Examples from the Early Church in the NT A Top Ten List of ChristFollowers who integrated their Faith Work and Economics Part Two Pastoral and Practical Perspectives Gary G Hoag PhD New Testament ID: 571719
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Slide1
Biblical
Examples from the Early Church in the NT: A Top Ten List of Christ-Followers who integrated their Faith, Work, and Economics Part Two: Pastoral and Practical PerspectivesGary G. Hoag, Ph.D. (New Testament) – gary.hoag@efca.org FWE Initiatives Administrator / Campaign & Church Liaison, EFCA Visiting Professor, TEDS – NCD Conference, April 2016 Slide2
How
might pastors affirm the basic goodness of work and make it a priority to empower people in their callings and responsibilities outside the walls of the church? “Does my work matter?”Slide3
How
might pastors affirm the basic goodness of work and make it a priority to empower people in their callings and responsibilities outside the walls of the church? How might God’s people discern their callings (how they are equipped for service) and learn they don’t need to stop doing work to serve God, but rather do their work for God?“Does
my work
matter?”Slide4
How
might pastors affirm the basic goodness of work and make it a priority to empower people in their callings and responsibilities outside the walls of the church? How might God’s people discern their callings (how they are equipped for service) and learn they don’t need to stop doing work to serve God, but rather do their work for God?How might pastors encouraging people to pursue excellence in their work, and in so doing, help them find their place in God’s economy?
“Does
my work
matter?”Slide5
Top Ten List of Workers
Consider these characteristics of Ten NT Christ-followers: As they align themselves as followers of Christ, a new set of values guide their everyday work trusting in God versus the deities associated with their guilds and associations, while engaging in work beyond
remuneration
to
reflection
. Beyond
compensation
toward
contribution.Slide6
Top Ten List of Workers
Consider these characteristics of Ten NT Christ-followers: As they align themselves as followers of Christ, a new set of values guide their everyday work trusting in God versus the deities associated with their guilds and associations, while engaging in work beyond
remuneration
to
reflection
. Beyond
compensation
toward
contribution.
They
reflect
the range of occupations
in the NT world, and as they are “known” for their work, we can deduce
that their everyday work
had
intrinsic
and
instrumental
value
.Slide7
Top Ten List of Workers
Consider these characteristics of Ten NT Christ-followers: Their NT portrayal as workers in the history and correspondence of the early church celebrates the contribution their everyday work makes to the flourishing of both church and community.Slide8
Top Ten List of Workers
Consider these characteristics of Ten NT Christ-followers: Their NT portrayal as workers in the history and correspondence of the early church celebrates the contribution their everyday work makes to the flourishing of both church and community.These early church examples inspire people today because they represent the wide range of occupations of the people in our congregations.Slide9
Top Ten List of Workers
Consider these characteristics of Ten NT Christ-followers: Their NT portrayal as workers in the history and correspondence of the early church celebrates the contribution their everyday work makes to the flourishing of both church and community.These early church examples inspire people today because they represent the wide range of occupations of the people in our congregations.“This list preaches!” (Pastors)Slide10
Top Ten List of Workers
Consider these characteristics of Ten NT Christ-followers: Their NT portrayal as workers in the history and correspondence of the early church celebrates the contribution their everyday work makes to the flourishing of both church and community.These early church examples inspire people today because they represent the wide range of occupations of the people in our congregations.“This list preaches!” (Pastors)
“I see myself in the New Testament story!” (Workers)Slide11
#10 – Saul of Tarsus: Tentmaker
After God transformed the tentmaker named Saul of Tarsus into the Apostle Paul (Acts 9), he never stopped making tents! His work provided him resources to live, to avoid benefaction entanglements, and to minister around the ancient world.Slide12
#10 – Saul of Tarsus: Tentmaker
After God transformed the tentmaker named Saul of Tarsus into the Apostle Paul (Acts 9), he never stopped making tents! His work provided him resources to live, to avoid benefaction entanglements, and to minister around the ancient world.
Questions
for Christ-followers:
Are you Saul the tentmaker of Tarsus who became the Apostle Paul?
Have you met God and sense that He may
He be calling you to serve in the geography of the kingdom, not by abandoning your
work, but by doing it in various places?Slide13
#9 – Joe of Cyprus
Barnabas: the LandownerIn antiquity, landowners were viewed as rich and did not work. Others worked for them. Barnabas sold a tract of land, set the money at the Apostles’ feet and got to work (Acts 4:36-37).Slide14
#9 – Joe of Cyprus
Barnabas: the LandownerIn antiquity, landowners were viewed as rich and did not work. Others worked for them. Barnabas sold a tract of land, set the money at the Apostles’ feet and got to work (Acts 4:36-37).Questions for Christ-followers:
Are you rich, not working, but fully able to work? Is it time to get in the game and put in play the resources in your stewardship? How might your work advance the great commandment and the great commission? Slide15
#8 – Tabitha of Joppa
Dorcas: the Clothing MakerLike Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42), work with your hands. Make great products! Touch lives and glorify god through excellent work. Slide16
#8 – Tabitha of Joppa
Dorcas: the Clothing MakerLike Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42), work with your hands. Make great products! Touch lives and glorify god through excellent work.
Questions
for Christ
-followers:
Do
you manufacture something with excellence? How might your
everyday work
touch lives and show God’s love to the world
? What unique ways might your work allow you to reflect your Christian faith.Slide17
#7 – Simon of Joppa:
the TannerSimon made shoes, belts, and saddles from skins. Peter could have deemed his house unclean linked to his “dirty jobs” work. He not only visited there, he stayed with him (Acts 9:43). This “hands-on” worker likely shared his wares along with his spare room.Slide18
#7 – Simon of Joppa:
the TannerSimon made shoes, belts, and saddles from skins. Peter could have deemed his house unclean linked to his “dirty jobs” work. He not only visited there, he stayed with him (Acts 9:43). This “hands-on” worker likely shared his wares along with his spare room.Questions for Christ-followers:
If you are a minister, have you visited people who do what some deem menial or dirty work? If you work with your hands,
h
ow might your faith intersect with your “hands-on” work?Slide19
#6 – Luke of Antioch:
the PhysicianLuke used his medical skills and scientific education as a disciple of Christ (cf. the 70 or 72 in Lk 10). While doctors lauded gods such as Askelpios linked to healing powers, he penned Luke-Acts to tell the story of Jesus and the early church.Slide20
#6 – Luke of Antioch:
the PhysicianLuke used his medical skills and scientific education as a disciple of Christ (cf. the 70 or 72 in Lk 10). While doctors lauded gods such as Askelpios linked to healing powers, he penned Luke-Acts to tell the story of Jesus and the early church.
Questions for Christ-followers:
Do you possess medical skills that others may use for themselves and you could use to reflect service to neighbor and love for God? Can your education position you to explain life from God’s perspective?Slide21
#5 – Lydia of Thyatira:
High-end FashionLydia was a traveling seller of fine cloth (Acts 16:11-15, 39-40). She served a specific clientele and would have been known by fellow merchants. Despite the danger, she boldly associates with Paul.Slide22
#5 – Lydia of Thyatira:
High-end FashionLydia was a traveling seller of fine cloth (Acts 16:11-15, 39-40). She served a specific clientele and would have been known by fellow merchants. Despite the danger, she boldly associates with Paul.Questions for Christ-followers:Do you work in high-end retail with wealthy clients?
Do you
work in
places where it is closed to the gospel but open to
business? Do you unashamedly associate with other Christ-followers you see while working?Slide23
#4 –
Tertius: the PublisherTertius the publisher, used his everyday writing and skills to package the gospel for God’s people in the capital city of the Empire (Romans 16:22)?
Erastus,
Olympas
,
Rhodion
,
Sosipater
,
Quartus
and
Tertius
in
Menologion
of Basil
II (c. 1000 AD)Slide24
#4 –
Tertius: the PublisherTertius the publisher, used his everyday writing and skills to package the gospel for God’s people in the capital city of the Empire (Romans 16:22)? Questions for Christ-followers:
How
can your everyday work, such as writing or publishing or other special skill contribute both to your community and the community of faith?
Erastus,
Olympas
,
Rhodion
,
Sosipater
,
Quartus
and
Tertius
in
Menologion
of Basil
II (c. 1000 AD)Slide25
#3 –
Zenas: the LawyerZenas the Lawyer (Titus 3:12b-14
)
would have been trained in matters
of law, argumentation, and rhetoric.
His daily work kept peace in the
polis
and helped bring justice in various circles of life. Slide26
#3 –
Zenas: the LawyerZenas the Lawyer (Titus 3:12b-14
)
would have been trained in matters
of law, argumentation, and rhetoric.
His daily work kept peace in the
polis
and helped bring justice in various circles of life.
Questions
for Christ-followers
:
T
he Scriptures say much about justice, how does your faith shape your daily work in
administering
justice? How is legal work integral and not incidental for the flourishing of the circles in which you live and move?Slide27
#2 – Erastus:
the City TreasurerErastus the City Treasurer (Acts 19:22; Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20), had administrative skills that served his city (Great Commandment). As a Christ-follower, he also put them to service to
assist Paul (Great Commission).Slide28
#2 – Erastus:
the City TreasurerErastus the City Treasurer (Acts 19:22; Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20), had administrative skills that served his city (Great Commandment). As a Christ-follower, he also put them to service to
assist Paul (Great Commission).
Questions for Christ-followers:
Has
God given you administrative skills to help
your company or community flourish? Rather than using them to run the guild for the gods, might you also help administrate God’s work?
Slide29
They were
expelled from Rome, met Paul in Corinth, and agreed to serve in Ephesus (Acts 18:2,18,26; Rom 16:3; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19). Along with Paul, they were tentmakers.
#1 – Priscilla and
Aquila: the TentmakersSlide30
They were
expelled from Rome, met Paul in Corinth, and agreed to serve in Ephesus (Acts 18:2,18,26; Rom 16:3; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19). Along with Paul, they were tentmakers.Questions for Christ-followersDo you have skills that you can do well , and do anywhere (
including unsafe places)
so your lives show his love (great commandment) and make disciples (great commission) wherever you are?
#1 – Priscilla and
Aquila: the TentmakersSlide31
Top Ten List (inspired in part by
Hippolytus of Rome
c. 170-235)Slide32
Further Reading
Want to strengthen your pastoral and practical perspectives on faith, work, and economics?Timothy Keller – Every Good Endeavor (2014)Amy Sherman – Kingdom Calling (2012)Gene Edward
Veith
Jr. –
God
at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life
(updated in 2011)Slide33
Biblical
Examples from the Early Church in the NT: A Top Ten List of Christ-Followers who integrated their Faith, Work, and Economics Q/A Time – Pastoral / Practical PerspectivesGary G. Hoag, Ph.D. (New Testament) – gary.hoag@efca.org FWE Initiatives Administrator / Campaign & Church Liaison, EFCA Visiting Professor, TEDS – NCD Conference, April 2016