There's Just One Tier of Believers in the Kingdom!

The body of Christ is made up of many parts; none is more important than the other.  (1 Cor 12:12)  

Do you really believe this statement?  Do you ever feel unimportant in the Kingdom of God?  Like who you are and what you do is on a lower tier while others are on a higher one?  I sure did. I was so frustrated because I knew I had a call on my life to full-time ministry, but I WAS NOT a fit for being a church pastor. I also knew I was an entrepreneur.  I could not reconcile the pull between the two.  I thought they were polar opposite callings.  Boy, was I wrong!  

Modern church culture emphasizes the importance and prestige of working in full-time ministry as a pastor, foreign missionary, or the like.  There’s a theological misunderstanding that the top jobs in the Kingdom are missionary and pastor, but that’s simply not true!  There is no “tiered system” in the Kingdom of God.  All parts are critical.  Pulpit Pastor and Foreign Missionary are just two of the critical jobs.  We need to grasp that our ministry can happen wherever we go and in whatever we do.  Call to mind the familiar Bible verse 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” All. That means all jobs, in all situations.  

I don’t want you to waste your time thinking, “I just want to quit my job and go into full-time ministry!” You don’t need to quit your job to do this.  You just have to shift your mind to a new way of thinking – as it says in Romans 12:2: “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." When we change the way we think, we see the wide world in front of us, the people God uniquely put in front of us to love on and be Jesus to. The people we need to pray for and eventually pray with.  The people we need to introduce to Jesus through the vibrant living out of our faith.  

This week we pay special attention to you, the everyday workplace believer, and your role in bringing God's Kingdom here to earth. Just because you're not a pulpit pastor or a foreign missionary doesn't mean you're not in full-time ministry. Your workplace is your mission field!  And in that mission field, you may be the only Jesus that your coworkers, vendors, supervisors, or clients ever meet.  The job that you hold, the work that you do, and the people you work with - none of that is a coincidence! Those around you need to meet Jesus, and you may be their only chance.  

So, stop the wrong thinking that you should quit your job so you can go into ministry. That mindset makes you think less of yourself and your giftings, and that's not right. Take the time to shift your thinking to seeing your job as a ministry on a mission field of lost and hopeless people.  

Martha and I talk with Charlie Self about tiering in the kingdom in this week's podcast. Be sure to give it a listen!

TAKE THIS TOPIC FURTHER:

Listen to or watch show 2001: You’re a 1st-Tier Citizen

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About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

3 Steps to a Purposeful Life

We all want to make a Kingdom impact; we all want to transform the world for Christ. And here’s the thing: God has placed you right where you are to do exactly that! iWork4Him: Change the Way You Think About Your Faith at Work is today’s guide for the everyday believer. Filled with real-life stories, practical tools and resources, and biblical encouragement designed to help you engage in your Kingdom calling NOW! 

Did you know that the self-help genre is expected to grow $13.2 billion by 2022? That’s billion with “B”! As human beings, we have an insatiable desire to live a balanced and purpose-driven life – a feat that seems nearly impossible in today’s chaotic world! But in Chapter 11 of iWork4Him, David J. Collum from the Pocket Testament League asks, 

What if you could focus everything in your life — your marriage, your family, your career, and your pleasures — through a single unifying lens?  Would having such a lens order the fragmented pieces of your world?

I know it would for me! And here’s the really great news, we already HAVE that lens! It’s Jesus! When we focus on staying in relationship with Him throughout all the areas of our life, everything falls naturally into place. Why? Because that is what we were created for – to love God and bring Him glory! 

I know, I know – easier said than done, right? But in iWork4Him, David breaks down three simple steps on how to make God your unifying lens AND bring him glory no matter where you are or what you’re doing!  

STEP 1. Be with God by reading His Word

STEP 2. Carry God’s Word with you 

STEP 3. Share God’s Word 

These three steps are more powerful and effective than any self-help book because God’s Word is living and active! It’s not just static ink on paper – it’s how He speaks to us about His heart. Plus, as you move about your daily life, you never know when you’ll have the chance to give a copy of His Word away to a coworker or friend who’s looking for balance and purpose in their own life. 

To hear more stories about living a balanced life and gain practical tips on sharing your faith at work, download the first chapter of iWork4Him: Change the Way You Think About Your Faith at Work for FREE by clicking HERE. Then grab a full copy of the book for you and your team at iwork4him.com/bookstore. 

Jim

This blog was originally written for and posted on the Christian Leadership Alliance website. You can find the original over here!

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

What Do You Have That God Can Use?

There isn't a single person in the United States of America who doesn't have a possession that goes unused for a year. Every one of us has extra STUFF. Martha and I made a rule when we got married 35 years ago that if anything went unused in our home over the period of a year, we would give it away. And guess what, there's only been a few times I've given away something I wish I hadn't. The reality is that we all have things that go unused, whether they are possessions, talents, giftings, or resources.

We interviewed a Californian the other day who had a similar idea. Her name is Tammy Vallejo and you can listen to the whole interview HERE. In her community, there was a homeless problem, but there was also a solution.

Tammy gathered together a group of church and community leaders to discuss how they could help solve the homelessness crisis in their area. What they discovered was that there was an awful lot of church-owned land in the community that was going unused. So, they determined to put it to use by creating this thing called Compassion Village. This group created tiny home villages with a central community square by using fallow land the churches already owned. The village is a place for those struggling with homelessness to get off the street, gain job skills, and learn how to live in community again. All this was done on land that was just sitting there vacant, doing nothing.

Now, most of you reading this probably don't have any vacant land that you could put to use for a tiny home village, but what do you have? Do you have an extra car that goes unused, or a spare bike, or some nice clothes, or an extra TV or computer, or even an old cell phone? So many of us have things that clutter our homes, apartments, condos, or townhouses. Instead of letting them collect dust, let's put them to use and bless our neighbors!

Or maybe for you, it's not stuff, but it's a talent. Maybe you have house repair skills, or cleaning skills, or singing skills – and they all go unused! How can you engage your talents for the benefit of those around you? If you can't think of anything, ask the Lord to tell you what you have that you can give away or put into action for the Kingdom. You might be surprised at what you find.

God loves it when we use our possessions and gifts for the Kingdom - it's called being a good steward! 1 Peter 4:10 says,

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

God wants to use you, your stuff, your finances, and the unique giftings of His Holy Spirit to bless those around you. So, what are you waiting for?

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

Are Women Second Place in the Church?

I grew up within the Church. I love the Church. The Church was Jesus' idea. And His idea included a selfless group of men and WOMEN who were sold-out followers and wanted to bring the good news, including healing and hope, to everyone around them.

However, as much as I love the Church, I've noticed that the Church has an easier time celebrating the workplace accomplishments of men than it does those of women. And that is a problem. Jesus made it clear that women and men were on equal footing in the Kingdom of God, just like He made it clear that Jews and Gentiles were on equal footing (Galatians 3:28). There should be no delineation of favor or support between these groups because we are all one in Christ, and yet there is.

Most churches I have been a part of celebrate women by asking them to join a daytime bible study or serve in the children's nursery. Of course, there is nothing wrong with these things; however, the reality is that many women are called to areas outside of these traditional "female roles." When a woman comes to be a follower of Jesus, she is filled with the Holy Spirit and is gifted accordingly. The supernatural call on her life may include many things, from being a stay-at-home mom to a talented leader to having a workplace calling. However, most churches don't have a place for career women to find encouragement in living out their faith at work.

My sister is the CFO of a company. Part of God's purpose for her life is clearly public and private accounting, and accordingly, she has flourished in her positions over the years. Yet, she doesn't fit the mold of where the typical Church wants to plug in a woman to ministry. Because of this, my sister had to think outside the box to engage her skills in a Church setting. Martha and I have run into so many women who feel second-place in the Kingdom because they love to work outside the home and be a part of the marketplace.

If this sounds familiar, you aren't alone.

Martha and I wrote sheWorks4Him: Embrace Your Calling as a Christian Woman at Work, in collaboration with 22 other faith-driven career women just like you, as a written piece of encouragement to every Christian working woman. sheWorks4Him is full of letters to celebrate, validate, equip, and connect women God has called to the workforce! We would love to share the first chapter of sheWorks4Him for FREE! You can  Download it here.

Remember, your unique gifts are a necessary part of God's greater Kingdom plan – embrace it!

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

What does obedience look like in your life?

It’s an exciting week here at iWork4Him! On April 15th of 2021, iWork4Him celebrates 8 years as a media ministry focused on the intersection of faith and work. We have interviewed over 3000 people on over 1800 shows resulting in thousands of hours of video/audio available to a nation of workplace believers hungry for encouragement and resources to help them live out their faith at work. But it might not have happened if Martha and I weren’t obedient to the call of God on our lives…Read on.

On February 19th, 2013, I was speaking before a small crowd on five ways to incorporate your faith in your work (now the iWork4Him Nation Covenant). After finishing, I sat down next to the only person in the group I didn’t know, a woman named Deborah Roseman who owned a Christian talk radio station in St. Pete, FL. She said to me, “You should talk about that ‘faith and work’ on the radio.” I immediately dismissed her and told her she was crazy. Deborah responded that she was serious. I was flattered and told her if she was serious, I would send her an executive summary I had been working on for the last several years about the intersection of faith and work.

Well, I sent the executive summary, and within an hour, Deborah called to arrange a lunch with Martha and me. We were told that our show was needed but would cost $200 an hour to be on the air. I immediately shut down and thought, How ridiculous! I can hear my voice for free; I don’t have to pay $200 to listen to myself.

As we were walking out of lunch, I told Martha that this was a stupid idea, but despite the high production cost, I thought it was an answer to our prayers. You see, we had been praying that we would have a job that would lead to significance, not just a pursuit of success. We wanted a job where God would get all the credit because our success simply could not be attributed to our natural gifts, talents, and abilities. I had also prayed just 90 days earlier - on November 20th, 2012 - for a way to challenge thousands of people to live out their faith in their work. This radio gig seemed like an answer to all of these prayers, BUT it was shaped totally different than we expected. I’m a public speaker and love to be in front of crowds; radio was not a talent I possessed. I told Martha, “This is nuts, and it doesn’t make sense, but I believe we have to say yes, because it is an answer to prayer.”

We went on air on April 15th, 2013, and 8 years later, God has shown Himself in so many ways. What would have happened if we had just said no? I’m glad I don’t have to find out!

What is God asking you to do today that totally doesn’t make sense? Try being blindly obedient and see the miracles of His ways. For more of our story, get ready for our book “iWork4Him” to be released on 6/15/21.

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

Hearing God’s Call to the Workplace Mission Field

Growing up, I always wanted to be a businesswoman. I loved numbers and would daydream about walking into an accounting office in a tailored blue suit. But I was never sure if my passion for business was actually something God wanted me to do. Sure, I was gifted in it, but no one in the Church ever talked about business being a God-given calling; it was never endorsed from the pulpit as such. Then, when I was 13-years-old, I felt strongly like God’s purpose for me was to go into full-time Christian ministry. It’s not that my passion for business ever left, just that I couldn’t figure out how to connect those two callings on my life into one. I wanted to serve the Lord, and I wanted to be in business, but NO ONE could connect those dots for me.

After Jim and I got married, we decided the next logical step was to enroll in seminary. Although we both had graduated college with business degrees, we had also committed our lives to full-time ministry and believed that seminary was the obvious right thing to do. But God had different ideas. He stepped in the way of that seminary education and set us off on the path to realizing that business and ministry are connected, that they are both callings from God. 

It took until I was nearly 40-years-old to realize that God truly had called me to both business and ministry, that He had called me to be a full-time minister inside the world of business. My giftings in administration and organization, my love for people, God, and business are all beautifully intertwined in my specific calling. And it is the Holy Spirit who empowers me to live out a life of ministry inside a life of work.

So, what about you? Have you heard God’s voice calling you to full-time Christian ministry? Have you also felt a call towards the marketplace, government or education, health care or the arts?

It’s okay! It's way better than okay, it's great! 

God has gifted you uniquely to carry out the calling He has for your life. It’s time for us to flip the switch; to recognize that God’s will can include both full-time ministry and a role in the workplace.

Your workplace is your mission field, a place of full-time ministry. Celebrate it! Tell everyone around you that you are called to work, and your work is from God.

This month I’ve been talking with Catherine Gates and Nadya Dickson about the unique struggles and triumphs that women face every day as they seek to live out their faith at work.  We are preparing for a new Podcast, sheWorks4Him that will be hosted by Catherine, Nadya, and me. If you are looking for encouragement, resources, and great connections, tune in to our first episode on 4/19/21 and online at www.iWork4Him.com/sheWorks4him

By Martha Brangenberg

About the Author, Martha Brangenberg

Born into an entrepreneurial family, Martha has been involved in small business her entire life. Gifted with an attention to detail and a sweet sensitive spirit, Martha is a servant leader with a deep faith in Jesus.

Mere Christianity - He Will Make You Perfect

I am a reader; I love to read. The volumes I pick up are often about the faith and work movement or are specific books to prepare for an iWork4Him podcast, but I also enjoy a good novel. In particular, the fiction of C.S. Lewis has been a longtime favorite, but I’ll be the first to admit that his non-fiction has always been a bit of a stretch for me. Three times in the last 40 years, I have picked up his book Mere Christianity, started it, and then not finished.

I was recently inspired to pick up Mere Christianity again when I heard that it was based on C.S. Lewis’s radio appearances during World War II. Apparently, Lewis was asked by the UK Government to come on air and tell people about Christianity, to share his hope in a time that was incredibly dark for Europe. For many nights, C.S. Lewis talked about how he went from being an Atheist to becoming an all-out Christ Follower and Christian Apologist. He had the opportunity to educate a nation in peril about eternal hope found in truth.

As a radio host myself, this story was intriguing enough to help me finish Mere Christianity. In the book, there is a particular quote of Lewis’s that stuck with me. In it, he expounds on Matthew 5:48, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

“The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He said (in the Bible) that we were “gods,” and He is going to make good His words. If we let Him—for we can prevent Him, if we choose—He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, a dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and, in parts, very painful; but that is what we are in for. Nothing less. He meant what He said.”

Talk about a game-changer! All the pain, suffering, adversity, difficult days and years - they all have a purpose. God is using them to make us perfect, to make us into the image of His Son. Wow. This reality has been rocking my world!

As a Christ Follower at work, this fact is a game-changer for you too. God is delivering on His promise to make you perfect, and He is using everything that happens in your life to make you more dependent on Him and His words and His Spirit. He is creating a new heart, mind, and soul in you so that you can minister to those you work alongside and introduce them to the same divine rescue plan.

Think about it. You are on your way to perfect, and He will use it to attract others to Him. Awesome. And do you know what the best part is? It doesn’t depend on our strength or abilities; it’s all on Him! All you have to do is be willing to lay yourself down, to “let Him make the feeblest, filthiest of us into… a bright stainless mirror which reflects God perfectly… His boundless power and delight and goodness.”

God’s will for you today, His purpose for you at work, is that you might be a living reflection of Him to a world desperately in need of eternal hope found in truth.

For more encouragement and support about living a life worthy of Christ during your work week, I encourage you to pick up a copy of our new book iWork4Him and check out the Awaken Podcast Network, a gathering place for over a 100 different podcasts from the faith and work movement!

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

Living With Integrity

Do you ever push back against rules?

Jim and I live in a Homeowners Association, and sometimes it’s tempting to just ignore a rule or bend it ever so slightly! But people are watching – right? It’s not so much about getting what you want, as it is about setting the example that could make all the difference. Living with integrity makes a BIG statement and causes curiosity.

We recently interviewed Steve, he works for a large company managing over 5,000 people. While traveling for work he noticed a co-worker that was very careful with his expense report and didn’t bend any rules. Steve asked him why he was so careful, and the answer led Steve to become a Jesus follower. Steve met Jesus at work because a co-worker refused to compromise, and now Steve lives out his faith every day at work, impacting thousands.

Our desire is for more Christians to understand that their workplace is their mission field. Will you join us in that mission? Become a monthly partner to spread the news in cities across the Nation and remember your co-workers are watching.

By Martha Brangenberg

About the Author, Martha Brangenberg

Born into an entrepreneurial family, Martha has been involved in small business her entire life. Gifted with an attention to detail and a sweet sensitive spirit, Martha is a servant leader with a deep faith in Jesus.

The "iWork4Him Nation" Convenant - Tenet TWO

Looking for ways to serve those you work alongside above and beyond your job requirement.

Part of the iWork4Him Nation covenant is to look for ways to serve those that you work alongside, over and above your job requirement, not just what your job description tells you to do.

Why is this added to the iWork4Him nation covenant? Here's why.

If you are the kind of worker that only does what you're required to do, then how do you stand out among the pack? When you start to serve those you work alongside over and above what's required, your light starts to shine bright to those around you.

What are some of things you can do?

• Help out with extra projects, before or after work, maybe even work through lunch. Often we are surrounded by fellow coworkers who are overwhelmed by projects. There may be something you can do to lighten their load.

• Offer to straighten up a mess in the office, break room, or warehouse that has been ignored. Ask permission first. A clean work environment is a safe work environment and a more pleasant place to work.

• Are there things that need to be done but never get done because nobody takes the time? That can be your new extra task.

• Start serving and watch what God does with this.

For more help to live out your faith at work - join the iWork4Him Nation.

Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT)

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

iWork4Him Nation - Work

We continue our series on the iWork4Him Nation covenant and living out a Prayer/Care/Share/Work/Disciple lifestyle in our workplaces each and every day.

This week: Work

WORK

1.  Work with excellence – be the best and brightest example of a worker in my workplace position.

Colossians 3:23 (NLT)

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

I believe as a Christ Follower, it’s my responsibility to be the best, brightest, most honest, hardest working employee in my position within the company/organization.  As the owner or employee, our workplace performance is a direct reflection on God. If we slack, we make God look bad.  People are watching us to see if Jesus really impacts everything about us.  Think about Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Once he met Jesus, everything about him started to change and he lived out his faith, even in a difficult position.  When we surrender our life to Jesus, we begin a lifelong transformation – that impacts work for sure.

Do you feel compelled to Join the Nation? – www.iWork4Him.com – Click on the iWork4Him Nation Flag. Commit to being an agent of change in your workplace.

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: To transform Christian-run businesses through mentoring Christian Business Owners (CBOs) by incorporating the servant leadership of Jesus Christ in their businesses, their home life and their walk with Christ.