What if I saw my job as a mission field?
Okay, maybe my job is not a good example…fair enough…
Obviously my job IS a mission field.
But, what about you?
What about you who are not in a paid “missionary” role?
What if the church sent missionaries into the world? The real world…
Into the marketplace
Into politics and government
Into Hollywood and the film industry
Into manufacturing
Into the service industry…
What if an assembly line in a factory became a warehouse of faith?
Imagine a plumber shows up at a house, not only to fix a pipe, but to share a kind word on behalf of Jesus…
It’s a radical idea I know…
But what if?
What do you think?
I am quite happy to find your approach towards your work field. Actually this is what each and everyone is supposed to do. Whatever is our job we should approach to it in a positive way! Thanks for sharing the post.
Making a career decision is something you'll deal with for the rest of your life. Rushing into something new because you hate what you currently do may have you right back where you started.
I agree. Growing up in the church I always thought I had to be in the "missionary field" to be of influence and use to God. I am thankul that I have opened my eyes and ears to the opportunity that alone is my purpose for being on this planet and it involves being a missionary in the field of owning my own small business. I pray other young women and men will be empowered to hear their unique calling as I was. Thanks for the post.
Ron, I just posted about this recently – (5 Things Your Pastor May Not Be Telling You). In fact, my whole blog is about this!
I think you are hitting on a huge topic that does not get enough "press" these days. Keep talking about it and maybe we can get more people joining the cause!
Love it! Thanks for sharing Chris and for your ministry.
Called not Employed! One of the core values of City Church Tallahassee! Thanks for sharing this!
I like it!
I have found my thinking go from the church building as our mission field, to the Church being on mission in whatever fields we are in. I think the example we see in the Gospels and Acts is of the people going out and talking about the glory of God in Jesus through the leading of the Spirit to all people. Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs even before he gave them the message to "go make more disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that I commanded". That expectation goes to us all!
It is a shame that popular thought nowadays is that work should be done by paid missionaries like you and me. Even before I was paid, I ran a coffee shop and did all I could to not invite employees and customers to church, but point people to Jesus! I am very excited to say that portions of my gathering are having discussions of how we can be on mission in the work/school/living places!
I totally agree. I made it my goal in the business world to be a missionary as I worked.
No doubt the world would be a better place.
Just this week, my job consumed my thoughts, emotions and reactions….that old devil just wiggled his way in the form of impatient customers and too many tasks that led to a stressful work environment. In turn, I was not the best conveyor of Jesus (or the mission), as you say. He got put on the back burner (by accident I might add, but happened before I knew it).
My working atmosphere consumed my thoughts of this world and not of Him. One of my coworkers commented that God was trying our patience, I have to admit I failed miserably, so this blog is very timely. I will strive for my work to be a mission field this next week.
Ron, thanks again for another thought provoking blog….I had really prayed about my work week. The answer just came in the form of your message. Wow!
Thanks for sharing that Melissa. Great encouragement.
That's what I'm saying! Lord, help me to live it every day.
Amen!
Great post Ron however maybe we should not be asking "What if?" but rather "Why not?". Why not be the light in the wherehouse God has called to be salt and light…why not be the witness as a plumber, secretary, school teacher, Hollywood actor, etc… Why are we not be the light where God has called us to in the workforce?
Why not?
Great question!