The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Author: Various
Date: 24.09.2010
Category: Workplace Ministry, Truth and Pluralism
Directions: Click the play button in the video window above to watch all videos from the session in order. Alternatively, you may advance to a specific part of the session by using the next arrow or by clicking the playlist icon once the video is playing and selecting one of the video segments shown.
Mark Greene suggests the ministry of full-time Christian workers has limited the church’s impact. By perpetuating the distinction between secular and sacred, disciples are not prepared to minister in the places where most people live.
Jerry White argues that work is a major commandment in creation--that everyone has a calling to the workplace and that ministry should take place there.
Timothy Liu challenges the church to see God’s large plan to build a people who are a blessing to the nations. He asks ’What would the workplace look like if God would have his way’ and calls for humility rather misguided fervour in reaching the world.
Mats Tunehag examines what factors determine the success or failure of business as mission. He argues that it’s important to remember our objective and refuse to compromise on professionalism, excellence and integrity.
Keywords: full session, work, marketplace, truth, Cape Town 2010
Views: 10075
Comments: 6
Recommendations: 3
Conversation Post Comment
Indonesia
John, thank you for your reply. I found issues I raised very real and no simple matters. Hence I am not looking for a how-to answer. Rather I am looking for a biblical principle of how to see and respond to these issues. As these issues are very deeply rooted in our economic and social system, I think there is no simple answer to it. Does BGEMM initiatives see these issues important enough to discuss?
12.11.2010
United States
Yulu, thank you for those comments and suggestions. Obviously the time we had at Cape Town was insufficient to address everything that you mentioned or that needed to be dealt with in the Workplace. Perhaps these topics might be included in future conferences or workshops dealing strictly with Workplace issues.
Being in the Workplace for over 40 years myself I understand your concern for Christians facing office politics, bribery, and collusion among other things. It really would be good for someone to come along and point to the scriptures and say this is what God’s word says, this is how it applies and this is what occurs when it is put into action. Along those lines is being told what and who to avoid. I am reminded of Philippians 4:8 when its says that we should think on only that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable because that is worth thinking about. If we are considering those terms then we are more likely doing those things.
This is just a thought to consider.
11.11.2010
Indonesia
@ John_Boland:
John, thank you for your reply. I agree that there was not enough time. Issues I raised, I found very real and no simple matters. Hence, I am not looking for a how to approach. Rather, I am looking for a biblical principles on how to see and respond to those realities. I believe there is no simple answer to it. That is why I am very curious whether these topics can make their way to be discussed in BGEMM discussion. I believe these issues deserve deep biblical response as they are very well entrenched deep inside our economic and social system.
12.11.2010
Indonesia
It is truly a blessing to come and listen to this topic. I agree that secular-sacred divide is wrong and we should do the best in whatever we do for the glory of GOD as part of our ministry to HIM.
Further than that, I found that in my struggling to glorify GOD in my workplace, there is little practical guidance about how to do it. I personally would like to hear deeper conversation of performing in workplace in accordance to sound biblical principles.
Here are some of the topics that I found very little guidance in it:
1. How to deal with office politics?
2. How to see a strategic business opportunities in the light of our current Christian Context?
3. Is there any specific business network partnership that should be developed in Christian Community? In what area?
4. How to deal with bribery and collusion, especially in developing country?
5. How to link business with community development? Are there any business model to share?
6. Is there any "guidelines" on professional conduct?
7. What about the issue of "work-life-ministry" balance?
8. etc, etc, etc.
Does anybody share my struggle and concern?
Yulu
30.10.2010
United States
@ Yuluarjo:
Yulu, thank you for those comments and suggestions. Obviously the time we had at Cape Town was insufficient to address everything that you mentioned or that needed to be dealt with in the Workplace. Perhaps these topics might be included in future conferences or workshops dealing strictly with Workplace issues.
Being in the Workplace for over 40 years myself I understand your concern for Christians facing office politics, bribery, and collusion among other things. It really would be good for someone to come along and point to the scriptures and say this is what God’s word says, this is how it applies and this is what occurs when it is put into action. Along those lines also would be a word on what and who to avoid. I am reminded of Philippians 4:8 when its says that we should think on only that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable because that is worth thinking about. If we are thinking along those terms then we are more likely doing those things.
Just a thought to consider.
11.11.2010
United States
I think Jerry White’s presentation was excellent and a message that many of us need to hear. I can relate to the feeling that I wasn’t doing enough for the Lord because I was in the secular job market and not in full-time mission work. (like Jerry, I was also in the US Air Force for 12 years). I have since come to understand the truth of the verse - Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Thank you Jerry for these words of wisdom!
28.10.2010
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