Equipping Laypeople for Transformational Workplace Ministry

Book excerpt: Equipping Laypeople Many Christians fail to see their places of work as their most logical mission field, missing opportunities for both workplace ministry and evangelism. Those who do see their places of work as a mission field are making a tremendous difference where they work. Given the amount of hours typically spent working, the personal trials and dysfunctions many carry with them to work, as well as the poor working conditions of many American workers, there is a tremendous need for Christians to transform their places of work. Even though many pastors tell their church members to go out and reach people, they are not providing them with the necessary training to reach those in the workplace. There is a great need for laypeople to be built up, to be creative, and to live out their faith at work. Pastors have been given the ultimate privilege of equipping God's people for service. Churches must be intentional about providing laypersons with the theological tools and practical information necessary to understand and effectively exercise workplace ministry. We must begin by accepting that all God's people are placed in workplace ministry, and seek to know God's original plan for work, as well as how to integrate work and faith. In EQUIPPING LAYPEOPLE FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL WORKPLACE MINISTRY, Caroloretta Tucker offers her Doctorate's thesis research results to pastors and churches as a firm foundation for this effort.