work and worship

A friend sent me a comment, via email, to a previous post about integrating body life (church) and work.  He rightly points out that some of my observations need to taken further, in order for the (possibly impressionistic, possibly individualistic) connections to be made more strongly. I agree. The comments were helpful. The commenter has thought deeply along these lines for a long time. I'll quote him below, and respond in turn.

But first, a picture comes to mind.

Lets imagine a Christian world view  (well, a world view i think many christians have, at some level) -  a two level view of the world.

 And as soon as we draw it, we know thats too simple - we should make the line dashed and all that.  We know God is creator, everything is His, etc. In fact, its not a Christian world view at all - its entirely incorrect.  

But nevertheless, in operative terms, i think we often tend to that dualism. We tolerate it and often revert to it.

Here is how the commenter went: Quoted my post  first (italics below). Then commented (in blue).


"In several churches, i've noticed that in addition to the pastoral staff, it is the volunteer group (eg the occasional RE teachers) who are cited- and i think its right that they are supported like this, as they try to get to the point of sharing their faith. But should the complexity and heavy demand of the other roles be invisible - seeing as they are also bringing the redemptive leaven of the kingdom in other ways? Or do they just have a job - a 'secular job' at that? "

This observation is a true one. My belief is though that until others can actually show the vital connections between faith/work as a necessary whole connection with the Gospel, then the current divisions on sacred/secular will remain.

In spite of what you say about the "slipstream of faith" being able to carry one into these connections at your workplace, I think that on the whole they are hard to make and even harder to verbalize within the body times.

I don't think being "transformed by the renewing of your mind" is an automatic thing just by being connected to the engine of faith.

When confronting the existing deep seated cultural 'norms' of our days, I think it biblical to name and confront the 'idols of our times' which infect and drive each cultural sphere and this surely must be done with great prayer, ongoing reflection and consultation within groups of believers who work in similar contexts(ie teachers together, technicians together) together by those listening to what the Spirit says and then finding together strategies with which to respond.

My contention is that this ought to be the focus of body life. This is our spiritual worship as Paul contends.

Our body life would surely explode with excitement and holy awe and fear and rejoicing as we share how God is moving through us to release the creation from its groaning despair. 

I was going to say more, but i can't now recall what it was - but the comments in blue speak to me  - we attended a workshop on theology of work, and i think a vision of naming some of these in the body time could help - not that  i know how it could be done. Simply starting with naming each ones role and work from time to time would help i suppose - ie doing interviews of what people do.

The theology of work website that accompanied the seminar would also be a useful study tool. If i had time i'd like to run a series of studies based on that site. Listen to the president of the project explain it. Not the most photogenic chap, but thats hardly the point!
http://www.theologyofwork.com/pages.asp?pageid=101815

or as Bill Johnson said of work, in a sermon from around that time. :

Work is supposed to be a tool that is used – a musical instrument in a sense, that is used– that we use in giving worship to God. When work is robbed from someone – worship, the tool of worship, is robbed from their life, a unique expression of worship. The whole Jewish culture looked at work, labour, as a way of giving expression of worship to God. And I feel like we’re supposed to rise as church family toward the devourer who would steal the privilege of labour from everyone who is supposed to be able to work. I feel like its supposed matter.