Value in Vocation: Help Your Church See That Their Work Matters to God

For many Christians, work can feel like a necessary evil—something they have to do to pay the bills while their true spiritual lives happen elsewhere. This divide between work and faith is deeply ingrained in us, shaped by centuries of theology, culture and practice. Yet Scripture calls us to a different vision, one in which all work—whether in an office, a factory, a classroom or a home—is part of God’s mission in the world.

How can leaders in the church help those in the pews see their work as a calling God values? How can we move beyond the notion that only pastors, Bible teachers and missionaries have a spiritual vocation? Research shows that only a minority of Christians view their work as spiritually significant. But by expanding our understanding of calling, we can encourage believers to see their daily labor as a vital part of their faith.

What the Data Says

Only 1 in 5 Americans views their job as a calling. This data is based on research that I recently carried out with my colleague Elaine Howard Ecklund, who directs the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance at Rice University. We surveyed 15,000 Americans who work, including follow-up interviews with 300 of them. We learned a large majority of these people did not think of their work as a calling.

Perhaps this is not surprising given that our survey was a representative sample and included people from across the religious spectrum, including those without any faith identity. When we looked more closely at those who identified as evangelical Christians, however, we found somewhat of a good news/bad news situation. The good news is that evangelicals are much more likely than average to view their work as a calling. The bad news is that even so, far fewer than half—only 37%—consider their work to be a calling.

This gap highlights the need for better teaching and discipleship around faith and work. If even committed Christians struggle to see their work as a calling, church leaders have a crucial role to play in helping them make those connections.

Ecklund and I explore this topic more fully in our forthcoming book, Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work (IVP), releasing in August 2025. In it we examine the key tensions in the faith-and-work movement and provide insights into how Christians can more fully integrate their faith with their daily labor.

Calling Reframed

The belief that faith and work exist in separate realms has deep historical roots. In the Middle Ages, the term “calling” was reserved for those who served the church in monastic or clerical roles. Ordinary labor was viewed as less spiritual, a mere necessity for survival. While the Protestant Reformation broadened the idea of calling, emphasizing that all work could glorify God, this shift never fully took hold in the culture. Many Christians still assume that ministry roles are uniquely spiritual, while other jobs are primarily about making a living.

This divide manifests in the way people talk about work. Many assume that “spiritual” work is primarily about helping others—being a pastor, a teacher or a social worker, for example. Jobs focused on business, production, finance or technical fields are often seen as less meaningful. An engineer we interviewed for our study represented this perspective when he told us, “If it comes down to it, a priest or nun or something like that—perhaps a deacon—really does the spiritual work. As for me, I see no real connection [between my faith and my work] as far as my company and my career and my job.”

Church leaders can challenge these assumptions by teaching that almost all work can be a way of serving God. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” The work itself may not seem overtly spiritual, but when approached with a broader lens, people begin to see how their work can be a part of God’s mission.

A few years ago, I gave a talk at a Christian business breakfast, focused on the topic “Your Work Matters to God.” The general thesis was that from the beginning God is portrayed in Scripture as doing work. Since humans are made in the image of God, we too are designed to work in ways that further God’s kingdom. I gave examples of various jobs that could accomplish God’s purposes in the world, and those that could mitigate the effects of the fall—whether through building homes, healing the sick, or delivering clean water to a needy people.

During the question-and-answer period that followed the talk, a man from the banking industry raised his hand and asked, “But what about me? How could what I do be meaningful to God?”

It quickly became clear that he thought the purpose of his job was simply to make money. He hadn’t considered the fact that the bank he worked for helped people buy homes, start small businesses, and invest in their communities. He didn’t see that his work contributed to human flourishing and economic stability—both important outcomes from a Christian perspective.

His question reminded me how often we, even as believers, overlook the redemptive possibilities of our work. This man wasn’t doing anything flashy or overtly spiritual, but through his daily efforts he was playing a crucial role in helping others thrive. He just needed help being able to see his work through the lens of faith.

A Broader Understanding

One of the most helpful ways to reframe the discussion of calling is to expand our definition of what it means to be “called.” Based on our research with workers across various professions, Elaine and I identified two dimensions on which people think about their work—intrinsic versus extrinsic meaning, and service within versus beyond the workplace.

Some work feels intrinsically meaningful, because the tasks or outcomes of the work itself have a direct impact on the worker or others. Other work is extrinsically meaningful, providing a way of serving others, but not necessarily due to the content of the work itself. When considering the service dimension of work, the impact of some work can be seen within the workplace, while other work has an impact beyond the workplace itself.

When these two dimensions are combined, it results in a framework with four distinct ways that people can experience their work as a calling:

1. Intrinsic Calling Within the Workplace

Some people find deep meaning in the work they are doing. They feel that their work aligns with their talents, interests and sense of purpose. Or perhaps they experience a real sense that God guided them on the path that led them to their job. For them, work is a blessing from God that allows them to use their gifts. For example, a marine biologist we talked to spoke passionately about how her research on ocean ecosystems felt like a spiritual calling, uncovering God’s truth in creation.

2. Intrinsic Calling Beyond the Workplace

Others see their work as valuable because of its broader impact on society. These people believe their work contributes to the common good—whether by providing nutritious food, improving health care or shaping public policy. A civil engineer told us that early in her career she had ambitions to apply her skills to address engineering needs in developing countries. She thought her work would be meaningful in this way.

But she ended up working in a metropolitan area in the U.S., where she is responsible for designing city water systems. This engineer has come to realize that ensuring clean water access for thousands of people in a growing city is part of her calling because the work improves lives and public health in the world beyond the workplace.

3. Extrinsic Calling Within the Workplace

Some people do not necessarily see their job as deeply meaningful, but they view the place that they work as a mission field. These people tend to see their role as an opportunity to serve their co-workers, model Christian character, and demonstrate Christ’s love in everyday interactions.

A man who works in the packaging industry told us that all of his co-workers call him “Yoda” and come to him for advice about relationships, marriage, finance and so on. He thinks of his job as a calling because of the ways he is able to pour into those around him, bringing his faith to bear on the everyday difficulties people experience and share with him.

4. Extrinsic Calling Beyond the Workplace

Finally, there are those who view their work as a means to an end. Their jobs enable them to support their families, serve their churches, or give generously. One man in our study initially told us that his work was not a calling. But as he talked about his job, he began to realize that it provided him with financial stability, which allowed him to contribute to his church. He concluded, “I guess that really is a calling. Man, I never thought of it that way.”

Each of these perspectives represents a legitimate way to integrate faith and work. Many people will find themselves identifying with more than one of these views over the course of their career—or even at the same time. By using this broader framework, church leaders can help congregants understand that they don’t need to have a job in ministry to have a job that matters to God.

Practical Steps for Church Leaders

So how can pastors and ministry leaders encourage believers to embrace a more integrated view of faith and work? Here are several practical steps:

1. Preach About Work as Worship.

Many sermons focus on evangelism, discipleship or personal holiness, but rarely do pastors address the realities of daily work. Church leaders can make a profound impact simply by acknowledging work as a central part of Christian life. There are hundreds of examples throughout Scripture of the ways in which God uses the everyday work of people to accomplish his purposes in the world. Emphasize that work is not just a burden to endure, but a way to participate in God’s creative and redemptive purposes.

2. Affirm Different Types of Callings.

People in the congregation need to hear that their work—whether in finance, education, health care, retail or as a parent—matters to God. Recognize and celebrate a variety of vocations. Consider commissioning not only missionaries and pastors, but also engineers, business owners, educators, tradespeople and stay-at-home parents, affirming their work as a calling from God.

3. Encourage Testimonies About Work.

Invite church members to share stories of how their faith influences their work. These testimonies help break down the idea that only certain jobs have spiritual significance. They also provide real-life examples of how Christians navigate challenges like ethical dilemmas, workplace stress and vocational uncertainty.

4. Provide Small Group Discussions on Faith and Work.

Host discussion groups or Bible studies focused on integrating faith and work. Books, articles and research on the theology of work can provide a starting point for meaningful conversations [see “Suggested Resources” at the end of this article]. Encourage participants to reflect on how they see God’s purpose in their work and how they might shift their perspective.

5. Mentor Young Professionals.

Many young adults struggle to see the connection between their faith and their career choices. Mentorship programs within the church can help guide them as they seek to understand their calling. Pairing younger professionals with experienced mentors who have navigated these questions can be a powerful way to shape a more biblical view of work.

6. Challenge Workplace Idolatry.

While it is important to affirm the goodness of work, church leaders should also warn their congregations against making work an idol. Some individuals derive their entire identity from their job, leading to burnout, misplaced priorities and strained relationships. Remind people that while work is valuable, it is not ultimate. True fulfillment comes from a relationship with God, not from career success.

7. Reframe ‘Ordinary’ Work.

A major pastoral opportunity is to help people reframe what they see as “ordinary” or “menial” work. The person stocking shelves or driving a delivery truck may not be praised by society, but that work is still part of sustaining lives and communities. Highlighting these jobs as essential and worthy can restore dignity to work that is often overlooked.

8. Recognize the Formative Power of the Workplace.

Most people will spend the majority of their waking hours in the workplace, wherever that might be. It is at work that they will be using their God-given skills and talents, interacting with others and engaging in habits that will form their character. In other words, for many people the workplace is the primary place for spiritual formation; it should also be a primary emphasis within the church.

Equip Believers for Their Work

Imagine a church where people see their work—not just their church activities—as part of their spiritual calling. A church where believers understand that God cares about their work, whether they design bridges, write code or care for children. A church that commissions its members to serve in every sector of society, knowing that each person’s labor is a contribution to God’s mission.

This kind of church teaches a richer theology of work, one that is rooted in creation, honest about the fall, and hopeful about redemption. It helps its people see that work is not merely a means of survival but an opportunity to join God in renewing the world. It cultivates a congregation eager to live out their faith not only on Sunday but throughout the rest of the week as well.

Work is not just about making money or surviving until the next paycheck. It is an opportunity to reflect God’s character, serve others and bring the kingdom of God into every sphere of society.

May we, as leaders, be intentional in helping people rediscover the sacredness of work and the many ways they can live out their calling, wherever God has placed them.

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