We’ve done a horrible job in reaching people at work. Serving Jesus is about ministry wherever He places us. Of the 40 miracles recorded in Acts, 39 were done in the workplace. Of the 52 parables recorded in the Gospels, 42 take place in a work setting. None of the 12 disciples were called out from a seminary; all were called out of their workplace. Miracles are not to be performed in church but in the workplace. Ministry is to be outside, not inside the church. The church needs to help people answer the question, “What does it look like for your business to be Christian?”
While there, I spoke to two large groups of students. One student put it well when she asked, “How do we live and work and worship among the unreached seven days a week, when our training and models in seminary and the church in the USA prepares us to do so only one day a week?” In response we focused on issues such as; “How do we extend our worship into the other 6 days of the week?” And, “How do we turn the daily duties of our jobs into worship to Jesus and a witness to those around us?” A people, a culture won’t be transformed unless it happens through us. Young workers need training and models of how to be living out the Church in the workplace here in the USA so as to gain experience in how to do it naturally for when they arrive overseas so as to live out a life of witness and worship in their workplace. This is big part of Nexus, the consulting business we are part of to equip students in practical ways for doing B4T. (You can read more about NexusB4T at www.NexusB4T.com)
Let’s keep things practical. Let’s involve worship every day of the week!
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.