Last weekend, Deputy Senior Pastor Daniel’s message on work was one of the best I’ve ever heard on bringing God’s light into the marketplace. It was strongly grounded on the Biblical mandate that work is worship. This is based on the Hebrew word “Avodah” which is translated as both work and worship in the Old Testament. Likewise, this is true of the Greek word “Latreia” which first referred to work in the marketplace, but was later used in the Bible to refer to worship.
When we make work our worship unto God, we carry the presence of God into the marketplace to effect spiritual change, and become a blessing to others. This is the direction God has shown the leadership of FCBC for the next phase of our growth and development. To kickstart this phase, we will be conducting a churchwide membership survey to better understand the profile of our members in the marketplace, in terms of both vocation and location. We want to rally our members in the marketplace to plant prayer and outreach points wherever our workplaces are situated. We believe this will bring about multiplication for the Vision, lead to accomplishing our goal of 1,728 cells and bring about community transformation.
This strategy is both effective and efficient. It is effective as we are working amongst people we have close contact with on a regular basis, so we can minister to their needs in a relevant way. It is also efficient as the place of our work becomes the place of our ministry. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
- Senior Pastor Lawrence Khong