Job seekers applying for work with the state of Georgia will no longer need to disclose prior criminal convictions on their initial applications. This is a major development considering how hard it is for former prisoners to get a job. And the more difficult it is for them to acquire gainful employment the higher the possibility they will return to the lifestyle that lead them to prison in the first place. Georgia is the first state in the South and 13th overall to adopt this policy. About 97 percent of those sentenced to prison in Georgia will eventually be released, and more than 1,300 re-enter society each month without employment, according to Deal’s criminal justice reform council. The council’s report said this was a barrier to employment that could exclude released inmates from consideration even if they are qualified for the job and the conviction has no bearing on the work. (Source: www.ajc.com) Of course the implementation of this policy doesn't guarantee anyone a job, but it does open the door for those who previously would have been automatically excluded. The timing of this order is great for an initiative that Kinsman Ministries (see Creating Prosperity in Urban Communities Through Jesus, Jobs, and Justice), which is planning to kick-off April 1st, called Greater Works Employee Development Initiative. This is a new beginning, but it's only a beginning. Now the real work begins serving inner city men who have been underserved and overlooked in the job market.
In a recent blog I wrote, What it Really Means to be a Christian C.E.O., I defined the position of CEO from God's perspective. From His perspective, C.E.O. stands for "Christ's Executive Officer." The focus of that article was on those who start and/or lead companies. However, this definition of C.E.O. can be expanded beyond just business owners and would also include any Christian who has a leadership position directly responsible for other people. Here is how this divine understanding of C.E.O. relates to any Christian in any type of leadership role:
As you can see this description is not just for Christian business owners. This broader understand of a C.E.O. applies to you if you work for a company and have management responsibility over other people. God is giving you the opportunity and empowerment to impact lives through your leadership. So the next time somebody asks you if you're a C.E.O., give them a resounding YES! It's amazing how many Christian entrepreneurs glory in their grind more than relying upon the grace of God. On this week's prayer call the focus was on the choices that we make to either work based on our own strength or work resting in the strength of God. And according to Mark 4:1-20, our choice and the corresponding harvest (or lack thereof) is based on the condition of our hearts. You will definitely be blessed and challenged by this call (I know because I was challenged as I was in teaching it). Click below to listen to the call and download the teaching notes. You can also access the previous call and notes if you haven't done so already. Also, don't forget to mark your calendar for the continuation of this series, #YourDreamMatters: From Dreaming to Thriving, this Sunday at 8:30 PM Everything that we experience in life is the manifestation of an idea. The universe, earth, and mankind were all once ideas in God's imagination before they came into being. In fact in Genesis 1:1-3, God gives us His formula for bringing ideas into reality, and it starts with your imagination. Why? Because how you utilize your imagination is central to manifesting the resources need to accomplish God's vision in the earth. Your God-given imagination is more powerful than you realize. And when it's under the control of the mind of Christ and the tutorship of the Holy Spirit your possibilities are endless, including how you create income streams for your business and household. After all, He gave us the power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18), the knowledge of witty inventions (Proverbs 8:12), and He said He would lead us in the way that is profitable (Isaiah 48:17). Even your faith is connected to your imagination based on Hebrews 11:1. Recently I recorded a teleseminar entitled, 7 Biblical Strategies to Monetize Your Imagination. The focus of this training session was to help you understand how to unlock the incredible gift He gave you to accomplish the strategies and plans that He has for you. This MP3 is available for only $4.90 if you include the 30% discount (more than likely less than you'll pay for lunch today :) Don't sit on your potential any longer. It's time to unleash what God gave you! I look forward to your feedback. Please leave your comments below... It's interesting - and almost tragic - that many people still don't realize or fully embrace that God chose you for something special. Indeed, He placed you on this planet for a specific purpose. And believe it or not, it's connected to your vocation. Although you may not like your job currently, or you have not yet have found the thing that gets you excited to get out of bed Monday mornings ( or any morning), His plan for you is connected to the work that you do now and will do in the future. In Mike Wittmer's recent article at The High Calling Blog recently entitled, Designed to Work: What Do You Make Possible?, he discusses the significance of the connection between our work and God's plan of redemption for our world. He states: What task has God called you to do? It might be menial, and it might be hard. Maybe you’re having a rough shift right now. If so, God has given you a golden opportunity. Can you describe what your job makes possible? How do you enable others to make something of the world? Answer these questions, and you will find God’s purpose in your job. You will know that you are serving Jesus and obeying the first command he ever gave you (Col. 3:17; 23-24; Gen. 1:28). So whether you love your job or hate it, just remember God wants to use it to change you and the people that He connects you to through the work you do. Ask God to give you a new perspective of your work so you can jump on board with His plan.
Read the full article Designed to Work: What Do You Make Possible? at http://www.thehighcalling.org/work/designed-work-what-do-you-make-possible#.VFfUhkvC_2w Please leave your comments below... Whether we realize it or not, we are in the age of the "Entrepreneurial Economy". This doesn't mean everyone will be an entrepreneur. What it means is that every worker needs to approach the workforce with a new mindset. Along with a new mindset, workers will also need new transferable skills that will be sustainable in any work environment or economy. Every person is a personal enterprise who brings significant value to the marketplace. While that may be somewhat frightening for some, this new normal actually creates many opportunities for those who are willing and able to adapt and adjust. That's why we're excited to host Dream Rally for Jobs in Suffolk, VA this Friday, October 17th at Gates of Heaven C.O.G.I.C. We will be restoring hope, igniting visions, and inspiring dreams of the unemployed, underemployed, and misemployed. If you have been unsuccessful in finding meaning work with a living wage or you know someone in that position please join us for this special event beginning at 7:30 pm. |
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