Salt of the Earth

"And what is your ministry?" I asked.

"Ploughing the streets," he said, "and keeping the garbage crew together."

This man knew his work and why he was doing it. His church regularly helps people name their ministry in the world and provides a theology of Christian vocation to back it up. He knows that if he gets laid off, the church is a place he can go for help--for temporary rent money, for job training and job referrals. He feels pride in his work and knows that his service is essential in the community. That's how his church looks at ministry!

Too often we forget that Jesus called us to be "salt of the earth," not salt in a beautiful glass shaker to be used only on Sunday. Perhaps we are coming full circle to reclaim the power of baptized Christians to change the world we live in, to challenge the "money first" mentality that governs so many workplace decisions. Early Christians turned the Roman world upside down because they internalized a radically different way of relating to all kinds of people, not just their own group or class. It worked 2,000 years ago and it can work again today.

This year, I've asked many people, "What makes you work-weary?" The most common answers are too much work--too little time--no appreciation. I would add a fourth, no compelling vision. And the people who claim to be energized by their work often have no less work or no more time, but they usually do experience appreciation and vision, if not in their place of work then by some other means--like a mission group or church where they are encouraged to be "salt of the earth."

Our biblical heritage celebrates honest work, paid or not. Elders and youth are included; relationships valued. Margaret Wheatley, in her exciting book Leadership and the New Science, notes how often workers already do more than is required to make things go smoothly. She sees that most people want organizations to be productive and life-affirming. When there are labor disputes, "The mere threat of working to the rule," she says, "is enough to bring people to the bargaining table." In other words, we usually do more than is expected or recognized. It's something to celebrate!

In our effort this year to reclaim the spirit of our name, Faith At Work, each regular writer has included a purpose statement for his or her column. One that you can help with is Ruth Butler's "Book Bites," by ordering books that she reviews through your local independent bookstore. Small publishers can't afford to buy upfront space at superstores, but you can give books more visibility with your orders. FAW wants to support small publishers because they encourage a wider variety of authors, resource smaller markets and keep books in print. Both Dick Meyer and I can be grateful to Innisfree Press for keeping our books in print even though they will never be on the best-seller list. And if you are on the internet, you can encourage other readers by sending your comments on any book listed by amazon.com.

• Check out our resources online at FAW Resources, or send us a contribution so you'll receive the donor newsletter, At Work with a full listing in printed form.
• We'll also post your personal comments on FAW resources, magazine articles or events if you send them to us by email (ReaderComments) or fax (703-237-0157).

Marjory Bankson is president of Faith at Work and is a member of The Seekers Church, an offspring of Church of the Saviour in Washington DC.