Good Place Akron
         
 

Integrate:
When Faith and Work Meet

By: Katie Sobiech

Has every day become a Monday morning to you? If you desire your job to be more than just getting a paycheck, you’re in luck.

Integrate: When Faith and Work Meet, is a conference designed to do just that. The whole idea of the conference is learning how one can integrate their faith in every aspect of their life – specifically on the job – creating a good reason to get up every morning.

“Everybody should be able to look at their work as being ordained by God. Whether it’s shining shoes, cleaning the floor, filling cavities in a mouth – whatever it might be – this is the work that God has given us,” Jay Halley, Missions coordinator at the Chapel said.

Questions such as “How do I bring my Sunday faith into Monday’s work?” and “How do we as Christians integrate Christ into every part of our lives?” will be answered.

A Heart for Missions

Two men; Jay Halley, and Bob Robinson of Christian Coalition Outreach (also a member of the Chapel), collaborated, creating this conference to help people make the most of their work experience. They aspire to show people how to make their workday more meaningful than just punching in a timecard.

Halley, with a heart for missions, is concerned about not only worldwide missions, but local as well. And what greater a mission field than the workplace?

His passion is to see the Body of Christ integrate Christ into every area of their lives.

“I would love to see hundreds of people come and be reminded of how Christ can have a critical part in every area of their lives - including the workplace where they spend a lot of their time,” he said.

The Conference

Something new on the horizon for the Chapel – they have never had a conference quite like this.

Michael Wittmer, author of Heaven is a Place on Earth: Why Everything Matters to God, will be the keynote speaker. They will also have break out sessions to focus in on specific vocations. Esteemed individuals in the community known for having strong Christian character will facilitate the different discussions according to their area of expertise.

The plan is to provide the opportunity for people to meet others their field and find encouragement in their work.

“I think it will be very energizing for people who are likeminded in their vocations to come together and talk openly,” Halley said.

God’s Passion

Halley points out several scriptures on the importance of work to God, including John 5:17 where Jesus says “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

Also, first Corinthians 10:31 states that whatever we do we should do it all for the glory of God.

“How do you do that in the workplace?” Halley asked

They also hope to answer questions including why God created work, how we can glorify God in our work and how our work has a part in the working out of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

One thing Halley makes clear is that this conference is not about evangelism in the workplace.

“We want to talk about what it means to glorify God in the workplace. If you’re doing that, opportunities to talk about your faith may come, but that’s not our primary focus.”

The Church

It is important for believers to remember to take what they learn on Sunday at church and apply it to their everyday lives.

“People think of the church as the building and it’s not the building. The church is people, its believers,” Halley said.

He explained that pastors are often excited to see people coming into the church’s worship center on Sunday morning but said, “Maybe we as pastors should be just as excited to see people leave.”

One Sunday he jokingly told the congregation at the Chapel, “Don’t take this personally, but I’m really glad to see you go.”

“The point,” he explained, “is that Monday until the next Sunday, people are scattered strategically by God out into the community.”

Conference Details

If you’re interested in helping out with the conference they are looking for people in the workplace to participate and lead (and you don’t have to be a pastor)!

The conference will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

You can register online at www.the-chapel.org/integrate or contact Amy at amy.glazer@the-chapel.org or
(330) 315-5511

If you have any story ideas, questions, or comments you can contact: Katie@akroneur.com.