You may be wondering how “Priestly Mission” relates to your work in the airline industry. Is FCAP somehow recruiting the clergy to get involved in the work culture? Let’s take a moment and rethink this term in light of the Bible’s definition… then let us consider how it applies to our work-life.
First, let’s take the word “mission.” When we talk about our mission, it has to do with our being sent out into the world, and what kind of influence we bring to it (John 17:15-20). When we finish meeting together at church, we continue being the church outside its walls, in the residential, business, educational, and marketplaces of the world. There is no special job or title that sends us, rather our mission comes by virtue of the fact that we are God’s people, with God’s presence, the Holy Spirit in us, bringing His influence to every place we go (1Thessalonians 1:5-8; 2Corinthians 2:14).
Now, the word “priestly” gives us more details. In the Scriptures, a priest was a person who stood between God and people to represent God. Nowadays, we typically think of this as the clergy or one who works in the church. But actually, the Apostle Peter applied priestly as a role for all Christians! Interestingly, Peter’s first epistle depicts Christians facing opposition from people of the world. It is in this setting (1 Peter 2:5-10) that Peter declares Christians to be a “Holy and Royal Priesthood.” So how does this priestly role function in our work-life? God has placed you between Himself and your coworkers and company leaders to represent God to them. Here are two ways the Apostle Paul describes how our priestly mission functions. The first one is found in 1 Timothy 2:1, “…I urge you that prayers and thanks be offered on behalf of all people even for kings and all those in Authority… such prayer for all is good and welcome before God our Savior.” As priests, we are encouraged to pray for our coworkers, supervisors, and leaders, and not just for those we like or like us, but also pray for those who don’t like us (Matthew 5:44-45). It’s not just a formality we follow… it is what we do for them in their needy condition. The second way our priestly mission is portrayed by the Apostle Paul is in how God is making His appeal to people through us (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). Our priestly mission is more than just prayer, it’s also about how God positions us in the middle of co-workers with their struggles and difficulties. In these situations, people can feel desperate or depressed, and it is here we have an opportunity to sow the seeds of the gospel and show them that God cares through our concern for them (Matthew 9:36-38).
I have witnessed many times how the work culture can provide opportunities to exercise our Priestly Mission by praying for people and presenting God’s appeal to them. I once was asked to meet with an upper Manager of a sizable US company. He had witnessed a small group of Christians who met weekly for 15 minutes during their break to focus exclusively on praying for employees, company leaders and problems. What impressed him was how the effects of this short meeting touched many lives on all levels, and how it enhanced their work and relationships. I will never forget the manager’s comments… “In my 25 years of being in Upper Management, I have never witnessed anything like this… Christians showing genuine concern for the company employees and its operation!”
How are you applying your priestly mission in your work life?
