Reflections
A CONGREGATIONAL AUDIT: MARKETPLACE MINISTRY
By Pete Hammond
How do you assess your congregation’s efforts in affirming, equipping and mobilizing every member for ministry in their weekday contexts of community, family and jobs? Let’s use a scale of 1-5 with 5 = excellent, 4 = helpful, 3 = we’re starting, 2 = poor, 1 = it’s not happening.
A. Foundations / Teaching
___ 1. We teach that baptism is an affirmation of full-time service for Christ.
___ 2. We have sermons that deal with Monday - Saturday realities (e.g.: a theology of work; workers in the Bible, workplace illustrations from among members, etc.)
___ 3. We have Christian Education / Formation curricula, offerings or classes on workplace topics.
___ 4. We teach calling as it applies to all of life, including jobs and work, not just religious or church jobs, committees and activities.
___ 5. Our church library / resource center has books, videos and/or curricula on marketplace faith.
___ 6. Our church teaches a view of stewardship that includes possessions, work & family responsibilities, financial generosity, and service in all areas of life.
B. Celebrating / Affirming
___ 7. We have a pattern of commissioning or featuring various callings in family, community or jobs in our worship gatherings.
___ 8. We have gifts and skills assessment helps that relate to service outside congregational life.
___ 9. In our worship gatherings we feature workplace people and stories - testimonies, minute-for-mission, reports, etc..
___ 10. We include workers and marketplace needs in our pastoral prayers.
___ 11. We connect members who work in similar industries (business, education, finance, government, health, public service, technology, etc.) so they can find and know each other.
C. Mobilizing / Serving
___ 12. Our pastors do worksite visits to listen and understand the challenges and opportunities that members face during the week at work.
___ 13. We provide counseling and teaching helps in dealing with issues like unemployment, workaholism, ethical challenges, job search, etc.
___ 14. We have affinity groups (Peers, classes, Bible studies, industry guilds, etc.) for people in similar contexts like parenting, workplace, various industries, retirees, etc.
___ 15. Our youth hear the stories of adults applying faith to family, community and workplace.
How is your congregation doing?
75 Means you’re perfect. Either you are in heaven, or fudging your answers.
65+ Should cause great praise. Tell your church leaders how thankful you are!
50+ Keep expanding what you are doing. Ask members what they need.
35+ Suggests that you are on the right road. Talk with leaders about new areas.
20+ It is time to make this an key issue. What steps can you take?
10+ Is your church hiding from the world? If so, why?
1+ Let’s review who Jesus really is - Lord of leftovers, or all of creation?!
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