‘Questions for Life’ is a new initiative which will allow many office workers across Central London to hear about Jesus Christ from their own Christian colleagues.
Across the month of March, individual Christians, workplace Christian groups, and the ‘Gospel at Work’ Lunchtime Talks network are making a special effort to take Jesus Christ’s answers to life’s biggest questions into their workplaces.
Chris Fishlock, who co-ordinates the ‘Gospel at Work’ network of 20 Lunchtime Talks says: ‘The need and opportunity presented by the hundreds of thousands working in London is obvious, so it’s fantastic to think that many will hear that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour from the Christians they work with all the time.’
Coordinated and distinctive
Hasn’t this been done before? Certainly ‘Gospel at Work’ already lays on regular Bible talks for sceptics and enquirers, and even isolated ‘mission weeks’ are by no means a new thing in Central London. However, Chris sees many benefits from this innovative coordinated initiative. ‘We’ve learned a lot from the Christians who work at Canary Wharf, who in recent years have mobilised Christians to speak about Christ by focusing on this vital work at the same time each year. Just as university missions happen at the same time of year, it’s great to know that we’re all doing the same thing at the same time, and it’s been so good to see the momentum build.’
‘Questions for Life’ also appears a very distinctive mission. For rather than holding a number of centralised ‘Big Top’ events with big name speakers, a large emphasis of is on Christian workers taking responsibility for organising events geared to their particular colleagues and contacts. William Taylor, Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, explains: ‘I’m particularly encouraged to see Christians in the City putting on such a range of events so their colleagues can hear about Christ on their turf and be given the opportunity to fire their questions and objections at a speaker. In our part of the City, we’re expecting to see about 30 such ‘dialogue’ breakfasts, lunches and dinners in offices, restaurants and pubs. Some will involve a Christian inviting just two or three colleagues and others will be thrown open to the whole company.’
Sharing with colleagues
The ‘Questions for Life’ mission lasts from 12 – 29 March. The Lunchtime Talks during this period will, as usual, be tailored towards helping unbelievers hear the truth about Christ. However there will be a particular focus on trying to invite people who’ve never before heard the Christian message. It is also hoped lots of local churches will back the mission by praying and directly supporting church members who are ‘missionaries in their workplaces’.
Fred Akinwunmi sums up why he and others in his insurance company are looking forward to ‘Questions for Life’: ‘My Christian colleagues and I are putting on a couple of dialogue events during the mission period. Many of our colleagues who aren’t Christian are uncomfortable about coming to a more formal Christian meeting and can hold back from asking questions and telling us what they really think about Christianity. We’re hoping these events will help us understand better what our colleagues believe, and by giving them a clear presentation of Christ we’re praying Jesus will be much more on the agenda going forward, and ultimately many will come to know Christ themselves.’
A big prayer is that every Christian City worker will come out of the mission period with people they can follow up with, help to know more about Christ, and point in the direction of a local church. Lots of Christians have been preparing by coming to training sessions for this. Some are planning Christianity Explored courses and many are ready to offer a guided read-through of John’s Gospel with the help of the Word121 resource.
Martin Cook says: ‘I’ve only been following Christ for a couple of years and have recently been trying to make the initial, intimidating steps of sharing the good news of Jesus with others. My boss has given me the opportunity to host an event in the office and a couple of colleagues have agreed to come and I’m going to offer them the chance to follow up in various ways, but I’d love particularly to give some the chance to read through John’s Gospel with me, so I’m getting ready.’
