As the overall educational level and social experience of believers continue to rise, some pastors—particularly those with limited workplace exposure and narrower knowledge structures—are facing growing pastoral challenges. When sermons feel disconnected from reality, and a pastor's life experience lags behind the growth of the flock, how should the church effectively pastor workplace believers?
Recently, Pastor Li (pseudonym), who has worked in a city church in Southern China for over twenty years, shared his reflections on discipleship and pastoral practice. He believes that to reach workplace Christians, pastors must not only renew their own knowledge but also refine the church's ministry models to meet the specific needs of the congregation.
Lifelong Learning: A Necessity for Modern Ministers
Pastor Li points out that in an age of information, a lack of continuous learning can quickly lead to a loss of credibility. "If a pastor stops growing intellectually and makes a factual error in the pulpit, congregants can fact-check it on their phones instantly," he said.
This gap is becoming common. Some older ministers struggle with language barriers, technological illiteracy, or an over-reliance on outdated methods. "It is like sitting on a train," Li said. "When you see the trees receding, it is because the train is moving forward. If you stand still while others run, you are effectively moving backward."
For Li, reading is the lifeline of ministry. Over the years, he has built a personal "digital library" of tens of thousands of e-books to supplement his sermon preparation. He shares two examples of how broad knowledge aids pastoral care: for example, when a believer asked if the folk superstition "cutting hair in the first lunar month kills one's maternal uncle" was true, Li explained its historical roots, helping the believer distinguish between history and superstition. Another example is that addressing the "space" often found before the word "God (神)" in Chinese Bibles, he clarified that it originated from early printing constraints and translation compromises rather than purely spiritual reasons, providing a grounded perspective to a common curiosity.
Entering the Lives of the Flock
To pastor workplace believers, Li argues that "Sunday-only" service or sermon is no longer sufficient. Ministers must enter the actual living environments of their members.
"You must go into their homes and understand their hardships," he emphasized. "A shepherd only speaks to the heart when he truly knows the sheep." He even suggests, half-jokingly, that pastors who have never worked outside the church should consider a temporary job to experience the pressures their congregants face daily.
Addressing Diverse Needs
Pastor Li advocates for "targeted care," drawing inspiration from the education system. He suggests categorizing small groups by spiritual maturity, professional status, and life stages—such as couples' groups, singles' groups, or seniors' groups.
"Fine-tuning ministry is not about favoritism; it is about responding to reality," Li said. "A pastor must care for the strong sheep and the weak alike."
He notes that newcomers in the workplace are often baffled by "church jargon." For instance, someone might mistake a scripture reference like "John 3:16" for a time of day. Consequently, he insists on foundational training—teaching the basic structure of the Bible and liturgical language—before moving into systematic theology. This prevents alienation and ensures that growth is built on a solid foundation.
Reflecting on decades of ministry, Pastor Li admits that while the era brings new challenges, the core of pastoral care remains constant. Methods must be adjusted, and the pastor's own mind must be renewed, but the mission remains the same: to know the sheep, to feed them, and to walk alongside them in their journey of faith.
Originally published by the Christian Times
- Edited by Poppy Chan
