Intro

I’ve made my living for the last 17 years as a management consultant.  This weekend as I studied and prayed I kept being led to Scriptures that reminded me of interesting parallels with my work, so in this week’s post we will begin a series on 10 things Christians can learn from management consultants.  But don’t worry, I won’t be sending a bill.

10 Lessons from Management Consultants: Scripture and Commentary

1. Our function is to be of service

I Peter 4:10

10 God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully

Matthew 20:27-28

27 And anyone who wants to be first must be your slave. 28 Be like the Son of Man. He did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free.”

I Corinthians 9:19-22

19 I am free and don’t belong to anyone. But I have made myself a slave to everyone. I do it to win as many as I can to Christ. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew. That was to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one who was under the law. I did this even though I myself am not under the law. That was to win those under the law. 21 To those who don’t have the law I became like one who doesn’t have the law. I did this even though I am not free from God’s law. I am under Christ’s law. Now I can win those who don’t have the law. 22 To those who are weak I became weak. That was to win the weak. I have become all things to all people. I have done this so that in all possible ways I might save some.

There are many interesting parallels in these verses.  Consultants do not work for the client, so in that sense we are “free” from their authority; however, when consultants are sent to a client, it is expected that we will meet them on their terms.  I once caused great offense by wearing a suit to a client’s casual workplace!  Only after a sincere apology was I able to convince them that I understood their needs, and was ready to serve them.  Likewise, we are freed from the powers of this world, but subject ourselves to them so that we might serve without offense.

Consultants also show up with their own unique knowledge and skills, but the expectation is that these will be employed in the service of the client, not for the glory of the consultant.  Such is also true of the gifts God has given us.

2. Our work is done away from our home

Philippians 3:20

20 But we are citizens of heaven. And we can hardly wait for a Savior from there. He is the Lord Jesus Christ

I Peter 2:11-12

11 Dear friends, you are outsiders and those who wander in this world. So I’m asking you not to give in to your sinful desires. They fight against your soul. 12 People who don’t believe might say you are doing wrong. But lead good lives among them. Then they will see your good deeds. And they will give glory to God on the day he comes to judge.

Matthew 6:19-21

19 “Do not gather for yourselves riches on earth. Moths and rats can destroy them. Thieves can break in and steal them. 20 Instead, gather for yourselves riches in heaven. There, moths and rats do not destroy them. There, thieves do not break in and steal them. 21 Your heart will be where your riches are.

Consulting is a demanding lifestyle!  The expectation is that you will take the first flight early on Monday morning, heading directly to the client from the airport upon arrival.  The workday on the client site commonly extends until 8 or 9pm each night.  On Monday-Wednesday nights you go from the client to a hotel, and on Thursday night from the client directly to the airport for your flight back home.  This process repeats for the term of the project.  Even though some projects may last for years, it is expected that you will make no attempt at building any comforts for yourself in the client city, nor establish any ties there.  Sightseeing is even discouraged, and viewed as a lack of focus on your mission.  It is grounded into our heads that we are commuting, NOT touring.

Of course, the hearts of the consultants are always in their home cities, with their families, friends, and treasures.  We are acutely aware that we are away from where we truly belong.  Scripture teaches us that as Christians we should maintain this view of our earthly “client site” as well.  We are just on one very long business trip, and should focus on the mission at hand rather than our comforts.

3. The scope of our work has been defined for us

Ephesians 1:4

⁴ God chose us to belong to Christ before the world was created. He chose us to be holy and without blame in his eyes. He loved us

Ephesians 2:10

10 We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do.

Before a consultant arrives, a contractual document known as a “statement of work” has already been signed.  This document outlines the many what, when, and how details of the work to be done.  Likewise, God has had a “statement of work” prepared for each of us from the foundations of the world.  As Christians, our mission has been predetermined by God.

We’ll continue our series next week.  Until then, I look forward to hearing your thoughts, please share.

Be blessed.

K