Our Ministry Together

With the first weekend of September, Americans celebrate Labor Day, often with picnics or gatherings that seem to mark the end of summer. As Christians, I’d like to suggest that we enjoy the day, but give some thought to the meaning of work as an expression of faith.

 Work is meant to be a blessing and not a curse, and when we can see ourselves as partners of God in serving, work is more likely to feel like a blessing. Some work is hard, and I suppose that is why we call it “work”, but work is especially a blessing when it challenges us to be the best we can be for the good of others. Work is not just a means to earn money, though it is a way to be responsible for our own needs, and work is best when we serve others as our primary motivation, whether paid or unpaid. As Christians, we also are called to care for those who work alongside us - or for us. It means establishing a positive working environment where people are treated humanely, and for that - all are responsible. It is interesting to note that labor unions originally grew out of the spiritual revivals of John and Charles Wesley in the early 1700’s where working conditions in Britain had become inhumane. People worked 16 hours a day for 6 days a week. Children as young as 10 worked long hours in mines and factories; and many died from accidents or exhaustion. The working person – man, woman or child – was little more than a slave to be exploited. In the brokenness of that work world, a spiritual revival led to a movement for more humane and fulfilling work, consistent with the Christian view of the dignity of each human being.

 Lutheran Christians have a specific belief that work (paid or unpaid, volunteer or employed) is a vocation, literally a “calling” to serve others in the work we do. Our doctrine of “The Priesthood of All Believers” says that we are all priests to each other (sharing God’s grace in all we do) and implying that we are ministers to other people when we use our gifts to serve. Wherever you are (in school, at the office, in the factory, at the hospital, at Cub, in your family, at a clinic, on the roof, or in a committee meeting or a Sunday School classroom) you are called to serve as part of the Body of Christ. This means more than just “putting in the time” or showing up.  In all you do, you are called to do the best job you can, caring for those you serve by making the best product or doing your best for the sake of the other. You are also called as part of the Body of Christ to care for your fellow worker and those who employ you (or whom you employ) by being a person of honesty and integrity, so that the way you work (paid or unpaid, volunteer or employed) reflects the Creative and Redeeming God who made you a partner in doing good for this world and its people.  

 That is Christian vocation in which it is understood that you are always a priest, a minister of God’s for the sake of the world. Consider these things as you relax and enjoy this Labor Day weekend.

 In Christ, Pastor Mark Becker