Tom Ferguson served as the CEO of a Fortune 500 company for 25 years. On the day of his retirement, he sent an email to the company’s 11,000 employees, thanking them for their support and explaining his retirement plans to become more involved in his church and take a few mission trips. Then he went to lunch.
Upon returning to his office and opening his email inbox, he found hundreds of congratulatory replies and noticed that most contained the same theme: “You go to a church? We didn’t know you were a believer!”
These co-workers, many of whom he had worked with for 25 years and considered friends, had no idea he was a Christian. Tom Ferguson realized that he had consistently checked his faith at the door. Although he spent 25 years working closely with hundreds of people, he had not touched them for eternity. He had been too busy running a company.
St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel — and if necessary, use words.” Indeed, actions that reflect the gospel can be a powerful testimony. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). So, while your good deeds can be a powerful influence, they cannot be your only testimony. Otherwise, people may praise your good deeds rather than see that you are doing them to glorify Christ. Therefore, it is often necessary to give a verbal testimony for Christ. Like the two prongs of a nutcracker, both the good deed and the verbal witness are essential for others to understand who motivates you.
Unfortunately, Tom Ferguson discovered that you can do good deeds in the workplace for 25 years, but if you never give verbal testimony of what motivates your behavior, people won’t give glory to God — they will give glory to you! Your co-workers might say, “He is one of the nicest and most honest people I’ve ever worked with!” However, that gives honor to you – not to Christ.
Six months into retirement, Tom became restless and unfulfilled. So, when the opportunity came for him to lead another Fortune 500 company, AZZ Inc., in Dallas, Texas, he took it. He also took the opportunity to use the position to glorify Christ.
Since becoming its CEO, Tom has led AZZ, Inc. with Christian values. Tom leads a weekly Bible study in the corporate boardroom, and the company provides chaplains to minister to employees at all five of their factories. When asked how AZZ, Inc. can do that as a publicly traded company, Tom said, “I made it clear on Day One that when we come into this room for Bible Study, I’m no longer the CEO. I’m a humble man on my knees seeking direction from my Savior. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, and for one hour a week, this is our Bible study room, not the Board room.”
Good job, Tom Ferguson!
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown” (Matthew 10:32-33).
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