BOLIVAR, MO – SBU administrators, David Whitlock and Gordon Dutile, have edited a new book on integrating a Christian worldview with the practice of business. The newly-released book, A Noble Calling: Devotions and Essays for Christian Business Professionals, focuses on integrating a biblical worldview into the practice of business. Featuring devotions and essays by twenty-five authors from throughout the United States, A Noble Calling addresses topics ranging from the character traits of Christian business professionals, to essays on management, marketing, finance, accounting, economics, information technology and more.
As Whitlock writes in the introduction, "Too often, individuals who have been called to practice their gifts and talents in the field of business and professional life sense that to serve God they ought to be doing something more directly involved with the church. Many successful business leaders, upon coming to faith in Christ or upon renewing their interest in God’s Word, struggle with whether or not they should enter vocational ministry. Certainly, God calls some from among the professions into such vocations, but I am convinced that many simply haven’t realized the full potential of where God has placed them. God’s people assigned to duties in corporate board rooms, offices, on sales forces, and in entrepreneurial ventures, are among His most treasured ministers and have the potential to have a wider impact and larger influence than most full-time pastors and ministers."
Whitlock said A Noble Calling is presented in three parts. “Part One, A Matter of Character,” contains devotions on character traits as pictured in Psalm 15. “Part Two, A Matter of Worldview,” contains chapters devoted to essays and devotions that cause the reader to consider about how their calling can be consecrated for God’s purposes. “Part Three, A Matter of Faith,” is simply a challenge to operate with the knowledge that the Lord is Lord of all in your life, or else He is the Lord of nothing in your life—a challenge to live a life that clearly evidences faith in Christ.”
Positive reviews include: "A Noble Calling is an excellent resource for anyone who has struggled with God’s call to full-time Christian ministry within the world of business. The authors stress the God-given and God-developed character traits necessary for effective marketplace ministry. Each chapter is relevant and interesting . . . Every Christian serving in the business world should read this book." (Dr. Robert H. (Bob) Roller, President, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.)
Dr. Bob Agee writes in the foreword to the book, "The world of work seems to get more challenging every day as pressures to achieve and succeed make daily demands upon a person. This book of devotionals is designed for the person who faces the demands and challenges of the day to day workplace. The insights in this book seek to help in making application to spiritual truths to the challenges we face every day. . . I would admonish the reader to make this a daily devotional guide. Dip often into the well of Biblical insights contained in this volume.” (Bob R. Agee, President Emeritus, Oklahoma Baptist University and past Executive Director of the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities.)
Several SBU professors and administrators contributed to the book, including the following:
“The Essence of Integrity,” and “The Necessity of a Biblical Christian Worldview,”
by Gordon Dutile, Provost.
“Service: Putting Others First,” and “Under New Management,” by Ronda O. Credille, Professor of Business.
“All I’m Asking For,” by Susan Debauche, Chair Business Administration.
“Charity: Preserving the Dignity of Work,” “He Was a Successful Man,” “Style, Power and the Servant Leader,” “Motivation: A New Model,” and “A Life of Faith: Lessons from Joseph,”
by David W. Whitlock, Associate Provost.
“A Picture of Faithfulness,” by Rodney Reeves, Dean of the Courts Redford College of Theology and Ministry.
“Humility: Attitude & Action,” and “Defining Success,” by Rodger W. Minatra, Professor of Business
“What Keeps You Going?” Stanton Norman, Vice President for University Relations.
“Talents & Technology,” by Timothy DeClue, Professor of Computer Information Science and Jeffrey Kimball, Instructor of Computer Information Science.
“An Ethics Primer,” by Troy Bethards, Assistant Professor of Business.
“Finance: Toward a Biblical Worldview,” and “Free to Serve,” by Tom D. Stevens, Instructor of Business.
Whitlock serves as SBU Associate Provost, Dean of Business and Computer Science and Professor of Business. He is also one of the preaching pastors at Wellspring Fellowship in Bolivar. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and his Master of Business Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and his doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.
Dutile serves as SBU Provost and Professor of Theology and Ministry. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, and his Master of Divinity and doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
A Noble Calling is available from most book sellers including SBU’s campus bookstore, or directly from the publisher at www.wipfandstock.com. For more information about the book, see www.anoblecalling.com. For more information about The College of Business and Computer Science at SBU, visit www.SBUniv.edu/cobacs.