by Neal Joseph
Finally, there is one more concern that Christian-owned businesses and faith-based nonprofits need to keep in mind … the spiritual culture that their employees may or may not experience. What does the Bible have to say about the importance of living (and working) together in community?
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a
multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good
stewards of God’s varied grace. – 1 Peter 4:8-10
This verse shows us the need for teammates to use their talents to serve each other (and others in general) and to adapt their skills to fill the gaps that the organization needs filled.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
– Proverbs 27:17
The power of leadership is best summarized in one word—influence. As teammates, our expectations, attitudes, and behaviors can definitely have an impact on those around us. We all are “sharpened” by the interactions with and examples of our peers.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
– Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
No one climbs Mount Everest alone. To accomplish great things, we all need teammates to help pick us up … and we need to look for opportunities to pick others up, as well, when they need our help.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
– Hebrews 10:24-25
Everyone in your organization needs encouragement and wants to feel part of something greater than themselves. And meeting together in the break room or outside the workplace is important because, by investing time together outside of work, your team builds the relationships and trust that create a more positive, caring, and cohesive culture.