Jesus and business analysis?
The two don’t really go together. It doesn’t even have a nice ring to it.
As a business analyst, I’m one of those people who actually enjoys working with numbers. It excites me, as crazy as that sounds. Like many people who work with numbers, what doesn’t excite me is embracing styles of communication that involve the right side of my brain. For the majority of my life, writing and English were arguably my weakest set of skills—and it didn’t help that English was not my first language. To be completely honest, I avoided both writing and English at all costs. But it’s funny how God works with your perceived weakness.
Bringing Jesus to business analysis
God started working with my weakness two years ago when He God called me out of my cube and asked me to bring the Gospel to the workplace. After much praying, exploring and discerning what that meant in my office environment, I came up with a plan. At times, it felt like I was risking my career for Him, but I continued pressing into His purpose and plan. Asking people to receive the Gospel is nerve-wracking enough by itself—it’s even more intensified in the (very corporate) work environment that I live in. I was on a mission to interrupt the normal 9 to 5, Monday through Friday grind with Jesus. I did that through weekly scriptures and prayers delivered to inboxes Wednesday morning. It all seemed counterculture to me because I was not asking employees to attend Sunday church with me, but rather asking them if I could bring Sunday church to them (on a Wednesday). Fast forward to today, almost 80 former and current employees are starting their day with encouragement and truth from Scripture.
God wants unqualified candidates
Now here’s where the irony is apparent. The same writing skills that I felt would disqualify me from such a task are the same skills that God is continuing to use to bring the Gospel to many of my former and current coworkers. I believe that God is in the business of seeking unqualified candidates to do His work. We so often manage to disqualify ourselves from being leaders for the Kingdom. Too many people have developed a notion that in order to lead in any capacity they must hold a role inside of a church. I admit I was one of those people at one point in my life. But God showed me that is simply not true. He is calling each and every one of us to be a pastor of a ministry for His glory. Are you a dad? Then He needs you to lead your flock. Are you a mom? Then He needs you to shepherd your sheep. Are you an analyst? Then God needs you to worship Him at work with every click of the mouse.
Leading with confidence and faith
Paul tells us that the secret to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is in the word itself (Romans 1:16). He says that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. We don’t have to force or convert people. All we have to do is create the conversation and plant the seed and let God grow. Paul believes in the transforming power of the Gospel does not rely on man’s power but on the power of God. All we have to do is be the messenger!
As we approach the next Leadership Gathering on January 19 & 20, I’d encourage you to show up with an open mind and heart, asking God how you can share the Gospel in your place of influence. We’re all leading something. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to be inspired and mobilized in your leading and serving. As leaders, we can’t give others what we don’t have. Join us as we learn how to thrive by leading from a healthy, alive, and whole state of being. Visit kensingtonchurch.org/lead to register. You won’t regret it.
-Fadi Kamel | Troy campus attendee
