February 10, 2025
Our Contribution
This small act of our obedience is a large step of faith. In eating and drinking we proclaim that Jesus the Son of God loved each of us enough to die for our sins.
Work & Vocation
Work & Vocation gathers Christian Standard articles that help believers connect faith to everyday work and calling. Here you’ll find biblical wisdom on purpose, integrity, leadership, money and ambition, workplace relationships, and honoring Christ in every role—from trades and business to ministry, parenting, and volunteer service. These articles aim to encourage disciples to see work as worship, pursue excellence with humility, and live as faithful witnesses in the places God has placed them.
December 15, 2021
‘Side Hustles’ for Fun, Profit, Ministry, and Peace of Mind
A lot of people have side hustles. They take on additional work, in addition to their day jobs. But not all side hustles are simple cash generators. We spoke with Restoration Movement leaders involved in honey production, coffee roasting, and ownership of community coffee shops.
August 27, 2019
The Meaning of Our Labor
By Jon Wren Many of us enjoy an extra day off and spend time with family and friends on Labor Day weekend. This uniquely American holiday was created in the 19th century to honor American workers by giving them a well-deserved day off. Though the holiday has become more a celebration of summer’s end than a day to mark progress by the labor movement, it still is a day enjoyed by nearly everyone. Scripture says God gave us work as a gift, not a curse. Before sin entered the world, God placed humans in the Garden of Eden to “work
December 19, 2017
Blurring Lines Between Ministry and Marketplace
By Mel McGowan Imagine a pastor”s kid who wants to be a pastor just like his dad. Now imagine that God has a different plan. Some people are called to minister on staff at a church or parachurch organization. Some are called to be real estate developers. Darren Sloniger apparently was called to do both. Darren, founder of West Ridge Community Church, also serves as president and chief investment officer of Marquette Companies, where he has led in the execution of more than a billion dollars of acquisition and development projects. Chris Seay, pastor of Ecclesia Houston and a mutual friend
October 27, 2014
Critics Calling
By Eddie Lowen My family keeps in touch almost exclusively by text message, so only a small percentage of our communication is by phone call. But when my wife or children do call me, I nearly always answer. If I”m in a meeting or a conversation, I excuse myself to take the call. Years ago, I allowed those calls to go to voicemail because I wanted to be “professional” in my work. I later concluded that was a misplaced priority. I”ve decided it”s more important to be a reliable husband and dad than a perfect employee, so I always answer
July 22, 2014
Checklist
By Mark A. Taylor My wife and I are two of the last professionals in America to use a paper calendar. It”s not that we”re opposed to digital devices. We gladly use our smartphones. I depend on Outlook to keep appointments at work, and, increasingly at home. We”re big text messagers and Facebook users. Evenings often find us at opposite ends of the kitchen table, hunched over our respective laptops. And we”ve even Skyped with a missionary friend overseas. But I organize my week around my lists, and I need those lists on a piece of paper I can keep on
July 16, 2014
Selling Carpet and Serving the Lord
By Wayne B. Smith (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I”ve Ever Received.”) I was saved at 10 years of age in a revival at the Church of Christ in Delhi, in western Cincinnati, Ohio. Two years later an elder asked if I would like to attend Northward Christian Assembly, a Christian church camp, near Williamstown, Kentucky. It was a life-changing experience. On Friday night, after a moving message at vespers, an invitation was extended for anyone willing to accept the challenge of specialized Christian service. I responded, with the understanding that someday I would be a preacher.Â
July 14, 2014
Hard Work if You Can Get It
By Eleanor Daniel (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received.”) I think the best advice I ever received was the response I received to one question in a survey I did while in graduate school at Lincoln (Illinois) Christian College. The survey”s purpose was to ascertain the function and future of the work of the Christian education director/minister. My mentor insisted I include a question, “What is the future for women in this vocation?” One reply from a prominent minister on the West Coast was clear and concise, “There will be a future, and it isn”t
July 13, 2014
Work Day
By Dennis Bratton (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received.”) It was going to be the biggest and best church workday I”d ever organized. Dozens of leaders were assigned specific tasks, given a team of workers, and provided with tools and supplies. Donuts and coffee would greet everybody at 7 a.m. sharp. I”d done my work. All that remained was to carry my clipboard around checking off boxes. Rudy Williams, an elder and leader in our congregation, called Friday night and said, “Meet me at church at 5 a.m. sharp.” When I got there he handed
July 11, 2014
From Secretary to Field Rep
By Veva Appel (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received.”) The best advice I have ever received, other than taking the advice of the man who asked me to marry him, came from my boss, George Gahr, president of Christian Homes, where I was his secretary. After my beloved husband, Leon Appel, died at a young age, I thought I would be continuing in the secretarial position I enjoyed. But one day, Mr. Gahr asked me, “Veva, would you be willing to do some development work for Christian Homes?” I replied, “George, don’t ask me, I
July 9, 2014
Be Patient!
By David Faust (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received.”) Worst advice about choosing a career (from my high school guidance counselor in 1972): “Don”t go into ministry. You will waste your life.” Best advice about choosing a career (from my Bible college professor, Charles A. Lee, in 1974): “Spend your life on things that matter. The worst curse in a job isn”t working for a difficult boss or being underpaid. The worst curse is meaninglessness.” Best advice about marriage (from a magazine article I read shortly after getting married in 1975): “Don”t overanalyze your
March 16, 2011
Milligan Students Helping at Free Tax Clinics
Just one more month to finish your taxes! Milligan College in Tennessee is partnering with Washington County, TN, to offer free income tax preparation for residents. The free tax clinics are hosted by Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), an IRS-sponsored and recommended program that uses highly trained, volunteer preparers to offer free preparation and filing to qualified people. The team will consist mostly of Milligan business students under the supervision of Harold Branstrator, assistant professor of business administration at Milligan. The volunteers have completed hours of training and are ready to assist taxpayers with returns, including all forms. Returns are
October 8, 2010
Interview with Sue Ann Cordell
By Brad Dupray For 17 of the 19 years Randy Cordell has ministered with Lakeshore Christian Church, Nashville, Tennessee, his wife, Sue Ann, has been honing her skills and working toward becoming an expert in human resource management at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME), a large and diverse entertainment agency. Sue Ann now manages the Nashville office as her vocation, but her life”s passion is her relationship with Christ. She and Randy have been married 34 years and are the proud parents of two children and four grandchildren. Sue Ann has been a retreat speaker for more than 25 years
June 6, 2010
God at Work in the Middle of the Week
By Barney Wells Fred turned off the highway onto the fourth of the eight streets that make up Harpersville. Seven of them are five blocks long, and the eighth, Main Street, runs out of town as a county road. The setting sun shone on the three things that rise above the treetops in town, the old grain elevator (now closed), the water tower (which has needed a coat of paint for 20 years), and the steeple of the Harpersville Church, Fred”s destination. As he drove down Main Street toward the church, he recalled the names and faces of the folks
May 20, 2009
Interview with Tony Jeary
By Brad Dupray “Mr. Presentation” Tony Jeary has spent 25 years perfecting the art of the presentation. He has coached CEOs in a variety of industries, including leaders of Wal-Mart, Qualcomm, Samsung, and New York Life, to name a few. Having coached people the world around to develop their presentation effectiveness, Tony takes a strategic approach that works not only for “captains of industry,” but also for average Christians who want to communicate their message to a small group or one-on-one. Standard Publishing has published Tony”s 38th book, Purpose-Filled Presentations, designed to help any Christian communicate more effectively in and
October 19, 2008
Hunting or Hunted?
By Don Wilson Climbing the corporate ladder is the American way. For most employees, no matter what their position, the ultimate goal is to get ahead in their career. The better an employee performs, the greater his chance of advancing, either in his current company or at another company. His advancement may come in the form of a job offer from within or without, or from his own inclination to seek another position. Whatever the case, there is potential for misunderstanding and hard feelings between the employee and his current employer. As in the corporate world, church employees who do
December 19, 2007
Interview with Ron Scott
By Brad Dupray In the midst of a successful career in sales management for a large, national company, Ron Scott”s boss confronted him. He said, “Ron, one of these days you”re going to have to choose between your job and your religion.” Six months later, Ron quit his job and registered for an accelerated ministry training program at Great Lakes Christian College, entering the ministry at age 37. After six years with Go Ye Chapel Mission in New York and 22 years as executive director of New Churches of Christ Evangelism (NCCE) in Michigan, Ron has settled into his role
December 5, 2007
Interview with Col. Gene Fowler
By Brad Dupray As command chaplain for the U.S. Army in the Pacific, Col. Gene “Chip” Fowler oversees all Army chaplains in Hawaii, Alaska, and Japan and will soon be directing those in Korea, as well. Fowler has been stationed at forts in 10 different states, served two tours of duty in Korea, and had tours in Germany, Bosnia, and Iraq. He attended Atlanta Christian College, is a graduate of Milligan College, and earned an MDiv from Emmanuel School of Religion. Fowler is currently stationed at Fort Shafter in Hawaii, where he resides with his wife of 34 years, Lou.
August 1, 2007
Interview with Pat Gelsinger
By Brad Dupray As senior vice president of the Digital Enterprise Group at Intel, Pat Gelsinger oversees 13,000 employees who account for 60 percent of the company”s revenue (approximately $20 billion). He was the design manager or chief architect of many of Intel”s microprocessors and was the youngest vice president in company history. More importantly, Pat is a dedicated Christian. He has outlined principles for a successful career, a busy family, and a vibrant faith in his book, Balancing Your Faith, Family & Work. Pat and his wife of 25 years, Linda, are the proud parents of four children and
December 12, 2006
Finding Your Sweet Spot
Your “sweet spot” is where your God-designed passions intersect with the good works God prepared for you. Discover your strengths, step into service, and contribute with confidence—starting now.
