MOVING FAITH AND WORK: WHATS IS IT?

FAITH AND WORK  is a Christian movement that brought together believers from many different religious denominations - Catholics, Protestants, Pentecostals and Neopentecostals. Brought people who normally do not join. Met brothers who did not know.

All around a single goal: to save souls or, in practice, preach the Gospel to people being baptized (Matthew 28.19,20). As a family, this movement grows when more Christians to join him.

The site of action of the movement is the company, work of entrepreneurs, executives, employees and workers. An industry, trade, a workshop, a workshop, a school, a service provider saw fields of missionary activity, the fraternal coexistence of Christian fellowship, subsistence materials, production of social goods.

It is a true missionary, a company that makes a work for God (1 Cor 10:31, Col. 3:23). It is no coincidence that in 2005 were identified in the U.S. 14 thousand organizations seeking to integrate faith and work.1 And has the formal recognition of ministries in the workplace, such as Avodah Institute, Faith in the Workplace, Global Harvest Ministries, International Coalition of Workplace Ministries, and universities Princeton University and Harvard University.

Sharing the Faith and Work Movement, we will be together accelerating the growth of the kingdom of God on earth. To participate, you can pray and donate some of your time and resources starting a Corporate Church in your workplace. Wrap your brothers in Christ, your business in this movement. Help us to prove that "integrate faith and work" is a great deal. Surrender to what money can not buy eternal life. For as Jesus said: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul?" (Matt. 16:26).

For more information visit the "Blog Faith and Work Movement"  

1. Os Hillman quoted by Peter Wagner. Christians in the workplace. São Paulo: Editora Vida, 2007, p.100.

MINISTERS IN THE WORKPLACE

"So whether you eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31)

"Religion and business do not mix." "The ministry is only performed with a congregational. These are, without doubt, statements coming directly from hell to divide the church of Christ in caste systems, where the "clerics" are superiors of the "laity." There is no concept of "second-class citizens" in the kingdom of God.

Many religious leaders make a distinction between "secular work" and "sacred work", one is considered profane and another saint. This idea is unbiblical. All believers should work "as unto the Lord and not unto men" (Col. 3:23), doing "everything for the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31).

The word "ministry" of the Greek diakonia, is also translated as "service". Where we are serving someone else, we are fulfilling the biblical ministry.

"What we do in the workplace, Monday through Saturday, is really ministry. Christians who act as bus drivers, farmers, managers or supervisors at corporations, electricians, television producers in elective public office, teachers, journalists, housewives and mothers are all envolvidosno ministry. [...].

If you're playing in a symphony orchestra, is ministering to an audience. If you are flying an airplane, is ministering to its passengers. If you are serving tables at a restaurant, is ministering to customers. If you are selling car insurance, installing a carpet, working in an accounting office or coaching a team is ministering. All of these functions clearly fit the biblical term diakonia." (Peter Wagner. Christians in the workplace, 2007, p. 136).

We renew our paradigm and no longer think of religion as opposed to work, but, rather, that gives you purpose.

THE CHURCH IN THE WORKPLACE

The biblical word translated "church" is Eklesia (or ecclesia), and its meaning is simply "people of God." In the New Testament this word is used to distinguish the Christians gathered in churches (Acts 16.5) and wherever they are (Acts 20:28).

The church of Christ that meets on Sundays to serve church (deacons, Bible school, worship, evangelism, etc..) Is the same scattered in different areas of society, the other six days a week, providing all kind of social service (trade, industry, agriculture, medicine, etc..).

In fact, when we provide any service, we are doing "as to the Lord and not for men" (Col. 3:23, cf Mt 25.40). The work is part of "everything" we do "for the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31).

"One is tempted to consider certain jobs, as positions in the church, education and medical care as most important activities of the work on trade and industry. However, those who are called to the workplace should understand that the call they have received is not less when compared to an official of the church who works full-time or a missionary " (Jim Dunn).

1. Jim Dunn. Guia de sucesso no trabalho. Rio de Janeiro: Danprewan, 2002, p.49.

JESUS, THE MODEL OF MINISTRY IN THE WORKPLACE

Jesus is our best model of ministry in the workplace. He spent more than 50% of his life as a professional in his carpentry workshop. Of the 132 public appearances of Jesus in the New Testament, 122 were in the workplace. Of the 52 parables of Jesus, 45 had a background of desktop. Of the 40 meetings of believers with God in the book of Acts, 39 were in the workplace. Most of the ministry of Jesus and the apostles was not in the synagogue, but in the workplace. More than 75% of the characters of the Bible were workers who made the ministry, as part of their work. The work in its different forms is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible, more than all the words used to express worship, music and praise.

GOD AT WORK

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead in itself." (James 2:17)

Faith has a role to play in all areas of life, including work.

Although Faith and Work are distinct concepts, the Bible says there is a connection between them. In fact, the biblical word Avodah means much work as worship. The Apostle Paul acknowledges that we must do "everything for the glory of God", and that includes work (1 Cor 10:31). Our work can be a form of worship, a way to honor God and serve society.

It is not God's intention that our faith is confined to the environment of a church or religious services, but that may be experienced throughout our daily life, our family, our community, and also in our workplace. We can be Christians when we enter our office, workshop or job. There should be integration between what we do with what we believe. The true Christian is a Christian every day of the week, and not just on Sundays at church.

People are looking for a meaning to your work. Faith is a powerful resource for ethical guidance and success at work. The challenge of the Christian is to live their faith daily and increase their awareness of God's presence in his work. This is only possible when we understand the role of God in what we do:

God, in the first chapter of the Bible is presented as if working on creating a material world "very good" (Gen. 1:31). God instructed men and women to serve as "stewards" of creation: ensuring that the nature, benefiting humanity and glorifying God (Gen 1.26-28). Moreover, God gave humans the gifts and talents that should be employed in carrying out this work. So, working in the business world is a spiritual vocation legitimate and valid.

Jesus as the Son of God, left us the command to be salt and light in the world, including our work (Mat 5.13-16). After all, Jesus was a skilled worker and many of his disciples were small entrepreneurs. More than 50 percent of the parables of Jesus were related to work environment. Jesus offers the potential for transformation to all people, including men and women in business (Mat. 11:28).

The Holy Spirit as the Comforter, sent by the Father to guide us, teach and enlighten all areas of our lives, including work (John 14:25). Through the Holy Spirit, businessmen are able to discern and obey the voice of God in a world full of tensions and imperfections. The Holy Spirit is a power that can be used by Christians in the workplace.