By Baptist Message staff
PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Richard Blackaby encouraged students and others gathered for the Louisiana Christian University “God in the Workplace” seminar, March 21, to become Christian leaders who create cultures in their businesses that minister to souls.
“As Christians we are called,” Blackaby said. “Especially, now, there is a great call from God for Christians to enter into the marketplace, into the workplace, as a ministry. Our society needs Christians to answer that call.”
Blackaby, president of Blackaby Ministries International, Atlanta, Ga., explained that Christians are called to create an environment that is safe, spirit-filled, blessed, truthful, humble and joyful.
He noted that society is absent of joy, and added that Christ followers are called to be a light to a world that is filled with hopelessness and suffering.
“Nobody can take your joy if you get your joy from the presence of God,” he said. “No one can remove you from God’s presence.
“If there’s anybody you want to work for, it ought to be a joy-filled Christian who knows God, who wants to be a blessing, who is going to tell you the truth and who is going to keep you safe because they love you and they’re accountable for you,” he continued. “There’s never been a better time for Christians to be in the business world because behind every problem there’s always a possibility, there’s always potential. You can look at all the problems in society. It’s always been when there have been problems in society that Christians have done their best work. Because that’s when they stand out. That’s when people realize we need something different than what I’ve had all my life and Christians just do things differently. They do things in a way other don’t.”
Blackaby challenged the audience to do business like Christ would.
“We haven’t always got it right,” he said, “but if you do it Jesus’ way people will be flocking to work with you because it’s just different than working anywhere else.”
LCU President Rick Brewer said the seminar provided students with wisdom and practical insight from Blackaby.
”The concepts Richard shares with CEOs worldwide he shared with our students,” Brewer told the Baptist Message. “What a wonderful learning opportunity for our students to capture ideas now for leading a Christ-centered business in the 21st Century. That is wisdom beyond the classroom.”
