Labor Day, Every Day: Work as Worship

I leave the day after Labor Day for a three-week trip to Tanzania, Zambia, and Ethiopia.  I will have the opportunity to meet with three amazing DML teams, speak with denominational leaders, pastors, women, young adults, educators, and government officials. It's my last big trip of the year, with several shorter trips in October and November.  Seems so strange to write that, as this year is flying by!

I'm often not in the US for Labor Day.  I tend to celebrate Labor Day on May 1st, which is when most of the world celebrates it.  Most of our partners hold "Work as Worship" events on Labor Day, where churches gather together to have members share testimonies of how they are integrating their faith and work, and share what God is doing in their workplace.  I'm always amazed that on these national holidays in other countries, whole-day events are held and people actually come!  In the US, that would not be the case, but Labor Day can be acknowledged in some way on the Sunday before (even though the church may be half empty as everyone has gone away for the weekend).

In light of Labor Day, I'd like to share a sample of a workplace commissioning that could be used on a Labor Day Sunday and encourage all of us to encourage our pastors to do something related to our workplaces.  One of the churches living out workplace discipleship in Zambia had their worship team wear their work clothes/uniforms on Sunday.  Others bring in something that they use in work (a tool, a laptop, a motorcycle helmet), lay them on the altar, and they are prayed over.

This commissioning liturgy is from the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity:

Missional Business Commissioning 

Our great cause together, including yours as a business owner or professional, is to be a faithful Christ-follower in our workplaces, communities and around the world.  

THEREFORE, WE WOULD ASK YOU TO PLEASE AFFIRM THE FOLLOWING COMMITMENTS:  

As a follower of Jesus Christ, will you embrace your work as a place of possibility and potential in the purposes of God?  Will you believe that God is already at work in these places and will you give yourself unreservedly to his purposes in you and through you, wherever you are? 

IF YES, PLEASE RESPOND:  With the help of God, I will. 

Will you trust God with the big things and the small things that you do day by day, and seek to make all that you do in your place of business and work a part of your worship of Him – learning to rely on Him, His power, His love, and His grace, whatever you do?  

IF YES, PLEASE RESPOND:  With the help of God, I will. 

As a son or daughter of our heavenly Father, will you believe that your value, your worth, your significance, and your life in your place of business and work, flow first from this identity, so that you can embrace the joy and freedom of being a child of God, wherever you are?  

IF YES, PLEASE RESPOND:  With the help of God, I will. 

As a part of the body of Christ, will you commit to encouraging and helping one another flourish in Christ and be fruitful in your businesses and place of work – learning to be the people of God, whether gathered (together on a Sunday or at any time during the week) or scattered (for the rest of the week), helping one another to make all the difference in the world?  

IF YES, PLEASE RESPOND:  With the help of God, I will. 

Today, we want to affirm your call to follow Christ in all of life, and we declare that the strength and power of the Holy Spirit will flow through you as you live out this calling in your business and at your place of work.  We commission you now this life and work, and pledge to you our prayers, encouragement and support.  

Amen!

I pray that all of us may be able to say yes to these statements and be equipped, encouraged, and commissioned to live them out in every workplace!