A role for Christians at work
Let us recognise and celebrate that our Lord worked as carpenter; Peter as fisherman and Matthew as a state official. I am convinced that they did not give up their trade but gave the rule of God primary place. Disciples were apprentices of the gospel. Dallas Willard in ‘The Divine Conspiracy devotes a chapter to the topic of Being a disciple, or student, of Jesus. Terms like being indentured, in articles, in submission to, signed up with, come to mind. Because we are all disciples to someone or others, Willard makes this claim about The earthly ‘Society of Jesus’,
The assumption of Jesus’ programme for his people on earth was that they would live their lives as his students and co-labourers. They would find him so admirable in every respect –wise, beautiful, powerful and good- that they would constantly seek to be in his presence and be guided, instructed and helped by him in every aspect of their lives… that we learn to do everything we do’ in the name of the Lord Jesus’ (Col 3.17); that is, on his behalf or in his place; that is again, as if he himself were doing it.[1]
Now the question must come. What about where I work and the work I do? Just thinking of some of the controversial arenas of contemporary activity- is there a Christian way in environmental service and activism; in the broad fields of education and learning , or health; or in financial arenas such as banking and investment or manufacturing or retailing goods? And what about the law and correctional services? Willard writes some three or four pages on the Glory of my Job. In summary he claims that not to find your job ( and workplace- my addition) to be a [I say the] primary place of discipleship is to automatically exclude a major part, if not most, of your waking hours from life with him. Reminiscent of other writers who promote the What Would Jesus Do (WWJD) slogan worn by many Christians, Willard claims that :’to be a disciple of Jesus is, crucially, to be learning from Jesus how to do your job as Jesus himself would do it. [Willard 312] .
Is there a Christian role for a CEO or other high management position?
What of those who ‘run’ trades unions or pursue political office?
One who does not know this way of ‘job discipleship’ by experience cannot begin to imagine what release and help and joy there is in it…if we restrict and discipleship to special religious times, the majority of our waking hours will be isolated from the manifest presence of the kingdom in our lives, [2]
And, by implication those places would be diminished by the lack of light and salt that is Holy Spirit’s purpose for our daily mission with the Lord. Christians at work do not have a formal presence as Christians. It is by who they are and what they do and don’t do that the evidence of the life in Jesus name is manifest. It is surely to be valued that such persons would seek out the fellowship nurture and support of those who share faith and practice. Such information as is increasingly available one internet must be displayed in church notices and magazines and where appropriate incorporated into intercession and teaching for the benefit of the kingdom. All workplaces are occupied by workers of all levels. They are there to pursue the goals of the business organisation. The Christian worker shares this with all others; but how, in doing the work required at the place this is performed, does the Christian/s, as bearer of the life of the Kingdom act out the kingdom mission, which is about redemption and fulfilment and the glory of God? Paul, the apostle, was a tentmaker (his trade and his source of income presumably) but in kingdom terms this was also his arena as an ambassador of Christ. David Bosch, in a delightful monograph on a 2 Corinthians perspective for Christians missionaries, writes about ‘the personal involvement of the Christian as a part of the message he proclaims…’ Christ’s co-workers are ambassadors.
David Bosch describes the missionary task with ambassadorial perspective.
The ambassador is more than just an instrument that carries messages to and from his government. He is not the same as the diplomatic mailbag. He is a personal representative of his government, the very embodiment of the one who sends him. Because the role is so crucial he has to undergo a very careful preparation [3][ my italics].
There are three key thoughts here for kingdom presence through the Christian at work in their workplace.
1. That person is a personal representative- what she or he does reflects God and the godly community;
2. Her or his godly community must recognise its sending role; and
3. Its responsibility for nurture and support i.e. a very careful preparation;
Christians at work are crucial to the evangelisation of the workplace i.e. where God is glorified, the processes of the world redeemed and the opportunity for Christ enhancing lifestyle to be born in others. It is the contention of this essay that the church must not leave the task to chance or to such mission organisations as it sponsors to do the work. To use a saying that is prized in Kent Workplace Mission and offered to the local churches in its area- we’re all chaplains now.[4]
Article by Chaplaincy Partner Malcolm Cooper
[1] Dallas Willard-The Divine Conspiracy 1998 Fount Paperbacks London ISBN 0-00-628114-1 pg 299
[2] Willard op cit. page 315. Significantly the writer immediately then sets out in some detail about Christian Ministers as Jesus’ Apprentices. ..he took apprentices into the work that he was doing to teach them how to do what he did…his work had three main phases- proclaiming, manifesting , teaching. It is crucial though that in undertaking this work ministers recognise that they do this with their eye and heart on the world beyond the gathered church into the many places where the other apprentices/disciples will spend prime time.
[3] David J Bosch A Spirituality of the Road 1994 IMER Pretoria ISBN 0-86979-979-7 pgs 42-43
[You are free to copy this document for your own use. If required for wider distribution please contact the author at malcolm.cooper@kentworkplacemission.org.uk ]
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