Integrating Faith and Work in Your Church This Year

Dear Friends,

Your church is a busy place. Small groups, worship services, elder meetings – it’s hard to know where to focus your time as a pastor called to equip the saints for works of service. As a friend of Denver Institute for Faith & Work, you believe that one way to do this is by forming your people to serve God, neighbor and the city through their vocations.

As you consider your annual calendar and commitments for 2018, I’ve compiled a simple engagement plan that you can use as you consider growth in the area of vocational discipleship for both your pastoral team and your congregation. I hope this is helpful and you use it as you plan out your year.

If you'd like more information about the benefits of church partnership, please contact me. 

Your friend,

Jeff

 Attend quarterly pastor trainings/events.

• March 1, 7:30am-1130am, “Pastoring Professionals” with Brian Gray, Jeff Haanen and four local professionals
• May 19, around lunch time (TBD), “Integrating Vocation into Your Church’s Worship Music,” with Sandra McCracken (make sure to bring your worship leader to this gathering)
• September 27, 7:30am-11:30am, “Pastoring People in Manual Labor and the Service Sector,” with Jeff Haanen and four panelists
• November TBD, Annual city-wide gathering for pastors and ministry professionals

 Register for the Made to Flourish Learning Community

• Register a pastor and elder/leader for this transformative experience in September 2018 for the next class, which will begin in December 2018

 Tell your young leaders to become 5280 Fellows.

• This is the most comprehensive program we offer. Tell them in February to sign up for an informational session at com. Application period lasts from February 1 – April 30.

Encourage small group leaders to spend six weeks studying work, calling and culture.

• We have a simple, six-week study you can use called “His Story, Our Stories: Encountering God at Work.” Contact us about this curriculum or a series of new studies at Scatter.

Send your people to Denver Institute public events.

• This year our events touch on vocation, women & Sabbath, business, science, the trades, outdoor retail, artificial intelligence and more. Joanna will send information to your church’s communication personnel so you can advertise these events as details are ready. We recommend personally inviting professionals in industries that fit their line of work. We also recommend taking a look at DIFW events quarterly so you can send people to attend.

Plan a fall retreat on the theme of vocation.

• In Q1 we are developing a 48-hour retreat format you can use at your church to plan a retreat on work, calling and culture. This will be ready by June so you can start planning for the fall.

 Invite a DIFW faculty member to preach at your church.

• Need somebody to fill the pulpit for a week? DIFW faculty can preach on mission, work, calling and Christians in culture.