While visiting a coffee shop in Bellevue, Washington, with friends recently, Jerry Koster, retired Northwest Area Sr. Director of Sales for Herman Miller, mentioned three questions that the company’s founder, DJ DePree, had advised him to ask himself regularly throughout his career. He said:

“1. Our dear Lord gives each of us specific gifts—is Herman Miller allowing me to use those gifts in the work I was hired to do? 

 

2. Am I clear on the job and tasks I was hired to perform—and am I doing what I was hired to do?

 

3. Is there joy for me in the work?”

 

Then DePree went on to say, “If you cannot answer each of these three questions in a positive way, you should update your resume and look for a new company with new responsibilities.”

DJ DePree took these things seriously. He expected Jerry and other HM employees to do the same.

As I listened to Jerry, I thought about the Risen Christ and the eleven men he was about to entrust with the sacred responsibility of the future church. He led them to a mountain where others also gathered. Some worshipped him, but some doubted. This sounds like a church board meeting you might have attended recently, doesn’t it? Then Jesus stood among them and said:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

 

We know this passage to be Jesus’ “Great Commission to the Church”—to you and me.

Or to put it another way:

1. Our dear Lord gives each of us specific gifts—ask yourself, is Jesus allowing me to use these gifts in the work I’ve been given to do?

2. Am I clear on the job and tasks I have been “commissioned” to perform—ask yourself, ‘am I doing what Jesus expects of me to do?’

3. Finally, ask, do I have joy in the work I have been asked to do for him? And if not, why not?

 

We must ask ourselves the honest question: should our Risen Lord be satisfied with anything less from us than this? I don’t think so.

So, let’s ask our Lord what he really wants from us for Christmas this year—and give him that.

 

Merry Christmas, my friend. May Jesus keep us close.

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OTHER THINGS I’VE BEEN DOING

After ten years, my Perspective blog will take on a fresh look and mission in 2026. Watch for it in the days ahead. 

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I flew to Sacramento last week, then traveled with a former pastor colleague, Earl Heverly, to Santa Cruz for the memorial service honoring a longtime friend, Bob Pagett, founder of Assist International. Early on Sunday, I returned for the C3 Leaders Forum Christmas dinner with Forum participants and their spouses. We enjoyed the event at Nick and Andriana Anderson’s beautiful home on Cougar Mountain.

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In 2025, we have published three books, remained active in leadership with C3 Leaders, and continue to write. I participated in a Novel Writers Intensive in Nashville,Tennessee, then visited my son’s family in Savannah, Georgia, before returning home.

Just one year ago, I moved to Wenatchee, Washington, to live with Michele and Mark in their lovely home. It is perfect for me as I continue to tell the story of Jesus through the power of storytelling.

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AND AN INVITATION

As we approach the close of 2025, I invite you to pause with me and prayerfully consider how the Lord might lead you to support Ward Tanneberg Ministries through your year-end, tax-deductible giving.

This has been a challenging year in many ways, and next year will be even more so. We will launch a new marketing program to reach a new group of readers, both young and old. “Telling the story of Jesus through the power of story” is an everyday platform from which I speak with old friends and also engage with a broad new audience.

Your prayers sustain us.
Your generosity makes the work possible.

Every gift—large or small—helps carry this unique ministry forward, enabling us to speak light into dark places and remain obedient to the calling God has entrusted to us. I am deeply grateful for your partnership, your trust, and your willingness to stand with us in this season.

Here’s how you can make a meaningful difference:

Visit our website at https://wardtanneberg.com/donate/

or

Write your check to:

Westminster Chapel
13646 NE 24th Street
Bellevue WA 98005

In the memo, add Ward Tanneberg Ministries.

Thank you, my friend. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

May Jesus keep us close.