Convergence: Integrating your Career, Community, Creativity and Calling

Imprinted in the core of our being is a desire for life to make sense. Somewhere in the back of our minds is the un-whispered prayer, God, I hope that the unconnected islands in my life hold together in your view. When we press pause and are no longer propelled by the momentum of the mundane, we secretly say; I hope I am going in the right direction. Or in a quiet moment when we sink into a seat on a plane, on a train, or in a emergency room we say to ourselves. I hope my life isn't happening this way just because I willed it, just because I made it happen, just because I drove it forward myself. Then, every once in a while, we cross paths with someone who operates in the zone and yet lives in faith. Whether on a page in a book or at a corner cafe we instinctively know that for this person, life's pictures are in the same frame; they are telling one story. Several thoughts immediately compete for the clear space in our minds. I long for the threads of my life to to form a discernible tapestry -perhaps even a noble picture. I wonder if this is a random coincidence, or is there a lesser known path that might lead me to... But doesn't it say somewhere that many diligent seekers did not receive what they had hoped for? Our deep yearning cannot be quelled by busyness, self-help books or group therapy. One-minute-this, thee-step-that, and seven-part-the-other will not satisfy. We have to go beyond the logical to find the glorious. We must push past the mechanics to know the mystery. The need for Convergence is greater than ever. In 2000 few were talking about integrating work and faith; today talk of marketplace ministry is common. Business-as-missions is now a well-worn term. Books on the intersection of faith and work abound. Every day a growing cadre of business men and women head to work with a new understanding that they are ministers, every bit as much as their pulpit counterparts. This is good. People have begun to work with God, seven days a week, rather than doing odd jobs for Him on Sundays. This is very good. Most of us want to have an impact on today and for eternity - the truth is, we are still falling short of the impact we could be having. Convergence, in essence, is the particular juncture in life which causes you to say: Yes! this is me, this is what my life is for. Convergence is the deliberate drawing together of threads woven into your life over the past several decades that reveals your life call. You may well ask, How do I do this? This book is aimed at helping you answer this question in a straightforward yet non-formulaic manner.

Brett Johnson founded The Institute for Innovation, Integration & Impact, Inc. in 1996. Brett s writings support his work consulting to business and social sector leaders on breakthrough strategies. He has over twenty-five years experience with leading public accounting and management consulting firms helping corporations from global multi-nationals through to business start-ups and social sector organizations. Brett was a Partner at KPMG Peat Marwick and at Computer Sciences Corporation. He spent fourteen years at Price Waterhouse working in the United States and South Africa. A sampling of Brett s clients include Apple Computer, Amgen, Cisco Systems, Chicago Tribune, Cost Plus World Markets, Duty Free Shoppers, GATX Shipping, Incyte Genomics, Pacific Gas & Electric, Prison Fellowship Ministries, Safeway, Shell Oil, Sony PlayStation, Stanford University, University of the Nations, Wells Fargo Bank, and Youth with a Mission. He has worked extensively with executive teams helping them envision new futures, and aligning such teams around a common purpose. Brett has extensive experience in redesigning organizations and in coaching executive teams. Throughout his career, he has used his business expertise to provide consulting services to charities and universities. He has worked with local NGOs through to international charities. Brett and his wife Lyn founded a non-profit organization in California called r p in 1992. At The Institute he has developed intellectual property and Web-based tools to rapidly analyze corporations and discover innovative ways in which to radically increase their impact. He is the author of a book entitled Convergence. He coauthored I-Operations: the Impact of the Internet on Operating Models with Gary Daichendt, the former EVP of Worldwide Operations at Cisco Systems. The second edition of I-Operations: How the Internet can transform your Operating Model was released in February 2003. He has also authored numerous papers. His third book is titled LEMON Leadership®. Brett is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor s degree in Commerce from the University of Cape Town.