When I have the privilege of speaking, I often make a point of stressing that there is no distinction between the sacred and the secular when it comes to the Church, the body of Christ. Often there is the misconception that those who are called to full-time Christian work, whether stateside or overseas, are engaged in more sacred efforts than those who labor daily in the workforce or to raise a family.
In fact, the term “secular” indicates that an individual does not believe God to be foundational or central. To be “secular” doesn’t necessitate that you are an atheist or agnostic. It simply means that God has been pushed to the edge of consideration. By that definition, “secular individuals” engage in daily pursuits from priorities and philosophies that reflect a human-centered agenda as opposed to a God-centered one.
In The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer summarizes it nicely when he states,
“Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called and his work will be as sacred as the work of the ministry. It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it.”
The “Why” of life can be seen in:
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Two final thoughts:
Those engaged in overseas mission work need believers in the labor force to support their gospel-centered efforts.
- “Every believer is called to pray for the nations and support the cause of missions, but not every believer is called to leave their homeland and go overseas. Some will help send and support, and others will go, tell and serve.” – John Piper
- A great resource to assist you and your family in the sacred fundamentals of the Christian faith is New City Catechism, a collaborative effort of The Gospel Coalition and Tim Keller’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.
