What is Ministry in Secular Employment?

It is Christian ministry exercised by accredited ministers, ordained and lay, within and through any kind of secular work.

Work and working relationships are its raw material. The ministry is full-time when expressed in full-time work.

• As Ministers in Secular Employment we live out our vocation through meeting God at work.
• By choosing to share the daily experience of our work colleagues, we celebrate the presence of God, and see and tell the Christian story.
• This affirmation of God's concern for every aspect of creation is an essential part of the ministry, mission and life of the church.

What do Ministers in Secular Employment (MSEs) do?

Their ministry is integral to their full-time work. By being in the workplace they are saying: 'This work, these situations, these people, and the people for whom this work is done, matter to the God who has called me and to the Church which has accredited me'.

Through being there MSEs have opportunities to:-

• influence events in the direction of the Kingdom of God
• make themselves available pastorally and confidentially
• stand with those who need support
• ease burdens and help others realise joys
• integrate faith with working life

Whenever they lead worship or discussion in church their experience of faith at work becomes an invaluable resource.

How does this ministry relate to other ministries?

It complements

• the ministry of all Christians at work
• the work of stipendiary or visiting chaplains in industry, hospitals, colleges and other spheres
• the insights and concerns of ministers working in neighbourhoods, parishes and congregations.

How do you become an MSE?

By offering yourself for ordination/licensing/commissioning In one of the churches that acknowledges ministry in secular employment as part of its ministerial structure,
- and
undertaking appropriate theological and pastoral training (usually on a non-residential basis)
- and
being inducted or licensed by your church to a particular MSE role;

- or
by transferring to ministry in secular employment from another form of church ministry.

How do you find out more?

By talking to an MSE you know

By contacting any of the CHRISM representatives listed on the following pages

By consulting your denomination's adviser for ministry,

(Your local minister should be able to point you In the right direction)

By obtaining MSE literature relating to your denomination

By attending appropriate seminars or other meetings which may be suggested to you.

How can CHRISM help?

CHRistians In Secular Ministry is a non-denominational UK-based association of MSEs and others who support this ministry.

CHRISM maintains a network of Local representatives who can advise and assist.

CHRISM has worldwide contacts.

CHRISM offers its members a quarterly newsletter, an annual conference, occasional retreats and other opportunities to make contacts and share experience insights and ideas.

Return to Introduction

The mission of CHRISM is:

To help ourselves and others to celebrate the presence of God and the holiness of life in our work, and to see and tell the Christian story there.

(These notes are adapted from the paper first prepared as CHRISM Paper No 1)