Work is a fundamental structure of love
in the kingdom of God.
God's purpose for work is to bring people together in loving community for mutual
benefit and support.
Everyone is welcome at these events:
Several meetings for the Kalamazoo community at Haven Church
February 10-12, 2012
5350 N. Sprinkle Road
Kalamazoo, MI 49004
(269) 344-5871
Spiritual Disciplines for the Workplace
First Tuesday of the month, 7-9:00 p.m.
Career Marketplace Search
Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, CA [Directions] For more information:
marketplace@lakeave.org, 626.817.4519
Home Bible Study
Every-other Friday, 7-10:00 p.m.
At various homes near Agoura, CA
A detailed study of the book of Romans
info: (818) 448-1142
Work: A Blessing or a Curse?
I believe that instead of a curse, work should be a blessing. The 3 key elements to shift our mindset about work are Principles of Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, and Kingdom Living. The result is a new way to approach our work, and a doorway to discovering meaning, purpose, and value in whatever we do. That's why I wrote The Gift of Work, and why I love to talk with people about the importance and value of their jobs. I am also on the board of the Theology of Work, an international group of men and women collectively developing a body of work that is intended to provide processes for developing reliable answers to the many questions that arise in specific workplaces.
God has you exactly where He needs you. Your work done faithfully and well, blesses others - answers countless prayers for food, clothing, shelter, health, justice, knowledge and joy - and glorifies God. Work is one significant way that you love God and love your neighbor.
I am available for your questions or to speak to groups of any size. You can contact me at (818) 448-1142 or by e-mail at Bill@dwillard.org.
May God richly bless you and your work — Bill Heatley
The
Gift of Work
From the Foreword by Dallas Willard:
"We are now, as disciples of Jesus, members of a divine community
that, when we seek it, we find with us in our job and throughout life,
and thereby we turn all that we do into work for and under God. Thus,
Paul advises: "Whatever you do, do your work heartily"—literally,
'from the soul'—"as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing
that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It
is the Lord Christ whom you serve." (Col. 3:23-24) We are not to try to
look good (do "eyeservice"), as men-pleasers, but on our job we simply
"do the will of God from the heart." (Eph. 6:6-8)
"Now this book tells us exactly how to do this. Intelligent, well-informed, and biblical to the core, it is intensely focused upon the real-life context of the job: on what really goes on there, and how, for our part, we can turn it into divine work. In this respect the author is telling us how to live a life that is spiritual throughout, full of meaning, strength and joy. He thus stands in the solid tradition of Christian teaching throughout the ages. He does so with the freshness of personal experience and the forcefulness of careful thought."
Bill Heatley has decades of experience in corporate America as an Information Technology professional. He has served Fortune 500 companies and managed his own business, both roles providing him with necessary insights as a Christian. He spent the last 8 years at Kaiser Permanente in Pasadena as a program manager involved in upgrading their medical records and billing systems, which is the largest project of its kind in the United States.
Bill specializes in teaching on Discipleship in the Workplace, Spiritual Formation, and the work of Dallas Willard. He is a graduate of the Renovare Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation, a member of the board of directors for the Theology of Work Project, and lives his wife and youngest daughter in Oak Park, California.
