I get asked so many times in so many places, “How do I get started with turning my workplace into a workplace ministry?” The answer has five short steps, and I learned them from God directly as He taught and shaped my own heart and ministry.

How do we make disciples of every coworker, customer, and vendor, especially when our jobs seem redundant, boring, stressful, or frustrating? I believe that to carry out the great commission IN our workplace, we have to resolve to change WHO we work for. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” When we realize that ultimately, it’s not our bosses or their bosses or their bosses that we work for, but that we work for God, it changes everything.

I love to watch movies, and there are so many favorites it’s hard to pick just one. That said, I do have an all-time favorite line from the movie The Italian Job. In the film, a couple of characters are having a conversation, and one of them asks, “how are you doing?” And the other answers, “I’m fine.” The first one responds, “Really? Freaked out,insecure, neurotic, and emotional? How are you really doing?”

Relationships give us a platform to speak about truth, share our experiences, and witness about Christ. And there is almost no one you spend more time with than the people you work with. So many people joke about having a “work family” and a “home family,” but the truth isn’t that far off. Since we spend an average of 72 hours a week sleeping and 50 hours a week working, that only leaves 40 hours a week with our families at home. That means you spend more time at work than you do at home, including Saturdays and Sundays.

It’s January, and in the classic western tradition, most of us are thinking about things we can change to make this year better than the last. Whether it’s eating healthier, going to bed earlier, or hitting the gym… New Year’s is the time to commit to healthier habits. But for Christ-followers, it’s also a time to consider what spiritual habits should be cultivated in our lives so that our faith can grow and make a powerful, eternal impact.

Something we’ve wrestled with in this season is the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you… for my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” In the face of difficulty, hardship, the unknown, and the unexpected – how do we trade in our burdens and find rest? How do we carry on WELL both as people and as leaders?

With Christmas just a few days away, the holidays' chaos, busyness, and stress are at peak intensity. Between finishing up work, decorating, cooking, cleaning, traveling, shopping, and family… most people feel burnt out and exhausted before they even reach December 25th! But isn't it interesting that when the heavenly hosts announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds, they said, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests"?

Matthew 1:23 says, “…they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” I love this name for Jesus because it encapsulates the idea that God (GOD!) came down and became one of us. He chose to partner with humanity, to become a part of it, in order to bring about the salvation of the world. Similarly, throughout Jesus’ life, we see examples of him serving others and inviting others to serve with him. His life was characterized by relationship and care, and ours should be too!

The gift we are focusing on today is one that I have been giving away for about 15 years. That’s right. We’re talking about the gift of PRAYER. So why is prayer a gift, and why is it so special to give? One of the main reasons is because prayer gives to God, others, AND ourselves. Three birds, one stone - talk about a gift that keeps giving!

Every step of the iWork4Him Nation Covenant is important, but today I want to talk to you about step three. Step three is the perfect tenet to execute during the summertime. Step three puts our money where our mouth is. It puts our faith into action outside of the office. Step three goes like this: “Look for ways to befriend your coworkers, employees, and bosses outside of work where you can develop a real relationship.” Step three is the place where you get to share your life, and in sharing your life, you are sharing God the giver of life.