Did Jesus invite people to His office?

In an age of individualism and preoccupation with ‘busyness’, investing in personal and meaningful relationships has become more harder than ever before. Today’s challenge in society is that many live ‘around’ each other but not ‘with’ each other, and many ‘see’ each other but do not ‘know’ each other. I believe it is time to be countercultural. The sad truth is, Christian Ministry has suffered a great impact from this reality too.

How do we re-engage society in a Christlike manner? Could it be that we have also escalated ministry to be a quest for CEO or corporate idealism? … Where it has become relating with each other on the basis of ‘Return on Investment’ for a corporate church look, more than a ‘soul, spiritual and community investment’.

A thought struck me, listening to something the other day.
HOW MANY TIMES DID JESUS INVITE PEOPLE TO HIS OFFICE? Well, the question is informed by the fact that if our version of ministry becomes more and more corporate, what key components are we tempted to lose out on today that are necessary for effective ministry?

Should church leaders and ministers not have an office for meetings with people? Of course that is not the point being raised. However, while offices are a modern development, the greeco-roman empire had Basilicas which existed as a similar concept in that dispensation as legal and civil centres/offices, and became a model for construction of Christian churches under Constantine, the roman emperor. However why did our Lord and Saviour subscribe to a different way of cultivating and following up on conversations in the type of world he lived in?

3 things stand out n Jesus’ ministry:

1. CULTIVATING RELATIONSHIPS – as a Relational God comes with meeting people in their contexts, which not only communicates intention, but assessment of the background or set up of the one He is relating with.
2. SILO (GROUP) IMPACT – is key in Jesus’ strategy for counselling and relating with individuals. While meetings in secluded spaces took place, they often led to spiritual engagements of a person’s social network (family, community and colleagues).
3. MODEL FOR DISCIPLESHIP – one of the things that keep amusing me is how Christ most times offered counsel, ministry and fellowship in group settings or around his disciples. His disciples were always in close proximity to hear or see conversations and ministry taking place in different settings, which became an evident example of how to they are to relate with the world around them.

Looking at a few instances in Scripture, this will help us see Christ’s intention in how he ‘RELATED’ and ‘MET’ with individuals.

• In Peter’s boat by the sea shore – which was at his workplace, after ministering to the crowds (in so doing, Jesus was building a bridge between the secular and the sacred) (Luke 5:4-11)
• A man with leprosy – met Jesus at His village and he was sent back to the temple for examination by priests as a duty of modern day doctors. (Luke 5:12-16)
• Jesus calls Matthew at his tax booth- which is by Matthew’s workplace, and this led to a dinner at Matthew’s home with his colleagues. (Luke 5:27-32)
• Jesus anointed by a sinful woman at the home of a pharisee during dinner – the outcome of their time together was personal counsel/fellowship, and ministry to those around. Jesus went to see one man, but touched another woman. (Luke 7:36-50)
• Jesus paid a visit to Mary and Martha – ‘He was welcomed in their home’, and he taught and offered counsel concerning the distractions of the sister’s hospitality. (Luke 10:38-42)
• Jesus and Zacchaeus met along the road – and Jesus instructed Zacchaeus to take Him to his house as a guest. (Luke 19:1-10)

The list goes on throughout the Gospels, and this truly speaks to the great need that, not only is it important to MEET UP, but WHERE we meet up and HOW we meet up.

What can we learn from this?

1. In an age where counsel and ministry is largely done in offices or church buildings (which have their place), let us invest in stretching ourselves to go where the people are, and minister to them in their silos and livelihood.
2. How can we use what we do with individuals, as learning opportunities for the disciples around us? Different settings require different audiences and engagements, but how Jesus engaged in day to day living was often teaching opportunities for His followers. This does call for us to be mindful of ‘cultural context and differences’ which may hamper or advance the purpose of relating. However, we must keep in mind that Jesus made a deliberate effort to bring others along for learning or discipleship in His journey with people.
3. If you have an office, I admonish you to use it as a ‘bridge’ to people and not as a ‘trench’.
4. To break a stringent culture of corporate Christianity and individualism must come with a readiness to redirect comfort and convenience for the purpose of being more effective and relational in ministry.

May God give grace to our well-meaning initiatives and hearts desires, to minister with effectiveness for His glory.