What kind of God does laos theology reflect?

This week's eReflection is kindly provided by Andy Griffiths, who has equipped lay people in three European countries, and now works in Galleywood in Essex, UK.

What do you do for a living, in the home or in voluntary service?

Do you nurture, grow, create or make things?  If so, perhaps you could see your job as cooperating with the creative work of the Father of all.  I once said this in a sermon, and afterwards a plumber came up to me. “Funny you should say that,” he pondered, “because every time I fix a pipe I say to myself ‘Lord, you and I have made your world a little better today.’”  That’s it exactly.  And laos theology - a theology which says that the focus of the church should be on equipping the whole people of God for works of service - reflects the Father.  It does it not by theorising but by empowering and envisioning people to share in his work in everything they do.

Do you serve others?  Even when they ignore and undervalue you?  I remember talking to a receptionist who told me she found it hard to grow spiritually because she was constantly being ignored and mistreated at work.  Well, I wouldn’t want her job and I’d love her to find a way to stand up for justice for herself, but nevertheless the irony was clear.  That receptionist was mirroring through her job the ministry of Christ.  And laos theology - a theology which says that the focus of the church should be on equipping the whole people of God for works of service - reflects the Son.  It does it not by theorising but by empowering and envisioning people to serve like him.  This is what ‘ministry’ means.

Do you communicate, or help others to communicate with one another?  If so, perhaps you share in a small way in the work of the Holy Spirit.  And laos theology - a theology which says that the focus of the church should be on equipping the whole people of God for works of service - reflects the Spirit.  It does it not by theorising but by empowering and envisioning people to be to one another on a small scale what he is for us cosmically.

This is the Trinitarian God whom the People of God in their various ways, seven days a week, work with and experience.  Sunday is not the time they set aside to do God’s work; Sunday is the day they rest from that work and share with one another the God they’ve met on the job.

Yours in Christ

Andy Griffiths

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