We face many challenges as we make healthy disciples and reach neighborhoods and nations for Christ. At a pastor’s breakfast in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I asked a group of pastors about their obstacles in discipleship.

Many spoke about the busyness of daily life and the difficulties of getting folks to Bible studies and recruiting volunteers. Others mentioned the brokenness of families. Some spoke about political and social tensions.

After a pause, one pastor shared this: “My people carry great stress about their jobs. The changing economy, huge student debt and managing finances are all part of their worries.”

Something changed in the room as he shared these words. Young adults are frustrated with the gap between their (often too lofty) expectations and the realities of the job markets. Older workers struggle to find sustainable work after layoffs.

Adding to these tensions is the specter of mechanization and the fact that many current jobs will not exist in 20 years. Conversely, there will be new jobs two decades from now that have yet to be conceived or developed.

How do we disciple amid all these anxieties and changes? The answer is not to rejoice that it is not our problem! As leaders of local churches, we must realize that our congregants will not be gathering and serving if they are unable to work.

I have the joy of teaching seminary students. Recently, I have been asking leaders in class — pastors, missionaries, superintendents and church planters — one question, “How are your congregants going to eat in the next 10 to 20 years?” The surprised looks are confirmation that this is new territory.

There is good news! Whatever the future holds, the Bible offers insight on how to equip God’s people for all works of service (Ephesians 4:11-16). When Jesus said that He chose us to bear lasting fruit, this includes all we do in service for God’s kingdom and offer as daily worship (John 15:16; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:23-24).

Discipling Our Churches for the Future

How do we equip God’s people for a changing world of work? There are seven principles that will help us prepare them for fruitful impact.

First, we must present biblical and theological foundations concerning daily work. From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, the Bible presents good work as part of our identity as individuals crafted in God’s image and redeemed in Christ. In other words, work is something good and comes before the fall of humankind.

Work will even be part of our eternal life in the new heavens and new earth. A fully biblical understanding of being human includes the goodness of work.

We need to lean on the Lord, drink deeply from Scripture, and listen to the Spirt as we work.

Second, we must acknowledge that daily work is deeply flawed because of sin (Ecclesiastes 2:17-26). Our work needs redemption through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

We will not achieve perfection in our work before the Lord returns, but our aim is to bring Him glory as we serve Him, care for others and stand against injustice. Applying Micah 6:8, we want to equip God’s people to transform any domain of life where God places them.

Third, our discipling begins with transformed character. From the Beatitudes to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the virtues of the divine life (2 Peter 1:3-10), the evidence of the grace of God are people living holy and loving lives before a watching world (Philippians 2:12-16).

Daily work — whether parenting at home, volunteering, laboring, leading a business or serving as a pastor — is the primary crucible of character development!

Fourth, we must distinguish and integrate personal vocations and occupations, so believers have a sense of identity that is greater than their current job descriptions. For more on this, see my previous article, “The Kingdom Potential in Work.” Ephesians 2:10 says God created us to do good works.

When disciples know their natural and spiritual gifts, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and are continually learning about their context and culture, they become nimble resources who communities and companies will appreciate.

Fifth, spiritual leaders must become the CLOs (Chief Listening/Learning Officers) of their communities. In addition to blessing the good work of parents and teachers, mechanics and entrepreneurs, artists and laborers, pastors should listen to their members about what the Lord is doing in their fields.

Imagine periodically convening small groups clustered around work arenas. Church leaders attend to learn, and then weave these insights into the programs of the church. This makes every member an intelligence agent for the Kingdom every day!

Sixth, the local church is a great place for convening community groups and leaders and discovering what makes for a flourishing community. Class, gender, race, vocational and political tensions will ease as people unite for economic and social flourishing.

John Perkins, renowned civil rights and racial reconciliation leader in Mississippi, said, “What the world needs now is Jesus and a job.” When our congregations commit to the common good, our witness grows, and conversions and baptisms will follow.

Seventh (and this is really part of No. 1): We must radically depend on the power of the Holy Spirit and weave Pentecost into all we do. Spirit baptisms should be a normal part of our gatherings. All the gifts operate 24/7 outside church meetings.

We need to lean on the Lord, drink deeply from Scripture, and listen to the Spirt as we work. Our worship services and prayer meetings are now charged with new energy as we commission God’s people for mission in all they do.

We live in a great moment for Kingdom impact. With the Lord’s help, all God’s people can be on mission everyday — at work.