Biblical Business Radical: Overcoming 21st Century Roman Oppression

Prior to a discussion with a group of pastors about their congregants’ workplaces, I remembered a bunch of startling aspects—some personally experienced—about the workplace in general. For the pastors, it’s one thing to help us find our purpose, mission in our vocation and to be encouraged to work as if we’re working for the Lord…but what if our boss is the devil?

• 4 out of 5 workers would switch companies if given the chance—which unfortunately means we’re all trading one dysfunctional place for another
• If we’re so unhappy in our workplace or dread going there, it may be one of the leading sources of mental and emotional unhealthiness that 2 out of 5 of us suffer from.
• If it’s true that 80 percent of business executives have suffered from clinical levels of depression, sleeplessness, anxiety, addiction, etc. (according to Dr. Henry Cloud) and they have more control over their work-life environment than the rest of the organization, it seems to spell doom for a lot of workers in our companies.
• Companies have been paying attention and making moves to influence employee engagement for 30-40 years but it hasn’t moved past 25 percent according to Gallup in all that time. So what are we business leaders getting wrong?
• Most people don’t know what their company is trying to accomplish and how they contribute, and most could care less if the company succeeds.
• In survey after survey, employees say there isn’t enough communication (but it’s unclear on what aspects of communication—content, media, frequency, style, etc.—are failing) and every employee can tell you about an inane policy in their workplace and dysfunctional workplace dynamics.
• Employees agree to be hired because of the organization’s brand and mission but most often leave because of the managers—so it’s not the work itself that’s the problem but how the culture of the organization that is. Remember 4 out of 5 would change companies if they could.
• Despite a move from Theory X (autocratic) leadership to Theory Y (consensual) leadership since the 1970’s there are still a lot of narcissistic and toxic leaders in our workplaces who will not change and leave their employees the only choices of prayer or departure.

This and more led me to think that what we have are oppressive situations here. People who don’t like what’s going on, feel controlled by rules that make no sense and have little voice in accomplishing changes and aren’t even sure they want to “owners” to win. It’s a lot like being in Israel in the 1st century where a foreign power governs and makes the rules. Into this situation, Christ preached the Good News that God had not abandoned them and that their circumstances did not negate their special status.

What would be our 21st century Business Sermon on the Mount—or Sermon on the Slack Channel?

Blessed are those who are poor in spirit and dread Mondays for they shall…

Blessed are those who mourn and grieve over layoffs and reduced work hours for they shall…

Blessed are the meek and those who competently do their work, collaborating freely for the organization’s success without expecting celebrations and glowing performance appraisals for they shall…

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for a feeling that their life matters, that their work matters and it could be more than just a paycheck that feeds the kids, for they shall…

I encourage you—especially you pastors—to contemplate the rest.