Connecting Faith and Work

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Peter Demos was exposed to church and Christianity from a very young age. Through his exposure to people to claimed to be Christians, but didn't lead faith-filled lives, he became very antagonistic towards Christians. His experiences in college encouraged this attitude. When he met his wife, faith - or the lack thereof - was something they kept quiet.

When Peter gave his life to Christ, he started exploring what it meant to give every part of his life and business over to God as a ministry and a mission field.

"We started by changing the business over to God for him to use as a ministry and mission field." - Peter Demos

One question Peter addressed was "how does Jesus define success?" Jesus defines success as going and sharing the Gospel. As Christians, we must take care not to separate that command from what we do each week.

"If all things we do, we do to the glory of God, then that includes our business." - Peter Demos

Peter notes that as a culture, we have gotten away from an understanding that the Bible directs our paths. Peter notes that every time he reads the Bible, he makes sure he has a pen handy so he can note insights he sees. He has read the Bible every day since he gave His life over to God, and he still finds passages to meditate deeply on and truths that speak into this life.

Peter shares a few ways he ensures he is keeping God in the center of everything he does in his life and business:

Find Peter's book, Afraid to Trust, and other resources by visiting his website.

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Kristina Bonfe faced a 10-year stint of depression and a severe eating disorder. As she cycled in and out of treatement facilities she encountered the question, "what gives you energy?" As she processed this question, a vision of mountians flashed through her mind.

Kristina headed to Colorado and climbed the fifty-five 'fourteener' mountians in 87 days while living in her car. This experience of overcoming doubt, fear, and depression totally transformed her and gave her freedom.

Now Kristina shares her story and the transformation she went through with those she comes into contact with.

"My call is to wake up the royal warrior within us... to make a stand for God." - Kristina Bonfe

Kristina firmly believes that people need a new perspective in order to change behavior, so they can have a new life. By pursuing the mind of Christ, we find that perspective. Kristina shares that the only way we get the mind of Christ is if we are in His word, the Bible. As we believe the truth of His word, we come to know our identity in Christ and new habits and behaviors form out of that knowledge.

"Christians should be the most confident people on the planet." - Kristina Bonfe

Kristina encourages Christians to give God the "how" of your journey. God may have given you a dream and you know it is from Him and it will give Him honor and glory. Don't worry about the "how" - leave that to God - just take the next step and you'll get there.

Instagram: @KristinaBonfe

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If you've listened to episode 59 and episode 60 of the Connecting Faith and Work podcast, you'll know we've been taking a deep dive into how striving and abiding work together as we connect faith and work.

Today, Dr. Ronald Hanson of OrthoCure Clinic, lends his perspective and experience to the conversation.

Dr. Hanson reached a point in his career where he couldn't go any further in his field. He had mastered the most advanced techniques and had the ability to learn new techniques as they came onto the scene. He had to stop and ask himself, "what else is there?"

He started shifting his mindset and focusing on allowing God to work through Him. As he used his time, energy, and gifts for the good of others as God directed him, he realized he had more to give than he ever could have imagined.

"Don't hold onto the blessings God gives you; release them into the world around you." - Dr. Ronald Hanson

Dr. Hanson shares two things to consider as you start shifting your own mindset:

Learn more about Dr. Hanson's work at OrthoCure by visiting their website.

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Stephen Crawford of Experience Leadership joins host Bob Willbanks to share his perspective on resolving the tension between striving and abiding.

"We choose to stop ourselves from following our impulses in order to allow God to have His way. That is one of the most significant strengths we can approach our faith with." - Stephen Crawford

Take some time to explore these resources and events related to the conversation on today's episode:

Learn more about Stephen Crawford's work at Experience Leadership here!

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Are you striving to be successful in life while disregarding Christ? Or do you think abiding in Christ means you can slack off on your commitments and responsibilities? Rather, we should strive to trust and abide in Christ so God can transform us into His likeness over time. Join Connecting Faith and Work host Bob Willbanks and producer Larry Kutzler as they discuss how to strive towards abiding in Christ in our day to day lives.

Challenge: Consider the Fruits of the Spirit. Are they one or two words that illuminate why you are working so hard. Which ones are you striving towards? How can you abide in Christ in that area of your life?

Scripture to reflect on: ""Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."" - Isaiah 66:2

For more on Striving and Abiding listen to Episode 38 of Connecting Faith and Work with guest Mark Pavola.

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Jim and Martha Brangenberg co-host a radio show about marketplace ministry and bridging the gap between Sunday and the 9-5 work week. In this episode of Connecting Faith and Work they share practical ways to integrate your faith and work.

Jim and Martha did not always have an integrated theology in regards to the connection between faith and work.

"Early on in our marriage we were taught by other Christians around us that 'business is business and church is church. They have nothing to do with each other.'" - Jim Brangenberg

Despite this divide between their faith and work, Martha shares that they weren't neglecting to fulfil their responsibilities at their jobs altough in looking back she sees there was a lack of purpose at work.

"We believed in doing work with excellence and we did that. But we felt we had to hurry up and finish work so we could host Bible study, serve at church, etc. Our faith wasn't being activated in our 9-5 jobs."

Jim and Martha are seeing that the marketplace ministry movement is not exclusive to just one area of work. All work matters to God whether you are a stay-at-home parent, a c-suite executive, or a small business employee.

There are hundreds of books and organizations emerging all across the country and world to help equip Christians to bring their faith to work.

What do you say to a compartmentalized person?

Jim shares that too many Christians have been taught they can live two lives: their church life and their other life. Becoming a Christian impacts every part of our life. Our lives are never the same after. We are impacted by who Jesus is. This must impact our 9-5 work.

Finally, Jim and Martha share practical steps Christians can take to start integrating their faith and work.

Learn more about iWork4Him by visiting their website: www.IWork4Him.com

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God is working through Cody James to bring the Gospel to hundreds of jail inmates in the midwest. In this episode of Connecting Faith and Work, Bob Willbanks interviews Cody about his story and you'll get to hear his song "Right Here Waiting."

Cody grew up with a Christian mother, and his father left the family when he was young. This left Cody feeling like he was no good and he started down a path of unhealthy habits. Cody's mother encouraged him to take the chance and try to have a career in the music industry. After playing in Nashville for a year, he landed a job writing songs for other artists.

During this season of his life, Cody's mother died and he took a turn for the worst. Cody was incarcerated a few times, and when the Gospel turned his life around God called him to go back and tell other inmates about the hope of the Gospel.

Hear Cody James live and fellowship with the Ambassadors for Business community at the August 13th, 2019 summer fundraiser and picnic. RSVP here!

Learn more about Cody's ministry by visiting his website: www.codyjames.org

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RightNow Media @ Work provides Christian business leaders with an online library of videos to provide to employees. Bob Willbanks interviews Richard Coffey from RightNow Media @ Work in this episode of Connecting Faith and Work.

RightNow Media @ Work is a branch of RightNow Media with a separate site and video library for companies to provide content to their employees to help them navigate all areas of their life.

"Our mission field as business leaders is inside of the 9-5 workplace we have and the relationships we build there." - Richard Coffey

Richard said the biggest hurdle they often see is that Christians in leadership don't know what they can and can't do inside of their own company. Richard says you definantely can bring faith into your workplace. The only thing you can't do is force someone to come to church or a Bible study with you, or to watch something faith based. RightNow Media @ Work is a tool for employers to provide voluntary content for their employees.

"It has been incredible to see what the Lord has done through something as simple as a video." - Richard Coffey

Contact Richard Coffey using the details below:

972.848.3248

www.rightnowmediaatwork.org

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Are you a leader in the marketplace looking for groups to become involved with as you grow in you leadership and your marketplace influence?

In this episode of the Connecting Faith and Work podcast, Bob Willbanks and guest Jeff Hagen discuss the work of Transform our World in the Twin Cities.

Bob and Jeff also share about the Ekklesia Conference in August. Find more details by visiting www.afbnl.com/tow

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