Startling statistics show:
Almost four out of five church-goers doubt that the work they do is equal in importance to the work of a pastor or priest.
That was just one of the findings from a recent study by Barna Research and the LeTourneau University’s Center for Faith & Work on the church and the workplace.
They also found:
More than two-thirds of Christians cannot envision how the work they do serves God.
Digging deeper we see that pastors are becoming more concerned about the lack of understanding of the lay people. The study shows, they have increased the amount of preaching from the pulpit they do on the faith and work. Yet they have barely moved the needle.
Apparently, more sermons is not the answer. So where is the breakdown?
Lest one thinks this only applies to the church in North America, a similar study undertaken in Australia showed:
- Over 90% say their faith has helped them face life’s challenges, BUT
- Only 22% of Christian workers feel confident to share the gospel in the workplace
- 43% haven’t had a faith discussion at work in the last 3 months
Obstacle to Tentmaking
This is a major obstacle to tentmaking. If average church-goers don’t make the connection between faith and work at home, how can they be expected to do so in a foreign country.
Emerson’s quote comes to mind – “What you do speaks so loud, that I cannot hear what you say.”
What actions do we see in the church?
- We commission workers when they go out as missionaries
- We commission our pastors
- We commission volunteers who are working with church programs
- We celebrate our short-term mission teams and give them time on the platform to report on their trips and accomplishments
These teach the man or woman in the pew that these are the actions the church values. Many “lay workers” feel that is not their gifting. They feel disqualified for ministry and relegated to funding church programs and cheering others on.
What if…
- The homemaker was asked to share about helping a neighbor
- The factory worker was asked to talk about his life at work and how he is able to share the Kingdom with his co-workers through practicing his vocation
- Or, a professional tells how the exercise of his skills brings help and healing to the hurting
- Or, the businessman tells how conducting his business in a godly way has transformed a community
Gradually the divide between platform and pew would diminish. Pew-dwellers would realize, “I can do that.” “If this is what ministry is all about, then there is a place for me in it.” They would change from being observers to participants in God’s plan to draw the world to Himself.
Another Way
One church does this. There must be more, but this one demonstrates the point.
Redemption Church in Tempe, AZ takes 5 minutes in their Sunday morning service to focus on the workplace. People in their church who are in the “secular” workplace share what God is doing where they work. The leader conducts an interview with the worker asking four questions:
- How would you describe your work?
- As an image-bearer of God, how does your work reflect some aspect of God’s work?
- How does your work give you a unique vantage point into the brokenness in the world?
- Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27). How does your work function as an opportunity to love and serve others?
That’s it. This simple change brings a changed mindset. Imagine how this would work where you worship.
If you want more of something, reward and celebrate it.
The Mind of a Tentmaker
This is the mindset of a tentmaker. Overseas or at home, tentmaking starts with the recognition that every vocation is approved of God. Every vocation contributes to his plan for making disciples and redeeming the world.
Could a simple adjustment in a worship service make a big difference? It’s a start.
Research: http://centerforfaithandwork.com/article/gap-between-pulpit-pew-narrowing-read-latest-research
By Phill Sandahl
As I read the article, I asked myself: Do we continue to drive deeper the wedge between lay persons and the clergy by making it mostly about “witnessing” at work as this article implies? I’d rather see us thinking more about how our work is the witness of God’s gifting and grace expressed in us in a way that blesses others, rather than trying to ramp up what we so often promote as “witnessing.” Do we verbally and through our efforts bless those that we work with, including our bosses? Do we see ourselves as spiritual people simply doing our job in a way that earns glory for God? Do we pray with and for our co-workers and all those God allows into our lives? Can we relate to others without seeing them as targets for our proselytism? Even some pastors could afford to take on some of this attitude rather than thinking it’s mostly about preaching better sermons from the pulpit and rousting out the troops. I’m appalled at the way many pastors seem to approach the ministry as if they were CEOs with the goal of running successful, self-defined programs aimed at filling buildings on Sunday. Have we lost the awe of being called “sons of God” and graced with spiritual gifts along with the amazing privilege of entering the throne room of God with our neighbor’s concerns? Could we instead all aim at being the kind of follower of Jesus that would draw others to want to know our Lord?
Thank you for your feedback. You are pointing out an area that apparently needs clarification.
Your comment takes a narrower (though common) interpretation of “witnessing” than I intend, or mean to say. In my use of the term “witnessing” and even “discipling” I take much more holistic approach. It is a process of bring through word and deed the Kingdom of God into the lives of others through our presence and participation in daily life. I actually think we are more closely aligned than you suggest.
While some of the words in the article refer specifically to a verbal expression of the hope which lies within us, it was not intended to be the focus the message. I call attention to other phrases in the article which counter-balance that idea:
“work is important”
“work serves God”
“share the Kingdom” – both its values and its blessings. In you words, “earns glory for God.”
“bring help and healing”
“transform community”
“opportunity to love and serve others”
I never intended the take away to be that believers are “targeting (people) for proselytism” or for “filling the church.” I will not apologize if people do come into a closer relationship with my Jesus. In fact, I will celebrate it. But the work of the Kingdom worker is much larger than that.
There is much more I could have said to amplify my thoughts on this topic. The limitations of the article space required that I focus on a key theme and hopefully challenge people’s thinking to a bigger picture and the role all Jesus followers have in bringing more of the Kingdom into the world around them and realize that God has gifted each one with precisely the skills they need to impact the area where they are.
In conclusion, we should all be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, bringing his healing presence for the restoration of a broken world. We can all affirm the aim should be, “being the kind of follower of Jesus that would draw others to want to know our Lord.”