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God at Work

Written by David Batstone

Prepare yourself for a shocking expose: Scores of your colleagues are bringing God to work every day.

That idea might scare some of you given how polarized religion has become in our time. Fear not. The vast majority of spiritual seekers are not out to convert or condemn you. Some of your colleagues are looking to God for wisdom, others turn to God for comfort or courage, and yet others find God in the connections they make with others. The fascinating element here, of course, is that God takes on many different faces. Put more familiarly, God has many names.

Individuals who follow a spiritual path consider their work a vocation, a calling to find personal meaning and make a contribution to the common good. Such an attitude enhances the work environment. Yes, they get sidetracked by the allure of material gain and the elevated status of a career, or even the mundane petty jealousies that arise from competition. The true spiritual seeker treats these pursuits as detours, or maybe even way stations, on a journey that passes to distant destinations.

Spiritual seekers aim to bridge the values of their private lives to the values of the workplace.The society of organizations metes out rewards for those people driven by competition and acquisition. Is it any wonder that the deeply spiritual values of compassion, contribution, and cooperation struggle to find roots in the workplace? We are asked to leave so much of ourselves behind at the door when we come to work.

A feature in The New York Times this past week (3/17/06) tracks a surprising trend: An increasing number of individuals are attending theological seminary as a training camp to prepare for their vocational journey. They view theology and ethics as a solid foundation for jobs in business, health care, social work, journalism - you name it, the range is wide. Only half of those completing a Masters in Divinity now join the clergy, according to data cited in the story, down 10 to 15 percentage points in the last five years alone.

I guess I should come clean and reveal that I graduated with a Masters of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion, then later went on to complete a Ph.D. at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. My education profoundly shaped the way I approach financial markets even though I rarely make use of religious language today in my business practice. The concepts of reconciliation and renewal, for instance, find constant application in my work. I believe that revelation is not something seen once upon a time; it opens our eyes to see every day. It is not something only heard; it gives us ears to hear. It is not words spoke merely by a prophet long ago; it gives us a message to speak.

Speaking the truth in an organization often requires spiritual fortitude. A devoted reader of the WAG, Joe Carson, was featured last year in the Washington Times along with several other "whistle blowers" in an article entitled, "Religion Helps Workers Speak Up." Joe is a nuclear safety engineer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. He unashamedly claims that his religious faith compelled him to blow the whistle 19 times since 1990 on public-safety hazards at the Department of Energy, which is the guardian of the nation's nuclear stockpile. "Whistleblowers are thinking of what's good for others, not just looking out for number one," Joe told the Washington Times.

Too much of God-talk around the world has been taken captive by individuals who seek to sanctify their hate and bigotry. The response to bad religion, however, should not be a retreat into soulless materialism. Deep in our being we look to bring together what has been torn apart. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a remarkable writer who illuminated thought in the 20th century expresses our quest:

"There is almost a sensual longing for communion with others who have a large vision. The immense fulfillment of the friendship between those engaged in furthering the evolution of consciousness has a quality impossible to describe."

May we all find the courage and vision to bring this consciousness to our work.

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Marilyn - My knee jerk reaction to "God

2006-03-22 00:29:57
AS a gay woman, I have an almost physical recoil when I read or hear someone talking about God. The "Christian Right" has created a permanent negative image of religion for me. I am sick to death of these self appointed zealots telling me how to to live. I am sick to death of the positive press they get because the press and public is scared of them and their hatred. Although intellectually I know there are "good" Christians, it's difficult to actually believe that. Why aren't so called Christians protesting the war as they did during the 1960's? Killing Muslims is okay now that killing queers is not tolerated anymore? I am disgusted with religion in this country. We are in the grip of the American Taliban. These zealots are the cut from the same fabric as the zealot Muslims. And would love to force us all to their bidding if they could. Don't talk to me of God- my worst nightmare is working with someone who brings God to work. Spare me.

hterrya - Calling "tortoise" a turtle

2006-03-22 01:25:22
David Batstone, why are you so hesitant to call "a retreat into soulless materialism" what it really is: the love of money? Perhaps it is because much of today's global coporate enterprise is built on the love of money. That means that working for that enterprise makes you a slave of the love of money. Slaves can love Jesus too, but at some point, they will have to choose Him over the whole point of the corporation's existence. That is not a comforting thought.

As to Marilyn's post about her worst nightmare being "working with someone who brings God to work." I have a worse nightmare for her than that. When she attends rallies protesting the war or the death penalty, or demonstrating for peace or for the rights of homosexuals to live their lives with the same freedoms that heterosexuals in this country enjoy (including the right to marry), she may have been standing right next to someone who brought Jesus to the rally. I've attended a lot of those rallies, and Jesus has been right there with me. Horror of Horrors!

Dr. Jan Willem Kirpestein - TransDeep spiritual values can

2006-03-22 03:43:23
David, your comment that the response to bad religion should not be a retreat into soulless materialism, inspired me to bring in the following thoughts. The gap between religion and daily worklife has to do with a comptetition between different ways of conceptual thinking. Religious fundamentalism is as conceptual as the denial of the significance of spirituality and revelation for life. Fundamentalism and its worldly antogonist are tapping from a same source. They are creating there own conceptual worlds which are competing. Others feel intuitively inside that religion and revelation has more to do with the nourishment of personal and work life by deep natural wisdom than with a conceptual battle. Concepts will help to clarify a ethical way of life, but are not able to replace this way of life. Relational knowing cannot be expressed exactly in conceptual thinking. Good and pure relationship has always its mystery, but is experienced. It is knowing by trust by experiencing integrity, humbleness, compassion, strength.
In Hebrew and Christian thinking forgiveness, reconciliation means to restore connection. Sin means missing ones goal.People who are related again, and conscious of their deep human values, are not passing over and over as ships in the night.
This wisdom is universal and is applicable into worklife in order to improve cooperation and concerted action and natural leadership. To preserve our earth for our children we sorely need cooperation, more than competition. The Hebrew verb which we translate with 'to sin' means literally; to miss ones goal.Sin is in its kernel not about the transgression of rules, for which you can be sued, but about the transgression of the natural bounderies of life. When the rules are torn apart from the sources of wisdom, in personal as well as in public life, they created a rule based behaviour which gives room for hypocrisy. I didn't transgress the rule is not the answer for decent behaviour or good corporate life or leadership. The question is: What can I do to create a great company fór the world and not only ín the world How can I become a cocreator who can look back on his activities and who can say: it is good, it is whole, it served everybody.
What attitude serves life? What attitude creates sustainable relationships and value based networks and products? These questions which are corporate questions are religious in their core. Religion however is no goal in itself. The challenge is to know to discern whether religion fosters the wisdom which improves life, economically, ecologically and in civil society.

Wade Hudson - Looking for Deep Communities

2006-03-22 09:14:47
"God at Work" is an excellent piece. I especially loved the Teilhard de Chardin quote. I also believe that engaging in political action together can deepen those bonds of group solidarity. Along this line, I'm circulating a questionnaire as a way to learn more about communities that consciously agree to both nurture personal growth and regularly engage in political action. This project is explained in an article, "Looking for Supportive, Progressive, Activist Communities" at: http://progressiveresourcecatalog.org/index.php/Communities/Article1
I'd appreciate folks spreading the word about this project.
Thanks,
Wade Hudson

Steve - God is at Work

2006-03-22 09:23:47
First of all on bahalf of all "good" Christians I'd like to apologize to Marilyn or any other homosexual person that has been ostracized by people professing to be Christian. There is no doubt the Bible clearly speaks out against homosexuality, but it also speaks out against lying, adultry, stealing, worrying, unforgiveness and many other acts we all commit in some form or fashion daily. That's why we need a savior to help ALL of us work through the many issues we all have. There's no difference between someone sleeping with a person of the same sex and someone sleeping with a person fo the opposite sex out of wedlock. At the end of the day their both frowned upon by God since they both violate a basic Biblical principle; marriage between a male and a female. So I said all of that to say religion or a belief in Christ isn't the issue for Marilyn or anyone else that has the same beliefs she does; it's the ignorance of Bible toting believers that equate sinful acts with salvation and they are not one in the same. Faith in God provides us with an avenue whereby we can identify areas of need, work on getting through the areas, and getting to a place of healing and/or deliverance in many areas of our lives. Whether it's substance use, unforgiveness, stealing, or being promiscuous, we all need help on some area or another. This is why it is so important that we put our faith in a God that truly cares about us and the things we do. For me, a sinner in many ways, I have to bring God to work, play, family and anywhere else I go in order to stay focused and have the strength to resist my carnal instincts. Solomon didn't ask for a promotion, money or power, he asked for wisdom. It's tapping into to the wisdom of God, the compassion of God, and the strategies of God (yes strategies, read Joshua and you'll see God providing strategies) that help those of us that need it to get through the days, weeks and months. There's nothing wrong with saying a little prayer before a meeting, or asking the Lord for a strategy on a new project, or seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit on how to deal with an employee. While I don't agree with openly trying to convert people to your faith in the workplace, there's nothing wrong with walking out your faith in all aspects of your job or family life. It's actually a wise thing to bring God into your job especially since no job is secure these days.

David Yorka - Meaning and vocation

2006-03-22 09:44:47
I always appreciate good writing on this topic. I believe that each of us bring god with us everywhere.

It is sad that religious practice based on fear limits the capacity for community —I am interested in the difference in religious faith and faith.

The world is starving for more meaning and uncovering one’s Vocational Idenitity is critical ito one’s personal evolution.

COURAGE & VISION jumped out of your post. What am I/we willing to do to have a life based on these concepts?

Nancy - God at Work

2006-03-22 09:46:30
When I first read David's article, I thought I would reply to the blog. Then I read the other blogs and had second thoughts. Oh well, here I go.

First of all, as a Christian, how can I NOT bring God to work? God is a part of who I am. Do I talk about God at work? Have I tried to convert any one? I rarely talk about God at work -- but I'm not ashamed to. Most people who know me know that I am a Christian by the way I conduct myself -- not because I preach.

It was actually Marilyn's blog that made me reconsider and decide to respond in my non-intellectual, non-theoretical reply.

Marilyn, first of all, I also abhore the hate-filled rheteric from members of the so called Christian right. I could almost understand how you could paint all Christians with the same brush. But you of all people should know better. Should the straight community paint all gays with the same stereotype brush? I think not.

For the record, I am a middle aged, white married Sunday school teacher. I am a lifelong Republican who is repulsed by BOTH political parties because I think most of our politicians are self-serving and don't put the rest of us ahead of their own agendas. I support gay adoptions and gay marriages. I am a mother who sends her only beloved daughter to a private school where she is in a distinct racial minority. I am pro-life but support Roe vs Wade and support the morning after pill. I have never used ANY illegal drugs (even in college!) but believe that medicinal marihuana should be legal. I support US efforts in Iraq -- but think George Bush is in way over his head.

What category would you put me in, Marilyn? I can't imagine!

Lorraine - God at Work

2006-03-22 11:07:40
Having read all comments, the last one reminded me of a time when a major magazine was asking questions of Christians. How one answered the questions determined the label one was to wear. After answering all the questions I discovered that I was a liberal, conservative, radical, fundamentalist Christian. Interesting. Blessing Marilyn and if you are a praying person, please pray for our little congregation on the westcoast of Canada as we seek to discern whether will we, as a community of faith, perform same sex marriages.

David Kimball - Compassion from those who do N

2006-03-22 11:54:41
I do not believe in God, but I feel that my values are in line with many who do. I have found that belief and values are seldome a cause and effect. We often justify our values by our beliefs, but many of us hold those same values without those beliefs. I am a humanist who values people and feel that I have a responsibility to promote and develop that which makes up my humanity as well as others. "Soulless materialism" is not the only option to answering god's calling.

David Batstone - God-talk, bridges & walls

2006-03-22 13:27:22
Wow...appreciate folks speaking their minds! I knew it would be impossible to step completely above the fray of religious controversy. Marilyn certainly has good reason to flinch when someone starts talking about God. Yet how can you not be fascinated by Nancy's response - she breaks stereotypes left and right (take that metaphor on lots of levels). I did not give God a name in my piece. But it would be to our detriment to let spiritual language and practice to be owned and manipulated by the kind of people Marilyn fears. Spirituality brings good things to life, and should build bridges. When it builds walls, it should be suspect - like the prison guard who calls himself a liberator.

David Batstone - Cardinal walks the talk

2006-03-22 13:31:03
Roger Mahoney, the cardinal archbishop of the Catholic church in Los Angeles, offers a terrific example of authentic spirituality at work in his op-ed piece in today's (03/22/06) New York Times. Titled "Called by God to Help," Mahoney clearly expresses that even if the U.S. Congress passes a law that criminalizes the act of providing assistance to illegal immigrants, he will instruct his parishoners to break the law out of compassion. It's worth a read.

Mike Kirsch - West to East shift needed

2006-03-22 14:11:04
There is a third alternative to accepting "bad religion" or retreat into "soulless materialsism." If you haven't yet done so, take a look at The End
of Faith, by Sam Harris. His essential conclusion is that humans need to
jettison Western God-based philosophies in favor of non-deistic Eastern-based belief systems. In other words, we need to find meaning for our lives by looking within oursleves, rather than looking to a Deity. He feels that it is the "my God is righter than your God" paradigm that has created much of the conflict in the world. It makes sense to me.

Jan Willem Kirpestein - A theological reflection on wo

2006-03-22 14:48:06
Inspiring article!

Your comment that the response to bad religion should not be a retreat into soulless materialism inspired me to bring in the following thoughts. The gap between religion and daily worklife has to do with a comptetition between different ways of conceptual thinking. Religious fundamentalism is as conceptual as the denial of the significance of spirituality and revelation for life. Fundamentalism and its worldly antogonists are tapping from the same source. They are creating their own conceptual worlds which are competing. Others feel intuitively inside that religion and revelation have more to do with the nourishment of personal and work life by deep natural wisdom than with a conceptual battle. Concepts will help to clarify a ethical way of life, but are not able to replace this way of life. Relational knowing cannot be expressed exactly in conceptual thinking. Good and pure relationships always have their mystery, but they are experienced. It is knowing by trust, by
experiencing integrity, humbleness, compassion, strength.

In Hebrew and Christian thinking forgiveness, reconciliation means to restore
connection. Sin means missing one's goal. People who are related again, and conscious of their deep human values, are not passing over and over as ships in the night.

This wisdom is universal and is applicable into worklife in order to improve cooperation and concerted action and natural leadership. To preserve our
earth for our children we sorely need cooperation, more than competition.
The Hebrew verb which we translate with 'to sin' means literally; to miss one's goal. Sin is in its kernel not about the transgression of rules, for which
you can be sued, but about the transgression of the natural bounderies of life. When the rules are torn apart from the sources of wisdom, in personal as well as in public life, they created a rule based behaviour which gives room for hypocrisy. I didn't transgress the rule is not the answer for decent
behaviour or good corporate life or leadership. The question is: What
can I do to create a great company for the world - and not only the world? How can I become a co-creator who can look back on his activities and who can say: "It is good, it is whole, it served everybody?
What attitude serves life? What attitude creates sustainable relationships and value based networks and products? These questions which are corporate are also religious in their core. Religion however is no goal in itself. The challenge is to know to discern whether religion fosters the wisdom
which improves life, economically, ecologically and in civil society.

Martha - Terrific article

2006-03-22 20:35:48
I truly enjoyed this article and have shared it with others at work and friends - all of whom I know try very hard to bridge their beliefs - Christian and Jewish - in the workplace. Opportunities present themselves on occasion where we have the chance to reveal what we believe and how it has affected how we work and it usually strengthens us to continue to "do good" in the workplace. Or least is keeps today's stresses at bay.

Jo - Work as Vocation

2006-03-23 15:14:56
My decision to get an M.Div at Union Theological Seminary in the early 90's is the best decision I have ever made.
Like David, much of what I do and how I reflect is informed by that experience, too.

Toby Joplin - People of faith...

2006-03-23 17:45:23
If one is a person of faith, how do you not bring God to work? It seems unnatural to compartmentize our lives in such a way that our faith is not apparent in us at all times. Certainly there is a difference between in-your-face-shoving-it down-others-throats-evangelism and simply living our faith. Rather if we truly are people of faith, our actions will speak loudly enough. St Francis of Asssi said, “Preach the Gospel always and if necessary use words.” That seems like pretty good advice for taking God to work.

Jerrome - Honest question

2006-03-23 17:46:27
What we seem to be saying here is that people can bring their values to work. Is that the same as bringing God? (I’m asking, not telling)

Randell - God at work

2006-03-27 03:35:33
Fascinating ! Thank you.
Almost all rings loud bells with me -except the basic premise !
Do you really bring God to work with you ? Is God not there already ??
Work is crucially important. It provides the goods and services we all need to live. That also seems central to what God is about - creating and re-creating, not just individuals but, well, all Creation.
That's why "compassion, contribution and cooperation" are values for economic life, corporate and individual.
For someone who acknowledges God (Allah, Yahweh, The Ground of our Being, or whatever route you take) is it not more a matter of our being alert to God's activity at work, so our own work takes on its true meaning as part of that activity? O.K., easier said than done. Ghandi said that when he was busy he meditated for two hours. When he was really busy he meditated for four hours ! I struggle to meditate for four minutes, so I guess that's not for all of us.
You must read"The Spirit at Work Phenomenon" You must read"The Spirit at Work Phenomenon"!
(Sue Howard and David Welbourn, pub.(2004) by Azure, 1 Marylebone Road, London NW1 4DU, U.K. Book no. ISBN 1-902694-29-5). It is one of the best expositions on work and spirituality available - wherever you are coming from.Is God not there already ??

Marilyn - The Bible and Homosexuality

2006-03-27 09:06:24
Steve writes:"There is no doubt the Bible clearly speaks out against homosexuality, but it also speaks out against lying, adultry, stealing, worrying, unforgiveness and many other acts we all commit in some form or fashion daily. That's why we need a savior to help ALL of us work through the many issues we all have. "

Steve, doesn't the Bible also have 27 or so clear comments about how Blacks should be slaves and are inferior to whites- far more than the "abomination" about gays? How do you support equal rights for Blacks and ignore the Bible's writings?

The Southern Baptist Conference apologized to the NAACP a few years back for using the Bible to justify segragation. Will they be apologizing to me soon?

Dave - RSS is down

2006-03-28 09:01:49
Somehow your RSS feed has been restricted. There is no feed, just a message saying that I need to be logged in to view this resource.

Site admin - RSS is back

2006-03-28 10:46:16
Oops--that was my fault. We changed some settings on the server and inadvertently turned off the RSS. It's back now. (Thanks for the tip).

Dana Franchitto - How far does spirituality reac

2006-03-28 16:06:23
I'm delighted that so many people are bringing God to work every day-that they aspire to imbue their work with spirituality...especially in corporate America. So please tell me, does that mean that workers will be allowed to organize peacefully, not to antagonize but simply to have a voice in their workplace and have some bargining power? Or that CEOs feel that the wrokers under them are entitled to a liveable wage and job security?
Furthermore, will spirituality in the workplace mean that large companies will comply with-and not attempt to undermine - laws that protect workers and the environment? Not outsource to sweatshops?
Finally will that also mean that companies will be willingly liable for any defects in the products they make instead of
pushing for so-called "tort reform"?
Let us hope that God makes a difference n th corporate environment.

Anonymous - No title

2006-03-29 02:06:46
Individuals (and they are few and far between) may bring godly values to the world marketplace. But the fact remains that the new global market is saturated with soulless materialism, not spiritual enlightenment. Where is the evidence in that godless global market of "a sensual longing for communion with others who have a large vision" or "the friendship between those engaged in furthering the evolution of consciousness"?

Peter Hawxhurst - Faith motivates my service

2006-03-29 06:56:27
I believe that our humanity is a gift from others; by encouraging another to attain her/his dignity we both become more human.

lisa - living with spirituality

2006-03-29 16:13:36
i've found it very interesting trying to keep my spiritual values in line with making a living. i was raised presbyterian (in southern california) and as an adult, have chosen not to follow that direction. i find that buddhism works best for the way i think and the way i'd like to be in this world.

when i speak with my christian friends, i feel as tho the word "religion", or the sects of christianity, divide us rather than unify our efforts. i don't think that's what god had in mind. why do we create so many fractions?

i believe there are others out there, like myself, that are trying for spiritual enlightenment and growth every day. we question, how do i come from a place of compassion and sharing with this very difficult and negative person or situation? if i let the source (light, spirit, highest good for all) just come through me, i have grown through that experience. i am given experiences every day in working with others that give me the opportunity to be my spiritual self. why would i be presented with these opportunitites from the universe if i were not meant to grow, or whomever i interact with is meant to learn something new?

i wish we could find each other and create a spiritually enlightening business that lives with spiritual values that guide us to working on this planet for it's highest good...are you out there?

PR (UK) - Faith and Religion

2006-03-30 06:12:26
Religion is man's way of getting to God - it's full of rules about what you can and can't do, who can and who can't, who is important and who isn't.
Faith is God's way of getting to man. It's full of love, acceptance, discipline, guidance and relationship.

As a Christian I believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. His way was to meet others where they are at without judgement but with compassion; his Truth is that we are made in God's image and expressions of his love; and his Life is that he was prepared to die on the cross in order that we might enjoy relationship with Him. Bringing a message of love and reconciliation into an environment where there is currently suspicion and insecurity can, and does, help.

David Engdahl - What hath religion come to?

2006-03-31 14:22:19
It seems to me that religion in the public forum has become just that, nothing personal about it, just a platform for reform and a responding "deafness".

I recommend taking a look: http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=21871

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