Transform Your Church with a Faith and Work Book Club

Terms such as “marketplace ministry,” “workplace ministry,” and “the marketplace” have become buzzwords in recent years. Due to growing popularity, thought leaders on the topic of faith and work have emerged, sharing expertise on the subject through books and other information outlets. The desire to form a better connection between faith and the marketplace has caused many church leaders to consider starting a marketplace ministry in their church or to even create business fellowship groups targeted at Christian business owners and entrepreneurs.

Another way to engage church members to actively live out their faith at work is through a faith and work book club. A faith and work book club is an easy yet powerful way to help church members integrate biblical principles into their work life. Through structured discussions, participants can explore how their faith should influence their careers, ethics, and leadership.

Why Start a Faith and Work Book Club?

The Bible tells believers to study to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15). We accomplish this by actively seeking knowledge in the written Word of God and other learning formats, such as books and videos. Starting a faith and work book club offers Christ-followers a deliberate opportunity to explore the intersection of faith and work closely. In addition to reigniting their faith and passion for ministering the gospel, a book club focused on the marketplace and faith can:

Encourage Deep Discussion 

Because the topics of faith and work can be challenging, a book club can provide a safe space for Christians to explore these ideas without fear of judgement.

Foster Accountability 

Setting up regular meetings provides consistency for reinforcing biblical principles and provokes church members to apply the principles in their profession.

Create Community 

Church members can build relationships with other believers who share their faith journey and professional struggles, growing their community to include others they may have never interacted with.

How to Launch a Book Club in Your Church

Starting a faith and work book club in your church may be the simplest way to engage members on the issue of faith and the marketplace. Below are some steps you can take to get started.

1. Choose the Right Book – Decide on the right book to address this topic. You may start with a book that covers the faith and work movement as a whole before diving into specific topics such as integrity and service. Recommended books include Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller and The Divine Purpose of Work by Workplace Ministries, Inc.

2. Set a Schedule – Develop a meeting schedule, determining how often the group will meet and what chapters will be discussed. A six-to-eight-week plan with weekly discussions can keep members engaged and momentum strong.

3. Spread the Word – Ensure that this exciting new club is mentioned in your church announcements and bulletin. Interested members should know when and where the meetings will be held and what book will be covered so that they have time to purchase the book.

4. Facilitate Meaningful Discussions – Develop questions to guide discussions around the book. Some books have supplemental workbooks for guided conversation. You can also seek the Holy Spirit and the Bible to ensure that the dialogue remains centered around biblical principles. If this is a challenging area for you, use guided questions such as:

   • What does this book say about God’s design for work?

   • How can we apply these lessons in our workplace?

   • What barriers prevent us from fully living out our faith at work?

1. Encourage Application – Challenge participants to take real steps in integrating faith into their jobs. Include time to share how impactful this transformative work has been at the beginning of each meeting.

A faith and work book club is a simple, effective way to help church members see their careers as a divine calling. Members are given opportunities to constructively assess how the gospel is changing their lives and the lives of others. Through this change, genuine connections are formed and occasion for discipleship as well as mentorship grows.