“Most Christians do not have a theological framework that accommodates the integration of faith and vocation. Many are even hostile to the idea. They are more comfortable with a life that is not integrated, compartmentalizing work and discipleship. Any attempts at integration feel like intrusions into their private lives. Worship is viewed as an escape from ?secular? concerns. And let?s face it, if we really pursue integration, we will discover uncomfortable things about our lives.”?
Michael Kruse shares six ideas for pastors who want to help their congregations integrate their faith and their work more effectively – to be whole-life disciples:?
- Confess your insecurities and be open to learn
- Get curious – as theological questions
- Go to work – start with five members of the congregation and join them in their workplaces
- Preach with awareness – use workplace stories as sermon illustrations
- Foster a movement – start work/faith conversations in your faith community
- Institutionalize?? find ways to incorporate work and discipleship into the life of the congregation.?
Kruse’s conclusion is both realistic and sobering:?
Transformation is hard. It takes years, not weeks. And while para-church groups play indispensable roles in integrating work and discipleship, if faith communities are not transformed, then the witness of the Church will continue to suffer greatly.
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