Culture Change Agent - Paul

During a recent blog tour with my book, I was asked a great question by the author of managementbygod.com. Besides Jesus, what character in the Bible do I admire most for culture change? 

My answer, by far, Paul. Not because of the dramatic conversion of him as a person, but rather the significance of his impact throughout history. During his life, he was shaping the culture of the Christian church to be based on salvation and grace rather than the law. This was a dramatic departure from the Old Testament belief and values system. Imagine spending your whole life in a church that taught you were saved by the law and then suddenly being taught that you are saved by grace and through Jesus Christ alone? Even today, churches all over the world teach from the scriptures who penned in regards to how church should be lived out. Not only did he have an impact back then, but we still reference it today.

But you do not have to be Paul to impact change within your organization. You can make the difference. What was it about Paul that made his impact significant?

Well, first of all he was steadfast in hid purpose. Now I am not saying that yo have to be willing to go to prison for your beliefs, but your culture should. Think about it. If the core values of your company were put on trial today, would you stand behind them or change them to satisfy today's climate? There is not an easy answer to this one, but we do know that companies that change with the wind or have the "program of the month" mentality, never make it long term. They develop a culture of "non-culture" and the company will eventually implode. 

Second, he ever let the internal people (inside the church) sway him from his purpose. Too often companies start an initiative and then stop it due to employee discontent. 

Think about this, if the polls show that 56% of all employees would happily go somewhere else if the "grass was greener" then why on earth would you allow these people to derail you? Yet we do it all the time. Remember the rule of 1/3rds? Paul never let the bottom 1/3rd effect his message or mission. Most of his writings actually are to the bottom third who are challenging the culture. 

So, even if you o not believe in the Bible, you certainly can relate to the principles. Be the positive change you want in your organization. And be the one stands against negative change. And follow these two examples from the story of Paul.