Christian Living

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 04/05/2006

LOCAL CHRISTIANS TAKE IT FROM CHAPELS TO CUBICLES

In January of 2005, The Charlotte Observer reported, "This faith-in-the-workplace movement stretches from the White House to Ford Motor Co. to Coke... It can range from lunchtime Bible studies to company service projects to mission statements that honor God."

The New York Times Magazine, Oct, 2004, wrote, "Thousands of businesses and other entities, from one-man operations to global corporations to divisions of the federal government, have made room for Christianity on the job, and in some cases have oriented themselves completely around Christian precepts. Well-established Christian groups, including the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Promise Keepers, are putting money and support behind the movement. There are faith-at-work newsletters and blogs and books with titles like ''God@Work,'' ''Believers in Business'' and ''Loving Monday.''
"The idea is that Christians have for too long practiced their faith on Sundays and left it behind during the workweek, that there is a moral vacuum in the modern workplace, which leads to backstabbing careerism, empty routines for employees and C.E.O.'s who push for profits at the expense of society, the environment and their fellow human beings. No less a figure than the Rev. Billy Graham has predicted that ''one of the next great moves of God is going to be through believers in the workplace.'' To listen to marketplace pastors, you would think churches were almost passe; for them work is the place, and Jesus is the antidote to both cubicle boredom and Enron-style malfeasance."

IT'S HAPPENING IN TEXAS, TOO

Mike Tummillo is a certified Workplace Chaplain and a Professional Member of the National Institute of Business and Industry Chaplains. A licensed/ordained minister, his experiences include Singles Ministry in a church of over 2,000 and Assistant Pastor in a church of 300. From Children's ministry to Youth ministry to an on-line eMinistry calls Your Town for Jesus and, most recently, a noon-time Sunday radio program on Stephenville's KSTV by that same name, Mike - known as Pastor Michael to many - started something he refers to as the Brown Bag Bible Studies on February 23rd, held in the conference room of a bank in his hometown of Stephenville, Texas.

"It's an 8-week series that has drawn over 100 business people in that time period - from laborers to V.P.'s and professionals - in the first six weeks," he said. "We've had a guest speaker each week sharing their perspective on God in the workplace. There's been instruction, prayer, examples and testimonies regarding what it is that can and cannot be done when sharing one's faith at work as well as encouraging stories, tears and even some wonderful heart-wrenching songs."

BROWN BAG GETS CHRISTIANS OUTSIDE THE BOX

Bill Bunce, Assistant to the Chairman of CBN, the 700 Club's Pat Robertson, kicked-off the Brown Bag series. Bunce likened a shepherd to the Christian in the workplace drawing parallels between dealing with sheep and workplace ministry. Week #2 featured Ed & Marlene Dupas, owners of September Song Bed & Breakfast in Stephenville, sharing how they made Jesus the CEO of their business, themselves being merely stewards. They closed with a wonderful song entitled, "We are the family of God," bringing some in attendance to tears. Jim Loudermilk, Publisher of the Erath Bulletin, spoke next and reminded those present that God wants to be the God of the workplace as well as everything else. Independent Business man Steve Monson shared in week #4, telling of how, by serving the Almighty Dollar, he nearly destroyed his marriage and his relationship with his daughter. Diane Ward, owner of Pyramid Health Care, a string of retirement communities across the state, gave an inspiring example of how she, as a Christian business woman, runs her large organization in a blatantly Christian fashion. In week six, Lori Belcher, singer, business owner, gave a stirring speech that would apply to everyone from a day laborer or the CEO of a major corporation. She, too, ended her presentation with a stirring song in a cappella style. "This Thursday, April 6th, Debra Ciccarelli, employed at United Cooperative Services, known as being such an inspiration to so many people throughout the community, will be speaking," Tummillo said. The 8-week series wraps up on April 13th at noon.

Tummillo adds that the discussion has been informative and has been impressed that the attendees are well-versed in Scripture. "So many of these people at Brown Bag really know God and know the Bible...we can all learn by their example. Christians have been attending from various denominations...Methodist, Church of Christ, Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Charismatic, Pentecostal, Assembly of God...I really appreciate those pastors who have encouraged their people to attend. I believe God enjoys seeing His kids playing well together," he quipped.

With just two more sessions remaining, Tummillo says he plans to resurrect the series in the months ahead. "Unless God does otherwise, the feedback I'm getting from those who attend has me thinking we will definitely do this again later." Those interested in the Brown Bag Bible Study should write [email protected].

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