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Essentials for Disciple-Makers From All Professions
Read the series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
Larry Sharp concludes our series on Disciple-Makers from All Professions with three underlying issues that are essential to the all professions vision.
Larry Sharp concludes our series on Disciple-Makers from All Professions with three underlying issues that are essential to the all professions vision.
All-Professions Essentials
by Larry Sharp, Crossworld Vice President Emeritus
1. A biblical view of work, vocation and ministry
The 20th century professionalized the disciple-making task, misusing the definitions of vocation and calling. G. E. Veith said, “The priesthood of all believers did not make everyone into church workers; rather it turned every kind of work into a sacred calling.” Today, a biblical theology of work that promotes an integrated life is seldom taught in our evangelical churches.
How do we address this challenge? We need a fervent study of the Word of God, a review of how the gospel spread prior to the 20th century, and the courage to return to the first century model of making disciples of Jesus.
2. A true, holistic view of the gospel
We believe Jesus’ Great Commandment to “love your neighbor” goes hand in hand with the Great Commission.The kingdom of God passages in Matthew reveal a fairly equal concern with the “here and now” and the eternal. Jesus came to change the future of all who would believe, but he also cared desperately about the current human condition. Martin Luther said, “A gospel that does not deal with the issues of the day is not the gospel at all.”
How do we address this challenge? We must begin to ask hard questions, like what does love look like in countries with 70 percent unemployment, endemic poverty and corruption, and increasing injustice? We must not swing to the social gospel of the pre-1920s nor to the fundamentalist stance of post-WWII. Jesus’ way demands a holistic, integrated gospel.
3. An integrated view of operating
Churches and mission agencies operate in a similar manner, while the marketplace operates differently. For example, churches work by committee and the marketplace by managerial decision-making; churches tend to emphasize faithfulness while business demands results; churches stress collaboration while the work world is a culture of competition. These differences and many more mitigate the unleashing of professionals who do not fit the church model.
How do we address this challenge? While some believe this “oil and water” distinction is unredeemable, I believe it is worth our while to develop strategies that integrate mission workers with marketplace workers by asking, “How can we use all of our resources to make disciples of all nations?”
The 20th century professionalized the disciple-making task, misusing the definitions of vocation and calling. G. E. Veith said, “The priesthood of all believers did not make everyone into church workers; rather it turned every kind of work into a sacred calling.” Today, a biblical theology of work that promotes an integrated life is seldom taught in our evangelical churches.
How do we address this challenge? We need a fervent study of the Word of God, a review of how the gospel spread prior to the 20th century, and the courage to return to the first century model of making disciples of Jesus.
2. A true, holistic view of the gospel
We believe Jesus’ Great Commandment to “love your neighbor” goes hand in hand with the Great Commission.The kingdom of God passages in Matthew reveal a fairly equal concern with the “here and now” and the eternal. Jesus came to change the future of all who would believe, but he also cared desperately about the current human condition. Martin Luther said, “A gospel that does not deal with the issues of the day is not the gospel at all.”
How do we address this challenge? We must begin to ask hard questions, like what does love look like in countries with 70 percent unemployment, endemic poverty and corruption, and increasing injustice? We must not swing to the social gospel of the pre-1920s nor to the fundamentalist stance of post-WWII. Jesus’ way demands a holistic, integrated gospel.
3. An integrated view of operating
Churches and mission agencies operate in a similar manner, while the marketplace operates differently. For example, churches work by committee and the marketplace by managerial decision-making; churches tend to emphasize faithfulness while business demands results; churches stress collaboration while the work world is a culture of competition. These differences and many more mitigate the unleashing of professionals who do not fit the church model.
How do we address this challenge? While some believe this “oil and water” distinction is unredeemable, I believe it is worth our while to develop strategies that integrate mission workers with marketplace workers by asking, “How can we use all of our resources to make disciples of all nations?”
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