The last couple of weeks we have been exploring the concept of ministry for the laymen of the church assembly. In this Witnessing In The Workplace series, the first discussion I questioned to whom is the responsibility of ministry given. The second discussion sought to examine the opportunity of ministry for the layman, and issued a challenge for all laymen concerning their workplace. Last week we discussed the role of prayer in a person’s desire to witness in the workplace.
In this concluding discussion, we examine the two other factors, accompanying prayer, to keep in mind if we are serious about witnessing in the workplace: assumption and work ethic.
Don’t Assume.
Often we get in our own way, pretending as if we are omniscient. We don’t know everything. We assume who has an ear for the gospel and who doesn’t. We talk ourselves out of sharing the gospel because we assume the other person isn’t interested. We assume for dumb reasons.
We see a coworker smoking cigarettes on break and we assume they don’t want to hear the gospel. We hear about their wild weekends and we assume they don’t want to hear the gospel. We hear them tell dirty jokes and we assume they don’t want to hear.
Forget about our assumptions concerning their wants and let’s deal with some facts about their needs. Every person NEEDS to hear and obey the gospel. Even the saints NEED to hear the gospel. Don’t let YOUR assumptions about THEIR desire for the gospel stop you. They need it, regardless of what you or they think. We all need it.
You never know. You never know how GOD has been working on their heart. You never know what their story is. Remember it was the harlot, Rahab, who responded in faith to what she had heard about the LORD (Joshua 2). The Apostle Paul, while he still went by Saul, was on his way to persecute the people of GOD when he responded in faith to the words of the LORD (Acts 9). There are plenty of other examples that I could go through. Maybe even in your own life – what if someone assumed about you, and refused to share the gospel with you?
Work Hard.
This series has centered around us looking to do GOD’s work while at work. However, at the end of the day you are still an employee and a coworker. Your primary function is to fulfill your particular job function and work related responsibilities. You have other employees who are probably depending on your work. People are already hostile to the message, don’t make it worse by being the poor worker that nobody respects; or the lazy worker; or by being the irritable employee; or by backbiting or being the source of dissension at work. Don’t be that employee.
In CHRIST, all of our life is affected. In CHRIST, all of our relationships are affected. Colossians 3:23 says “whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Let’s work as the scripture states. Let the message be an offense of its own, we don’t need to add to it with our attitudes, habits, and ethics at work. Let’s work in a way that people choose to not hear the message of the gospel, rather than people choosing not to hear you, or me.
Conclusion
I pray this series has helped you think about your role in ministry as a layman. Ministry is not just left to the pastors, elders, and missionaries. To be honest, Ephesians 4 says that the evangelists, pastors, and teachers are to “equip the saints for the work of ministry.” Clergy’s role is to equip laity for ministry. Yes, there is ministry for the layman. Let’s trust JESUS and serve everywhere – especially at work.
Grace and peace brethren.
