Marketplace Ministers
Equipping business leaders to be marketplace ministers.
Workplace Minute: Respect by Praying
A number of years ago, I recorded “Workplace Minute” on behalf of CitySites for KTIS as an encouragement to Christian Entrepreneurs, Christian CEOs, Christian Business Owners and Christian Leaders.
This series is based on those broadcasts and I Peter 3: 15, “But have reverence for Christ for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” I trust you find encouraging.
“Do you mind if I pray?”
I’m nervous. I’m stepping outside my comfort zone.
Chris seeks me out after a group leadership meeting, “Danita, I’d like your perspective.”
As we sit down over a cup of coffee, Chris begins to tell the deep concern and fear he has for his daughter who is struggling at college. She is lonely, depressed, and chronically sick. I see such a deep love as this father shares his feeling of helplessness, not knowing how to help his most precious daughter.
After a half hour of listening and asking questions, I ask, “Chris, do you mind if I pray for your daughter?”
Surprisingly, he says, “No, not at all.”
I took at deep breath and ask a question that I’d never asked before in the workplace, “Chris, do you mind if I pray for her now?”
Once again, to my surprise, Chris responds with “No, not at all.”
To this day, Chris and I continue to dialogue about the health and vitality of his daughter.
You may not be called to pray for a colleague at work. However, there may be other areas where God is asking you to step outside your comfort zone. How will you respond?
Marketplace Minister’s Question: How will you respond to God’s call to pray for others?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: God wants you to be His ambassador, and you can start by praying for others.
And, go here for the Workplace Minute podcasts.
Stay tuned for upcoming postings in the “Respect Series.” Also check out previous posting: Responding, Engaging and Speaking.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Workplace Minute: Respect by Seeing
A number of years ago, I recorded “Workplace Minute” on behalf of CitySites for KTIS as an encouragement to Christian Entrepreneurs, Christian CEOs, Christian Business Owners and Christian Leaders.
This series is based on those broadcasts and I Peter 3: 15, “But have reverence for Christ for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” I trust you find the “Respect Series” encouraging.
Are you seeing with Jesus Eyes?
A friend tells me about a recent trip to India and how frightful and repulsive the streets of Calcutta are. They are overflowing with distressed, desperately poor and needy people. It isn’t until he put on his Jesus Eyes that his fear is replaced with confidence and compassion.
It sounds like some work situations that I’m in, brimming with anxious, lonely, desperately needy people.
What’s your work environment like? Where do you need Jesus Eyes? Which work situations are daunting where you might ask God to help you see through Jesus Eyes? Who in your department is offensive and irritating to be around…..where you need Jesus Eyes? Who’s incredible needy emotionally, perhaps even clingy, where you need Jesus Eyes?
God, help us to look at those around us with Your eyes that we would authentically represent you in our work places.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: If you were to see with Jesus Eyes, what might you see that’s different than what you normally see?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: Seeing with Jesus eyes means seeing others as people whom God loves and has compassion.
I would love your perspectives on my book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador
If you need a speaker for an upcoming event, check out my speaking topics.
And, go here for the Workplace Minute podcasts.
Stay tuned for upcoming postings in the “Respect Series.” Also check out previous posting: Responding and Engaging.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Love, Light, Love Series: Going into the New Year
This poem is part of the Love, Light, Love Series.
Here are links to other poems in the series: Fully; Help me Hear, See, Feel; and Daughter of the King.
Christian Leadership
Going
Love
I am going out this year as Your Daughter, called in love by the King,
You for the love needed for every person I encounter.
Life
I am going out this year in the power, purpose and presence of the Holy Spirit,
Trusting You will provide for the needs of those around me…through me.
Light
I am going out this year lifting high the light of Jesus Christ,
You to shine through me that others will see You in the darkness.
Laughter
I am going out this year in laughter and joy,
You have the best in store for us as we seek after You.
As I am going, I trust you for
Love,
Life,
Light, and
Laughter
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Which area do you need God the most? Love? Life? Light? or Laughter?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: God is able to do beyond what we can dream or imagine, even in these areas of our lives.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Workplace Minute: Respect by Engaging
A number of years ago, I recorded “Workplace Minute” on behalf of CitySites for KTIS as an encouragement to Christian Entrepreneurs, Christian CEOs, Christian Business Owners and Christian Leaders.
This series is based on those broadcasts and I Peter 3: 15, “But have reverence for Christ for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” I trust you find encouraging.
“Where is God in the midst of all your struggles?”
In sharing our faith gently and respectfully as instructed in I Peter 3:15, this question is helpful in engaging people in spiritual conversations.
Faith in the Workplace
Over coffee my co-worker, Janet, begins telling me about her difficult home life. Her two teenage children push every limit imaginable and her traveling husband was rarely home to help provide stability.
As she finishes telling her story, I gently ask, “I’m curious, where is God in all the struggles you’re experiencing?”
The tears well up as she confesses, “ I don’t know; it feels like God is abandoning me.”
I recognize that God is opening the door for me that share His truth about His incredible love.
“Where is God in the midst of all your struggles?” I find that a person’s answer to this question immediately reveals their conception (or misconception) about who God is and how He feels about them.
The next time you’re having coffee with someone who’s struggling, why not respectfully engage them by asking, “Where is God in the midst of all your struggles?”
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Who needs someone to be engaged in their story?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: We respect other’s when we actively engage them in their personal story.
I would love your perspectives on my book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador
If you need a speaker for an upcoming event, check out my speaking topics.
And, go here for the Workplace Minute podcasts.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Workplace Minute: Respect by Responding
A number of years ago, I recorded “Workplace Minute” on behalf of CitySites for KTIS as an encouragement to Christian Entrepreneurs, Christian CEOs, Christian Business Owners and Christian Leaders.
This series is based on those broadcasts and I Peter 3: 15, “But have reverence for Christ for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” I trust you find encouraging.
Respect.
To share our faith walk as I Peter 3:15 instructs us to, we need to show respect and respond to people’s concerns.
Workplace Minutes
I meet Roger six months after he’s sold his sprawling multi-million dollar franchise business. When I ask how retirement life is going, he says, “Things are going well.” He pauses, then jokingly confesses, ” Although, I’m getting a bit tired of golfing. I’m looking for more productive things to do with my life.”
Responding to his story, I courageously ask, “I’m not certain how much you’ve thought about this–have you ever wondered why God put you here on earth? What’s your purpose for living?”
His face lights up, “As a matter of fact, that’s the very issue I’m wrestling with!”
Then, we begin to talk about God’s design for his life.
We show respect for other’s when we listening and active respond to their life stories. We learn where God is working in people’s lives. Respect open’s the door to share our faith.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Who needs someone to listen to their story?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: We respect others when we listen and respond to their story.
I would love your perspectives on my book manuscript, Letters to the King: The Journey of a Reluctant Christian Ambassador
If you need a speaker for an upcoming event, check out my speaking topics.
And, go here for the Workplace Minute podcasts.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
Spiritual Practices for Business Leaders – Part 1
Ancient Spiritual Pathways for our Current Chaotic Times
Like many Christian CEOs, Christian Business Leaders, and Christian Entrepreneurs, I often wish there were a
couple more hours in the day to finish those final pressing items on my To-Do List, to put the finishing touches on the important presentation for tomorrow, or…
Then, there’s staying abreast with local economic trends, global market developments and industry breakthroughs. That’s compounded with family and community commitments. Often, it feels out of control. Chaotic. Like a relentless pressure cooker.
In the midst of this we are suppose to be developing our spiritual life.
If you’re like me, when I hear spiritual leaders prescribing their version of spiritual disciplines, I feel guilty wondering, “When, where, how could I ever fit that into my schedule?!?”
Being the entrepreneur who’s always looking for new ways to accomplish life, I then ask, “Frankly, are those ancient spiritual practices even relevant in today’s fast-paced, chaotic world? With everything changing so rapidly, shouldn’t these practices change also?”
And, then I wonder, “With communication speeding exponentially due to technology advancements, is there a better, faster way to get in touch with God?”
Through this series of postings, I’ll share insights from my personal spiritual growth journey regarding why the ancient spiritual practices of praying, reading scripture, gathering together as a community, serving others, meditating and expressing gratitude are critical for leadership in today’s chaotic world. We’ll explore how some of the spiritual activities that have been practiced for thousands of years actually are supported by modern research in positive psychology and neuroscience.
One of the most important lessons I’ve come to appreciate is that we are all uniquely wired. There’s no 1-2-3 prescription that works for every single person, every single time. God is much more creative. In fact, think of the creativity in crafting each one of us. We all have a differing blend of behavioral styles, Meyers-Briggs results and Strengths Finder patterns. Here’s the beauty: God speaks to each of us differently. Conversely, the way we nurture our relationship with God is unique.
I trust our discussion over the next couple of weeks will inspire you to explore how God has wired you and how He wants to communicate with you.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: What are your views on the relevance of spiritual practices in today’s fast-forward lifestyle?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: Celebrate your unique design in your walk with God.
If you would like to listen to some recordings of my speaking events go here.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
God, the Great Entrepreneur (Part 3)
Preaching to a congregation in Tanzania who’s eager to learn God’s plans for them is challenging for me. At the same time, it’s a humbling experience.
My Finnish ancestors taught me about SISU – a word they use to describe guts and determination. Now, I draw on all my sisu to stand respectfully before people I have never met before, in a foreign country, with an unfamiliar culture to speak God’s truth.
Using SISU in an acronym, I share with them how the God of the universe, who created “something” out of “nothing,” also helps us create things that we dream and imagine. That the God who creates the endless array of exquisite flowers, fascinating animals, spectacular sunrises and sunsets, also helps us with brilliant new ideas when we ask him. He is the master entrepreneur. He designs us to be a people who are innovative, who create and implement new ideas and concepts. In so doing, we bring honor and glory to His Name.
So, here’s a short outline:
S: Say Thanks
- God blesses us with insights and revelation when we are thankful for what we have.
- When we accept that God knows exactly what we need, we demonstrate our trust in Him.
- “Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
I: Ideas
- You can never outdo God, with even your biggest ideas. So, ask big.
- Look and see again the wonder of nature and how creative God is in designing our world.
- God blesses all of us with a good measure of his creativeness. He wants us to find solutions for our challenges.
S: Side-by-side
- God works through the Body of Christ.
- He wants us to help each other, learn from each other and be strong as a community.
- Brainstorm together as a team and know that 1+ 1 can equal more than 2!
- Actively seek out new information and insights from those outside your village.
U: Unbelievable
- God can accomplish that which seems impossible to us. (Eph. 3:20)
- In the Bible we read about many miracles. But, they were not reserved exclusively for Biblical times. Miracles still happen today.
- Look around you to see the miracles that are happening in your town, your community and even in your family home.
- Dare to ask God, the Great Entrepreneur, for wisdom, insight and revelation to perform miracles in Tanzania.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: How can you apply this SISU message in your community?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: God can use you as his missionary – even in your own community – to spread his message and help Him to make modern day miracles happen.
Here is an article if you want to learn more about SISU: Sales Motivation: The SISU Approach to No Excuses
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
God, the Great Entrepreneur (Part 2)
During a family trip to Tanzania, I have the opportunity to preach in a church. I want to inspire my new friends with a message that shifts their perspective for the rest of their lives. (Yes, I often have grandiose ideas!) I intuitively know that I must do it in a way that respects their culture and takes into account the unique challenges they face – challenges very different from the ones we deal with in America! In addition, any message must align 100% with core Biblical truth that transcends customs.
I title my sermon, “God, the Great Entrepreneur”
I decide to work with one of my favorite words, SISU. I’m not certain if you’re familiar with this Finnish word. It’s something of a minor miracle that Finland exists as an independent entity at all. Of course, the Finns themselves wouldn’t call it a miracle; they’d put their unlikely existence down to something they call ‘sisu’. Being of Finnish ancestry, I know about sisu (their word for guts and determination.) Soon after our arrival, I realize that the daily existence of the Tanzanian people also calls for SISU as they fight for life against numerous financial, national and personal belief obstacles.
In an acronym using SISU, I share the message of motivational and spiritual hope:
S: Say Thanks – and God will bless you with even more
I: Ideas – your ideas can never top what God has planned for you
S: Side-by-side – God works through the Body of Christ
U: Unbelievable – God still does the impossible
In my next posting, I will share in more detail the timeless principles we talk about that Sunday morning in the church in Tanzania .
Marketplace Minister’s Question: Where do you need a dose of SISU in your life?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: Since God is the Great Entrepreneur, the most creative one who consistently displays His loving-kindness to us, we can trust Him when we meet our own obstacles.
Here is an article if you want to learn more about SISU: Sales Motivation: The SISU Approach to No Excuses
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
God, the Great Entrepreneur (Part 1)
Last August, my family treks to Tanzania, in eastern Africa. Tanzania is probably one of the oldest known inhabited areas on Earth; fossil remains of humans and pre-human hominids have been found dating back over two million years. So, we knew this would be an adventure of a lifetime, especially since we’re scheduled to be in the remote villages most of the time. Little did we know the life-time impact for all of us as Christian leaders.
Each family member has a special highlight. For my son, Westin, it is visiting with the Masai warriors, the semi-nomadic ranchers in Northern Tanzania. My daughter, Danae, finds the experience of camping next to the hippo pond, with crocodiles continually staking out the baby hippos—which made the mom’s extremely angry, exhilarating (See: Hippo Pond). My husband, Gordon, teaches an entire village about modern farming practices that will save them from days and months of backbreaking labor. With each new tip, the women dance and give a Tanzanian cheer.
God, The Great Entrepreneur
One of my personal highlights is preaching at a church on Sunday morning. When asked on Saturday afternoon, I immediately respond, “Yes! I’m deeply honored.” However, as I begin preparing, I surprisingly realize I am wrestling with an incredible cultural and communication challenge.
Since this is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I ask myself, “If there’s one message, only one, that God wants to speak through me to the people of the village, what is it?” I feel it is critical that I share God’s everlasting truth – a truth that is beyond cultural boundaries. A truth that is true, not just in the westernized, industrialized world, but is also core for this African, agrarian culture. A truth that respects and honors their culture, while calling their culture into a brighter future.
In addition, I wrestle with what wealth I bring to them. As Americans, we consider ourselves to be some of the wealthiest people on the earth. However, by this time, I realize that our idea of financial wealth is in stark contrast to their culture of deep relationship and vital spiritual wealth.
As I search my life, I realize that God has blessed me with a gift for motivation. I pray and ask, “Lord, what do You wish to teach your children about Motivational Wealth?”
In my next posting I’ll share with you the message that God gave me to share with the congregation – hungry to hear about God, the Great Entrepreneur.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: What kind of wealth do you have to share with people, financial, relational, spiritual or motivational?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: God, the Great Entrepreneur, who makes “something out of nothing,” blessed us with gifts and talents so that we too can become entrepreneurs.
If you need a motivational speaker for an upcoming event, I’d love to chat and see if there’s a fit with your group.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
A Leader’s Legacy
After news broke of Steve Job’s death, over a million people from all over the world shared their memories, thoughts and feelings about him. One thing they all have in common is how they were touched by his passion and creativity.
On the other hand, the news reports on the death of Muammar Gaddafi contained scenes of jubilation and celebration. He is being remembered for oppression, terrorism and corruption.
As I’ve been reflecting on these lives, I realize that they both exchanged their one life for something. One dedicated his life to positive contributions. The other’s life resulted in destruction and chaos.
Of course, that challenges me to think about my own life….what’s my legacy going to be? (Does anyone else think about this stuff? Or, am I the only one?!?)
Thinking about legacy raises a core struggle of mine. I’m always wrestling with what it means to really be a marketplace minister. I’ve been raised in what Richard Foster, in Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith, calls the Evangelical Stream. Practically, this means that I feel a need to talk to people about Jesus in order to fulfill the evangelistic call on my life.
However, a wise spiritual mentor of mine constantly challenges me with question, “Which speaks louder, your voice or your life?”
A Leader's Legacy
Of course, deep in my heart, I know it’s my life. That is why the book by Parker Palmer, Let your Life Speak, has a permanent place on my best-of-the-best book shelf.
So, I find it interesting that Jesus, as he’s sharing his last bit of wisdom before his arrest, states, “And, now I give you a new commandment: love one another.” (John 13:34)
And, what’s the result of our loving each other? In John 13:35 Jesus says, “If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” Everyone. If I’m reading this correctly, it means that when we love, serve, care for and encourage each other, everyone will know that we are Christ-followers.
As a Marketplace Minister, I try to share my gifts and talents with others in such a way that they will see how much I treasure the gift of love that God had given me when He sent his Son. By working every day on leaving a legacy of love, our lives as Marketplace Ministers will become the carrier of the Message of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Marketplace Minister’s Question: What thought have you given to the legacy that you will leave for your children, colleagues and community?
Marketplace Minister’s Lesson: The passion that we put into our careers, how we raise our children and how we are involved in our community is part of spreading God’s message of love.
© Copyright 2011, Danita Bye Marketplace Ministers, All Rights Reserved.
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About Danita
Danita Bye has extensive experience in both the corporate and entrepreneurial world. She is the founder and CEO of Sales Growth Specialists, one of Minneapolis' best known sales management consultants. It's her passion to integrate work and faith. Click here for more information about Danita.
Bold and Refreshing
Danita has a special gift of igniting others into action. Her skill and experience, partnered with ministry insight, makes Danita a powerful marketplace minister! Her sharp precision cuts right to the heart of business matters – assisting others in breaking new ground for Kingdom Advancement!- Rhonda M. Kalal, President
MN Christian Chamber of Commerce