On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfillment

Does your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems? How do we work well? Is there a God, and might God have something to say about the way we work? Weaving together biblical perspectives with academic research and his own experiences of working in different settings, Chris Gillies lays the theological foundation for work, moves on to examining biblical role models from both Old and New Testaments, and concludes by exploring common issues we wrestle with in our work, from money matters or managing and leading others to knowing if we’re in the right job or simply doing the right thing.

‘There’s new thinking here, hammered out on the anvil of a long, demanding, and successful career at the highest corporate levels through prayerful reflection, biblical engagement and careful analysis. Chris Gillies offers us a rich understanding of God’s purposes for humankind, framing his approach to work on the dynamic springboard of the life, character and work of Jesus, and on the ongoing empowering of the Holy Spirit for everyday work. This is a book that anyone at any level could profit from. Bravo. And thank you.’
Mark Greene, mission champion, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC)

‘Christians just don’t think enough about work and the way work is changing. On the Way to Work is a treasure trove of deep insight from the scriptures and a mine of good advice from a seasoned practitioner. Chris Gillies’ insights are honed from many years’ experience and will be lifegiving for all kinds of people in different roles and occupations.’
Steven Croft, bishop of Oxford

‘On the Way to Work paints a reframing vision of how we can approach our working lives as worship. Such a brilliant handbook for how to approach the world of work with a kingdom-first mindset. Equipping, affirming and inspiring. I can’t wait for Monday!’
Caragh Bennet, cofounder and CEO, ZENA

‘Chris Gillies combines values with brilliant business acumen. He is one of the few people I pause to think “what would Chris do” and, most importantly, how. I’ve been lucky enough for Chris to have been my professional mentor since working together at Zurich. This book offers the opportunity for everyone to experience his wisdom and guidance, helping you choose how to spend your energy and achieve your aspirations, with morals at the forefront of decisions and actions.’
Kathryn Axcell-Steele, head of brand and integrated marketing, Wesleyan Assurance Society

‘Chris Gillies offers a rich and rare combination of biblical wisdom, practical insight and personal experience that will inspire Christians to think differently about their work and its significance. My hope and prayer is that Christians and other readers will learn from Chris and the compelling vision he sets forth in this book.’
Matt Lynch, associate professor of Old Testament, Regent College

‘This important book is insightful and inspiring, and full of invaluable, real-life examples of leaders navigating the world of work. Anyone who is keen to discover how to best deploy their influence for the kingdom of God will find much here to guide them through their careers.’
Stephen Foster, rector, St Aldates, Oxford, and advisor, Alpha UK

‘A theology of work and a work of theology. Over many years of treasured friendship, Chris Gillies both demonstrated to me and challenged me to see that the call of God, the vocation of the Christian, is not limited to ordained ministers and foreign missionaries, but rests upon all who follow Jesus and all who are sent to serve the king and his kingdom in every sphere of life and work.’
Simon Ponsonby, pastor of theology, St Aldates, Oxford

‘This book will expand your vision of what a deeply fruitful and successful life looks like. A central premise of the book is that our work matters to God and God really does matter to our work. With that as a robust foundation, Chris Gillies tackles many layers of the implications of what that means for our frontline work, time, money, decision making, relationships; in essence, our whole lives!’
Ness Wilson, leader, Pioneer UK

‘This is a remarkable book, and you should read it. In these pages,
Chris Gillies illuminates a path to work that is not only distinctive but
also the way of Jesus and of the kingdom of God. If you let this book
do its work, it will change you – for good. Chris has crafted a work
that is truly transformative – a powerful journey towards personal
and spiritual growth.’
Paul Woolley, chief executive, The London Institute for
Contemporary Christianity (LICC)

‘This is a timely book on the importance of work – what we do, how we
do it and most importantly why work is part of God’s plan for what it
means to be human. Chris Gillies brings together years of experience,
a biblical framework and lots of helpful illustrations in a very readable
and accessible style.’
Peter Lynas, UK director, Evangelical Alliance

‘This is quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time. Chris Gillies repeatedly illustrates wise practical advice with telling anecdotes from his own experience, covering many different topics, acknowledging the value of different perspectives and sharing maturely what God has taught him along the way.’
Richard Higginson, former director and chair, Faith in Business

‘Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this book has something invaluable to offer. It masterfully combines the wisdom of years of experience with practical advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking God’s calling on their life and true success in their work.’
Reuben Coulter, senior advisor, Faith Driven Investor and partner, Ignis Advisory

‘This is a book that has been over 40 years in the writing and its depth and insights reflect the journey of a man who has set his sights on bringing kingdom influence to the highest level of businesses.’
Nic Harding, director, Kairos Connexion and Together for the Harvest

‘Chris Gillies writes a wonderfully practical and thoughtful book that speaks powerfully about what it means to engage in the world of work in a distinctively Christian way. He constructs a brilliant, thorough and nuanced analysis that challenges the oft-prevailing and unhelpful narrative of the sacred–secular divide, and offers beautifully crafted autobiographical, theological and academic reflections to suggest an alternative mode of being for operating as a Christian in the workplace.’
Catherine Delve, CEO, Resurgam Asset Management Limited; chair of trustees, Bridge the Gap Football

Together magazine November/December 2024. Review by Fiona Lloyd

For many of us work is an important part of our daily life. This includes not just paid employment but also voluntary work, studying and work within the home (such as raising children). Yet unless we have an overtly ‘Christian’ job such as ministry or missionary roles, it can be easy to regard our work as being somehow distinct from our spiritual life.

Chris Gillies has worked in the business and finance sector for over 40 years, and more recently has used his skills to serve in the charitable sector. As he progressed in his career, he gradually became more aware of the importance of how his faith affected the way he worked, and how working in any environment – secular as well as Christian – should be viewed as work for God. Out of this realisation came his latest book, On the Way to Work. In this book, Gillies discusses how seeing our work and faith as being intertwined rather than completely separate from each other can change our perspective and bring fresh motivation, explaining how applying biblical ideology can transform the workplace and lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. And while this is written from a Christian perspective, Gillies is keen to emphasise that the principles he promotes are equally relevant for those of other faiths or no faith at all.

On the Way to Work is split into three sections. The first gives the reader a spiritual overview of the Bible timeline, from the Garden of Eden to Christ’s return. Within this, Gillies examines how work is part of God’s plan for humankind and considers what it means to be fruitful. When set against the backdrop of eternity, our current work has long-term meaning, regardless of the nature of that work. Gillies reminds us that ‘The way we work can provide evidence today of God’s renewed order.’

The second section of the book focuses on biblical role models. Old Testament characters such as Joseph, Deborah and Daniel demonstrate what it means to honour God in our work, and how living and working according to his ways can affect those around us or for whom we have responsibility.

In the New Testament it is assumed that Jesus himself worked for many years before beginning his itinerant ministry. While the Gospels tell us nothing about his years as a carpenter, we can still learn from the last three years of his earthly life. The way Jesus interacted with those around him provides an example as to how we should behave in the workplace.

Gillies devotes the third section of the book (by far the longest part) to common issues we may encounter in the workplace. He starts by contrasting secular and sacred worldviews, showing how understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus can reform and rejuvenate our approach to work, and noting that ‘The divide in our worldview should not be between sacred and secular, but between God’s way and a more self-centred human way.’ Our role should not be simply to criticise the practices of modern society but to propose a better alternative.

Later chapters offer advice on how to implement Christian principles into our work environment so that individuals as well as companies can flourish. Gillies underpins these with numerous personal anecdotes, along with relevant Scripture quotes. He also encourages the reader to think about how to balance the ‘big five’ demands on our lives, namely: time with God; time with family; time at work; building community; rest and recreation. This is a helpful template, reminding us to view our lives holistically instead of focusing on one area to the detriment of the others.

A lot of ground is covered in On the Way to Work, so I appreciated the way the author ended each chapter with a summary of the key points and a few questions for self-reflection. Gillies has an engaging style and manages to break complex topics down into smaller, more easily digestible chunks. This is a valuable resource for those who want to think more about how their faith relates to their work – whatever form that takes – and for pastors who want to help their congregations be salt and light to a watching world.

Reviewed by Fiona Lloyd

Faith in Business Quarterly (vol 23.2). Review by David Steinegger

‘On the way to work, do you look forward to your day? Does it give you a sense of purpose?’ So begins the introduction to Chris Gillies’ book. On the Way to Work provides a refreshing perspective on the theology of work, gives examples of some of the great biblical role models, offers practical insights into working through many of the common issues we face, and is enriched with examples from Chris’ own experience.

The book is structured into three parts. The first part brings a theological perspective which starts in the Garden of Eden, continues through the redemption story and ends in the eternal city in Revelation. I appreciated how this section connects God’s great story for humankind with our stories and reminds us that our lives in our workplaces truly matter. The second part of the book highlights some of the great characters in the Old Testament and God’s anointing in their ‘workplaces’. It then moves on to the life of Christ and the characteristics of his redemptive approach. Part three, the largest section of the book, focuses on common issues we face in the workplace. This section starts with an insightful Christian worldview perspective, reminding us that there is no sacred-secular divide, and that God is profoundly interested in all of our lives.

In part three, Chris goes on to look at some real workplace issues, with biblical and practical insights to tackle them. For example, his chapter on ‘How do I know if I’m in the right job’ gives a scriptural base to address this question, together with practical pointers. Here he encourages readers to loosen their grip on a calling to do a specific job, and rather pursue their life’s mission. This will be helpful for many. I would add that at times God speaks very specifically into our career decisions through scripture, the holy spirit’s guidance and the voice of others. He tackles another real issue in the chapter ‘Balancing the big five’ – describing the challenge of the big five calls on our time – our relationship with God, family, work, community and rest and leisure. In reflecting on this, I was reminded that God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11) and if we can live each day with this promise, and the challenge in mind, then we can come to a place of truly flourishing in our lives as Kingdom people – and this is much more precious than gold!

The 290 pages can at first feel a little overwhelming. But I devoured the book on two long haul flights, being stimulated by the three-cord strand of biblical theology, practical insight and great examples from Chris’ many years of experience in the workplace. The summaries at the end of each chapter are helpful, as are each chapter’s questions for personal reflection.

It would have been helpful if the book had also explored the biblical basis and importance of having wise mentors or coaches: ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ (Proverbs 11:14). I have found wise Christian mentors to be a great blessing on my journey in many workplaces across multiple countries and cultures.

I would also like to have seen a template in the book summarising some of the more practical learning points which are interspersed throughout the book. Perhaps a workbook could follow!

Appropriately, the book ends with a chapter on ‘the prize for running well.’ We are called to be faithful with the gifts and abilities that God has given us. We are reminded that our wok in the here and now foreshadows a new kind of redeemed work after Jesus returns. And here’s a great challenge that Chris presents: we have the opportunity to anticipate that future time by modelling it in the present and living it now for the glory of God and service to humanity!

We are called to be kingdom people in our workplaces – and in whatever we do, to work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord. Having a God-given sense of purpose in our days is essential if we are to live fulfilled lives. This book offers helpful pointers to living a purposeful life and is a great addition to the library of all who are seeking to be faithful, fruitful and fulfilled in their workplaces.

David Steinegger holds a number of non-executive positions, is a people builder, a church leader, and a trustee of several charities, including Wycliffe Bible Translators UK, which he chairs.

Church Times 21.07.24. Review by Eve Poole

This new book on work from Chris Gillies benefits from his lifetime of working in the financial-services sector. He has spent more than 40 years in finance, working in many different markets, particularly for Zurich Insurance; and has more than 30 years’ experience as a board member of various charities, including the Children’s Society and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His book synthesises his own rich experience of work with his research and with perspectives from the Bible.

What sold the book to me was that it was described as 'quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time' by Richard Higginson. As the founder of Faith in Business, he is the oracle in this field, because he has read every book ever written on the subject. So, on this glowing recommendation, I dived straight in.

The book itself is very readable, with a handy summary section and points for reflection at each chapter end. Part I focuses on the basics, such as using the Bible, addressing selfishness, being fruitful, and the need to keep a focus on God’s work throughout. Part II covers “Biblical role models” from Joseph to Jesus, and profiles forgotten heroes, such as Boaz as the model employer.

Part III tackles a range of knotty topics, from money to ethical decision-making, in which my favourite chapter was on “Balancing the Big Five”. It asks some sharp questions about work-life balance. His Big Five are: time with God, time with family, work time (paid or unpaid), time building community, and time for rest, leisure, and exercise. He encourages readers to analyse how they are spending their time across these activities, to identify where time spent may be out of kilter.

I also really appreciated his wise words on vocation: 'the key to finding your special God-given calling is to loosen your grip on the idea that God is calling you to do a specific job.' Charles Eve once called this yearning for the certainty of a highlighted job advert our desire to 'grab the steering wheel' instead of letting God drive.

Gillies likewise reminds us to look with soft eyes on the totality of our mission in life, to discern where our work and any particular job fits into the whole. Given that the world of work these days is very non-linear, this is sage advice. At the end of the book, Gillies recommends that we make use of a period of retreat to take stock of our work, to recommit ourselves to our vocation in its totality, and to listen for what God might be saying to us about what we should do next.

Dr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.

CPAS Lead on newsletter review June 2024. Review by Mike Duff

St Paul charges the Philippians, as citizens of heaven, to live utterly different lives to the Roman citizens around them. With 30 years' experience in top-level corporate leadership, Chris Gillies delivers the same powerful challenge to Christians immersed in the culture of their working life.

'The idea God was as interested in my work as he was in the way I did church... that God might have work for me to do at my workplace didn't really occur to me. My understanding of why God mattered to my daily work was virtually non-existent.'

As at home in the Bible as the workplace, Chris addresses this autobiographical question through four basic themes: how it all started; the problem of selfishness; what it means to be fruitful; where we are heading. Elements of the salvation story are carefully worked out as they apply not in church, home or individual discipleship but in our working life.

Next, he explores with penetrating insight some obvious biblical role models - Joseph, Jethro, Daniel and others - and less obviously how Jesus approached his own redeeming work.

The longest section applies biblical discipleship themes to the workplace: What is the prevailing workplace worldview and how might we confront and change it? Am I in the right job? How can we do we do the right thing and adopt a godly lifestyle amid pressures to conform? How do we balance the major claims on our time when work demands everything? How would Jesus have us handle money and lead others? What is our true reward for working well?

Preachers will recognise in this outstanding resource many familiar insights but applied with a clarity, insight and authority ew will have achieved. Those whose work is outside the church will find themselves challenged by God's intimate and relentless concern with their working life. Church leaders will be given a profound insight into the world of work and how to shape the life of the church so that it connects with this vital 'frontline'.
Review by Mike Duff, CPAS Patronage Secretary

Richard Frost, writer and blogger: workrestpray.com. 1 June 2024

Books providing a Christian perspective on work can at times feel as rare as hearing a sermon on the topic. So, Chris Gillies' offering is a welcome contribution and one which I looked forward to reading.

I spent most of my professional career helping people with their work and also supporting businesses and organisations in caring for staff. I even wrote a book about it myself.

Chris Gillies brings a wealth of experience from senior management positions in financial sector businesses and charitable organisations. This, combined with insight from his faith and biblical knowledge, and observations from others (most notably Mark Greene, well known for his own work in this field) provides a strong base on which to build.

Gillies explores the nature of work from Genesis through Old Testament examples such as Joseph and Daniel and the core characteristics Jesus demonstrates for us to aspire to. The author also includes a number of examples of businesses adopting a godly approach towards people, practice and profit.

Its pages are full of well-rehearsed biblical insights and familiar business-speak which will resonate particularly with those with similar faith perspectives and senior leadership experience. For this reviewer, I would have liked to have seen more content which relates to the vast majority of those who find themselves on the way to work: the ones who don't occupy well-paid, high-level, influential roles.

Nevertheless, for those who wish to explore this important aspect of life (and one which, for many, occupies a considerable amount of it of it) it is a thought-provoking read.

Reviewed by Richard Frost, a former employment specialist, and the author of Life with St Benedict and four other books. Richard writes a blog at workrestpray.com. 

Books for Today April 2024. Paul Beasley-Murray

On the way to work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfilment by Chris Gillies, who is the treasurer of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, is intended for all those who are at work, to help them live out their faith Mondays to Fridays. Divided into three parts, the first section is entitled ‘From a garden to a city’; the second looks at some of the Old Testament heroes and goes on to reflect on Jesus and how Christians today have sought to implement the teaching of Jesus in the workplace; while the third section deals with some is very down-to-earth issues such as how hard we should we work along with money matters. At the end of each chapter there’s a summary of the key principles. This is a good book for ministers to commend to their people.