Work And Worship

The modern chasm between "secular" work and "sacred" worship has had a devastating impact on Western Christianity. Drawing on years of research, ministry, and leadership experience, Kaemingk and Willson explain why Sunday morning worship and Monday morning work desperately need to inform and impact one another. Together they engage in a rich biblical, theological, and historical exploration of the deep and life-giving connections between labor and liturgy. In so doing, Kaemingk and Willson offer new ways in which Christian communities can live seamless lives of work and worship.

Work. For some this word represents drudgery and the mundane. For others work is an idol to be served. If you find yourself anywhere on the spectrum from workaholic to weekend warrior, it’s time to bridge the gap between Sunday worship and Monday work. Striking a balance between theological depth and practical counsel, Tom Nelson outlines God’s purposes for work in a way that helps us to make the most of our vocation and to join God in his work in the world. Discover a new perspective on work that will transform your workday and make the majority of your waking hours matter, not only now, but for eternity.

“The Hebrew root word for ‘work’ is also the root word for ‘service’, particularly service to God in worship. By combining the two English words, ‘work’ and ‘worship’, I hope to challenge people to integrate their faith and work. Work does not just refer to what is done in paid employment. I believe God sees work as any purposeful activity requiring focus and effort. It could be housework, schoolwork, caring for children or parents, study, paid work, voluntary work, etc.” — Kara Martin In her book, Kara explores the biblical view of work, provides six spiritual disciplines to integrate faith and work, shares practical wisdom on how to make a difference in the workplace, and offers ideas to help churches better equip their congregations to live out their faith at work.

Can work really be worship? Should people of faith leave their faith at the door when they go to work? Or should they make their work an act of worship and turn their labor into a legacy that will impact the world today and for generations to come? Whether you're a rank-and-file employee, a corporate executive, or a business owner, you can leave an indelible imprint on the world through your work. In Work as Worship, author Jacquelyn Lynn and marketplace ministry expert Mark Goldstein talk about the challenges Christians face in the workplace and how to turn your particular workplace into a richly rewarding marketplace ministry that will let you serve in ways you never imagined. Praise for Work as Worship: Mark combines his faith, his marketplace ministry expertise, and his real-life formula for turning your business or career into a legacy. I highly recommend Work as Worship. Rich Panner, VP Sales, Pepsico Beverages North America Jacquelyn Lynn and Mark Goldstein take you on a journey of revelation, encouragement and practical hands-on insights that will move you to another level of understanding and fruitfulness. Peter Lowe, CEO, Elev8 Christian Business Summits In Work as Worship, Mark accomplishes in writing what he has done for years: help people like me to understand that work is what we do and not who we are, and that we are called to do our best and then rest. John Crossman, CCIM, CRX, Chief Executive Officer, Crossman Career Builders What a valuable read! Jacquelyn Lynn and Mark Goldstein do a tremendous job of providing practical thoughts for carrying Christianity into the work field. Dr. Samuel C. Certo, Emeritus Dean and Professor of Management, Rollins College MBA Program

Worship is the work of the people of God. Patterns of worship shape how we pray and how we live. Despite its centrality to church life, worship is too often taken for granted as something a congregation experiences rather than collectively creates. The Work of the People simply and clearly explains the structure of worship, the actions and words we use in liturgy, the environment in which it all happens--in other words, what we are doing and why. This book will guide congregations in worshiping in a way that encourages participants' spiritual growth, welcomes new participants into faith, and sends people out as the body of Christ to transform the world. Respectful of local custom and the traditions and practices of the Church as a whole, The Work of the People will help worship leaders make the best use of their congregation's resources and clarify their choices about how they will worship together. Built around a basic service--gathering, service of the Word, Eucharist, and sending--this book is both theological and practical, and encourages all worshipers' active participation in Spirit-led worship of the God of all Creation.

A new commentary for today's world, The Story of God Bible Commentary explains and illuminates each passage of Scripture in light of the Bible's grand story. The first commentary series to do so, SGBC offers a clear and compelling exposition of biblical texts, guiding everyday readers in how to creatively and faithfully live out the Bible in their own contexts. Its story-centric approach is ideal for pastors, students, Sunday school teachers, and laypeople alike. Each volume employs three main, easy-to-use sections designed to help readers live out God's story: LISTEN to the Story: Includes complete NIV text with references to other texts at work in each passage, encouraging the reader to hear it within the Bible's grand story. EXPLAIN the Story: Explores and illuminates each text as embedded in its canonical and historical setting. LIVE the Story: Reflects on how each text can be lived today and includes contemporary stories and illustrations to aid preachers, teachers, and students. —Ephesians— Like all of Paul's letters, Ephesians is centered in the gospel and its implications. It tells the story of what God has done in Christ and spells out the ethical implications of this story. But the letter to the Ephesians is unique among Paul's letters in many ways, including in how it tells of the story of God, beginning "before the creation of the world" and ending in eternity. Edited by Scot McKnight and Tremper Longman III, and written by a number of top-notch theologians, The Story of God Bible Commentary series will bring relevant, balanced, and clear-minded theological insight to any biblical education or ministry.

Most of us spend the greater part of our waking hours at work. This place we call work is where we live out our lives, putting in more time than any other place outside of our homes. The workplace is where we practice our skills, training, and expertise. And for the believer, it should also be where we're practicing our faith. This book is a call to every follower of Christ. You need to know how to make the most of your job and career not only by networking and development opportunities, but by directing every effort as worship to God. From the way you deal with your co-workers, supervisors and/or subordinates; to your job performance; to your professional and personal conduct - this book explains how to glorify God through your work. You'll also learn how to deal with emotional labor, the frustrations of working at a place you hate or that isn't a good fit, and how to pursue your dream job by faith.

One of Discerning Reader's Best Books We are not created to worship. Nor are we created for worship. We are created worshiping. Too often Christians have only thought of worship in terms of particular musical styles or liturgical formats. But a proper view of worship is far larger than what takes place in churches on Sunday mornings. Worship is not limited to specific times, places or activities. God is by his very nature continuously outpouring himself. Because we are created in his image, we too are continually pouring ourselves in various directions, whether toward God or toward false gods. All of us, Christian or not, are always worshiping, whether or not that worship is directed toward God. We are unceasing worshipers. The fruition of a lifetime of study, reflection and experience, this volume sets forth Harold M. Best's understanding of worship and the arts. Widely respected as one of the foremost thinkers and practitioners in his field, Best explores the full scope of worship as continuous outpouring in all settings and contexts. With careful exposition and eloquent analysis, Best casts a holistic vision for worship that transcends narrow discussions of musical style or congregational preference. On this broader canvas, Best addresses popular misunderstandings about the use of music and offers correctives toward a more biblically consistent practice of artistic action. Incisive, biblical, profound and comprehensive, Best's landmark volume is one by which all other statements on worship and the arts will be measured.