- Jesus is the primary example of integration of faith and the marketplace. He practiced a trade, and earned respect of the community, not entering “ministry” until he was thirty. Then his “ministry” was primarily in the context of the marketplace, not the synagogue (church). It is difficult to think of a Jesus teaching and not think of fishing, real-life stories, weddings, farming, taxation, sheepherding, hiring and firing, Roman rule, building, rich people, management, vineyards, orchards (figs), and many more places of life and work.
- Lausanne 2024 plenary speaker Julia Garschagen, affirmed that “Witnessing in the workplace is woven into the DNA of the early church.” In fact, a careful reading of Acts 1-18 suggests that it was people in the workplace who spread the Good News.
- The Nestorians spread the gospel along the Silk Road as far as China, beginning in the 7th century. Their amazing success is because they shared the Good News primarily in the workplace. Their efforts were acknowledged by future researchers and travelers, including Marco Polo.
- The Moravian church was an amazingly successful missional church and according to Willliam Danker in Profit for the Lord, “…the most important contribution of the Moravians was their emphasis that every Christian is a missionary and should witness through his daily vocation.” (p. 73) Today, Surinam is about 25% Protestant, and largely due to Moravian efforts beginning in 1735.
- Mats Tunehag often cites the work of Hans Nielsen Hauge (1771-1824) who pioneered the Christian lay movement in Norway with his extensive travels. He was a missional entrepreneur, founder of numerous factories and mills, revivalist, and spiritual leader. He is the father of the prayer house movement, with 3,000 across the country today.
Something to think about: Should the work of God in the 21st century look more like the first century than the 20th century?
Larry Sharp, Director of Training, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com