While in Burundi, I had a chance to hear Bishop Emmanuel from the United Methodist Church speak about the workplace and thought I’d share some of his thoughts here, with a bit of my own additions, especially as this is Labor Day in North America.
David J. Bosch famously wrote, “Mission is not primarily an activity of the church but an attribute of God.” That statement challenges the way many of us think about mission. Mission is not something we simply do when we leave our workplaces and enter a church building, go on a mission trip, or participate in a ministry program. Mission begins with God—and because we belong to Him and we are made in His image, we are sent wherever He has placed us.
Bishop Emmanuel said, “Your workplace must be your ministry because ministry is everywhere.”
We often ask, “Has God called me to ministry?” But perhaps a better question is, “Where has God sent me?” It is not primarily for us to know whether we have been “sent,” but to recognize that we are sent. Wherever God has placed us—business, government, education, healthcare, agriculture, or the home—we are His representatives there.
The question, then, is not simply, What am I doing for a living? It is, “Who am I working for?”
Paul gives us the answer in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Our positions are not ultimately given to us to serve ourselves. They are opportunities to serve others. A title is not a trophy; it is a responsibility. Authority is not primarily about what we can get from a position, but what we can contribute through it.
Jesus called His followers “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.”
Bishop Emmanuel offered a simple but powerful illustration: Salt does not become meat when it is put on meat. It doesn’t become beans when it is put on beans. Salt remains salt—but it changes what it touches.
That is the calling of a Christian in the workplace. We are not called to become like the culture around us. We are called to influence it.
A Christian civil servant should not simply behave like every other civil servant. A Christian businessperson should not simply adopt every business practice that has become normal. A Christian employee should not compromise simply because “everyone does it.”
The question is not only, “What is God doing here?” It is also, “What does God want me to do here?”
Our presence should make a difference.
John Wesley understood this. He wrote, “The Gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social religion; no holiness but social holiness.” In other words, Christianity was never intended to be lived in isolation. Our faith must affect how we treat people, how we conduct business, how we exercise authority, how we use money, how we respond to injustice, and how we make decisions.
You cannot be a Christian in isolation.
That is why we cannot say, “I don’t want to be involved in government,” or “Business isn’t ministry,” or “My workplace has nothing to do with my faith.” If Christians withdraw from the places where decisions are made, resources are allocated, people are employed, and communities are shaped, who will bring the values of God’s Kingdom into those places?
The greatest problem is not that there are too few Christians. In Burundi, for example, there are many Christians. The problem is that Christianity does not always produce the transformation we would expect.
The problem is not a lack of salt. The problem is salt that has lost its saltiness.
Our workplaces need Christians who understand that their presence matters.
One of the more challenging biblical images that reinforce this message is Jesus’ encounter with the fig tree.
At first glance, Jesus’ response to the tree seems troubling because it was not the season for figs. Why expect fruit when fruit is not normally available?
But consider the workplace application. It is relatively easy to do the right thing when everyone else is doing the right thing. It is easy to practice integrity in a culture of integrity. It is easy to pursue justice when justice is already valued. It is easy to refuse corruption when corruption isn’t an option.
But what happens when we are surrounded by dishonesty, bribery, exploitation, injustice, or unethical practices? That is when our fruit becomes particularly visible. Getting fruit in season is expected. Getting fruit out of season is remarkable—and valuable.
The Word of God calls us to bear the fruit of His Kingdom in every season. Even during drought. Even when injustice appears to be winning. Even when corruption seems normal.
- We are called to bear the fruit of justice when injustice surrounds us.
- We are called to bear the fruit of integrity when dishonesty is profitable.
- We are called to bear the fruit of generosity when everyone else is pursuing more.
- We are called to bear the fruit of excellence when mediocrity has become acceptable.
- We are called to bear the fruit of truth when lies are easier.
That is what it means to be salt. That is what it means to be light. That is what it means to be an ambassador of Christ.
And that is what workplace ministry looks like. Perhaps the most important question is not whether our workplace is a ministry. It is whether we are willing to treat it as one.
So this week (where we are celebrating Labor Day in North America), wherever God has placed you, consider three questions:
- Has my salt lost its saltiness? Am I still influencing the environment around me, or have I simply adapted to it?
- Do people see the light of Christ through the way I do my job? Does my integrity, excellence, treatment of others, leadership, and decision-making point people toward Jesus?
- Is there any wrong thing I accept because everyone is doing it?
Where have I allowed “normal” to replace “right”?
Mission is not simply something we do for God. Mission is who God is—and He sends us into every place where He is already at work.
Your workplace is not a distraction from ministry. Your workplace is your ministry.
And the question is not whether you have been sent. You have.
Now, what will you do with the place where God has sent you?