Dr. Stephen R. Graves has been a voice of the faith-and-work movement since it took shape in the 1990s. We at WorkMatters are honored and fortunate to claim him as an advisor and friend. We recently asked Steve a few key questions about the influence of faith on the workforce.

Q - The workplace has seen many "breakthroughs" and "revolutions" in the ways of doing business. What distinguishes the faith-and-work movement from fads and trends?
A - I just was in Atlanta about a month ago speaking to a national gathering of Workplace Ministries, sponsored by Billy Graham's organization. I would like to lean on some of the discussion we had there, because your questions address so many of the same matters.

I have been watching movements since I was 18. We have had movements and fads in the world of donuts (Krispy Kreme), music, tennis shoes, clothes, movies, colors, etc. There are all kinds of movements, broadly speaking. There are a few things that make this movement unique:

• The kind of movement it is: It is a commercial/kingdom movement.
• The origin of the movement. It began out in the streets.
• And the carriers of the movement. The everyday practitioners of the faith are the carriers of this movement.

Let me explain a little more about movements in general and this movement in specific. This will help to frame the discussion.

What is a kingdom movement? - It is an unusual manifestation of God's presence in a geography or people demographic for a specified period of time.

Where is the movement taking place? - A worldwide movement is going on in the work place. It did not start in the church but rather in the Agora [common marketplace]. The New Testament writers used this term to talk of the walkways of commerce; the marketplace where all matters of commercial life where engaged: legal, business, education, entertainment, etc.

I believe there are at least five signals that a kingdom movement is on the ground and gathering momentum. I think you can go back to the late 1990's Promise Keepers movement or reflect on any of the other great moves of God on culture and these five stand the test.

FIVE SIGNS OF A SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT

1. Functions Are More Important than Titles
In a real spiritual movement,
• People are quick to volunteer their services.
• People find themselves busy doing the work and contributing towards meaningful outcomes even without the correct title and pedigree.
• People are pulled by the fulfillment of the work or the cause, not the recognition or reward.
• People follow unconventional organizational lines.
In I Corinthians 3:4-9, Paul discusses the concept of effective leadership. In these verses he lifts function over title.

2. Man-made Artificial Barriers Come Down
We are a culture that self groups and self organizes around commonality. Birds of a feather stick together. That is common. But during times of a real spiritual movement, there are a lot more halls than walls, more bridges than barriers, and the concept of collaboration is more important than the concept of distinctions.

3. Spiritual Entrepreneurship is Rampant
There are formal and informal kingdom initiatives popping up in communities all over the country, all over the world. Although they vary in size, shape and color, they are a key part of the movement landscape. The qualifying distinction is: Are they Spirit-initiated and Spirit-sustained?

I recently sat down and made of list of what was going on in northwest Arkansas in the area of faith in the workplace. I began by creating a list of things that were going on 19 years ago when I moved here. There was hardly anything on the list. I don't think there was one church that had the area of faith-and-work seriously on their radar and, to my knowledge, there was only one marketplace Bible Study going on in the region.

Next, I created a list of all the present-day initiatives that I knew of (and I am sure there are some things that I don't have any idea of). I counted over 25 visible initiatives that are brushing up against this movement in one way or another in northwest Arkansas alone.

If that blows your mind, you ought to count all the things going on in Atlanta or Charlotte or Orlando or Chicago. Every community in America has this spiritual entrepreneurship that is just fueling the movement and being fueled by the movement.

4. The Fragrance of Humility is Unmistakable
Humility is never in jeopardy until someone has something to brag about. It is when great things are being accomplished that our ego muscle starts to flex itself. It is during the times of achievement, progress and accomplishment that we must remember, "It is not about me."

5. Individual Faith Integration is High
One of the things that happen during unusual manifestations of God's presence is that people personalize the gospel message and claims. Transformation and life change are the intended outcome - not mere information gathering.

John the Baptist provides one of the best illustrations of this point in the entire Bible. (Luke 1:63, 66 & 7:28; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-16)

Q - Compared to 10 years ago, how pervasive is the faith-and-work movement? Is it a widely accepted `return` to principle-centered practices or only a Christian movement?
A - It is a movement that crosses denominations, gender, blue-collar, white-collar and no collar. It is embraced by small business and big business, private and public.

Q - Aside from recent news-making corporate misdeeds, what other factors have contributed to the momentum of the faith-and-work movement?
A - That is a very good question. Actually I think there is a bigger, wider backdrop. There was a time when our culture was driven by the world of politics, but not any longer. There was a time when the church drove the culture, but not any longer. There was a time when the university drove the culture, but not any longer. Today there is no greater driver than the business community. It is the commercial environment that pulls the levers in the present culture, even worldwide. Why is this important? Because that is where the movement is being fueled.

Q - In a booming area like northwest Arkansas, what kind of real, measurable change have you observed as a result of blending faith and work?
A - Churches are becoming more workplace-sensitive with their programming. Ministry pockets are springing up everywhere. Companies of all sizes are addressing the corporate edges of the movement by talking about ethics and values. Both the University of Arkansas and John Brown University have launched initiatives (or even whole departments of study) that touch this area. And there are small groups, both formal and informal, meeting all over northwest Arkansas discussing these matters every week.

Q - What is the best starting place for someone interested in developing a 24/7 faith that extends into the workplace?
A - Well I happen to believe there are four unmistakable markings of a man or woman of faith in today's workplace. They evidence calling, model serving, display character and deliver skill. Put those four elements into your backpack or briefcase, and you will find yourself riding on the front wave of the movement.