work out, I was okay with it. Just because you are obedient to God does not always mean getting the desired results. And then, after 10 minutes of silence, she e-mailed back. She said she had actually been considering giving her life to Christ for awhile already. She asked a number of questions about Christ. After I answered them as best as I knew how, I typed out a sample prayer she could pray to give her life to Him. A few minutes later she e-mailed back to tell me she had accepted Him. I picked up the phone and called her, I’m not exactly sure why I hadn’t sooner, and I heard the joy in her voice over finding Jesus. Then there are times when things don’t go the way you would hope after sharing Christ with someone. I remember a good friend I made while working out of town on a project. Super guy. We had a lot of common interests that sparked a lot of conversations, often about film in particular. Finding common ground with someone is a natural way to talk about God, like the way the Apostle Paul did when he engaged the Athenians in Acts 17 in a discussion about their altar to an unknown god. It was a lot of fun to hang out with him. He asked questions about Jesus that I had never heard before, as people who haven’t grown up in a church environment usually have. I learned a lot from him. He asked me a number of times to share the gospel. “So what happens to me if I do take on Jesus?” he asked. “You become a child of God.”
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Men at work
He thought about it. A curious expression came over his face. “Well, do I really need to be a child of God, or can I be like a cousin in the family?” We laughed. “He wants you to be His child,” I said. “Maybe I could be the black sheep in the family. Every family needs one,” he replied. “You know, I could be on the periphery—on the outside but close. Does that still count?” He knew the gospel so well he could go and evangelize others. Yet he himself did not make that commitment—at least, not yet. He has been on my prayer list ever since. Other times God will open a door for just a split second when people seem to be testing the waters—allowing us a quick opportunity to share or to say something. Sometimes we try and wait for a better time. But that does not happen. We need to be ready both in season and out of season. These are important moments. It is as if people genuinely open their hearts to see if Christ is real. I’ve waited at times. And blown it by not saying anything. Do you ever feel like that when you look back at a conversation? You might say to yourself: “If only I would have said this.” I’ve been there, too. It’s important to give those moments to Christ and trust that our continued prayers will impact people, and to humble ourselves and ask that we be ready for the next opportunity. Jesus handled every person uniquely. So should we. God has designed each of us in different ways so that we can genuinely share Him. On the one extreme we want to avoid forcing Him on people, on the other extreme we want to avoid being silent. Jesus gives us challenging and yet comforting advice when it comes to sharing His love in any situation. He says, “So let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify Him.” (Matthew 5:16) By being diligent workers, and by being credible and consistent witnesses both on and off the jobsite, people will see the genuine faith in our hearts. And through prayer and by listening to the Holy Spirit we can say and do the right things at the right time. Paul H. Boge is the author of Father to the Fatherless: The Charles Mulli Story. He’s an engineer who works in project management. He lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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sports scene
Thirst for competition drives the dream Canadian bobsledder carries courage and faith down the hill By Scott Taylor
Lyndon Rush was once a tremendous football player. Like so many young men from Saskatchewan, he came out of a small town, went to the University of Saskatchewan, played five years of CIS football and then wondered what he’d do next. After all, he was a competitive guy. He had played every sport that was available to him in the tiny town of Humboldt. But when his football career ended, his thirst for competition was still there. He was still a young man, only 24. He still believed that God wanted more from him. “Once my football career was over, I got a phone call from a coach asking me if I would like to try out for the Canadian bobsled team,” he said. “I wasn’t sure at first, but at the same time, I knew my athletic career wasn’t over, so I gave it a try. “I went to a bobsled camp where they select the teams. I got timed and then evaluated on how well I pushed the sled. It was exciting; you have to be explosive and able to get in the bobsled quickly. Unfortunately, I pulled my hamstring in practice and I didn’t make any of the push teams. But I think they liked me because they suggested that I try out to drive the sled. I used to race bikes so I was quite excited to try it out.” The rest, as they say, is history. The former University of Saskatchewan Huskies football star made his bobsleigh debut at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. After an unfortunate wreck took his two-man crew out of contention, he waited patiently until day 17 of the Games. On that day, he piloted his four-man crew along with David Bissett, Lascelles Brown and Chris le Bihan to the bronze medal. It was Canada’s first Olympic four-man medal since Vic Emery’s crew won gold
at Innsbruck in 1964 and it was just 0.01 seconds away from silver. It was thrilling and it was a tribute to Rush’s faith. Now 33, Rush thought long and hard about participating in the 2014 Games in Sochi last month. But as a young man (and at 33, he’s still a young man) whose faith has been a cornerstone of his life, there really wasn’t a question. He’s capable, he’s strong and his favourite Bible verse is the answer to any lingering doubt: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).” “I was raised in a Christian home,” he said during an interview with Chad Bonham right after the 2010 Games. “Both of my parents are believers. We did family devotions and went to church all the time. I became a Christian when I was six years old. “I was a little guy. It’s kind of cloudy, but I remember asking Jesus into my heart when my dad and I were golfing. I knew the story but he explained it to me that I needed to ask Jesus into my heart. I remember sitting down on a park bench and saying the prayer. I don’t remember my life as a non-believer. I screwed up lots, but I can’t imagine my life without Christ. I guess it’s sort of boring, but that’s how it happened for me. I’m so blessed.” Rush’s decision to compete at the Sochi Games was never in doubt. He has been a man of faith and courage for as long as he can remember. Granted, sitting at the front of an Olympic bobsleigh
going 180 kilometres per hour down an iced-mountain can be a frightening experience. With the added pressure of representing your country on the world stage, many people would say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Not Lyndon Rush. “My courage comes from my faith,” he said. “I don’t know any other way of thinking about it. It’s ingrained in me and I can rely on God and know that He has a plan for me and things are in His control, not mine. That’s where my courage comes from. When it comes to the bobsled, I don’t know how guys do it—especially pilots—without knowing the Lord.”
Scott Taylor is a Winnipeg-based sportswriter and broadcaster.
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out of my depth
Only ministry matters Regardless of “profession,” serve God in all you do By Phil Wagler
During my first pastoral call I was a tent-maker. Okay, that’s a bit of a misnomer; I didn’t make tents at all. More accurately, I was a lawn-mower, a weed-warrior, a rider of the green and yellow machine that runs like a deer. In clearer terms, I was a pastor paid part-time wages by a fellowship doing all they could, supplementing my income one lawn at a time (which, of course, was only a summer solace). “Tent-maker,” the cloaked language for this form of ministry, finds its roots in the Apostle Paul’s ways and means as a preacher-man. Paul was trained as a tent-maker, a noble trade in ancient times, and this skill and craft allowed him to make a living wherever he went, not to mention keep a ship-shape roof over his head. In New Testament times every Jewish boy learned a trade, a work of strong hands that could be joined to the work of loving God with the mind, heart, and soul. Such a skill kept the Hebrew man connected to the earth and marketplace, part of the daily grind of the every day and its joys, challenges, and hazards. This would prove enormously beneficial to Paul and instrumental in the gospel of the Kingdom making its way into the nooks and crannies of Roman society. I remember many times buzzing along beneath the beating summer sun, chatting with interesting people, and wondering just when God would open up the door for me to do the “real” work of ministry. By that, of course, I meant the opportunity to pour myself full-time into the service of the Church and her mission in the world. It’s a noble goal; a goal many Christ-following men feel an attraction to. The
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“real” work of the Kingdom surely belongs to those who are freed to devote their lives full time in this way, doesn’t it? It’s only ministry that matters, right? Low and behold, a couple years into my pastoral career that door swung open and I parked the lawn-mower and slid my rear end full time into a pastor’s study chair— and a wobbly one at that (the John Deere was undoubtedly more comfortable). From that moment until today, apart from a few short spells, my life has been Christian ministry. It is my life call and I will serve in this capacity until God points me elsewhere. However, I now find myself on the opposite side of the “problem.” Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to commit my energies in this way, but I miss sweating in the hot, hot sun, chats with customers about everyday life, and facing problems that can actually be fixed. I increasingly get very frustrated when the work of ministry I believe I am called to gets reduced to the slick operation of a religious organization—sometimes by the very people who call you “pastor” when what they really mean is “CEO.” Truth be told, one of the greatest dangers of “professional” ministry is its professionalization. Without a doubt, we should offer our best and serve with dignified respect the offices God has created for the leadership and service of God’s people. However, where ministry slips into a club you get into simply by the degrees you’ve earned, or who you know, how well you can play politics, or what you can list on a resumé, we risk both damaging the mission of the church and deceiving ourselves. Any call to ministry in the Bible that is authentic and genuine is founded first and foremost on the quality of a person’s
Christ-like character and demonstration of the fruit of the Kingdom of God. As of yet, there are no degrees available in that school, though you can undeniably identify those who are in process of graduating. Here’s the thing: perhaps you believe your work is not really as valuable to God as the work of your pastor or that missionary you support and read tales of. If that’s the case, then the vast majority of biblical saints were only half-baked successes in the eyes of the LORD. Abraham ran a family business and as far as we know never preached one sermon. Moses knew the palaces of Egypt and the smell of sheep. David was a shepherd, soldier, and politician. Elisha and Amos were farmers. Mordecai was a bureaucrat. Nehemiah was a wine-taster with a hidden engineering ingenuity. When Jesus needed a team that could change the world He chose among the 12 a tax man and a few fishermen. Why was it that He seemed to completely ignore and even actively chastised the religious professionals of His day? Perhaps, He knew something crucial—religious work can actually neuter the work of the Kingdom. The professionals become managers of God rather than servants of His Kingdom and the Almighty…well, He’s not particularly in need of supervision. God never seems all that interested in our accomplishments, but more by what He has accomplished in us. The only way His accomplishments are achieved in us is when we live a life of surrender and ministry regardless of our vocation. In fact, for every believer, ministry— service to God—is our full-time vocation, regardless of who writes our paycheque. As a result, what matters most is not
whether you have a title like “pastor,” but that you do everything you do for the glory of God. Paul the tent-maker instructs slaves in the first century, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23 – NIV). Paul is clear, only ministry matters, and that’s precisely what a slave is called to: serve the Lord at all times. For Paul, the model of ministry is not the religious professional, but the lowest of the low, for he repeatedly introduces himself as a servant or slave of Jesus Christ (c.f. Romans 1:1). The slave who gives his all for his Master is what ministry is all about. It is true, only ministry matters. But, if we are right in this, it is all of life that is ministry.
If you have been thinking your work as a truck driver, nurse, high school teacher, paramedic, factory-worker, bureaucrat, financial advisor, farmer or even lawn-mower is somehow second class in God’s eyes, think again. Sure, God may open a door for you to invest some or even the majority of your time in the labour of the Church, but that will only come as the result of the quality of your character and ministry-life is revealed in the context of the call and vocation you are living right now in your fellowship, home, school and workplace. Only that will save you from professionalizing Christian ministry to the point where you end up protecting the “business” that God himself may be turning over the tables on. So, what shall we conclude? That development of your Christ-like character
matters. That the ministry you have right now matters and how you are doing there—even if it feels like abject slavery— reveals the true you. We learn God calls people into leadership when He sees fit and sees them as fit and that is affirmed by the community of the saints who are pretty good at evaluating when they have found another one who actually understands that only a life of ministry matters.
Phil Wagler is a pastor in Surrey, BC and still loves the smell of a freshly cut lawn.
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p ow er pl a y
Great games. Great toys. Great gadgets. Reviews by Sandy McMurray
HOT SAUCE! RECIPE BOOK
TRUCK TRACKS
trucktracks.com Track N Go is a wheel driven track system that turns big pickup trucks into giant snowmobiles. No need to modify your truck; all you need is two ramps and 15 minutes to covert your 4 x 4 into a snow explorer. Once the tracks are in place you can drive as usual, both forward and backward, through drifts and over fields, even in deep snow. Your tires drive the tracks and hold them in place, providing a smooth ride even on hard surfaces. The Track N Go system is designed primarily for use on snow, but it can be used on roads, too. On hard surfaces, you can drive up to 60 km/h; top speed on snow is closer to 40 km/h. Pneumatic mounts make Track N Go durable and easy to turn. Plates on each side of the track help to prevent sliding and keep you from getting stuck. Snow deflector plates prevent the tracks from diving into deep snow, and help you to overcome any obstacles in your way. Take your pickup off road—way, way off road—with Track N Go.
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ONE WHEEL
rideonewheel.com Do you dream of hoverboards? Can you imagine a skateboard so smooth and comfortable that it seems to drive itself? There are no hand controls; just lean forward to accelerate, lean backward to slow down and stop. Onewheel is a self-balancing electric skateboard with just one moving part: a wheel. But don’t be fooled by its simple appearance. That one wheel is filled with sophisticated electronics that make the ride smooth and relaxed. Solid-state inertial sensors and algorithms balance the board around the wheel. Did I mention that it’s electric? So I guess there’s one moving part, plus the board, plus a rechargeable battery. Onewheel is a Kickstarter project with plenty of support. You can pre-order a Onewheel now for about $1,200.
amazon.com Jennifer Trainer Thompson is a hot sauce fanatic who has travelled the world in search of ever-hotter heat. Her latest book, Hot Sauce!: Techniques for Making Signature Hot Sauces, teaches you how to make your own signature hot sauce. There are 32 recipes to get you started, ranging from mild to blisteringly hot. Try a three-ingredient Louisiana hot sauce or a Caribbean concoction flavoured with ginger and tropical fruit. Experiment with different peppers, vinegars, and spices to make your own fiery condiment. Hot Sauce! shows you what’s inside the best hot sauces, teaches you how to make your own, then suggests recipes where you can show off your new creation. Burn baby burn!
MAX LP TURNTABLE
ionaudio.com Vinyl is back, baby. A new generation is discovering that digital sound is a bit cold. Vinyl is richer and more authentic somehow. (Maybe they’re not hearing the hissing and popping.) Max LP is a new turntable that makes it easy to enjoy your records and
power pla y
convert them to digital music files on your computer. Built-in stereo speakers provide playback without an external amplifier. Max LP features a rich wood finish, dust cover, and a 1/8-inch auxiliary input to connect and convert from other sources like a CD or cassette player. A headphone output and RCA outputs are included for private listening or connection to your home stereo. Connect Max LP to a Mac or PC computer using the included USB cable and software. Max LP works with 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM records.
CHEFJET PRINTER
3dsystems.com 3D printing sounds like a good idea until you see the process. Plastic goes in, melts, and comes out the other end in a different shape. Sure, that’s interesting, but is it delicious? ChefJet finally brings 3D printing into the kitchen, where it can do some good. Sugar goes in, melts, and comes out the other side as CANDY. Now that’s 3D printing I can appreciate! For about $5,000, the ChefJet printer can make sugar objects that are injected with a single colour. Flavour options so
far include chocolate, vanilla, mint, sour apple, cherry and watermelon. For about $10,000, the ChefJet Pro printer can make larger, more complicated sugar options, using multiple colours and flavours in each object. Next stop: 3D printing with bacon. The future is exciting and delicious.
WOOJER
get.woojer.com Woojer is a silent wearable “woofer” that transforms audio signals into harmonic vibrations. This matchbox-sized accessory promises to turn personal audio into a “multi-sensory experience” where you can literally “feel the sound” of music, movies, and video games. Connect your headset to Woojer and plug the Woojer audio cable into your device to augment the sound from any smart phone, tablet, gaming device, MP3 player or computer. There’s no need for downloads, software or updates—it’s plug and play. To increase the vibes, just add another device. Plug the first Woojer into your audio source then plug the second Woojer into the first one. “Clipped to the clothing along strategic meridian bodylines, the signal synergy convinces the brain that the whole body is exposed to high acoustic energy.” Whatever, dude. Plug in and feel the sound.
PHONESOAP CHARGER
phonesoap.com Your phone is filthy! That’s the basic marketing message from the makers of the PhoneSoap Charger. It’s not just the fingerprints on the screen and the lint from your pockets. No, it’s much worse than that. Your phone is as dirty as a public restroom, and you put it next to your face every day. Ew! Yuck! Fortunately for all of us, there’s PhoneSoap Charger—the first and only cell phone charger that promises to clean and sanitize your phone while it charges. Two powerful UV-C lights and a curved, reflective inner surface surround your phone with light to ensure the destruction of any unwelcome guests. Anything that fits inside the PhoneSoap light box can be sanitized. If it fits, it cleans. PhoneSoap Charger only takes four minutes per cycle, and a blue indicator on the front tells you when sanitizing is complete. If sunlight truly is the best disinfectant, PhoneSoap Charger is an effective solution for charging and cleaning at the same time.
Sandy McMurray writes about games, toys, and gadgets at funspot.ca
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what women want
What if it’s as easy as “Just be nice?” Invest in your marriage and do the little things well By Sheila Wray Gregoire
If you want a great marriage, you need a yearly romantic getaway. Or you need to find a big hobby to share. Or you need to cut out all media! These are all really important pieces of advice, but I’m starting to wonder if the key to a happy marriage is found in much smaller gestures. Maybe it’s simply in catching hold of what Jesus meant when He said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I don’t think Jesus said that only because He wanted us to be selfless. I think it’s also because how other people treat us partially determines the people we become. Never praise a child and they’ll become insecure and sullen or desperate and clingy. Treat a child well and they’ll grow up to be confident and capable. We understand that dynamic when it comes to small children; we’re not quite so sure it applies to adults. How others treat us can also play a part in who we grow to be. Life isn’t about each of us walking on our own roads, side by side, determining our own destiny. Life is more like a series of dances, where our roads crisscross as we cling to each other, and sometimes twist and turn as someone spins us in another direction. Let’s imagine two couples, the Smiths and the Browns, and see how this plays out. Both couples marry in their early 20s with stars in their eyes. They are sure love can get them through anything. Both couples struggle with money. Both couples have several babies in quick succession, and have to adjust to the new reality of sleepless nights, reflux, and constant laundry. But the Smiths and the Browns dance very differently. The Smiths entered marriage with expectations galore. Mr. Smith thought Mrs. Smith would cook
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everything and clean everything while occasionally flashing him some skin. Mrs. Smith thought Mr. Smith would be affectionate without wanting anything; would bring her flowers and gifts for no reason; and would quickly advance through the ranks at work. The Smiths were soon snapping at each other. “Why isn’t dinner ready yet? I’ve been at work all day!” “Why can’t you just stand up to your boss? It’s like you have no spine!” And the dance goes on. Now they’ve grown exasperated. Most of their conversations finish with deep sighs. Every now and then one tries an overture to make things better, but is rebuffed. The resentment grows. By the time the couple is in their senior years they can finish each other’s sentences, but most of those sentences are pointed jabs. They suffer from muscle and back pain from years of stress. They aren’t particularly close to their grandkids because everyone finds them a little prickly. Mrs. Brown, in contrast, just convinced Mr. Brown to shoot a video of her, at the age of 65, diving into the snow after a particularly thick and fluffy squall. It goes viral on Facebook, where they have hundreds of friends, including their grandkids, with whom they Skype every week. When the Browns were married, they focused on building each other up. Mrs. Brown would say to her husband, “you’re so great at your job, I know your boss will notice it! He’ll see what I see.” That made him feel 10 feet tall, and when he went into work he had confidence that others noticed. When she was exhausted, he had compassion. He’d say, “You can’t keep the house perfectly with little kids.
Give yourself a break. I’m so glad I have you to come home to, no matter what the house looks like.” That made her relax, which in turn gave her patience with the babies. As the Browns encouraged each other in small ways, they found the rest of their lives were more productive, more purposeful, and more successful. They could give their emotional energy to others, instead of fretting and brooding on hurts. And their lives grew bigger, and more joyful, and even more intimate. Success in marriage is less about doing the big things as it is about doing the little things, consistently, day after day. A kind word, a smile, a gesture, lets you know you’re not alone. And that calms you so that you can tackle the next big thing. We understand the concept of investing when it comes to money. Invest money strategically, and over time it accrues great dividends. Kindness is like that, too. Be kind at key moments, and you’re making a deposit where interest will be compounded. Make marriage a place where you strategically invest. When you’re in your senior years, who would you rather be married to: that adventurous grandma who plunges into the snow to share a laugh, or that bitter woman with a list of things that didn’t go her way? If you want to be married to the fun grandma, then it’s time to invest in your wife now. Say kind things. Don’t criticize or pick at her. Smile lots. Then lather, rinse, repeat. Over time you will have created a brand new marriage. Sheila is the author of The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex and 31 Days to Great Sex. Find them at SheilaWrayGregoire.com, or your local Christian bookstore.
Equip your men to follow Jesus in the workplace.
A Workshop from promise keepers Canada
Learn how you can host a workshop at your church. Visit promisekeepers.ca to get started.
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