alpha workplace slides 27 june 2014 pastoring christians in the world of work
DESCRIPTION
My ministry changed radically about 9 years ago when a wealthy business person came to faith in Christ. He is a gifted and capable person who had made an incredible success of his companies. My first inclination, when he asked how he could serve the Lord, was to suggest that he get involved in the leadership of our Church, or perhaps run our Church's finance commission (clearly he was a gifted leader and a person who knew how to work with money). If I had suggested that to him the result may have been two things. 1) I may have helped one Methodist Church in a single city of South Africa to develop. 2) I'm fairly certain that in the process this new Christian would have become bored and frustrated with the task I had assigned him to and he would have moved on. Thankfully I was dumb enough NOT to get him into that position - rather I invited him to join a small group that I was running specifically for business people. Here I knew his peers could start to disciple him on things like Christian worship, loving service, stewardship and the use of his influence and resources for Christ's Kingdom... The long and short of it is that the person I am talking about is Graham Power, who went on to start the Global Day of Prayer (which this year had between 300 and 400 million persons participating). Graham has become a significant figure in world Christianity. God has used him to bring new excitement, passion, and drive to many Churches and denominations worldwide. Equally significant has been his influence among his peers (all leaders in their own right, either in business or politics) who have made some significant choices that have bettered the lives of many millions of persons in countries such as Ghana, Argentina, Kenya, the USA and a host of other nations. I have come to consider this one fact: Graham was created by God to do business... It's what he does well, and he God blesses his efforts. So, when Graham works to God's glory and towards the aims of achieving God's will for his companies, the industry in which he works, and the nation that he influences, then his work becomes worship! So, here's a little audio recording that I did for my 'radio pulpit' show (The Ministry and Me), it was broadcast in the week of the 20th of August, and you can order an audio copy of the CD from Radio Pulpit if you wish. Download the '5 paradigms that could change your work into worship' here (6MB in MP3 format). The show was broadcast in the week of the 6th of August and I have had many emails and calls about it. You will find a powerpoint presentation with slides and scriptures here - 5paradigms.ppt. And here's a copy of an unedited MS Word document that may be of some use 5paradigms.doc. Let me know what you think!TRANSCRIPT
Pastoring the Workplace
DR DION FORSTER
Video:The Power of a Dream!
People often talk about the sacred / secular divide, but my faith and the Bible tells me that God is found in the earth and rocks and buildings and institutions, and, yes, in the business world.
David Miller (IBM executive)
Why do we miss it?
You were created to worship God!
You were created to worship God!
Worship: ORIGIN Old English weorthscipe ‘worthiness, acknowledgement of worth’
Monday is proof that Sunday is working!
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”
- Genesis 2:15
“I believe one of the next great moves of God is going to be through the believers in the workplace.”
- Dr. Billy Graham
While God has intended for EVERY Christian to be a MINISTER…
God never intended for EVERY Christian to be a PASTOR.
How the marketplace was lost
• Flawed theology of ministry and work– 11 o’clock theology (on a Monday)
• Flawed theology on the role of a minister• Flawed ecclesiology: gathered not scattered• Flawed theologies of creation and money• Flawed mission strategies
A bit of ‘world of work theology’ and missiology
A theology and mission for the world of work
Discovery 1 - God’s discipleship plan is for more than just individuals. (Matthew 28:18-20)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt. 28:18-20)
Individual
Family
SuburbCity
Nation
A theology and mission for the world of work
Discovery 2 – Everything has been ‘redeemed’, and so it needs to be ‘reclaimed’ (Luke 19:10)
“For the son of man came to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10)
“For it was the Father's good pleasure …to reconcile all things to Himself…whether things on earth or things in heaven.” (Col 1:19-20)
Doing your work for God’s purposes and blessing!• Discovery 3 - God views every Christian as a minister,
and so work can be worship! (Col 3:23-24)
“Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, working for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that you will receive your reward from the Lord; you serve the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:23)
The ‘worship switch’… ON or OFF?
A theology and mission for the world of work
• Discovery 4 - God wants us to take light into dark places, and get salt out of the salt shaker. (Matthew 16:18-19)
“Upon this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell will not overpower it…” (Matthew 16:18-19).
Building the Church is what Jesus does… Taking his Kingdom and gospel all over the earth is what we’re commanded to do… - Ed Silvoso
Preaching the truth without love is like giving someone a good kiss when you have bad breath. No matter how good your kiss is, all the recipient
will remember is your bad breath!
- Ed Silvoso
• Paradigm 4 - God wants us to take light into dark places. (Matthew 16:18-19) cont….
• We need a WORLD OF WORK methodology!
• Jesus’ methodology (Luke 10:2-9).
• When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.’
• ….Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you,
• • …Heal the sick who are there
and
• …tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.’
I will pay you a salary NOT to preach…
A theology and mission for the world of work
Discovery 5 - True transformation must be tangible and visible.- The Gospels recalls two incidents when Jesus wept, once for a
friend, and another time for a city. His tears show how deeply he loves individuals and cities (groups, structures etc.).
- What would the most tangible and visible expression of God’s love be in your context?
- What is REALY good news to the poor?- Remember the ‘methodology’ of Jesus… Bless, Fellowship,
Minister, Preach…
A theology and mission for the world of work
God’s discipleship plan is for more than just individuals. (Matthew 28:18-20)
The marketplace has been ‘redeemed’, and so it needs to be ‘reclaimed’ (Luke 19:10)
God views every Christian as a minister, and so work can be worship! (Col 3:23-24)
God wants us to take light into dark places. (Matthew 16:18-19)
True transformation must be tangible and visible
Four keys to supporting marketplace workers
• Workers want your support!• Help your people to integrate faith and work.• Integrate faith, life and work.– Create a Biblical framework– Create and maintain faith consciousness at work– Listen to workers needs
Four keys to supporting marketplace workers
• Facilitate on site and off site support– Prayer - Service of
commissioning– Materials - Acts 29
testimonies– Counsel - Use Luke 10
Transformation– Teaching
Transform your work life! Turn your ordinary day into an extraordinary calling!
Available in Canaanland and all leading book stores
http://bit.ly/transformwork