In the previous blog, I introduced the Integration Compass–a simple tool that expands how you can integrate your faith. Instead of viewing faith integration through a single lens, we introduced the Integration Compass—four biblical lenses that help us see our work more clearly: Commission, Character, Contribution, and Calling. If you haven’t read that blog yet, begin there as this post builds upon that post.
Now that you see the full picture of how you can integrate your faith, a natural question emerges: Now what do I do with this?
Seeing differently is important—but eventually, clarity must lead to action. This is where strategy comes in. This is where we begin making everyday work Kingdom work, not just in theory, but in practice.
From Lenses to Strategy
While we are called to hold all four lenses at all times, there is often one lens that is most strategic for a given season.
Depending on the season you are in, the seat you sit in, and the organization you are part of, one lens may carry more opportunity than the others. That doesn’t make the other lenses unimportant—it simply helps you focus your energy wisely.
For example, if you work closely with people and have the freedom to be direct about your faith, the Commission Lens may be highly effective. But what if your role limits interaction? What if you’re an Amazon delivery driver? You’ve already reached your entire truck—and you probably won’t keep your job long if you stop at every house to walk through the Romans Road.
You don’t stop integrating your faith; you just change how you do it. The calling doesn’t change. The strategy does.
The Integration Compass: Identifying Where To Start
The natural next question you might be asking: Where do I start?
The Integration Compass provides a simple way to answer that question by using two guiding concepts: agency and faith-directness. Together, they help you identify a strategic starting point for this season.
To begin, ask two simple questions.
First: How much agency do I have?
Agency refers to your level of authority and influence over decisions, systems, and culture. Think of it as a spectrum. A CEO typically has high agency. Mid-level leaders often have moderate agency. Entry-level or frontline roles usually carry lower agency.
Second: How faith-forward can I be?
In some environments, you can be faith-direct—openly talking about Jesus, Scripture, prayer, and discipleship. In other settings, faith must be more indirect—expressed visually rather than verbally, through character, excellence, and action.
When you place these two questions together—agency and faith-directness—a clear strategic framework begins to emerge. You can locate your current role within one of four quadrants, each pointing toward a different Kingdom strategy.
This framework does not limit how God can work through you. You are not confined to a single quadrant—finding ways to engage all four lenses is both possible and encouraged. A role with lower agency does not remove the opportunity to live out the Contribution or Calling lenses, just as a position with higher agency does not excuse neglecting the Character or Commission lenses.
The framework simply offers a wise starting point—especially if faith integration is new or feels overwhelming. Rather than trying to do everything at once, it helps you begin where opportunity and faithfulness intersect most clearly.
Now that you’ve identified your starting quadrant, let’s unpack the strategy each one reveals.
The Calling Strategy: Leading with a Kingdom Purpose
If you have higher agency and the freedom to be faith-direct, you may be able to lead with Kingdom purpose.
This can look like integrating Scripture into business initiatives, praying before meetings, or intentionally connecting the organization’s mission to God’s mission. Vision is framed in a way that invites others to see their work as meaningful and aligned with something bigger than profit or performance.
Here, faith integration shapes direction.
My friend, Scott, is a great example of leveraging the Calling strategy. When you walk in, Christian music is playing. On the walls are the company’s values with Scripture verses attached to them. There is a optional prayer and Bible Study offered to staff. Years ago, when I was buying our minivan from him, we began to talk about the work culture to which he said, “We are a ministry disguised as a car dealership.”
The Commission Strategy: Sharing a Kingdom Message
If you can be vocal about your faith but have less authority to shape systems, the most strategic approach may be sharing a Kingdom message.
This looks like intentionally sharing your faith with coworkers, starting a prayer gathering, or forming a discipleship group with peers. You may not control culture, but you can invest deeply in people.
Here, faith integration focuses on relationships.
Tone is a great example of leveraging the Commission strategy. He is a barber. After being in a Discipleship Group for a year, he began sharing his faith with co-workers and clients with whom he had built relationships. Now, multiple other barbers have started a Discipleship Group with him, and they practice their Scripture memory throughout the day.
The Contribution Strategy: Creating a Kingdom Innovation
If you have higher agency but limited freedom to be faith-direct, innovation becomes a powerful strategy.
This might involve transforming a toxic culture, building processes that value people over productivity, emphasizing rest and family health, or creating products and services that contribute to human flourishing. The Kingdom is expressed through what is built—even when it isn’t explicitly named.
Here, faith integration shapes systems.
Rob applied this strategy as he thought about his commercial truck upfitting company. He was burdened for the well-being of his employees. He wanted to help them by providing more than a paycheck. He began a lunch-and-learn strategy around topics to help the financial, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs of their employees.
The Character Strategy: Setting a Kingdom Example
If your role includes a lower agency and limited ability to be explicit about faith, your strategy may be to set a Kingdom example.
This looks like doing your work in a way that is noticeably different—marked by excellence, humility, peace, integrity, and resilience. It is countercultural without being combative. Distinct without being disruptive.
Here, faith integration shapes presence.
Jonathan leveraged this strategy as he went against the industry and company’s work culture by setting boundaries on when he would be available for phone and work calls. He committed to being off the phone and with his family each weeknight and on the weekends. As he shared this with his co-workers and boss, it opened up spiritual conversations and even led to others wanting to make similar commitments.
Choosing the Strategy for This Season
Your role is not meant to permanently lock you into one strategy. Seasons change. Positions change. Opportunities change. You change.
The real question is not, “Which strategy is best?”
The question is, “Which strategy is most strategic right now?”
As you reflect on your current season, consider where you have agency, where you have freedom, and where God may be inviting you to focus. Over time, you may find yourself practicing all four strategies in different ways.
This is how we stop compartmentalizing faith and start aligning it. This is how we move from good intentions to Kingdom impact. This is how we make everyday work Kingdom work.
Want to lead from Significance? Let’s connect
If you are wanting to get clear on how you can lead from significance, let’s jump on a call. I offer a free Zoom call for leaders to get clear on their vision for their work and family.
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