Inter-Varsity Press

CONTENTS

Foreword by Ken Blanchard
Introduction

Part 1: My personal journey

1. In and out of the furnace
2. Integrating two worlds

Part 2: Companions on the journey

3. Our earliest companions: from Adam to Boaz
4. Biblical wisdom for today: David and Solomon
5. World-class leaders: Daniel and Nehemiah
6. A new covenant: Jesus and his followers
7. Lessons from the edge of civilization

Part 3: God’s workplace agenda

8. Moving beyond principles
9. The power of purpose
10. Values
11. People first
12. Stewardship
13. Serving

Epilogue

Reading Mastering Monday has brought me real joy. It explains in simple and profound ways how each of us can transform all our moments, be they at work or play, into God-centred, other-centred droplets of delight. It helps us get in the groove of our true purpose. It also encourages us to keep listening to the still, small voice that reminds us that it all begins and ends in service. Enjoy!

Ken Blanchard
Co-author of The One Minute Manager and The Secret

... In my short lifetime, man has split the atom, conquered polio, walked on the moon and shrunk the globe through the Internet. But millions of us have yet to master Monday.

Monday carries special challenges. For most, Monday is the unwelcome gateway from the weekend to the working week – the creaky door we have to push hard to open, its hinges made rusty by two days of rest.

‘Don’t buy a car made on Mondays,’ advise motor-car insiders. ‘Too many assembly plant absentees; and the ones who do come to work are only half there.’

I’m not immune to Monday’s challenges. If there’s a day in the week when I’m apt to get a headache, it’s Monday. Some fare much worse than me. In fact, research has shown that 9 o’clock Monday morning is the peak period for heart attacks!

Yes, Monday is a unique day – the launching pad for the rest of the working week. But because work itself is often viewed as a ‘necessary evil’ – to put food on the table and fund non-work passions – poor Monday often gets the blame.

For many, however, this negative Monday stereotype is changing – especially for people of faith who, for the first time, are sensing a genuine ‘call’ to the workplace. From that perspective, Monday becomes the anticipated first day of a rewarding, purpose-filled week. ...

... here are some of the questions I hear people asking:

• What is the purpose of business from God’s perspective?
• How do I reconcile basic financial goals with the needs of employees?
• How do I advance my career in a world that seems to demand that I compromise my beliefs?
• How do I measure success?
• What does it look like when leaders bring the two worlds of work and faith together? Are there conflicts with those who don’t agree with this outlook?

These are vital questions. I hear them repeatedly – convincing evidence that many want their work to be a true calling that draws forth their full passion and yields deep fulfilment.

Such questions also reflect a growing hunger people have to deepen their walk with the Lord and apply scriptural truth on the job. They are seeking out role models and practical examples – people and ideas that can help them with the next steps in their journey. My goal in Mastering Monday is to help address that growing hunger. It is to assist those who are called to business to apprehend and apply God’s ways in their work each day.

A roadmap

Let me tell you what’s coming in Mastering Monday. In Part 1, ‘My Personal Journey’, I recall some of the struggles I’ve encountered and how these have brought me new understanding of both my faith and my work.

Then, in Part 2, ‘Companions on the Journey’, I introduce several biblical characters who are tremendous role models for us as we live out our faith in the workplace. I wish I’d had their example as I navigated through turbulent business challenges earlier in my career.

In Part 3, ‘God’s Workplace Agenda’, I focus on five themes where biblical truths and business realities intersect. I’ve found from over forty years of experience in the workplace that these practical ideas will, if embraced, greatly enhance your likelihood of success at work.

Throughout, I weave in three basic concepts:

• The importance of developing a warm, personal relationship with the Lord. From that relationship, character is forged, and out of godly character, biblical thought can be applied to business situations in a comprehensive and sustained manner.
• A closer alignment of faith and work. If we envision these two worlds as separate circles, our goal is to see those two circles move progressively closer to each other and eventually merge into one.
• The multifaceted expression of God’s kingdom in the workplace. Jesus didn’t come preaching religion; he came proclaiming the kingdom. We want to understand how Jesus’ view of the kingdom can affect relationships, perspectives and priorities in our work.

These are broad, challenging issues. But I trust they are on your mind, and that exploring them further is exactly where you want to go next on your journey. ...