WORK IS MISSION?
Work vs. Mission
Is tentmaking missions just about being a self-supporting missionary like Paul, who financed his pioneering work at Corinth through his trade? Is it just about having a work visa so you can stay and serve in a certain country? What is the place of work in the life of a tentmaker? What is the relationship between work and mission--being light and salt and bringing Christ to the unreached?
For many Christians, work is just what we have to do for livelihood, but mission or ministry is the higher calling. A college senior has been active at her campus fellowship. Lately, she has picked up a subtle message from her staff worker that if she is really dedicated, then the best thing to do upon graduation is to join the campus ministry full-time. Is she being worldly for wanting to pursue a secular career? She is confused and conflicted.
Another young man has a good job as a software engineer at a Fortune 100 company. But he feels that work is not challenging and he does not connect well with his colleagues. On the other hand, he enjoys leading worship, teaching Sunday school, and chairing the young adult fellowship. So he is wondering if he should quit his job, go to seminary, and become a pastor instead.
Spiritual Hierarchy & Dichotomized Living
Many Christians struggle with the notion of a spiritual hierarchy and a dichotomized approach to life. The spiritual hierarchy has lay people at the bottom, those in full-time ministries higher up, with missionaries and martyrs at the top, on a pedestal. The dichotomized approach to life sees work from Monday to Friday as "secular" and therefore less important, whereas religious activities on weekends and evenings are "spiritual", things that really matter.
For the layperson, such thinking invalidates a big chunk of one's active life. This reasoning also causes some people to question the effectiveness of tentmaking missions since having full-time jobs means less time and energy left for "real" ministry.
Work is then seen as a hindrance to ministry, competing for the tentmaker's limited resources. But in order to gain entry into restricted access countries where the gospel is most needed. Christian workers need to get a job or start a business. This is where some tentmakers are seen as “undercover missionaries” and they struggle with a sense of duplicity.
The Need for Biblical Understanding
Having the right theology or biblical perspective on work is critical whether we are called to serve locally or overseas. Genesis 1:26-28 and 2:15 record the first mandate for man from God: to steward the earth and its resources. This is our "job", our God-given work. After the fall, work involved toil and sweat. But God never rescinded the mandate. Even our Lord worked as a carpenter until age 30.
Next month, we will share three approaches to fulfill our calling in life given our particular gifting and circumstances: Work and Mission, Work for Mission, and Work as Mission. The terms "mission" and "missions" are often used interchangeably. But we will define "mission" as a general calling to witness and service, both locally and overseas, and “missions” as overseas ministry in a cross-cultural context.