Rates of loneliness in the West are high. Church attendance and other forms of social association have declined. The economy often pushes people to move frequently, distancing them from friends and family. Remote work has disrupted connections between coworkers. People long for community.
All this points to a need and an opportunity: to prioritize the art of investing in people, which is the most meaningful type of investment anyone can make. That’s because, according to the Scriptures, there is nothing in this world more valuable than a person.
And yet everyone is busy. We lack time and energy. More importantly, many of us don’t really know how to go about investing in people. What do we have to offer? How do we build deep long-term friendships? How do we get started?
In this GCN Press webinar, we will hold a panel discussion on the lost art of investing in people, and how to do that within the context of work, family, and daily life. This way of life is an art, not a science, but you will come away with Scriptural and practical ideas for deepening your own friendships.
Our Panelists
Pete Kuehni is a Canadian business leadership mentor who works for DeliberateU, an organization “helps small business leaders increase both their acumen and capacity to grow in faith, hope, and love in their workplace, families, and communities.” He has trained and coached executives and managers in leading companies across North America and around the world. In this context, Pete has discovered ways to add depth and meaning to his business interactions.
Karen Benjamin grew up in Latin America and then spent many years, with her husband and three kids, working as an educational therapist in Colombia, Chile, and Brazil. In these distinct cultures, she developed meaningful relationships with her students and their families while incorporating her faith naturally into conversations. Upon returning to the United States, Karen has been working as a bilingual family advocate among Spanish-speaking Latin Americans, which gives her daily opportunities to help and serve remarkable people.
Tom McMahan is a senior at Colorado State University, where he studies Management and International Business. Born and raised in Brazil, fluent in Portuguese, Tom learned how to navigate the challenges of developing friendships across two cultures. He deeply understands his generation’s relational struggles and pressures, which are remarkably different than anything his parents or grandparents experienced. Tom has written about and led small-group discussions on what it means to be a true friend, using principles found in the Scriptures.