Communicating Truth in Our Work and World
Here are my comments I shared with the Baptist Communicators Association.

Intro: Our common mission – communicating truth in our work and world

3 Losses That Are Challenges To Our Mission

1. Loss of Responsibility - lost of accountability because of our invisibility
2. Loss of Reflection – we are media-blitzed and have no margin
3. Loss of Roots and Realism – we live in urban tribes and bowl alone; values have replaced virtues and celebrity has replaced character

2 Cultural Responses to These Losses

1. Nihilism - “Nothing means anything” – the age of “Whatever”; George Barna conversation
2. Narcissism - we love ourselves - I am everything (perverted stewardship) – our marketing celebrates this and encourages this

6 Christian Responses to These Losses
Let’s examine a few practical Christian responses to these 3 losses that might point the way forward

1. View Others In The Imago Dei - We need to remember everyone we interact with in the office is made in the image of God.
2. Be a Truth-teller - How can I be strategic and honest, without being transparent? Compromising the truth may the easiest sins to commit. We follow the One who is Truth and must be marked by truth. Be a Servant - We all want to be a servant until we are treated like one – but being a servant is our call to answer and our duty to fulfill.
3. Be a Good Steward - What kind of steward are you of your opportunities? Do you realize that being a good steward of our opportunities is harder in modern times? We have so many choices - economic, geographical, educational. Luke 12:48:“To whom much is given, much is required” – Pray about, discuss, and wrestle with how to leverage our gifts, experience, personality, time, energies, and opportunities for His glory and others’ good.
4. Be Excellent - We must be excellent in all we do. St. Francis of Assisi said “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary use words.” Of course it is necessary to use words to share the Gospel. But people will hear our words and see our works. The witness of our lips and lives should be consistent and excellent.
5. Ask Questions – We learn as we listen and it helps others learn. Jesus and Paul both used questions effectively to challenge assumptions and instruct other. Questions are revealing. If they are situation-specific and fit the audience, they can clarify reality and provide space for people to decide. How you answer specific questions is telling about you and your organization and your view of life. What would you learn about your perception by looking at your answers? What would your colleagues learn about you or the organization?