Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Contributing to the general advantage

Mayor heeds Christ’s call to serve the city

By Bill Peel

Published August 1, 2010 in Witness

When people consider ways they can glorify God with their lives, business and politics seldom come to mind. Not so with Tom Leppert.

John Calvin wrote, “We know that men were created for the express purpose of being employed in labor of various kinds, and that no sacrifice is more pleasing to God than when every man applies diligently to his own calling, and endeavors to contribute to the general advantage.”

At a recent PCPC Workplace luncheon, Mayor Tom Leppert explained how he has sought to serve and “endeavors to contribute to the general advantage” of the world where God has placed him—for 30 years in business, and now in government.

Prior to becoming mayor of Dallas, Leppert headed up major corporations in the construction, financial services, and real estate industries. D CEO Magazine named him CEO of the year when he led Turner Construction Company, the nation’s largest commercial builder. To the surprise of many, Leppert talks openly about the importance of his faith—the role it plays in his life and the decisions he makes as mayor. But faith is no political trump card he plays for his advantage. Integrating faith into his work has always been his practice. Unlike many business leaders, Leppert doesn’t see faith and work as separate departments. When he trusted Christ as his Savior in college, he naturally assumed Christ was Lord of every area of life—including work. He never considered his faith as something less than a 24/7 relationship. He believes Christ belongs at the center of life—His influence radiating out and permeating everything a believer does and every decision he or she makes.

It is not surprising that when Leppert and his wife Laura began to consider their next assignment in life, they sought God’s guidance. As lifelong community volunteers, they envisioned stepping out of the business world into volunteer roles, serving the ministries and organizations they had grown to love and respect. But God had something different in mind.

When he was approached about running for mayor of Dallas, Leppert went to his pastor, Jim Dennison, for advice. Pulling out his sermon notes for the next Sunday, Dennison pointed to the note he had written in the margin: “More Christians should seek public service.” Considering his leadership experience and God-given abilities, Leppert realized that running for public office could be an avenue of service he had never envisioned. Following what he and Laura believed to be God’s guidance, he decided to run for mayor and was elected in 2007.

Since taking office, Mayor Leppert has pursued policies that have dramatically improved the quality of life in Dallas. His three priorities are public safety, education, and economic development for South Dallas, but he openly admits that government cannot do everything. He calls on business, church, and civic leaders to join in the effort to make Dallas a great community for all its citizens.

Whether in government, business, or church, when godly men and women disadvantage themselves for the advantage of others, the community rejoices and prospers, and God is glorified (Proverbs 11:10-11). This is something all Christians can pursue, wherever God leads them to serve.