INTENTIONAL MINISTRY IN THE WORKPLACE

Though spontaneity is important and needed, ministry in the workplace is also intentional and developed over time. Just as sowing and cultivating are ongoing works for producing a harvest, so are the two actions necessary in Christ’s workplace ministry.

We all know the importance of cultivating the ground and sowing seeds in order to reap a harvest. As we respond to the call of Jesus for us to go out into the harvest field, we realize that we cannot produce the seeds ourselves nor do we have the ability to cause them to grow. However, God does provide the spiritual seeds and the soil of human hearts. We participate in His harvesting process as we cultivate the ground He has called us to and sow His seeds. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9; 2 Corinthians 9:10) Talk to any farmer, he will tell you that working for a potential harvest requires time, diligence, perseverance, and patience. One of our greatest hindrances from seeing God’s harvest come to fruition is often our impatience! This will lead us to become discouraged and eventually give up.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

As a farmer learns his trade, he learns of the different tools to use, he learns how different seeds require certain planting techniques, and he learns how to irrigate and enrich the soil. Likewise the Christian harvester must be aware of wise and effective ways to reap the rewards of the harvest.

First, let’s consider good manners and habits of a wise sower in the workplace. He or she creatively and carefully sows the seeds of words, gestures, and deeds which are appropriate to the situation and at the appropriate time. The sower understands the value of simple conversations with others. Though time is precious, the sower uses time wisely and sparingly. A few well chosen Godly words are seeds sown. The wise sower has learned to do these things in ways that do not pressure people to respond.

A good friend of mine, a First Officer, told me of an interesting time he spent with a Captain on a three day trip. On the first day, as they were telling each other about themselves, it seemed as though the Captain was showing interest in hearing more about God and spiritual things. My friend thought it was an open door, so he began sharing more about his personal faith in Christ. The Captain, who up until this point was very engaged in the conversation, suddenly shut down and became silent. At first, my friend went on to tell him more, but then he realized that the Captain did not want to hear it, so he quickly and graciously backed off. For the next two days there was silence in the cockpit, except for the necessary communication to get their job done. Finally on the last day of this three-day trip, the Captain turned to my friend and said: “Now that I know you are not going to push this stuff on me, I would like to pick up the conversation about God.” You see, a good sower depends on the work of the Holy Spirit and does not push or force the seed into the ground.

Another trait of a good sower is to know which seed works best in what type of soil. For example, when situations at work are discouraging and even despairing, seeds of hope are needed. Discouraged hearts need to be met with compassionate and discerning words, not just a kind benediction. These good seeds will come forth from people who live their lives in complete dependence on God in all situations. You cannot give hope to people if your life is full of anxiety and frustration. But, you can pass on hope and compassion, when in troubles you are being comforted by the God of all comfort.(2 Corinthians 1:4)

Some of our staff are involved with the airport chaplaincy and hold regular meetings with airlines people during their layovers or breaks. They usually look at a Bible passage and share some thoughts that apply to their work settings and then pray for one another and their company. One day there were two ladies who had come to one of these meetings for the first time. At the end of the prayer time they spoke up and shared why they had decided to come to the meeting. They pointed to one of their coworkers who was also there and attended regularly and said: “We came today because we want what she has.” Their airline was going through some turbulent changes, and evidently this lady’s faith and conduct was spreading seeds about the God of all hope which was directing them to our Lord.

Now let’s look at the qualities of a good cultivator. One of the key factors is that of becoming a good neighbor to those around you at work. Our co-workers are like our neighbors at work with whom we rub shoulders daily. Thus we need to be giving a great deal of attention to these relationships. The following words of Jesus are profoundly practical and real and speak to us about ministry in the harvest. The great command Jesus gave his followers was to first love the Lord your God and then to love your neighbor as you would yourself. As Christians we cannot escape these words of our Lord.

To be a good neighbor to your co-workers means to learn to identify with their spiritual, physical, and material needs. Are there co-workers around you who are in need? Perhaps you know someone who is struggling with making ends meet financially, or maybe they are in a difficult relationship with their spouse or children. Others may be experiencing physical illness or have someone in their family who is suffering. People involved in God’s harvest become accustomed to using their personal resources (time, money, talents) to show people around them the compassion and kindness of God. Sowing such seeds can have a long-lasting affect and can produce quite a harvest.

Here is how a friend of ours (flight attendant) did this in a simple way. When flight attendants are newly hired, they are paid a lower scale pay for a specified time. Many of them find it hard to make ends meet during this time. When our friend, who has flown for years, flies with one of these new hires, she looks for opportunities to bless them by taking them out and paying for their meal on their layovers. By cultivating the harvest field of your workplace and spreading God’s seeds there, you are uniquely showing people who God is and how He works.

Sadly, there are Christians who will spend 90,000+ hours of their lives in the workplace and never see the possibilities for ministry in God’s spiritual harvest. Faith in the workplace must be more than a private spiritual reflection which occurs at a secluded moment in the workday. Faith in the workplace means I engage it by demonstrating my relationship with God and my confidence and trust in Him to the people and in situations around me. Ask yourself right now…In what way am I willing to trust God to use me at my workplace today? You cannot expect to enjoy the reward of God’s harvest some day without seeing yourself involved with Him in it now. However, when you take steps of faith to sow and cultivate your workplace, it will transform its landscape from one of spiritual barrenness to one of spiritual fruitfulness!

Often when people contact us we hear them say that their schedule is too full for them to be involved in ministry. We respond by saying…”We do not ask you to add more events to your busy work schedule but to capitalize on the opportunities already existing there.” What unique opportunities exist in your workplace? How can you capitalize on this fertile soil?

 Excerpt from Paul Curtas’ book “When God Shows Up At Work”