Follower of One : Missions For The Rest Of Us

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Do you have difficulty understanding how ministry can happen outside the walls of the church? Listen to Chad Balthrop explain how this understanding is essential. As the executive pastor at First Baptist Church in Owasso, Oklahoma, he talks about how culture makes it easy to separate our faith from work. As followers of Christ, that should influence every aspect of our lives. Chad also says that too many believers have the idea that faith is something they do rather than who they are. Listen to this episode where Chad talks about our faith and how we can express it in every role of our lives.

• [1:00] Chad’s background and perspective on faith in the workplace
• [5:57] Is your Christianity defined only by the set of activities you perform?
• [11:12] Am I representing Christ well in the workplace?
• [14:28] The importance of seeing ministry outside the walls of the church
• [20:13] How the Marketplace Mission Trip can encourage and equip you
• [22:03] How can pastors help mobilize believers in the workplace?

Too often, we see Christianity as a set of activities instead of focusing on who we are. It’s easy to think the only options for service are programs within the church. But if we change our mindset, we can see opportunities to serve the people we work with. We should be moved by compassion just as Christ was in Matthew 9:36. He not only saw people’s needs, but he also met them. 

Chad shares the importance of meeting people where they are and how everything we do should flow out of our identity in Christ. Listen to him share how your interactions at work can reflect who you are as a believer

In the church, there are so many opportunities to serve. Whether it’s setting up chairs for youth group or teaching a Sunday school class, the needs are endless. People are needed in every capacity for the church to function well. But outside of church, if you want to learn how to make a difference in your workplace, he suggests three things:

• Ask your pastor for help
• Seek others out in the community desiring the same thing
• Talk to other leaders in your church

Listen now to hear Chad explain these things in more detail. You will want to hear him talk about how the church is the stadium where ministry takes place, but the plays are outside the walls of the church. 

As a follower of Christ, you have the Spirit of God in you. With this in mind, your interactions with people is an opportunity for them to have contact with the Spirit. This is why it’s so important to have a mission mindset when you go to work - you may be the only interaction with the Spirit your coworkers will ever have. Of course, the challenge is that when you’re at work, your focus is on the tasks at hand. Learn how to overcome that challenge and focus on people while at work. Chad talks about the need people around us have - and it may not be in a business function but in a capacity we didn’t expect. Start by simply praying for your coworkers and serving them today.

As a pastor himself, Chad talks about the challenge of thinking about ministry appropriately. He emphasizes pastors must remember that the most effective ministry may not take place on Sunday, but instead, it’s who they empower to go out Monday through Friday in the workplace. He encourages pastors to start conversations within their church about this. They can provide resources of people’s roles in the workplace and how their faith fits into that. The key is to remember that we all must lead from who we are in Christ rather than relying on tasks that make us look successful in the workplace. 

Hear what Chad has to say about the correlation between sending people out overseas and sending them out into the workplace mission field. Whatever role God has called you to - as a teacher, engineer, or CEO of a company - you’re there for a reason and your life can be the catalyst in drawing others to Christ.

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Do you consider yourself a full-time ambassador for Jesus? Do you think about how your actions and your thoughts represent Jesus when you're at work? Or at night after everyone else has gone to sleep? Or is Jesus only concerned with your time on Sunday and when you're not at work? Remember you work for Jesus. Consider these tips for how you can enjoy your role as a representative for Jesus.

Do you think of yourself as a preacher? Most of us don't preach. We have a job that requires us to do an activity other than preaching. This Greek word could also mean proclaim. When you speak for yourself about your faith in Jesus, you fulfill this passage. Many non-Christians won't go to church. They have little desire to hear a preacher. But as you live differently, people will ask. Can you answer the question, Why do you follow Jesus?

Do you trust Jesus? Could you trust Jesus to the point where you can walk away knowing he did what he said. This man walked away to his home trusting that his son was healed. Do you trust Jesus in your workplace? Do you worry what others think of you? Do you experience anxiety about your circumstances? Trust makes us graceful. We can share God's grace with others when we trust Jesus. How can you trust Jesus better today?

What are you careful about? Are you careful to do good works? Mike thinks the word translated "careful" means to be intentional, purposeful and thoughtful about good works. Intentionally spend time putting yourself in a position to do good works. The good works are ideas from God. He will give you opportunities to serve others. Almost every opportunity to serve others may be an opportunity to experience God's joy. Listen to him and make some time in your schedule so you can serve and bless others.

Following Jesus requires that we deny ourselves. We only have 2 choices. We choose something other than Christ, and that is our choice. We follow our own choice. We belive successes come from making the right choices and taking the right actions. Tell yourself no. Deny yourself. Then take up your cross. Sacrifice your control over your life and join Jesus. Why did you make the choices you've made? When you do things you think Jesus wants you to, you deny yourself and follow Him.

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In this episode, find out how you can impact business and influence those around you. No matter what position you hold in the workplace, this should be the goal. Dave Kahle encourages and empowers Christian businesspeople to see their role as ministers in the workplace. He talks about God, work, and what the Bible says about business. Whether you’re a business owner or work for someone else, you influence those around you. 

Find out how God wants to engage with you in the workplace. It’s all about teamwork. God gives us a task, then He works WITH us in the completion of that task. Listen to this episode to hear Dave talk about work in the Bible and how it applies to you today.

• [1:11] Meet Dave Kahle, writer, speaker, Christ-follower
• [3:58] Find out what the Bible says about business
• [10:31] What if my employer is not a believer?
• [12:33] How a godly business can impact the community
• [18:22] Learn how you can make a difference in your business
• [22:01] What is the problem of compartmentalization?

You may work for an employer who is not a believer. But whether you’re in a Christian environment or not, it’s your responsibility to do the best possible work. As you work with excellence and display godly character, you grow in your influence. As nonbelievers see Christ in your work, it’s the greatest opportunity to have an impact on their lives. Think about these activities we emphasize here at Follower of One:

• Pray for people
• Appreciate people
• Know what you believe
• Serve others
• Speak for yourself

Regardless of who you work for, you can display God’s character. And as you focus on these five daily activities to engage in, you can see yourself as a minister rather than just another employee.

Chick-fil-A is one of the top national companies known for their morals and values. Their stand to close on Sundays alone has warranted attention. Yet it is one of the largest American fast food restaurant chains. God has used this company as an example to the community of how He blesses a godly business. 

The same is true with the influence of godly leaders in the Bible. Think of Lydia in the book of Acts. She was converted and baptized first, then her entire household followed her example. Our goal as believers is to have this kind of impact. Find out how your relationships in the workplace can be the catalyst to someone trusting Christ. Listen to Dave talk about why your business is God’s first choice venue to do His work. 

Our goal at Follower of One is to help you see yourself as a minister in the workplace. Dave talks about several resources to assist you in this as well. Look at the Biblical Business Course he has available on his website, listen to podcasts, and find books that resonate with you. Thanks to the internet, resources are endless. 

Another important way Dave mentions how to grow your Christian influence is to find a small group of businesspeople seeking to do the same thing. It’s important to associate with like-minded people. There are several groups of Christian businesspeople meeting weekly or monthly to encourage and support one another. You can also join the Follower of One online community. Take time today to search out groups meeting in your area.

Dave talks about how there’s a world of Christian businesspeople that have the wrong idea. They believe that church is what they do on Sunday and business is what they do Monday through Friday. There’s no connection between the two. This is a lie from the enemy who knows your potential as a believer in the workplace. God is interested in your work. He wants to walk alongside you in your business and help you see the connection between it and Christ. Take the lead and get away from the idea that church is one thing and business is something separate. Listen now to hear how you can be the driving force of godly influence in your workplace.

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• The Sales Resource Center
• The Good Book on Business
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• Podcasts - Christian Business Insights
• Kahle Way Growth Systems
• Dave Kahle’s Ezines
• Chick-fil-A
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Do you keep score? Do you keep a record and try to get even? The Bible challenges us to bless others. We don't do something nice to someone to get even. We do something nice because we trust God. We are each accountable for our actions. If someone does wrong with us, God will make that right. Can you maintain good motives and good actions toward others, even when they don't do good toward you?

Ask God to show you where you stress relationships. How can we live at peace with everyone? Is there anyone who has anything against you? Generosity, honesty, transparency and forgiveness are generally accepted behaviors. Do you practice these generally-accepted behaviors? We can't make everyone be at peace with us. But we can do the things that bring peace. Ask and God will show you where you need to make amends. And do it!