God works in the world through everyday lives of people

God works in the world through the everyday lives of people—through their roles as parents, Little League coaches, business owners, health care and factory workers, bank tellers and window washers. The ordinary fabric of life offers countless opportunity to live and share one’s faith outside the framework of a faith community. Ministry is either assuming personal responsibility to transform the non-spiritual setting or discovering how to live spiritually in a non-spiritual setting.

This opportunity may be explicit—as when a corporation hosts prayer or bible study groups, a school adopts a religious curriculum, or a business chooses to be listed in a faith-based telephone directory. Or it is implicit—as when an organization adopts an ethical code of conduct based on values consistent with a faith perspective or hires a corporate chaplain to address spiritual but not specifically religious concerns. Faith is at the center of one’s Monday to Friday world—the marketplace.

Initiatives that support this understanding range from evangelizing in the workplace to twelve-step programs. The religious institution may become a place that supports and affirms work in the world through worship and other activities, but is not required.

God’s call and secular vocation

What makes this personal ministry different from simply living life as a good person? In one aspect, not much, as the observable activity will look the same. What does matter, however, is the mindset. The person intentionally affirms that life is grounded in the Divine, and that each person has a unique call to interpret and express that divine through his or her life—at home, at work, and at play.

Marketplace spirituality

The term "marketplace spirituality" is often used to describe the Christian calling to evangelize in the workplace. This includes advocating for employee-led prayer groups and bible study, adopting Christian-based business practices, and supporting networks of lay speakers able to spread the Gospel. Marketplace spirituality practice can be either overly expressed or simply the foundation from which business is conducted.

Ethics and moral practice

In the wake of unprecedented corporate scandal and greed, businesses are adopting codes of ethics and standard business practices that are consistent with faith values. Arguably, this reflects a version of workplace spirituality. Similar codes of conduct and practice are being adopted in law, bio-ethics, and other professions as well.

Expanded definition of "mission field"

At one time, lay ministry beyond the congregational setting focused primarily on social and economic justice—direct service activities such as tutoring children and feeding the homeless. Work also emphasized advocacy to eliminate the conditions that caused the need for direct service in the first place. The Industrial Mission movement, a national effort that organized grassroots groups for advocacy is a good example. Today, the concept of mission has expanded to include all aspects of civic life.

Implications for congregational leaders

This aspect of lay ministry takes to heart faith as a way of life. The congregation is subordinate to its members’ experience at work and in their lives. The flow of creative energy is from the congregation out into the workplace rather than from the workplace into the congregation. Congregations may support personal ministry, but by definition, it is conducted outside the parameters of the established religious institution and thus may be harder to manage or predict.

Congregational leaders can do much to support ministry in the workplace, especially when developed in partnership with the members of the faith community. The congregation becomes a place to learn, test ideas, and connect with others to share workplace challenges and experiences. To become acquainted with the workplace and reinforce the connection between faith and work, clergy can visit members in their corporate settings, become well-versed in the working lives of congregants, preach about the workplace, and include workplace issues in prayer and worship. They can develop programs and form partnerships with business organizations. They can do much to reinforce the personal experience of the Divine, nurturing the experience of personal call and mission. Other ideas include offering opportunities for vocational discernment, personal accounts of ministry in action, and emphasizing the supporting role of the congregation to its members’ individual ministries.

Personal ministry is just that, personal, and so is as unique as each individual person. As such, it is difficult to separate personal ministry from broader societal and personal issues. Some believe it is their right to express their faith in the workplace; others find that expression offensive. Some see taking a political stance as a manifestation of faith; others don’t think politics has any place in the religious institution. These issues include (but are not limited to) the separation of church and state, public versus private expression of faith, religious tolerance, social and economic justice, and freedom of speech. Congregational leaders should be aware of these complex issues as they engage in or support personal ministry.