THE WORLD OF WORK
Any consideration of the theology of work inevitably takes us to the Book of Genesis as our starting point - in particular Chapters I to III, which introduce the idea of partnership between God and humankind, with human responsibility to work and take care of the garden (Gen. II, 15), the emphasis being on the corporateness of work although there does not appear to be a suggestion of employment as understood today. In the N.T., too, the author of 2 Thessalonians makes several references to work and livelihood. Interpretation of this teaching has occupied the minds of many through the centuries in the light of the circumstances of the time, not least by a Prime Minister in the late 20th Century when quoting 2 Thess. III, 10 with regard to the unemployed!
The Christian influence in the world of work has been significant and varied: the Protestant Work Ethic which evolved from the time of the Reformation; leading Puritans (1550-1700), such as Richard Baxter, who had much to say about the ethics of business life; the farmworkers who in 1834 were sentenced to deportation for organising the Tolpuddle Friendly Society of Agricultural Workers (the pioneers of Trades Unionism).
Many companies with household names were founded by those whose private and business lives reflected their commitment to Jesus and the teaching of the Bible. New villages were built to take workers away from the slums, Joseph Rowntree at New Earswick, William Lever at Port Sunlight, George Cadbury at Bournville, Titus Salt at Saltaire and George Palmer at Bristol providing well known examples.
The Industrial Christian Fellowship was formed in 1918 out of the Navy Mission Society founded by a Yorkshire Vicar, the Revd. L.M. Evans. This is now known as the Industry Churches Forum ( I.C.F.) and reflects a commitment by Christians to the wider industrial community. A leading figure in interpreting the Christian faith in an industrial society was Geoffrey Studdart Kennedy (known as “Woodbine Willy”).
Since the 1950s, there has been a growth in Industrial Chaplaincy, pioneered in Sheffield by Ted Wickham. The influence of the Jesuit, Ralph Coverdale, has been felt by many in industry to the present day in the Coverdale Systematic Approach to project management and training people in how to work effectively in co-operation with others.
However, we must not and cannot forget the many “ordinary” Christian folk who have lived their faith and love of Christ in the workplace, and still do so today. Indeed, in some companies there continues to be a Christian Fellowship - Christians coming together in their workplace for prayer and mutual support. They all need our prayers, too.
Trevor Davies
Asst. Minister
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