Dr. Michael Naughton has spoken around the world about the integration of faith and work. I have had the honor and pleasure to write and teach with him about this topic as it relates to entrepreneurship.
Michael Naughton
Dr. Naughton presented this morning at our conference, talking with us about the different approaches we take to work and leisure and our lives.
For some our work is simply a job. We do it only for the economic rewards. In the world of entrepreneurship I talk about this as “entrepreneurs on steroids.” These are the entrepreneurs who pursue a business venture solely as a financial transaction to be maximized. For many of them their leisure takes to form of amusements meant to serve as a means of escape from the pressures of pursuing the maximum wealth from the deals they pursue. This becomes a state of having over being.
For others, our work is a career. We seek the psychological rewards that work can give us. Entrepreneurs view work as a means to an end — to be their own boss. Leisure is viewed as instrumental for the career. It is a time to rest “to sharpen the saw.” We measure success in terms of achievements. This becomes a state of doing over being.
Finally, for some our work is a calling — a vocation. It is a calling to be human, a calling to a state of life, and a calling to a particular kind of work. Leisure takes the form of contemplation. Life becomes integrated and whole. It is not a state of balance between work and leisure; work and our faith. Rather, they become one as we become what Mike calls a contemplative practitioner.
These three states of work are not mutually exclusive. But, viewing work as a job or a career are just not enough to contain us as a whole person.
(For an outline of Dr. Naughton’s talk click here).
(For a PowerPoint presentation on Dr. Naughton’s talk click here. If your computer doesn’t have PowerPoint, you can download the free PowerPoint Viewer here.
For more information on Michael Naughton’s writing, click here.
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