ONE TENTMAKING JOURNEY - THREE MISSIONS PERSPECTIVES

Christians may approach their work differently as it relates to mission. Some view work and mission separately. Some do work for the sake of mission. Still others believe their work is the mission. 

Moreover, while some may stay in the same mode throughout their career, others may use different approaches at different stages in their lives.

That was the case for Emma. When she first went overseas to teach for an international school in a megacity, she enjoyed building relationships with her students and colleagues, but she considered her real ministry to be at the local church, where she taught, preached and discipled believers. Work and mission did not overlap.

Several years later, Emma relocated to a region with fewer missional workers. She gave up her preference to teach grade school science and taught university English instead because those were the available jobs in that part of the country. Meantime, she continued to focus on local church ministry. So, she chose the type of work for the sake of mission.

Finally, with increasing restrictions due to official crackdowns as well as the Covid pandemic in the past few years, Emma could no longer safely serve at the local church. Her job was the only space available to foreigners like her to have consistent relationship with locals. As a result, her work at the university became her mission field. She intentionally incorporated faith based core values and life lessons into her teaching. Now, work and ministry are integrated. The work is the mission. 

Through her changing attitude towards work and mission, Emma came to realize that being involved in fulfilling God’s mission wherever she worked not only contributed to God’s Great Commission, but also brought her fulfillment as a child of God. When she abided in relationship with him and took the opportunities that he provided along the way, she would be fruitful wherever she lived!

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

How do you view work and mission? We would love to hear from you at info@goliveserve.org.