The Pastoral Role of the Business Manager

The Pastoral Role of the Business Manager

Introduction-

I minister (or serve) people mostly in the context of their job. I do this in many different ways. But mostly, in whatever I do, I seek to help people to integrate their faith into their employment. I'm not just talking about ethics, or standing up for your faith at work, or evangelizing at work, or talking about God at work, or submitting to Him at work. It's about ALL of that and more. What I try to do is help people to see that God wants dominion or (lordship) over their WHOLE life and that work is no exception. To most people work represents 45-55%[1] of their awake time each week. Work for lots of people is the one place they EXCLUDE God. After all, they say, “I have to make a living” or “You don’t understand Jeff, this is Business.” They compartmentalize it, carving out a NO-GOD zone. As an Entreprenuer friend of mine says, “ We let Jesus ride on the bus, but we don’t let him drive.”

The Business Owner\Executive is placed in a position of authority. A great many people with authority in organizations, and I include some Pastors, look at their jobs as THEIRS. To these people, their work is the last bastion of control, a place where they rule, most times benevolently, but rule none-the-less. This is very significant, because those to whom God has given authority HE has given “legal right” as from a KING. The word in Greek that is translated authority is the word “exousia”. It comes from two words, ek-out from, and ousia= a participle form of TO BE, or being. So when they spoke of Jesus: Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes, they were talking about where his words came from, from the great I AM. So if you are in “authority” you have been placed there by God, to do something “to author” something from HIM.

In addition, to be in authority is different for those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus: "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. LK 22:25,26

So being “in authority” is not as the world views being in authority. It is a way of “provision”, of giving those being served what they NEED. These needs in the workplace are things like: knowledge, opportunity, autonomy, responsibility, accountability, belonging, appreciation, expectations, standards, consistency, and many many more.

Who is God? Who am I?

These two key questions are appropriate questions to ask in every role in which we find ourselves , ie: in ALL of life. Whether in Political Office, Parenting, Business Management, Ministry, Teaching, in whatsoever your hands have been given to do, these questions form the basis for accurately defining our purpose and our tasks in a position of leadership, be it in a secular or spiritual capacity. Regardless of the riole, we are given a trust, a stewardship. We are after all, managing and leading people. They are not "things" or employees, i.e.: the thing employed or used. We may as well call them "USEE'S" if that were true. These are people we serve, not voters or students (lifeless lumps),or “laity”.

As leaders of people we must ask these two key questions as part of the understanding of the Pastoral Role of the Business Manager. Once we start to answer them, we start to "know God" and ourselves, and we can then fit that understanding into what God has given us authority (legal right to author on HIS behalf) to do.

As business managers, we must ask ourselves some important questions about the nature of God, about who or what God is. Questions like: Is God omniscient ? Does he truly know what is right for all people? Does he have a “purpose” for my business? Does he care about the principles upon which I base my decisions?

Where do we get the wisdom that we constantly ask for? (I hear business people ask for this one thing more than any other.) Whom else should be consulted regarding these big deals, and market opportunities?; How do we decide whether we should downsize or “ride it out”, and who should be hired or laid off? Is God Omni-present? Can we find him at work? Does he care about what we do as leaders of others? Is he present in the Oval Office? Whom do we follow at work as leaders, ourselves or our God? Is Jer 17:5-10 truth or not? All these questions establish a framework for the role of the business manager.

And most importantly we ask: does he have a plan for each of us? We know he wants us all to become MATURE, complete, fully who he created us to become. Is this plan of “maturity” in effect at work?

Who AM I ?

Each person who works, who professes faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior is a child of God. But so is each one who does not profess this faith. Were not all people made in HIS image? Doesn’t God so LOVE the world? If all people are created in God’s image, then it is safe to assume that even the unsaved at work are made that way as well. Does God only have a plan for the saved person’s life? Are not all people created by God to do good works?[2] Sometimes God uses the revelation of that plan to attract people to HIM. Do you as the leader look for and recognize that plan by pointing out the divine intervention HE makes in their lives? Do you point out their natural giftedness and talents as evidence of God in their life? (Where did it come from?)

So if someone is given a place of authority in an organization, those he\she leads, are to be led into God’s plan for their lives, as it pertains to their job. The examples of God meeting people within the context of their work begins with Adam and Eve in the garden. [3] It was their “job” to tend the garden, and it was within that context that God would meet them, and in which they were tempted and fell. Also , God came to Cain and Abel after they had offered up a portion of what their work had produced. [4] Does God involve himself in our work today?

So if a Business Manager leads an unsaved person into God’s plan for their life, what might be the outcome? And the word God need not even be mentioned until an appropriate time. For the evidence of a changed life, contains the power of conversion.

MORE IS EXPECTED

As to those who already are believers, more is expected. A believing business leader must instruct those already believing not only in the fulfillment of their own gifts and talents, but also in the obligation they have to be examples of God’s workmanship. (EPH 2:10). And don’t forget the axiom: to whom much is given, much is required. Luke 12:48

Pastoral Role vs Pastoral Office

Pastoral Office

We see in Ephesians Chapter 4 that the Lord has given some to be Pastors and Teachers. These are people called, in a primary way, to emphasize the spiritual growth and the care of those placed within the church gathering or body. It is a high office of servanthood. Those called to this office are gifted and blessed with special talents and abilities to bring God’s people and the Body of Christ into maturity and completeness.

Pastoral Role

2 Tim 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Just as Paul writes here to Timothy, I believe it is also possible and quite likely that we are to do the “work of pastoring” when given that place or opportunity. The work of the Pastor, or the function of Pastor is part of many relationships we are involved in, especially in light of the intent of EPH 4.ie: equipping people for works of service towards their maturity.

1. Parent- Child

2. Teacher- Student

3. Manager-Subordinate

In each of the above situations, are we not called to “pastor” those involved? To equip and train them to fulfill themselves in some way? Each one of these relationships takes on the “semblance” of pastoring, because the work of pastoring is being done.

Work is Life-----Life is Work

Now it is true that we are in a business. That is, we are engaged in commerce, the offering of a good or service for sale and subsequent profit. Profit as such, is the outcome or produce of our efforts if you will, and therein lies the key. For the sales and subsequent profit produced by an enterprise to be at all "Godly" they must be looked upon as the outcome or "produce" of work done well vs. the pursuit of profit for its own sake or for self gratification. (Don’t forget Paul called greed-idolatry). [5]Sales and profit in business are evidence of the equipping of the people of that organization, and should be measured against that equipping. Done in this way profit becomes a by-product from helping people to grow. As it is written. Gal 6:9,10 Let us not become weary in doing well , for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

These verses are in the midst of words to the Galations, that are as equally "practical as they are spiritual". As such they are meant to be lived in that manner, in all parts of life. So by them it is evident that God in relationship to our work, is just as interested that we live "rightly" there at work, as he is "at church". (Are we not the church ALL the time?)

Not a compartmentalized life.

How many times has it been said, “You don’t understand, this is business.” There is great desire on the part of some to carve out a section of life and make it a “fiefdom” or little kingdom, where they and only they rule. It is idolatrous to say the least. Those of us in leadership within organizations have the opportunity to walk in the humble truth that God alone places people in positions of authority. To see this authority as a “trust” is hard for some. Rom 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Richard Exley wrote in “The Rhythm of Life- putting life’s priorities in perspective”. He cites four integrated parts to a full and complete life: WORK, REST, WORSHIP AND PLAY.In the section on work he writes: “The second tenet then in our theology of work is: All work is sacred when the worker is in right relationship with the Creator. And the joy of work is its own reward.” The manager’s pastoral function then is to help his\her subordinates to work in right relationship with their Creator, integrating work and faith properly.

The Spiritual Formation of the one Managing.

Stephen Covey in “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “Principle Centered Leadership” has undertaken the task that I am pursuing. Mr. Covey, although not a main stream Christian, has done excellent work in the integration of faith, values and work, especially from a leadership perspective. So much so that his work is required reading at colleges and seminaries in this company. The reason for his effect on the subject of leadership is that he convincingly makes the case that leadership and the principles involved, transcend any position or title, and move towards those important tenets that DEVELOP (or edify)) PEOPLE . Of course his belief is that any development that occurs within a certain context, i.e.: work, will for the most part be APPLIED in that context. Therein lies the relevance of his habit #4- Think Win-Win.

It is because Mr. Covey’s work deals with the person of the manager that it is so successful in my opinion. In fact he does to his readers what he asks them to do for their subordinates.

The Consummate Leader

Regardless of the position, or title, if you want to know the consummate leader you have but only one place to look....The Gospels.

Jesus, is given by God as both the perfect follower and the perfect leader at one and the same time. As the perfect leader practices a single, simple, powerful principle: He discerns what people need to grow, and provides it.

Time and again he would explain what he wanted his followers to know; to this he would provide a demonstration of his teaching through an act of healing or wonder or sign; to this he would ad an illustration via parable. All the while he would vary his style or presentation to “fit” the people he was trying to reach.To the leper he gave compassion and healing. To the Pharisees he was confrontative and combative. To each he was what they needed him to be, in order for them to walk out their maturity. In short he had the ability to meet people where they were, intellectually, spiritually, cognitively or emotionally.

You might say, “But he was God. You don’t expect that of me?”

I say, I don’t expect it , God does. John 14:12-14 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Now, does this mean we can perform the signs and miracles also? I believe that if we need them, we will have them. But it is a big IF. The vast majority of the time, we have what we need to lead the ones we lead, especially within the context of work. But don’t lose sight of the fact that EQUIPPING people for works of service (or better said: service’s work) is the task of leadership in ALL parts of life.For life includes work, and work is part of life. There are no boundaries except those we impose.

The concept of "first follower" or Follow me as I follow Christ.

More than anything else, the example of the Leader is the template for the people of the organization. To the degree that example is authentic, and not “manufactured” it is most powerful. The main evidence for leadership, is followership. Leaders in all walks of life, have the burden of example, the most important of which are honesty i.e.: say what you truthfully think, and intergrity ie: what is said is what is done.

PSEUDO (counterfeit)-LEADERSHIP is the illusion or packaging of perfection. It is a pretense. I have found that people respond at a gut level, to the reality of the organization. If the Pastor or Parent, or Teacher, or Manager exemplifies, and demonstrates the qualities needed for growth, then by and large the people in the organization will also. By that I don’t mean be perfect so they will be perfect. I mean for example, that if you want your people to own up to their mistakes, own up to yours.

What is the outcome of the Manager as “Pastor”?

Effective Ethics

The first benefit I will discuss is called Effective Ethics. That is, as people work and as they seek to do their work in concordance with the timeless values of God, there develops, naturally, a system of ethics that are extremely productive. In short, people end up doing the job well and RIGHT. So the need for a policy manual is diminished, and the workplace can be broken down into values and principles that endure and apply over all. For example if I as a Business Manager maintain and apply the principle imbedded in the Golden Rule, I will affect not only the people I impact with that principle, but the organization will maintain honest and fair relationships with the people (or “stakeholders”-a la Covey) it does business with ie: customers, vendors, government agencies, investors. As these values or principles are assimiliated a great many ethical questions are answered, AND excellence at work will be achieved.

Unity of the Faith

Another benefit to the manager and to the organization (company) is that there will be a unity, loyalty and synergy, that would be hardpressed to manufacture. Stephen Covey calls it the 6th Habit --Synergize.

It is the same idea expressed in EPH chapter 4: ........until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ........Eph 4:16 From him the whole body, (organisim) joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. When people are led to a place of maturity within the context of their job, and when this maturity is allowed to manifest fully, the need for leadership and therefore the manager diminishes. In fact the best definition of managing I have ever heard is: Managing is that which if you do it well, you don’t have to do it. So the CONTROL that so many strive for exists by the fact that work occurs, plans are executed, excellence achieved, without anyone “hovering” and GOD gets the glory.As people attain to a whole measure of fullness at work, excellence happens. So “team building” exercises are not necessary, as well as “diversity training”, and “outward bound experiences”. Work becomes a JOYful place. A place where, work worth doing is done right.

Bibliography

Your Work Matters to God by Doug Sherman and William Hendricks, Navpress

The Rhythm of Life by Richard Exley, Honor Press

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, Simon and Schuster

Principle Centered Leadership by Stephen Covey, Simon and Schuster

The Bible NIV

[1]this number assumes that people sleep 8 hours per days 7 days per week leaving 112 hours of awake time.

[2] EPH 2:10

[3]Gen 2:15

[4]Gen 4:3

[5]Col 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.