Work Perspectives, The Sacred/Secular Divide, and Workplace-Related Preaching, Equipping, and Church Support

Joy P. Dahl

Etd

Work Perspectives, The Sacred/Secular Divide, and Workplace-Related Preaching, Equipping, and Church Support

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Joy P. Dahl. Work Perspectives, The Sacred/secular Divide, and Workplace-related Preaching, Equipping, and Church Support. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/191bb4db-737d-4b3a-a344-fa522a1b5506.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

J. P. Dahl. Work Perspectives, The Sacred/Secular Divide, and Workplace-Related Preaching, Equipping, and Church Support. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/191bb4db-737d-4b3a-a344-fa522a1b5506

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Joy P. Dahl. Work Perspectives, The Sacred/secular Divide, and Workplace-Related Preaching, Equipping, and Church Support. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/191bb4db-737d-4b3a-a344-fa522a1b5506.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

Joy P. Dahl

Keyword

Practice (Theology)

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Abstract

This study explored perspectives of work and workers, as well as potential connections between these perspectives and a lack of workplace-related preaching, equipping, and support provided by the church to congregants. This research, founded on a biblical theology of work, identifies implications for understanding church dynamics, and for dismantling beliefs and practices upholding the unbiblical sacred/secular divide.The research engaged two groups within one church: pastors/paid church staff and congregants. The survey focused on: (1) value of work inside versus outside the church; (2) value of workers inside versus outside the church; (3) importance of work-related topics for preaching, equipping, and support within the church; and (4) adequacy of pastor/staff understanding of non-church workplaces and their ability to help congregants address workplace issues. This Doctor of Ministry project represents a unique study which evaluates perspectives of church workers and non-church workers within one church body regarding a primary area of everyday life often unaddressed or under-addressed by the church. Two descriptive surveys, one for each group, garnered a 69.01% response rate from 71 pastors/staff, and a 9.62% response rate from 5,113 congregants. The surveys gathered quantitative responses, except for two qualitative responses regarding workplace demographics (for congregants only) which assisted the church in understanding the makeup of its non-church workers. The results of the surveys revealed that both pastors/staff and congregants within this church placed similar, high value on church and non-church work and workers. However, these perspectives did not translate into pastors/staff attributing high importance to work-related topics within church practices when compared to other topics. Additionally, both groups affirmed an inadequate understanding by pastors/staff of non-church workplaces and the daily issues congregants face.The final chapter includes conclusions of the study and implications for future research. It also provides recommendations of potential next steps for the church.

Year