Missional Living In The Work Place

Last week I joined Dr. Fletcher Tink in a class entitled, "Theology of Work".   On Monday I encountered him at the seminary's Commons. Once he saw what I was reading he began recruiting.  The books happened to be tied to the class he was teaching beginning that very evening.   "Julene you should join us.  It starts tonight.  We are meeting all day tomorrow and in the evenings the rest of the week."  "We are visiting business people and talking to them about what it means to be Christian in the work place." "You'd love it."  Dr. Tink is known for his recruiting.  I wasn't the only one who got his offer.  But how could I say no to this?  I was available and interested.  One of the things I know about Dr. Tink is that he is a master connector. He has a vision for integrating all of life with the mission of God in the world.  On top of the information I'd gather in the class I'd learn from watching him interact with the community.    

Our class of 8 met some very talented and mission minded people in the community.  We talked to a prominent banker, a chiropractor, the owner of the Filling Station (a coffee shop/cafe in KC), a computer tech guy at the IRS, the head of Nazarene Publishing House and then a panel of business men associated with Significant Matters in KC.  Later on in the week we heard from a pastor/artist, a woman who feels called to downward mobility and the person in charge of Hallmark's Hall of Fame (their movie's).  I asked myself, "what if we did this kind of  field trip more often in a local community?"  There are people who are living out their Christian vocation connected to the community and the church has so much to learn from them.   And it seemed to be greatly encouraging to the people we met with.  They got to share how God was moving in their lives and their working world.  All of us were encouraged.

I was encouraged by Christians in the workplace who don't just "do a job" but instead live out a Christian vocation. They gave testimony to how the laity serve as ministers in their contexts.  They have taken a missional posture.  They don't force their faith on people.  Instead they are living a life "in the open" after God's heart.   Most of them don't have to say anything because people around them are beginning the conversations.