Last week at the Mission America conference I experienced a renewed hope that the church may be coming more aware of it's responsibility to equip the saints to be salt and light to the marketplace. For years, I have experienced frustration when I've tried to get some local pastors to realize the importance of equipping and releasing their congregation to impact the marketplace with their God given talents.
My recently deceased friend Pastor LeRoy Sullivan used to say that the church was great at going out and catching fish, to only put them in a fish tank in the middle of the church for everyone to see. Once they were captured the church rarely releases them back into their pond.
This year, however, at the Mission America conference one of the primary themes for city reaching was the marketplace movement. Several speakers did an excellent job of communicating the importance and the need for the church to equip and encourage the saints to be light to their workplace. For many of the pastors in attendance the light bulb went on.
Kansas City was well represented at this conference with many senior pastors in attendance. The highlight of my week was at the end of a very long day when Pastor Charles Briscoe, one of the city fathers of Kansas City, said to me in front of the group. "I have seen your work in the marketplace over the years, and I was touched by what I learned here this week. I want to ask how might I help you move this marketplace movement forward?"
Imagine what would happen if every pastor began taking Paul's edict in Ephesians 4 for the church to equip the saints to shine their light 24/7. I believe our churches would fill up with people being impacted by their co-workers and employers.
What are your experiences? Are you seeing an increase or a decrease in God's move in the marketplace? Do you know pastors who are beginning to teach on faith at work?
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