Journal of Sacred Work

   A year-end article published in USA Today offered a series of comic New Year's resolutions by various leaders. Among them was one attributed to Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of financial giant Goldman Sachs: "I resolve to keep doing 'God's work.' Wait, did I really say that's what we do here?"

   The natural follow-up question is, if Goldman Sachs is not doing God's work, whose work are they doing? Most would answer that they are doing worldly work, primarily focused on money and what is chronically and painfully referred to as providing "shareholder value."

   Part of the basis for the recent, world-wide financial collapse was that so many bankers became so obsessed with "shareholder value" and personal greed that they completely turned their back on any reasonable person's idea of ethical behavior in favor of serving the god of money.

   The same risk exists for hospitals, especially faith-based hospitals who specifically present themselves to the public as doing God's work. People may not expect Goldman Sachs to do God's work, but they have a right to expect faith-based hospitals will practice God's Love.

   Fortunately, there is abundant evidence that first line caregivers are doing God's work (living God's Love) every day and night.

   There is clear and worrisome evidence that many of America's healthcare leaders have either forgotten or chosen to ignore the spiritual, patient-focused mission of the organizations they lead. For proof, consider the amount of time in staff and board meetings dedicated to financial performance (and ways to enhance it) as opposed to the amount of time spent on God's loving care (and how to advance it.)

   The crucial question facing every hospital and charity in America is whether they are practicing the mission they preach. If there are doubts about this, these issues need to be honestly and conscientiously addressed.

   Those who believe in a God who looks down on us know one thing for certain, God is watching.  Those who think of God as Love know that when they are practicing it, they can feel God's energy. Are we living God's Love? If not, how can we begin to do so in ways which are continuous, consistent, and healing toward all?

-Rev. Erie Chapman