lay christian leadership

As Christians our ability to connect theology and faith with the daily practice of discipleship in the world is a continual call to action and reflection. It is also a continual struggle. Bonnie Miller-McLemore refers to this practical theological endeavor as “lived theology and lived faith, a movement that extends beyond interests in rituals and practices to questions and actions that demonstrate how knowing and loving the divine manifests itself in everyday life.” ¹ Our inability to make the practical leap from religious concepts to daily practice may not be due to lack effort or intention but rather an inadequate understanding of what the practice entails. This is made more difficult by a lack of formative resources that enable us to connect the relevance of theology and theological-based practices with specific aspects of daily life.

The Episcopal Church defines Christian formation as “the lifelong process of growing in our relationship with God, self, others, and all creation… The challenge we face is recognizing these opportunities and learning ways to live a sometimes counter cultural life in a secular world.” ² In order to achieve this formation must include a practical theology that identifies particular situations in which the practices of religious and secular lives can exist within an integrated framework – a seamless harmony – that brings each into the fullest expression of itself for the benefit of all involved. This is especially important in a culturally compartmentalized world that sees religion as a private and personal matter that is antagonistic to the priorities and values that society holds in esteem.

Nowhere is this lack of integration more prevalent than in the workplace, where the pressures for increasing revenue and profit establish a culture that is often in direct conflict with the very beliefs and practices we look to cultivate as practicing Christians. The world of business is defined and measured by consumerism, transactional relationships, self-interest, and short-term results. It contrasts with the culture of faith that lifts up the value of preservation, personhood, selflessness, and the slow process of formation that gives rise to transformation as a way of life. ³ In such an atmosphere, religion and religious practices are often perceived as antithetical to effective business practices associated with success. They are often perceived as mutually exclusive and viewed as unwelcome partners in the workplace.

However, if one chooses to look beyond this perception, one is apt to find three things. First, there is a community of business professionals who are hungry for tangible ways to live their Christian call within the confines of the workplace. Second, there exist clear similarities between specific religious theologies and secular business philosophies that move beyond basic compatibility into shared principles and practices. Third, the business world offers an array of opportunities in the areas of executive leadership, organizational and business development, conflict management, employee relations and customer satisfaction where an integrated approach would be of significant benefit.

It is from this place that the opportunity to connect two seemingly disparate approaches exists – one theological and the other philosophical. To that end, we find a suitable practical theology for living faith in workplace in pastoral theology and the shepherding perspective. We find its compliment in the secular philosophy and practice of servant leadership. Each dictates a way of thinking and way of being in relationship with the other that serves both the practical needs for growth and vitality that businesses require for their survival, as well as the practical needs for spiritual growth and vitality that are required by people of faith.

At their core, each promotes an overarching pastoral disposition of tender and solicitous care that places servanthood and soul care as their ultimate concern in positively impacting the higher good of all involved.

References

1. Miller-McLemore, Bonnie, 2010, “Practical Theology”, Encyclopedia of Religion in America. Edited by Lippy, Charles H., Williams Peter W., (CQ Press Washington, D.C. 2010).
2. The Episcopal Church, “Adult Formation & Lifelong Learning”,     http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/adult-formation-lifelong-learning (accessed August 18, 2015).
3. Brueggemann, Walter, 2008, “Countering Pharaoh’s Production-Consumption Society”, Living The Questions, Phoenix, AZ:  Living The Questions DVD lecture series.

 

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