Business Commons^™

Witnessing At Work When It's Taboo To Talk About Religion, Michael E. Cafferky

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This article explores an alternative to traditional approaches to evangelism in the workplace. it presents an approach based on using the language of business alone in conversations with coworkers, suppliers and customers. While it is often taboo to talk about religion in secular organizations, opportunities exist for believers to be not just silent witnesses but rather explicit verbal witnesses to Jesus Christ. Business conversations naturally present opportunities to champion the theological identity and character traits of Jesus Christ without mentioning his name.

Editor’S Perspective: The Fusion Of Religion And Business, Michael E. Cafferky

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This article provides a summary of the ancient Hebrew concept of emeth (truth, faithfulness) and how it is relevant to contemporary business.

Redemption, Michael E. Cafferky

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This article reviews the biblical concept of redemption and explores its implications for business practice.

Editor’S Perspective: The Time Value Of Morality, Michael E. Cafferky

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This article presents the ancient Hebrew idea of Wisdom and its implications for contemporary business.

Editor’S Perspective: The Sacredness Of The Marketplace, Michael E. Cafferky

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This article presents ideas from the ancient Hebrew concept of holiness and its relevance for contemporary business. It explores the thesis that the marketplace is sacred.

Bridging The Gap Between Religion And Business: A Conversation, Michael E. Cafferky, Doug Jacobs

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This article explores some of the tensions that congregational pastors experience in terms of business and religion. It is a dialogue regarding the perceived gap between pastors and business professionals.

“Bridging the gap between religion and business: A conversation" by Michael Cafferky and Douglas Jacobs published in the December 2016 issue of Ministry,® International Journal for Pastors, www.MinistryMagazine.org. Used by permission.

Apologetics Without Apology: Arguments For The Existence Of God From Business & Economics, Michael E. Cafferky

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This paper offers the reader ways for the business practitioner to participate in Christian apologetics. Apologetics is defined. The purpose and tasks of apologetics is described. A case is made for the importance of Christian apologetics. Several tactics are introduced that offer potential for the Christian apologist. A matrix describes the potential opportunities to develop Christian apologetics for the context of business and economics. A discussion follows regarding the implications for business scholars and Christian business school curriculum at all levels.

Editor’S Perspective: Saturating Minds And Hearts With Scripture, Michael E. Cafferky

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This article summarizes the contribution that the Journal of Biblical Integration in Business makes to Christian business scholarship. It explores the idea of faith integration in business.

Keeping Sabbath During The Week, Michael E. Cafferky

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Would Sabbath-keeping be less meaningful if, on the other six days, our work disrupted human well-being or otherwise failed to honor the Sabbath Giver? This article is an abridged version of the longer peer-reviewed article "Sabbath: The Theological Roots of Sustainable Development" published in the Journal of Biblical Integration in Business available at http://cbfa-jbib.org/index.php/jbib/article/view/108/108 .

Sabbath: The Theological Roots Of Sustainable Development, Michael E. Cafferky

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It is the thesis of this paper that, in general, the points of emphasis by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development are in close, but not perfect, alignment with the concept of Sabbath-shalom in Scripture. Some differences also exist. Sabbath begins at Creation and is the substance and symbol of God’s care for this earth. In Sabbath we rest in God’s sustaining power. Sabbath also is integral to covenant relationships. This means that Sabbath is not merely about care for the environment but also about care for all relationships envisioned by the concept of shalom. Both the creation roots and …

Biblical Kingship: Model For Contemporary Business Leaders., Michael E. Cafferky

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A careful study of the biblical references to kingship reveals that accumulation of personal wealth, building military power which could be use to oppress citizens, and convoluted foreign policy were unacceptable. This speaks to our contemporary condition. Furthermore, kings were responsible to, and chosen from, the community, and expected to set a high moral example.

Sabbath & Management, Theology & Application, Michael E. Cafferky

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Without detracting from the importance of setting aside one day of worship each week some scholars believe that the meaning of Sabbath contains broader principles. This paper presents a summary of Sabbath theology based on two biblical themes: Creation and Covenant. It provides support for why managers should consider applying Sabbath principles in their work. Part III shows some of the ways in which this might play out in managerial work.

Book Review Of Sunday, Sabbath, And The Weekend: Managing Time In A Global Culture, Michael E. Cafferky

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If you haven't thought about the biblical meaning of the Sabbath lately and your mind if focused on business, I recommend that you start considering Sabbath now with the help of the book Sunday, Sabbath and the Weekend. Remember the Sabbath! Remembering (Exodus 20:8) and observing (Deut. 5:12) the Sabbath is what the book helps us do by offering a collection of fourteen essays on the Sabbath and what this concept and practice mean in a contemporary global context.

Honor The King. Yes, But Emulate The King?, Michael E. Cafferky

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In seeking to discern God's will for their lives, top-echelon Christian leaders would do well to consider the biblical ideals embedded in the concept of kingship. The paper explores the biblical characteristics of the ideal king with the goal of identifying lessons for contemporary top-echelon leaders. It also reviews the connection between creation and kingship and the biblical concept of the Kingship of God, biblical guidance available in the selection, anointing and annual renewal of the king, and the duties and role of the king. It draws lessons regarding contemporary top-echelon Christian leaders in terms of personal traits, behaviors and …

Leading In The Face Of Conflicting Expectations: Caring For The Needs Of Individuals And Of The Organization, Michael E. Cafferky

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This paper explores the tension between caring for the needs of persons and caring for the needs of the organization. Biblical themes and contemporary scholarship are used as a lens through which to better understand this tension as it relates to true integrity. Suggestions are provided for integrating the concepts into leadership training.

Sensible, Prudent & Shrewd: Building Blocks For A Theology Of Efficiency, Michael E. Cafferky

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This paper examines operational efficiency from a biblical theology perspective. The paper describes operational efficiency in contemporary terms and considers six categories of constraints on efficiency. In pursuing its purpose the paper reviews six relevant biblical themes including: God‘s character, creation, covenant, shalom, blessing, and fruitfulness. Five biblical values and virtues describe how efficiency is to be achieved: truth, wisdom, prudence, usefulness, and stewardship. The biblical theme of agricultural yield provides an illustration of the instrumental virtues and values by which workers achieve and measure efficiency.

Career In The Marketplace: Is It Appropriate For A Christian?, Michael E. Cafferky

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All settings where productive and legitimate service can be provided are valued in the Bible so long as each endeavor is pursued in a manner that honors God.

Exploring The Fundamental Paradox Of Being An Organizational Leader, Michael E. Cafferky

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This paper explores a fundamental, universally experienced leadership tension of caring for the needs of the individual and caring for the needs of the organization. The paper draws a distinction between the three concepts of paradox, dilemma and tradeoff. It describes the nature of the individual-community tension. It reviews the tension from the perspective of management scholarship and themes found in Biblical theology. The exploration reviews some of the issues that Christian leaders face as they attempt to manage this tension. It concludes by offering implications for leadership education.

Innovation In The Early Church: Strengthening The Thesis, Michael E. Cafferky

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In his response to Oster’s article, Cafferky offers commendations for the points that Oster presents when considering the events described in Acts 10-11. Cafferky also explores what he believes is an implicit assumption in Oster’s article regarding applying organizational theory from the for-profit sector straight across into the nonprofit sector. Oster’s thesis might be strengthened if the literature from the world of organization theory applicable to nonprofits is considered. Finally, Cafferky attempts to strengthen Oster’s thesis by exploring the complexity of the identity and purpose that he believes the first century Jewish Christians carried with them as they evaluated the …

The Process Of Faith Integration In The Development Of A First-Edition Principles Of Management Textbook, Michael E. Cafferky

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Overview:

• The Journey & Project Overview
• Mission
• Use of Scripture & Theological Themes
• Manuscript Development
• Structural Choices
• Rationale
• Potential Weaknesses
• Opportunities for future R&D

Business And The Good Shepherd, Michael E. Cafferky

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"Know that the lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture” Psalm 100:3 (NASB). These words became the basis for a complete overhaul of one of my favorite class periods in one of my favorite courses: Ethical, Social, and Legal Environment of Business, where I teach about the agency theory

All For One & One For All: Understanding Servant Leadership, Michael E. Cafferky

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What’s a Leader to Do?

Here are some guidelines to help you balance the tension between the individual and the group.

1. Pray for God to give you wisdom from thoughts others have to share as well as your own thoughts.

2. Take each situation as a process that is unfolding, and remain open to consider the needs of the organization and the needs of the individual as these come to be understood.

3. See in every complicated leadership situation the opportunity to explore your own humility by sharing leadership with followers.

4. Recognize that in every complicated leadership situation, …

Religious Beliefs And Models Of Faith Integration At Work, Michael E. Cafferky

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Activities that a person engages in at work to express their faith might not, on the surface, reveal much about why they do what they do.

Celebrating Paradoxes In Christian Leadership, Michael E. Cafferky

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Studying organizations as dynamic, open systems has captured the interest of organizational scholars for several decades. Along with other influences this has led to pr9gressively more sophisticated understanding of how leaders and followers interact and how their organizations interact with the external environment. In turn, as our understanding has improved, scholarly awareness of the complexity of leadership has increased. One might argue that this awareness correspondingly has produced a better understanding of the many tensions that derive from dilemmas and paradoxes that leaders face in their work.

Integration Through Narrative, Michael E. Cafferky

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The purpose of this paper is to test the proposition that narrative contains an inherent power for integration of faith, life, and learning of business principles. This is done by a process of reviewing assertions from selected disciplines with the revealed will of God in Scripture. To accomplish this, the paper explores narrative in the context of cultural anthropology, education, business, and religion. From these fields, several parallels can be seen, and several values of narrative for the university business school classroom emerge. The concluding thoughts suggest how instructors can use stories for faith, life, and learning integration.