Not just a Christian at work, but working as a Christian.
On average people spend one third of their life-time sleeping and one third at work. Not voluntarily, many of us might add.
We often can’t wait for each working day to finish, for our holidays to arrive, and many of us have been dreaming of retirement since our twenties! For others, work is their happy place where they change the world and live their dreams. But what is the point of spending so much time at work when life is so short? Why do we work? Should we work? What is the Bible’s view on work?
We hope these collections of resources will help you to not just be a Christian who works, but stimulate you to work as a Christian.
Talks:
Working in a Post-Christian Culture: Sam Chan talks though the cultural shift taken place in Australia and how Christians can be evangelists in a secular world. Talk from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12.
Made to work: Paul Harrington gives us the big picture of work from God’s vantage point and how the frustrations of work are a God given way of helping us see that work isn’t the most secure place to find out identity as people. Talk from Genesis 1:27-2:15.
Navigating a hostile workplace: Stephen McAlpine helps us think though navigating a workplace that can be hostile to belief in God and how living in such a way that the mud can’t stick is an important gospel witness. Talk from Daniel 6.
Working For The Lord: Talk from Ephesians 6:5-9.
Doing The Lord’s Work: Talk from 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 50-58.
Audio:
Overcoming anxiety in evangelism: Caroline Spencer talks though how to be prepared for Jeuss conversations at work and what to do to reduce anxiety in evangelism.
https://evangelisminaustralia.com/overcoming-anxiety-in-evangelism/
Articles:
Christianity and Culture: Transcript of a number of lectures from theologian John Frame. A great survey of what it means to be a Christian in our culture and how Christianity shapes our view of the world.
Ridley Centre For Leadership: has recently launched a blog with some stimulating reading on leadership from a Christian perspective.
https://www.leadership.ridley.edu.au/resources
Books:
- Stephen McAlpine, Being The Bad Guys
- William Taylor, Revolutionary Work
- Tim Keller, Every Good Endeavour
- Tim Chester, Gospel Centred Work
- Andrew Cameron, Joined-up Life
- Matthew Kaemingk and Cory Willson, Work and Worship: Reconnecting Our Labor and Liturgy
Websites:
Engage Work Faith is an Adelaide ministry for workers. They run great events, help Christians connect with other workers to encourage each other in prayer, and provide a host of great resources.
City Bible Forum is a national organisation with a great set of resources for both Christians and your non-Christian colleagues (Third Space).
The Centre for Public Christianity is a media organisation with a host of excellent resources on topics related to work, besides a lot else.
Life@Work: By City bible Forum. Heaps of articles, conferences and talks on how to connect the dots between the Christian faith and our daily work.
Prayer:
Evangelistic Prayer Teams: Real life groups of the Christains in or near your workplace to provide the encouragement, fellowship and prayer needed to help you be Jesus’ ambassador at work.