Leading for the Glory of God

·26 min·2 clips

A study of 7,200 Gen Z's worldwide found they want to be known as kind and good, not successful or rich.

The episode is a chapel address by Newt Crenshaw, introduced as the Brock Forum for Authentic Christian Leadership speaker. Crenshaw begins by acknowledging the worship band and Covenant College's unique three-times-weekly chapel schedule. He poses the foundational question 'What is a person for?' critiquing societal utilitarianism. Crenshaw references a global study of Gen Z, finding they value kindness and goodness. He then turns to the Westminster Catechism, quoting 'Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever,' and connects this to John Piper's book 'Desiring God.' Crenshaw discusses Jesus' words in John 15 about bearing fruit and remaining in love for complete joy. He explains that glorifying God involves an active life beyond worship, including work, citing Martin Luther's view that all labor can be sacred. Crenshaw shares Hebrew terms 'abad' (to work/serve) and 'shamar' (to keep/watch over) from Genesis 2, linking them to Psalm 127. He transitions to leadership lessons from his careers at Eli Lilly and Young Life, emphasizing purpose over triviality with the phrase 'We don't make Hershey bars.' Crenshaw outlines Young Life's seven values, including the gospel, scripture, and diversity. He identifies three key leadership traits: integrity (wholeness), humility (groundedness), and courage (fearlessness). Crenshaw critiques information overload, quoting a leadership author on confusing data with wisdom. He concludes by exhorting students to lead like Jesus with sacrificial service, referencing Mark 10, and encourages various vocations from science to arts for God's glory.

As heard by us

A grounded chapel message on Christian leadership, ordinary work, faithful stewardship, and sacrificial service.

Leadership begins in the ordinary places where Christian conviction has to become visible: work, homework, friendship, ministry, and the steady pull to make life revolve around the self.

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Why you'd press play

You will hear a case for treating work, homework, friendships, and ministry as places where God's glory belongs.

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