For most Christians their job is where they spend the majority of their waking hours, interacting with people outside the church, making decisions with ethical implications, influencing organizational culture and having their faith tested and lived out every day.
According to Gallup's 2025 State of the Global Workplace report, employee engagement has fallen to just 20% worldwide, which is the lowest level recorded since 2020. At the same time, employees continue to report stress, anger and sadness at work at rates higher than before the pandemic. This is more than a workplace challenge. It is a discipleship challenge and an opportunity for the Church to help their congregation to find purpose and meaning in their work, be in the right job and to equip people where they spend much of their lives.
Building an effective and sustainable Faith & Work ministry requires more than a few classes or occasional events. I have watched many pastors and church leaders get excited and motivated after attending conferences, joining learning communities and reading popular books, and upon returning to their church gather people to create and implement programs. I have seen this pattern over and again for many years. I call this "going from sizzle to fizzle." We get the sizzle in the excitement, but the ideas don't last, don't take root and are not sustainable. Progress tends to be incremental but not transformative.
For a church to effectively integrate a theology of work into its beliefs, behaviors, practices and liturgy requires a strategic approach.
I partner with churches to build practical, sustainable Faith & Work ministries aligned within the culture of the church that equips believers to faithfully live out their calling in every workplace and profession, regardless of age and stage of life.
Practical Experience
As a licensed pastor on staff at Saddleback Church I served as the architect and co-founder of Saddleback@Work, the workplace ministry of Saddleback Church. What began as a vision to better equip believers for everyday work grew into one of the largest marketplace ministries.
The ministry included hundreds of professionals attending the monthly Business Connection event, thousands of people regularly gathering with coworkers in workplace small groups across Southern California, a Women@Work gathering, weekly communication and ongoing discipleship and more.
That experience provided me with practical insights to develop the models and the strategies to walk people through a journey. I understood what it takes to build, lead and sustain a Faith & Work ministry over time.
Whether I'm teaching in the classroom or speaking to small or large groups, I am energized by helping people see their work, leadership, and everyday lives through the lens of faith and Scripture. From navigating ethical dilemmas and understanding how our values and needs shape our conversations, to seeing God's purposes for our lives and work unfold from Genesis to Revelation. I love helping people connect biblical truth to the realities they face every day.
Building from the Inside Out
One of the most common mistakes churches make is launching programs before establishing theological clarity and a vision for the outcomes. Programs may generate activity but lasting transformation is achieved through intentionality.
Inside: Theology, Beliefs & Understanding
Before ministry initiatives are developed, church leaders need a clear biblical understanding of work, vocation, calling, leadership, culture, stewardship and the mission of God's people in the workplace.
As important to what are these foundational beliefs it may be even more important to understand what beliefs and behaviors are working against the church's efforts.
Outside: Theology Lived Out
As theological understanding deepens it naturally begins to shape how the church equips, teaches, disciples and engages people throughout the week. Strategies, goals, objectives and theology is aligned throughout the organization and church culture.
Programs & Initiatives
Effective Application
Why Faith & Work Matters
The local church has a biblical responsibility to equip its people for their calling into the marketplace. It is there where decisions are made that enforce justice and righteousness. It is the marketplace where laws are made that govern society, order life, contribute to the quality of life and shape societies, communities and culture. When churches intentionally equip people for everyday work they help:
- Develop individuals who influence and shape business, education, government, nonprofit organizations, and their communities with wisdom and integrity.
- Help believers integrate biblical truth with their work, leadership and daily responsibilities.
- Extend the church's influence beyond Sunday through the faithful witness of its people wherever God has called them
- Strengthen ethical decision-making and servant leadership in every profession.
- Equip Christians to thoughtfully engage the cultural, social and ethical issues of our time.
- Contribute to healthier organizations, stronger communities and the flourishing of society.
