MBWA

Although it is commonly known in business leadership circles, I learned about MBWA from an employer of mine many years ago. Manage By Walking Around is a reminder for executives to get out of the office, to listen to employees, understand the organization at a deeper level. It’s not just a break from work … nor is it just an excuse to snoop around and make sure everyone’s working. It is conceived as a way for relationship building to enhance the performance of the company.

As I see it, lots of Christians feel a tug in their hearts to make a difference in the world. They know that there are homeless, hurting, unemployed, struggling people all around them. They hear (from those pesky preachers) about the lost people of the community who would follow Christ if someone would love and befriend them and share with them the life, not just the sermons and judgment. But it’s like we have blinders on … we see them, but we don’t.

I propose we do some Ministry By Wandering Around.

First, intentionally wander someplace where people are. I don’t know what you do from there, that’s God’s business. But keep your eyes open. Someone nearby needs an encouraging word. You don’t have to know them. You don’t even have to know what’s wrong. You can just see it on their face. Maggy is so sweet to strangers. Occasionally she’ll start up a conversation with someone while they are looking at the same thing in a store. My brain seems to shut down when I try to do that … but I need to relax. Maybe I need to be more like my friend’s wife, Rhonda. She once had a two hour conversation with someone who called a wrong number. Maybe one reason we do not know WHO to help or HOW to help is because we’ve never kept our eyes open while we’ve been among them.

Second, intentionally minister where you already wander. Even if you do not go someplace different, you already wander familiar places. Wherever you go, there you are! You are a missionary in your world. Where do you find yourself in the course of the week? The grocery store? The coffee shop? Lunch at a crowded diner? With other parents watching your kids play ball? Walking around your neighborhood? Never forget that you are a missionary in your world and that you are bringing Christ along with you into all of these settings.

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:10)

So tomorrow… where will you be doing some ministry by walking around?

Thanks for reading,

John