The working believer’s greatest mission field
ChatGPTEvery Monday morning, Christian believers who work have a unique opportunity. They have within their power the ability to frame how they will approach their jobs. Ideally, they will go to work relishing the opportunity to represent Jesus on that mission field. If, however, their pastors have not imbued them with the disciples’ mindset, they will resign themselves to the drudgery of putting in the time rather than redeeming it (Colossians 4:5).
Most working Christians spend most of their week at work. Doesn’t it make sense for them to use those 40-plus hours on the mission? They could devote those hours on the job to something higher than a paycheck or pleasing the boss (Ephesians 5:6–8).
Employee or missionary?
Employment is like any mission field, filled with those in need of Christ. Colleagues, supervisors, subordinates, clients and providers are human beings on a spiritual journey. Some are close to faith and others are far removed. Jesus’s disciples have an unprecedented opportunity to develop trusting relationships with those they encounter on the job. A recent article in Forbes, while not about the job as a mission field, touches on several relationship components of a competent witness.
Personal relationships at work build trust, and that trust often enables productivity, giving people the latitude to operate at their best. From my perspective, empathy and understanding in the workplace are extremely valuable characteristics to help identify and balance organizational weaknesses.[1]
By developing personal relationships based on trust, empathy, and understanding, Christian believers position themselves to take advantage of one of the most powerful principles of evangelism. It is a well-established fact that “people are more receptive when they are approached by authentic Christians from within their own social network.”[2]
The fundamental requirements of highly effective working relationships (trust, empathy and understanding) are basic ingredients of relationships that lead to effective personal evangelism.
The pastor’s job
Pastor, why not train them to approach employment for what it is, a chance to represent Jesus in the workplace? That kind of training is a tall order. How it works out in your church will probably differ from how it works out in another church. But here is a basic outline to follow; you can fill in the blanks as you go.
- Help them see themselves as God sees them—as missionaries representing Jesus on the job.
- Be sure that they’re clear on the gospel, so they don’t confuse unbelievers with a lot of extraneous “Churchianity.”
- Train them to turn almost any conversation to spiritual issues.
- Help them discern when the door to a spiritual conversation is open, slightly ajar or closed.
- Ask congregants for prayer requests for progress reports and conversions. Keep the congregation apprised of these results and celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!
This is Stewardship 101, pastor. The working members of your congregation spend a lot of time out there on the mission field. It’s on you to make sure they’re equipped (Ephesians 4:12) so they can make the most of every opportunity.
Get to work!
- Stephanie Trunzo, Tips To Develop Successful Personal Relationships At Work, Forbes, June 13, 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/06/13/tips-to-develop-successful-personal-relationships-at-work/#2c1196af5123 ↩
- George S. Hunter, Contagious Congregations, 126.
Photo source: istock
 | Bud Brown is an experienced ministry leader, writer and educator. He is co-founder of Turnaround Pastors and co-author of the ground-breaking Pastor Unique: Becoming A Turnaround Leader. He brings special expertise to change leadership in the local church, mentoring pastors to become revitalization leaders, training churches how to find and recruit the best talent, and training leadership teams how to achieve their shared goals. Learn More » |
More on Faith in the Workplace
- There are no excuses for not sharing your faith (by Tom Crenshaw)
- Steps to Launching Your Personal Workplace Ministry (by )
- Why politically driven CEOs are prone to breaking the rules (by Christian Muntean)
- At work…on two jobs! (by WorkLife Success)
