Seeds of Change
Pastors, if your spirit resonates with what’s in these pages but you’re wondering how to plant seeds of change, start here—with ideas supplied from fellow pastors and lay leaders:
Watch your language. It takes intentional effort to unlearn those old scripts that give privilege to “full-time Christian ministry.”
Begin with staff and key volunteers. Hold a briefing, seminar, workshop or retreat to talk through issues of vocational calling. Discuss where your church’s programs may require tweaking to include a proper vocational framework.
Prepare a sermon series, after you’ve done the theological heavy-lifting. Consider this example from one EFCA pastor.
Then, throughout the year, include illustrations that relate to the workplace.
Pray during the service for your people at work—try praying specifically for a different category of workers each time (teachers, engineers, at-home moms, etc.), rather than generically for everyone. Use changing seasons to remind you of various callings to honor and pray for. April: accountants; August: educators; November: retailers; etc.
Pray for the good of the city through the faithful vocational service of your people.
Conduct a thorough review of your church’s website and communication pieces, to find and alter dualistic references (e.g., boasting about how many children in your church grew up to “go into ministry”).
Encourage small groups or adult fellowship classes to discuss God’s calling to the workplace. Consider studying one of the suggested resources.
Launch occupation-specific groups to discuss redemptively engaging their particular field. At Church of Charlotte (EFCA), a group of home builders meets monthly to talk about bringing their faith to bear on their work. The church looks forward to encouraging other groups representing different vocational fields.
Honor everyone for their vocational calling. Start by simply bringing it up in conversation. Schedule occasional Sunday-morning interviews with church members about their jobs and how they see God at work. When you invite missionaries to speak to the congregation, remind them ahead of time to honor the workplace callings of those who are sending them.
Initiate a “Take Your Pastor to Work” opportunity, to get to know church members’ vocational lives; or move your lunch meetings to their workplace.
Consider a part-time job, even temporarily, in order to better identify with church members and engage with your community.
Seeds of Change
Pastors, if your spirit resonates with what’s in these pages but you’re wondering how to plant seeds of change, start here—with ideas supplied from fellow pastors and lay leaders:
- Watch Your Language It takes intentional effort to unlearn those old scripts that give privilege to “full-time Christian ministry.”
- Begin With Staff And Key Volunteers Hold a briefing, seminar, workshop or retreat to talk through issues of vocational calling. Discuss where your church’s programs may require tweaking to include a proper vocational framework.
- Prepare A Sermon Series , after you’ve done the theological heavy-lifting. Consider this example from one EFCA pastor.
- Then, Throughout The Year , include illustrations that relate to the workplace.
- Pray During The Service For Your People At Work —try praying specifically for a different category of workers each time (teachers, engineers, at-home moms, etc.), rather than generically for everyone. Use changing seasons to remind you of various callings to honor and pray for. April: accountants; August: educators; November: retailers; etc.
- Pray For The Good Of The City through the faithful vocational service of your people.
- Conduct A Thorough Review of your church’s website and communication pieces, to find and alter dualistic references (e.g., boasting about how many children in your church grew up to “go into ministry”).
- Encourage Small Groups Or Adult Fellowship Classes to discuss God’s calling to the workplace. Consider studying one of the suggested resources.
- Launch Occupation-specific Groups to discuss redemptively engaging their particular field. At Church of Charlotte (EFCA), a group of home builders meets monthly to talk about bringing their faith to bear on their work. The church looks forward to encouraging other groups representing different vocational fields.
- Honor Everyone For Their Vocational Calling . Start by simply bringing it up in conversation. Schedule occasional Sunday-morning interviews with church members about their jobs and how they see God at work. When you invite missionaries to speak to the congregation, remind them ahead of time to honor the workplace callings of those who are sending them.
- Initiate A “take Your Pastor To Work” Opportunity , to get to know church members’ vocational lives; or move your lunch meetings to their workplace.
- Consider A Part-time Job , even temporarily, in order to better identify with church members and engage with your community.