Did Somebody Knock?

Many of you have seen me on Facebook and Linkedin the past 2 weeks promoting 2 events at the end of this month. I personally feel there is an open door to the Christian community that is called Workplace Chaplains. By the lack of response to these invitations I would guess many of you don't feel too excited about this prospective open door.

In fact, it almost seems like the secular world is more interested in this than my Christian friends. Consider for a second where I have been a chaplain: with the Toronto Police Service and presently at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Probably less than 5% of the people working in these locations are what I would call church-going Christians. I work at a company 20 hours a week as a chaplain where the ratio is probably even less than that. I am a chaplain to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Atheists and others who are not Christians.

Then we come to clergy and Christian business leaders. A little slap on the wrist is called for if not a wake-up call. It reminds me of a story in Acts 12. A group of believers are gathered fervently praying for Peter to be released from prison when there is a knock at the door of the gate. The answer to their prayers is standing at the door and they don't believe it is really Peter. It is both hilarious and sad at the same time.

The Church has always wanted to be a witness in the workplace. Some think the best way to do this is by putting the largest Bible we have on our desk and thus look as religious as possible. A sure way to attract people to ask questions. Maybe not! The other option is to make sure nobody knows you are a believer and that way everyone will still like you. Come on, you know it's true. So as we try to introduce clergy and Christian business leaders to workplace chaplaincy the response seems to be one of two things: we will ignore the invite and hope Hillar goes away or a claim that they already know all about workplace chaplaincy. Guess what...I am one of the few (if not only) paid workplace chaplains in the GTA. So how exactly do these folks know what I do?

On Wednesday, October 30th at Carruthers Creek Golf Club in Ajax and Thursday, October 31st at Quality Suites Inn in Oakville, Marketplace Chaplains Canada will be hosting a buffet breakfast for those interested in learning more about this topic. The cost is $15/person but you need to register by this Wednesday. Talk to your pastor or contact a business owner and invite them to come along. You can phone me directly at 416.560.9508 or email me at halkok@allweatherwindows.com.