FAITH@WORK > LEADER GUIDE

General Resources

Preaching or teaching about the spirituality of work can be difficult for professional ministers, who are used to working within a very different work world.

Choose one or more of these resources to gain a deeper understanding of this topic.  The book Spirituality at Work is an excellent choice, as it closely follows this series.

Note: we do not necessarily agree with all of the views expressed in the resources and websites listed below.

Resources From thePastoralCenter.com

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Spirituality at Work:
10 Ways to Balance Your Life on the Job
  • Closely follows this Gospel.link series. Corresponding chapters are listed in the weekly leader pages.
  • Offers ten spiritual disciplines that can be practiced amidst the hustle and bustle of the contemporary workplace
How in the World Do We Make a Difference?
Getting to the Heart and Soul of Love and Work
  • Three authors tell stories from their own experiences as priest, lawyer, and professor, plus those of others
  • Ideas for finding happiness and fulfillment, especially in personal and work relationships.
Bidden or Not Bidden,
God is Present (Audio CD)

Two talks by Gregory Pierce, author of Spirituality at Work, including "Spirituality of Work: An Oxymoron?" an explanation of the true definition and criteria for spirituality in the workplace.
Small Group Resources

We also offer some great small group resources. Learn more by clicking the button below.
On-the-Job Prayers: 101 Reflections and Prayers for Christians in Every Occupation
  • An invitation to practice the spirituality of work through prayer on the job.
  • Each page includes a Scripture text, a reading from a variety of thinkers and writers, and a workplace prayer.
The Art of Pausing: 
Meditations for the Overworked and Overwhelmed
  • Haiku poetry, reflections, and nature photos from a Trappist monk, a retired educator, and a broadcast journalist.

Books From PastoralPlanning.com

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Pope John Paul II's
Gospel of Work
  • Beautifully presents Saint John Paul II's extensive speaking and writing on faith & work.
  • Includes an introduction, commentary, and reflection questions by William Droel.
Beatitudes for the Workplace
Using the Beatitudes as a framework, this book explores eight virtues-- wisdom, integrity, honesty, compassion, justice for the earth, forgiveness, generosity, and courage--and applies them to the workplace.
On the Way to Work: Stories & Reflections on Living as Christians Today
  • Stories and reflections showing how to be a people of "the Way"--on the way to work.
  • Pithy, concrete, and enjoyable reading.

Other Recommended Resources

The Monday Connection: 
On Being an Authentic Christian in a Weekday World

An excellent foundational book on connecting faith with the real world of Monday morning by William Diehl.
Ministry In Daily Life: 
A Practical Guide For Congregations

Another excellent book by William Diehl, this one targeted at church leaders. Full of practical experience and wisdom, this book shows you specific ways to affirm, equip, and support members for their work in the world. 
Loving Work: A spiritual guide to finding the work we love and bringing love to the work we do

A great down-to-earth guide to finding meaning and a faith connection to the work we do, as well as discerning our career path.
Faith Goes to Work: 
Reflections from the Marketplace

A collection of authors representing a variety of vocations suggest ways in which the church and its laity can be better equipped for integrating faith in the workplace.
Work With Meaning, Work With Joy: Bringing Your Spirit to Any Job

A guide to bringing a spiritual groundedness into the workplace for a more effective, compassionate, and fulfilling experience.

Church Documents

On Human Work 
(Laborem Exercens)
Saint John Paul II

This encyclical is the most specific Church written on work.

Full Text (Vatican)
Overview (Wikipedia)
Summary (CatholicPages.com)

We highly recommend the book Pope John Paul II's Gospel of Work, which includes this encyclical with commentary and many of Saint John Paul II's other writings and statements on work.
Other Documents

Many other church documents address work, especially from a social justice perspective.  Some of the most prominent include:
For more comprehensive lists, see:

Websites & Organizations

Note: we do not necessarily agree with all of the views expressed by the websites and organizations below.

General

Living Faith At Work - 
Empowering people, through the Catholic tradition, to live out their faith at work. Grounded in the Catholic Church’s tradition, it helps people to strengthen the connection between their faith, their values, and daily work life.
Theology of Work Project - 
Helping people explore what the Bible and the Christian faith can contribute to ordinary work.  It is an independent, international organization dedicated to researching, writing, and distributing materials with a biblical perspective on non-church workplaces.
Work as Worship Network -
This website of RightNow Ministries is on a mission to help people see their work differently, as an opportunity to worship the God who created us.
The High Calling - 
A collection of resources founded on the belief that God cares about our daily work. On our site, you’ll discover a broad range of articles, interviews, devotionals, and inspirational stories—all specifically created to help you find God in your work, family, and the broader culture.  Also see their site CelebrateYourWork.com.
National Center For the Laity - 
A Catholic organization "in support of Christians in the world," with particular emphasis on work & faith, publishing the INITIATIVES newsletter.
Spirit Work and Money - 
Resources for integrating spirituality, work, and money.

Worker Justice

Catholic Labor Network - Providing resources relating the Catholic social teaching to workers and labor.
Interfaith Worker Justice - Organizing, educating, and advocating for economic and worker justice in the United States from a faith perspective.
Catholic Scholars for Worker Justice - Promoting Catholic Social Teaching on the rights of workers and the indispensable role that unions play in securing justice for workers and their families, in the workplace, and for the universal common good.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Labor and Employment - Various documents, letters, and other resources.

Articles