1.  Stewards not owners

The world is obsessed with ownership. God is interested in stewardship. The parable of the vinegrower tells of the tragic tale when “renters act like owners”. Paul exhorted the Corinthians… “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God; and that you are not your own… for you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” ¹

Our world view must be transformed in order that while doing our work in the marketplace, we behave and serve as “stewards” not owners! Even the Lord came not to be served but to serve. Your attitude of service, regardless of your status or position in the workplace, will speak volumes to those whom you encounter on a daily basis. 

2.  Called to “full time” ministry

We must agree to dismantle the myth which separates clergy from laity. We must see the marketplace as a ministry and the church as a place of worship, training and equipping. Pastors are exhorted to teach, to preach and to prepare the “disciples” to go out into the workplace and be salt and light in a tasteless, dark environment in order to accomplish the perfect will of the Father.

While some are called to the pulpit, others are called to the plant, the office, the school or the hospital. No “calling” is higher than another. All are called to be “full-time” ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ and should be commissioned and anointed for their work. ² 

3.  Defend the dignity of work 

Defend the dignity of work and promote the idea that all work done ‘as unto the Lord’ possesses eternal value and significance. Teach well the fact, that work is also worship. Os Hillman in his text Faith @ Work, claims that “God actually views our work as worship”. How drastically this will change the hearts and attitudes of those who choose to “worship” the Saviour from Monday to Friday. Workers in offices, suites and factories will impact fellow workers for up to 40 hours every week. ³

Affirm those in the workplace. God has placed them there not to earn a living but to impact other workers with His presence. They are the ‘light of the world’ to those with whom they work. Their work becomes their ministry and their prayers are specifically directed to seeking God’s perfect will at work. ⁴

4.  Transformed by God 

The Magna Corporation is in the precision “Parts” business – that is auto-parts. God is in the business of “setting apart” – often referred to as sanctification. To be effective as a pulpit minister or a marketplace minister, God must be at work transforming the inner life of his servant in order to set him/her apart for ‘precision’ ministry in the “9 to 5 window”.⁵

We must individually choose not to be conformed to (the ways of) the world but to be Transformed! This process takes times, diligence, prayer and a submissive spirit. We must continually encourage others to join us in this pursuit.

5.  Love for others 

Authentic ministry in the church or in the marketplace can really only be delivered by those who know God and know that He has first loved them and chosen them. ⁶ Methodology cannot replace a sincere love for those within our sphere of influence. Pastors, teachers, leaders must teach the essence of depravity and brokenness in the presence of a Holy God.

“Our modern world view is highly individualistic, autonomous, and self-serving, but… the biblical world view defines righteousness as relational since it refers to good, just, and loving associations with God and others. Rather than trying to impress and manipulate… we are free to love and serve others as Christ loves us – with no strings attached.⁷

6.  Unashamed of the Gospel 

While Canada pursues a course of secular spiritualism and liberal tolerance, Christians must serve boldly and courageously and confidently. We must stand together in the unity of the faith and encourage one another not to be ashamed of the gospel. The Church must be trained, disciplined, sincere and passionate about her call. Like Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, we must be gentle and affectionate while imparting the gospel and laying down our lives (selfish desires and personal ambitions) for others.⁸

7.  Commitment to make disciples 

Disciple-making is eternal work and must be engaged in by those who have developed an eternal world view. “Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person – our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is an intentional, long-term investment in the lives of others in the workplace (or wherever God has placed his servants).

Most Christians are not passionately devoted to Jesus Christ and are not ready to disciple anyone. The workplace can be transformed and redeemed as we collectively teach others to make disciples and to observe the commandments of the Lord Jesus.⁹

______________________________________________________________________________ 

Gerry Organ is the Executive Director for CBMC Canada. 

¹                      1 Corinthians 6:19,20  

²                      1 Peter 2:9,10, Colossians 3:23,24

³                      1 Corinthians 15:58

⁴                       Ephesians 2:10

⁵                      Romans 12:12

⁶                        1Thessalonians 1:4

⁷                      1 John 4:11

⁸                      Romans 1:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:7,8

⁹                      My Utmost For His Highest, July 2, Oswald Chambers