Description
In This Issue…
Power and Influence in Responsible Leadership is the Faith in Business theme which will dominate the next few months. It is reflected in our opening and closing articles. Jerry Marshall draws some amusing but astute pearls of wisdom from the stories of Winnie-the-Pooh, while Peter Heslam outlines a biblical understanding of power and notes how a younger generation strive to make an impact through influence rather than management.
Two businesspeople tell the stories of their working lives and how faith has influenced them. Commercial solicitor Peter Crossley commends mediation as an alternative approach to resolving disputes, and shows how Jesus’ model of servant leadership is relevant to business thinking and practice. Angus Douglas describes his transition from working as a chartered surveyor in the UK to running (and rebuilding) a mission school in Nepal. His story illustrates God’s faithful provision and the value of a relational approach in sorting out problems with sub-contractors.
Annika Greco Thompson draws inspiration from the biblical principle of Jubilee. She shows how Elijah, Elisha and Jesus all encountered people facing profound scarcity, but acts of generosity rooted in faith released amazing resources. She cites modern examples of Christian employers doing something similar. Katie Conley offers a summary of her direct and practical book God’s Grace for your Career, the acronym GRACE (Gifts, Relationships, Abilities, Curiosities and Experience) providing a framework for self-evaluation which can inform your career choices.
Brad Askew introduces Spring, a new and exciting initiative in the city of Bristol, where he has brought together large numbers of Christian entrepreneurs for mutual support, challenge and encouragement. Phil Jump offers a critical comment on the Mayfield Report Keep Britain Working, suggesting an approach to the question ‘Why Work?’ which draws more on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.
Finally, two of the editors review books that they have read recently. Richard Higginson finds many examples of faith -inspired work in Tom Levitt’s The Business of History: Tales and Lessons from Two Centuries of British Commerce, while Kim Sawers is equally stimulated by Living with Purpose in a Polarizing World: Guidance from Biblical Narratives.
We live in a world that feels dark in many ways. For some that includes the sphere of business: times are hard. But this is the season when we rejoice that the light of the world still shines. We wish all our readers a happy Christmas and an abundant New Year.
The Editors
