For over a decade, I was in full-time ministry. If you count seminary years and Bible college, it’s been part of my work since 2008. But back in February, I stepped away from a job, and when it came time to figure out what was next, an unexpected opportunity arose: working for a home renovation and construction company.
When I was a kid, a family friend was a contractor. He’d take me to jobs and I would paint boards for a little bit of spending money. I loved the smell of sawdust and seeing rotted wood get removed and replaced. Little did I know, one day I’d have an office down the hall from a full-on workshop.
I’m still in culture shock when I walk into the office. No one starts meetings with prayers or reminds you of the importance of Eternity. But what I lost in Christian-ese, I’ve gained in connection to a group of people I might not otherwise have encountered.
These colleagues are skilled craftsmen and planners, architects and job managers. They know how to create almost anything from scratch, and they work with excellence and drive. As I was getting acclimated, after posting something faith-based on my personal Instagram, a comment caught my eye. It was someone lamenting that I’m not in ministry. That my gifts which are theologically bent don’t seem to fit with my current full-time vocation.
In the world we live in, this is a common assumption. We see pastors or administrators or caretakers as those in ‘full-time ministry.’ Those jobs are so needed! My brother-in-law is a faithful pastor of a church in California and his work is challenging yet rich. I have a deep respect for individuals in those spaces. And who knows? Maybe I’ll end up back there again one day. But for now, I find myself driving down a road that is dense with potholes and workshops on my way to the office. I find myself passing by warehouses and industrial spaces, re-learning a new way of existing in the world.
“Hello!” I called out the other morning to a man standing on a loading dock.
He greeted me with a smile.
“What do you guys do here?” I asked
“Anything made out of metal? We make it.” He replied, with sparks flying behind him and machinery resounding in the background.
We exchanged names and as I walked away, my foot caught the ground and I accidentally kicked an empty bottle of liquor that was sitting on the side of the street between our workplaces. Immediately, a phrase popped into my head: This is ministry, too.
It turns out, my work is full of people who are living, breathing examples of the human experience. They’re removing rotted clapboards and sawing wood and building staircases and processing the world around them. They’re having lunch breaks and driving to job sites and trying to be good parents and spouses and friends. Away from church pews, the need for Jesus is just as strong.
Scripture reminds us to do everything to the glory of God. It doesn’t make mention of needing to be in a church office or standing at a pulpit. Christ can be magnified in the parking lot or the drive-through or the office complex.
In 1 Corinthians 10:31, it says, “Whatever you do—whether you eat or drink or not—do it all to the glory of God!”
So I come home and I exhale and I change out of my men’s polo with the logo of my company. I sit and I process and I pray that I can meet these new friends and coworkers with grace, kindness, and patience. I ask Jesus to be made known and to be glorified as we post on social media, frame and paint walls. Even if it’s just someone sensing that they’re not alone, there are a thousand small ways to point anyone toward the truth of Jesus.
Still, I miss those opening prayers and staff devotionals and feeling like my work was intimately connected to my faith. But then? I remember that I work at a home renovation company — and Jesus was a carpenter. So surely, if it’s good enough for the Son of God, it’s more than enough for me.
Love this! What would the world be if believers all worked in a christian bubble? I’m in an opposite place now, I was offered a job in a church about 6 years ago and told the Lord I didn’t want to work with a bunch of christians (sounds funny now, but I was serious lol) but, obviously, He knows what He’s doing. We embrace where He has us and it’s ALL good.
Kellie
He really does know what he’s doing. Thanks for being part of this community, Kellie!
Amen, amen, amen!
Melissa, This article was spot on. So many Christians isolate themselves by staying in a bubble. Just think if Jesus had done that same thing we would all be lost. Also I love your photo! It always makes me smile
Aww, thanks!
A small group of ladies and I are doing the Amos study by Jennifer Rothschild. Week one had a great reminder that God will use us right where we are to speak for him. I think your roll outside the church might be even greater than inside the church. After all, the church is not a building, we are the hands and feet of Jesus. Keep looking for opportunities to be the hands, feet and light of Jesus right where you are!
Thanks for the encouragement! Cheering you on!
You are where you are for a reason that is my philosophy. What a great insightful article. Thank you.
Thanks for reading!
Amen to that! We have, like a lot of other churches, dwindling numbers on Sunday. BUT… we have an amazing number of people who attend our Tuesday free lunches, sit and chat with neighbors both near and far, come by to pick up some supplies from our “little corner pantry”, or await delivery of lunch if they are home bound. This is church- this is what Jesus teaches us. The folks who come aren’t church members, some do not live in our tiny town and some are just driving though and see the sign for lunch. However, try as we do to explain that this is worship, some members can only focus on the number they see on Sunday. Sad for them but I and those of us who serve on Tuesdays are so inspired and filled with joy. And while I see the validity of the argument that the pews are empty on Sunday and it is sad, sharing meals on Tuesdays is breaking bread for me.
I love this! I work in a medical clinic. Where I manage a Blood pressure program. I talk with (for the most part) elderly patients. Some are lonely, ill, depressed or afraid of dying, so I often ask if they have a Church? Or if I can say a prayer with or for them. I may try to lift their spirits in some small way. If I sense an overwhelming loneliness I ask them to come in the office & tell them I’d like to check out their machine to ensure it’s working accurately. We are God’s hands and feet. We need to reach out through our works. I love what you are doing through Construction. Building up God’s people. PTL
This is such important work.
I’m a Bible college graduate and have worked in Christian “ministry” most of my life. However, when I was a young adult working in a public school, I soon came to realize my own definition of ministry: Ministry is a life lived for God regardless of where the pay check comes from (as long as it is legal). I share that definition often with people.
Amen!
Sweet Melissa….BTW it’s a 70’s song!
You my friend are Jesus with skin on!
My husband and I have always chosen to be the hands and feet of Jesus especially growing up in New England!
‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways and thoughts higher than your ways and thoughts.’
Melissa, you’re exactly where you’re needed!!
Yeah you!!! Cheering you on from a New England girl. Dee
Yes, I hear people sing that song once a month or so! Thankful for another New Englander! 🙂
AMEN.
I too believe that as a believer, I should serve the LORD wherever HE calls me to. We should not put the LORD and our faith into a box, namely the church. The harvest is plentiful outside of church. We, the followers of CHRIST, should be amongst them. May our lifestyle and value system reflect our faith and point them to the LORD, so that HE will be glorified.
Melissa,
“Away from church pews, the need for Jesus is just as strong.” I love this quote. I’d say the need is even stronger outside of church. Thank you for sharing this. I’m a believer who is in state government, and I see my own workplace as a mission field and where I can shine Jesus’s light.
I love that! Prayers for you today!
Melissa,
Our world is in desperate need of Jesus. Many will never know of Him unless we, the church, get outside of our bubble & go be amongst them. For me that looks like volunteering at Loaves & Fishes Food Bank. Each Friday I give them a few hours to help put meals together & hand out meals or work in back with the food boxes. Also try to be a good example at work (hospital ICU as clerical). I cheer on patients when they get better. Hand out tissues when bad news is given. Also encourage my co workers & E cleaning crew). It is my way of spreading God’s light in this dark world.
Blessings 🙂