The 7 Ps of Workplace Ministry -- By: Charles Ligon

  

As believers, we must always strive to effectively live out our Christian faith where we work. After all, it is where we spend the majority of our time and encounter the most people who don’t know the Lord. I have found that far too many Christians don’t know how to live their faith at work so, in response, they don’t do anything. They check their faith at the door and there is nothing different about how they conduct themselves at work. What about you? Are you able to purposely and effectively live out your faith in your workplace? Perhaps you are one who struggles in this area. If so, a great place to start is to understand the 7 P’s of workplace ministry. These essentials will provide a foundation for effective faith-based living at work. So, what are the 7 P’s of workplace ministry?

Perspective – Believers understand that they are workplace ministers and have been called by God to their place of work. They desire to be the radiance of Christ to all they encounter (Matt 5:13-16) as they co-labor with the Lord (I Cor. 3:9).
Purpose – Believers understand that they work to serve the purposes of God (Acts 13:36) and to bring Him Glory through everything they do (Colossians 3:23).
Power – Believers understand they are called to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). Because the Holy Spirit indwells them, they live in His power and not their own.
Place – Believers understand that regardless of how bad their workplace might be, the place they work is Holy Ground (Exodus 3:5) because God is present with them.
Posture – Believers understand that they are to emulate Jesus at work. For this reason, their posture is one of humility and servanthood (John 13). Like Jesus, they take up the towel of a servant and wash others feet.
People – Believers understand that, like Jesus, people are their top priority. Jesus hurt when they hurt and approached them with care and compassion (Matthew 9:36). Believers should do the same.
Products (and services) – Believers understand that products and services must be produced with excellence and to the best of their ability (Exodus 31:3-5). The quality of work/service is a testimony to their faith and to their Lord.
           

Your workplace challenge is to adopt the 7 P’s of workplace ministry so that you can more effectively live your faith in the workplace context. When you do, you can add the “P” of Potential to this list because your ministry potential will be limitless and you’ll make a huge difference for the Kingdom and His Glory.

The Dignity of Work - The Work Place

by

Charles Ligon

Why do some people hate work? Why do others call work a necessary evil? The answer dates back to ancient Greek times when Plato, Aristotle and other philosophers described “daily work” as demeaning and labeled it a curse. In fact, to the Greek, physical work was considered an obstacle to the highest form of life which was contemplation and philosophy. They believed intellectual work was much nobler than manual work and they were quick to relegate manual labor to sub-human level. The Greeks believed that if God were to come to earth he would probably come as a philosopher. Well, we know He did come to earth but He came as a carpenter…and labored while He was here!

Sadly, Greek influence is still pervasive in today’s society. Far too many people have faulty thinking regarding their work. They hate work, degrade physical labor as inferior and even choose to be unemployed because they can’t do what they want. As believers, we know ancient Greek thought is not Biblical truth. So, let’s examine some of what the Bible says about work.

The Bible teaches that all honest work, whether physical or intellectual, has dignity…but why?  It is because work reflects the image of God and because we were created to be His workers in this world. God Himself labored six days (Genesis 1), shaped man out of the dust of the ground (Gen. 1:27 and 2:7)) and gave him an assignment different from anything else He created (Gen 1:28). Created in God’s image, man was given the responsibility to subdue and to rule over all creation. This material world that God fashioned was to be developed, cultivated and cared for through daily human labor. Therefore, no task is too small or unimportant to declare it as an assignment by God. So, how do you view your work? Do you recognize work to be demeaning or dignified? Is it simply a means for a paycheck or is it God’s assignment and something you do as His representative in this world?  

Your workplace challenge is to recognize the inherent dignity of the work you are doing. Whether secular or spiritual, physical or intellectual, your work is important because God assigned it to you. Stop and consider how your work connects with His greater purposes. Ensure your attitude reflects gratitude for the assignment and the talents He has granted you. Acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s part to equip and assist with your work. Remember, it doesn’t matter what you do or how basic it is, all honest work has dignity. Do your work to the glory of God.  

Is Work a Calling? The Work Place

by Charles Ligon

My brother spent over 30 years flying planes. Highly successful, he’s piloted fighter jets in the military, corporate jets in business and even spent time as a Governor’s pilot. For Jerry, flying planes was a lifelong dream and an extremely fulfilling profession. Several years ago Jerry changed careers and now teaches middle school science. Just recently, Jerry told me how much he loves his work and that he sees it as a calling. He knows he’s been called by someone much greater than himself. He’s now on mission and doing something much bigger than fulfilling a personal dream.

How about you, do you see your work as a calling? Seeing work in this way changes our perspective and gives our work purpose. The Latin word vocare, meaning - to call - is the root of our common word “vocation”. For too many Christians, vocation simply means “a job”; something we do to earn a check. But, it is intended to be so much more. Work becomes a calling when we work as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23) and aspire to fulfill His dreams and not our own. This idea that work is a calling comes straight from the scriptures. The Bible opens with a picture of a working God who created the universe and has been at the job of sustaining it ever since. We were created in His image (Genesis 1:26) and He gave us the capacity to work, to fashion and create. Genesis 2:15 says, the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden to work it and to take care of it. That’s right; He created us and then commissioned us with the responsibility to work as stewards of His creation through our work. Tim Keller defines our daily work in this way; “rearranging the raw materials of a particular domain to draw out its potential for the flourishing of everyone.” Adam was called to do this in the garden and we are called to do the same in our particular vocations. Thus, through our work, we employ the gifts and skills God entrusted to us to love our neighbor, bring Him glory and further His Kingdom.

Our workplace challenge is to start seeing our work differently; as a calling. With the right perspective, our work will become a crucial component to a meaningful and satisfying life. Why? Because we know we have been called to it by God and for God.  We do it to make a difference, to advance the gospel and for His Glory.