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April 20, 2024 |
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What's in a Name? January 27, 2007 • By Pete Hammond Over the past fifteen years I have focused my work on what many refer to as “Marketplace Ministry” (MP). That was even the name of our team within InterVarsity Christian Fellowship up until four years ago. It is also the name used by a variety of other ministry organizations around the country in places like But all three titles require explanation. None of them captures and communicates the vision quickly. Descriptive terminology is a struggle for every leader in this field of the church in the world. But, at second glance, the terminology struggle is a reminder that the Christian faith is so profound that slogans, bumper-sticker language or modern sound bites just don’t do the job. Capturing what it means to be loved and forgiven by Christ, and then invited to grow and serve Him in every dimension of life cannot be fully done in cryptic language. As a matter of fact, if it were that simple—the Bible would be a lot shorter! But I am convinced that this struggle hints at the problem of long-term neglect in this area within the church. Few “pewsitters” are encouraged to view themselves as bold agents of the Another complicating factor is that the church can become an institution that tends to be preoccupied with its own preservation. All its resources can too easily be directed inward. Hence, its presence in each community is often no more than that of being just one more organization competing for space, loyalty, support and significance. Outsiders often suspect its motives. Members tend to be drawn further inward for its own benefit. Thus, service outward toward the city, our jobs and other organizations becomes weakened, or even quietly resisted. I’ve heard too many clergy oppose ministry outside the congregation, unless it is overseas missions. The challenge of Christian living in the world is marginalized, oversimplified or diminished. No wonder we struggle for terminology to capture the vision of the church in the work world! As I have listened and labored to find ways to turn this around, a variety of descriptive options have surfaced. Often they are illustrated by key terms of our faith language. At the end of this article you will find my working list of phrases that describe important pieces of this vision. I have italicized key words that are used in more than one phrase or slogan. After each italicized work I’ve attached frequently attached phrases that spell out the fuller meaning. While this process of labeling might feel complicated, it also hints at the richness of the subject. There is much food for thought about how every follower of Christ is to learn and live out their faith in every dimension of life—including their jobs. If we can begin to affirm that truth, I think the church will become much “saltier” in our culture and our witness will become much more powerful. It could also relieve our pastor-teachers and release them back to their primary role as internists in the body of Christ who specialize in “equipping all the saints for ministry” (Ephesians What are you thinking about the life of faith for Harry and Sally pewsitter? What terminology moves you toward whole-life discipleship? The Linguistics of Faith Calling… for all God’s people; for the rest of the church; for the non-ordained. The church… in the world; scattered; Monday through Friday; at your workplace. Discipleship… at work; during the week; everyday; in all of life; for everybody. Everyday… faith; spirituality; discipleship; servanthood. Faith… everyday; seven days a week, at work, on the job. Marketplace… ministry; missionaries; Christians; faith; discipleship; servanthood. Ministry… in daily life; for the rest of the church; at work; of all the baptized; of the laity. Ordained… laity; pewsitters; or ordination for every believer; all the baptized. The Priesthood… of all believers; or priests at work; on the job; in the workplace. Reconnecting… Sunday & Monday; faith and work; worship and work or career. Spirituality… in everyday life; in the workplace; in your job; in citizenship. Worship… at work; in your job; through your career. Related Articles · More Articles  Systems of the world monetary system are radically changing. Christians must prepare for even greater changes so that we can continue to minister the Word to a dying world. Given the massive changes manifesting, Christians must understand the following world systems structural building blocks in order to navigate their way through. Satan has been working hard to rebuild his kingdom into a one world system ever since the tower of Babel. He has been rebuilding his tower of Babel within the world system. As I ponder the life of Jesus, I notice that He was never in a rush as He walked among us, often taking time to minister to someone while He was on His way to minister to someone else (read Mark 5:21-43). This is foreign to many of us who attempt time management methodologies instead of utilizing life management principles in which each day centers around a major agenda or category instead of mapping out each minute of the day.
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