Workplace Culture & Values

Welcome/Series Intro

Hello Prairie Lakes Church! Wonderful to see you again, even if it is via video.

As some of you are aware, I’m just coming back from about (4) weeks of out of office time. And over these past (4) weeks, we took a family vacation out to D.C. (which was fantastic). I spent a week of spiritual renewal out in Denver, CO. And then I’ve just been doing some study from home this past week as I’ve gotten back to the office.

And so let me just say a couple of things about that.

First: wow. What a gift. And not one that I take for granted. I’m so grateful to our Elder Board for granting me that gift, and then of course for the rest of our staff who kinda steps in and makes it all work while I was gone. (And not that I’m all that important…) Just grateful.

Second: it was really, really fruitful. I had a year, my friends. I mean, about this very time last year, I was about a week out from having open heart surgery, and then on the back side of that, transitioning into this role. And it’s been a whirlwind of a year. So it was much needed, very timely, and very fruitful.

You know, Pastor John was a such a good model for me in this rhythm. And I kinda followed his lead in how he spent this time when he had this seat. And it really, really matters, and really, really works. I wish I could spend all of our time this weekend telling you all about it.

BUT:

We’ve got a series to finish up! And I’m excited to jump back in and do that together.

We’re over the hump of summer so to speak; certainly on the down slope as we finish out the month of July and also finish out a series we’ve been in for the last couple of weeks at Prairie Lakes called:

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Show “Called to Work” series graphic

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Called to Work. Nothing like doing a series about our 9-5 smack dab in the middle of vacation season, amirite? But that’s intentional. I know that even during my time away, I thought a lot about my 9-5. And that’s what vacation or time away/time off does; just gives you some space and a chance to have a different perspective on things.

We’ve been talking about a bunch of different things these past couple of weekends… and I know it’s summer, so it’s very likely that you missed one or even both of them. But, as always, hop on prairielakeschurch.org and just click on “Messages” at the top to catch up.

Speaking of the website: if you haven’t been there in awhile, you really should go and check it out. We completely revamped it - and it is legitimately great.

Alright. Let’s conclude our series this weekend by talking about this guy:

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Culture in the Workplace

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Culture in the workplace.

Now:

That phrase might have triggered something in you. Culture in the workplace. Workplace culture. Might have stirred something up in you.

Because this word - culture - has certainly become a buzzword in workplaces all over America in the last few decades - to the point where it’s been parodied and memed. A lot.

And just let me show my age for a second. Because when I was entering the workplace, there was this fad called “Demotivational Posters.” Some of you will remember these. They were posters that kind of made fun of workplace culture—

Like this one:

SHOW EXPECTATIONS POSTER PIC

Or this one:

SHOW TEAMWORK POSTER PIC

Nevertheless, workplaces of all kinds have continued to focus on culture. Not just the corporate/office kinds. Nonprofits and schools. Manufacturing. Churches, even.

In fact, culture has become such a focus for so many workplaces that it’s very likely that you are sick of hearing about it.

You may have even been forced to listen to a presentation or two | or attend a training or two (or five) that talked about culture in the workplace.

And as we all know: the best way to promote a healthy culture in the workplace is to force people to… talk about it… or listen to other people… talk about it.

(Who’s the one being triggered now?)

So why are we talking about it? Here at church?

Here’s why - and Pastor John said some of this last week:

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Culture in the Workplace

The average person spends about 1/3 of their life working—90,000 hours!

And so, workplace culture is the epicenter of influence for many of us:

We will be influenced by it but also can be an influence on it.

God has important things to say to us on both.

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(Explain “epicenter of influence” - shockwaves; both directions; etc.)

So, if you’re taking notes, here’s where we’ll be going this weekend:

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Culture in the Workplace

What is “culture” and what should our posture be towards it in the workplace?

Biblical & practical tips navigating both its influence on us—and how we can influence it

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(Explain each.)

Okay. Let’s tackle that first one: what is “culture,” and what should our posture be towards it?

I’ve referenced this book before, but I’d like to reference it again. I probably think about the content of this book at least every month or so. It’s called:

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Christ and Culture

H. Richard Niebuhr

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Richard Niebuhr wrote this book in 1975. But it’s such good content that it’s still relevant today. And it’s gonna provide a great foundation for our conversation today as we finish up our series talking about culture in the workplace.

So here’s how Niebuhr defines culture:

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What is culture? It is the social life of humanity, the environment created by human beings in the areas of “language, habits, ideas, beliefs, customs, social organization, inherited artifacts, technical processes, and values.”

Christ and Culture, p. 32

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Culture is kind of a tapestry. It’s how we talk to each other. How we act toward each other. It’s what beliefs and convictions are the most important and feature the most prominently. It’s all of those things woven together, expressed as we relate to one another.

Which… although true, is such a big definition that I don’t find it to be helpful.

It’s such a big definition that it fails to provide any real handles.

Which reveals another aspect of culture:

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Culture is hard to define but easy to describe.

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If I asked you:

“Have you ever worked for a boss who was creating a bad culture?” or “Have you ever worked on a team or for a company that had a toxic culture?” and you said, “Yes, I have.” You could probably tell me story after story of what that was like. You’d have no problem describing it. Defining it? Maybe. Describing it? No problem.

Because maybe your boss never celebrated anything you did but always focused on what she felt needed to be addressed or improved. And that created a discouraging culture.

Or maybe your company has become increasingly cutthroat around layoffs, and mandates that you take Monday off, and invites you and 200 of your coworkers into a Zoom meeting to inform you that you no longer have a job, and then has security escort you out of the building the next day. And that created a dehumanizing culture.

And there’s beliefs and convictions behind those kinds of stories. What you value (or don’t value) shows.

And all of that inevitably creates a culture, doesn’t it?

Think about this just for a second:

If you were to describe your current workplace culture… how would you describe it?

If you’re retired, think about this: reflecting on the various jobs, teams, or organizations you worked for, which of those had the healthiest culture? What was it like?

Or if you’re vocation is managing the home and raising a family, ask yourself this: what’s a “good day” or a “good week” look like?

See if you can get a few words or phrases identified in the moment. Then we’ll move on.

Ok. Let’s get back to Niebuhr.

If that’s what culture is, and you can describe it—you can describe when it’s good, and when it’s bad—then what should our posture be towards it? How should we interact, react, or respond to it?

Niebuhr describes a few different ways that we can generally respond:

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As Enemies: actively oppose it

As Friends: actively embrace it

As an Alternative: rise above it

Don’t judge it but try to live differently in it

Judge it and live differently in it

Try and transform it

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Let’s keep this on the screen here for a second and play some hypotheticals out, using this as a filer of sorts.

So here’s your first hypothetical:

Let’s say you get an email from HR that outlines a new policy around email signatures. From this point forward, it’s going to be company-wide policy that all employees will include their preferred pronouns in their email signatures.

Which of these will be your response?

Here’s your second hypothetical:

You’re working on the job site, and your team is about 2 weeks behind where they should be. Your supervisor is under the gun from the general contractor. But you like him; he’s a good boss, really fair, and has treated you and the other guys on the team really well. To save time and some paperwork, he tells you that you don’t have to do some safety or quality checks. Just do a good job, get it done, and keep moving. We’ll catch up.

How would you respond?

Last one:

You’ve got a coworker that nobody—and I mean, nobody—likes. They’re just… mean. That’s the only way to describe them. They’re just a mean person. Everybody avoids them whenever and however they can; everyone hates when they have to interact with them; and everyone talks about them with one another whenever they get the chance… as long as they’re not in earshot. And they have it coming.

How do you respond?

See…

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How we respond to the culture creates culture.

We are always being influenced by it.

And we always have an opportunity to influence it.

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I do a lot of personal and professional coaching. A lot.

I coach pastors across the country.

I coach school administrators. Principals, superintendents, area education agency staffers.

I’ve coached people in the for-profit space.

I coach our staff. I’ve created entire curriculum on it.

And if there’s one theme that I can bank on coming up in our coaching conversations at some point, time and time again, it’s this truth:

We’re always being influenced by the culture that we’re in,

But we always have a chance to influence it.

And the challenge (but also, the opportunity) in those coaching conversations is getting them to see that.

Because if you can see how you’re being influenced by the culture you’re in,

And if you can see how you might influence the culture you’re in,

You can start to find deeper meaning, purpose, and clarity in your everyday work and work relationships.

This is something Pastor John said last week that I just want to bring back to our attention this week. Here’s what he said:

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Because God is sovereign, your coworkers aren’t accidents or coincidences.

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(Explain.)

And I’d add to that by saying this:

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Because God is sovereign, your coworkers aren’t accidents or coincidences.

Because God is generous, he can give you everything you need to navigate and influence the culture you’re in.

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And I use those two words intentionally: navigate. And influence.

Navigate. And influence.

You know, some days feel more like a minefield than a path. And the win on those days is just navigating them without being blown up—or blowing up someone else.

And other days… other days it feels like maybe you’ve got an opportunity. Maybe you’ve got a window. Maybe you can make a difference. Maybe you can influence someone or something for the good.

On either of those kinds of days, our generous God has everything—and wants to give you everything you need to navigate and influence the culture around you.

So here’s what I want to offer you:

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Navigating & Influencing Culture: Four Prayers & Practices

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(Explain.)

Here’s the first:

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Navigating & Influencing Culture: Four Prayers & Practices

Immerse yourself in the culture of God’s Word. (Deut. 6:3-8)

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So, in Deuteronomy, God gives his people these instructions right before they head out the door for work, so to speak. They’re right on the edge of the Promised Land, where there were different people and different cultures and beliefs and values. And here’s what he says to them as they’re about to walk out the door:

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Deuteronomy 6:3–8 “Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.”

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Now, some of them did that literally. They were called “phylacteries.” They were little boxes with leather straps around them that contained parts of the Hebrew law.

But the heart of what God is saying here is this:

If you aren’t intentional about spending regular time with him, especially in his Word, especially in the Bible, allowing God the chance to speak to you, to shape your thoughts, to infuse your mind and your heart with his words and his truths and his commands and his values and what he says is the most important…

If you don’t, then inevitably, you’ll be influenced more by everything else.

Remember: we spend 90,000 hours at work. That’s some influence.

And some of us are putting in 8 hours… 10 hours… 12 hours… even more some days, but aren’t spending 12 seconds with God in his Word.

God is inviting us—even imploring us!—to give him enough space for his Word to be on our hearts. In your chair before you head in. On the Bible app as you’re driving. Over the lunch hour (or half hour). Before bed. One of those times. All of those times. Whatever!

And if you’re looking for a good place to start (or restart), especially when it comes to navigating and influencing the culture at work, then let me suggest to you the Sermon on the Mount in Mattew 5-7 (repeat). Seriously: if all you did for the rest of the year was just start your day by reading a few verses from that sermon, and then ending your day by reading those same verses—bookending your day with a portion of Jesus’ sermon—you’re gonna be light years ahead of where you are right now.

#1. Immerse yourself in the culture of God’s word.

#2:

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Navigating & Influencing Culture: Four Prayers & Practices

Immerse yourself in the culture of God’s Word. (Deut. 6:3-8)

Make big asks of God—especially for wisdom. (James 1:5-8; 16-17)

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Let’s read verses 16 & 17 from James 1 first:

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James 1:16–17 “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

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The same God who made the sun, moon, and starts—the “heavenly lights”—that God… he’s capable of giving you any good thing you need for the day.

And what you need most days, especially when it comes to navigating and influencing the culture at work, is wisdom.

Because it’s not always easy to know what to do; how to respond.

Do I stand up for something? Or do I go with the flow? Or do I try and rise above it or present some kind of alternative? or try and change it?

How do I deal with that person? How do I communicate that decision? What if it doesn’t work out?

If that sounds like your workday, then what you need from God is wisdom. You need to be able to discern and judge correctly; to choose the best course of action based on the right truths and knowledge.

You need wisdom.

You need to ask God for wisdom.

And you need to ask him for it confidently, and boldly.

Verse 5:

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James 1:5–8 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

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Now remember why. What did we just read about who our God is? He’s the giver of every good and perfect gift. He’s the maker of the heavens. That’s who he is.

And he wants us to pray like that’s who he is.

Pray big prayers to our big God.

You got big problems at work? Pray big prayers to our big God!

You don’t know how to move forward? Pray big prayers to our big God!

Did you get treated unfairly, with disrespect, or with little care or concern?

Have you been told that you have to do something you don’t think is right?

Is there someone who has authority over you or the whole organization operating in such a way that makes you want to pull your hair out (or theirs, for that matter) and you don’t know what to do or even if you can take it for another day?

Ask the God who is smart enough to create the whole cosmos for some of his wisdom. #2.

Here’s #’s 3 and 4:

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Navigating & Influencing Culture: Four Prayers & Practices

Immerse yourself in the culture of God’s Word. (Deut. 6:3-8)

Make big asks of God—especially for wisdom. (James 1:5-8; 16-17)

Plant small seeds. Small seeds yield big results. (Matthew 13:31-32)

Remember that you’re part part of a bigger story. (Matthew 4:19)

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Let me just read these to you. First from Matthew 13:

Matthew 13:31–32 “He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

(Don’t get overwhelmed…)