3 Attitude Shifts for a Successful Marketplace Mission Trip

By Mike Henry Sr.

In Take a Mission Trip to Your Workplace we discussed the components of a typical mission trip. A marketplace mission trip is when a group of Christ-followers make a special trip to their own workplace just like they were going on a mission trip.

But we go to work every day. What’s the big deal about a marketplace mission trip? Isn’t this really just a twist on words to get people to read it? What are we selling after all?

For most thinking Christ-followers, we know we’re supposed to be spreading the message of Jesus at work. But we don’t want to look like a TV preacher or some evangelist. We’re not trying to get anyone to donate to anything. And besides, isn’t this all politically incorrect, stupid or illegal?

We must avoid acting like a jerk. After all, we’re going to have to come back to this workplace tomorrow. And we don’t want to lose our job. So how can I take part in a Marketplace Mission Trip without looking like a jerk?

It will require 3 key attitude shifts.

Shift from preacher to servant

A Christ-follower isn’t called to stand up in front of others and give sermons. We won’t argue anyone to Jesus and we probably won’t convince them to follow Jesus by talking either. When we adopt Jesus method of making himself known, we take on the attitude of a servant. We give away our lives and our rights in order to cause other people to wonder. We can do this because our eternal life and our place in God’s kingdom can’t be taken from us.

Shift from knowing to sharing

We don’t have all the answers. We want to avoid telling others what “they must do” to “be saved.” We focus on sharing about our experience. What problems did we face? What decisions were we prompted to make and what change did we experience? Just share what great things the Lord has done for you.

And He (Jesus) did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19 NASB

Shift from leader to helper

Wait for Jesus. We aren’t counting the minutes or trying to inject Jesus into every conversation. We watch for him. Maybe a coworker will ask for help or express a question. Maybe not. We don’t need to try to make things happen. We wait to see an opportunity and take it.

The success of the Marketplace Mission Trip isn’t up to us. We trust Jesus and wait patiently for him to work. Watching, waiting, praying, serving and sharing make up the key activities of a mission trip, especially one where we have to go back again next Monday.

So when the trip is over, well, you can do it again the next day. Plan now to let Jesus change your attitude about serving as a missionary to your workplace every day.

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

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