Ten ways to support ministry in the workplace

Pete Hammond

Where is the church on Tuesday? Do church members view themselves as agents of the Kingdom of God where they work? How can a congregation better affirm and mobilize its pewsitters for ministry within their jobs? Here are some basic ideas:

1. Commission members from various industries on a given Sunday. One option is to design worship on Labour Day around the responsibilities and positions members have Monday through Friday.

2. Include intercession and/or thanksgiving for key industries. Pray for difficulties such as a downturn in business, a strike, a disaster or a major challenge.

3. Clergy should visit members at work, just as they visit the sick, bereaved or homebound. This will enlighten and enrich their counselling and preaching, while affirming members.

4. Study workplace issues in Sunday school, study groups, seminars or retreats. Some studies could be formed around specific industry groups (education, government, health care, law and justice, manufacturing, retailing), while others could be around workplace responsibilities (supervision, finance, administration, sales, ethics, leadership).

5. Develop small groups around industries or work responsibilities. These could meet for breakfast, on weekends or even during Sunday school for prayer, accountability, encouragement, study, case studies and problem solving. Pastors could attend as advisors and learners.

6. Sponsor employment helps such as a career guidance event, a jobs wanted and available bulletin board, a care group for the unemployed or internships for young people at members' places of work.

7. Feature news about members' work in the church newsletter or bulletin.

8. Equip the church library or resource centre with material on work and faith. Good books on the subject include:

  • The Monday Connection by William Diehl (Harper Collins, 1993).
  • Liberating the Laity by R. Paul Stevens (InterVaristy Press, 1985).
  • Faith Dilemmas for Marketplace Christians by Ben Sprunger, Carol Suter and Wally Kroeker (Herald Press, 1997).

    9. Do a sermon series on workplace themes from the Bible. It could be profiles of various people (Lydia in the clothing trade; Daniel, Deborah or Joseph in government; Nehemiah and Ezra in construction), or it could feature various themes and issues such as money, power, ethics, witness, management, service or conflict.

    We need to help the church function seven days a week. Our members are the delivery system for the Kingdom's salt and light. They deserve all the affirmation, understanding and guidance we can give them. Excerpted from "The Salt and Light Delivery Company", The Marketplace, November/December, 1995. Pete Hammond directs the Marketplace Division for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

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