Ministering in the Marketplace
Doug Self
On people's jobs, in the local grocery and hardware stores, at the post office and service station, and on the town's sidewalks, the pastor can build strong relationships and perform vital ministry, ministry that cannot happen in any other way.
— Doug Self
Larry died a few years ago in a work-related accident. His office building exploded, and Larry didn't make it. Although Larry is gone, as well as the office where we'd spent a lot of time together, I cherish the relationship we had and thank God for it.
Because he was connected with our church, I visited him regularly, usually at his work. The receptionist would take my name and buzz him on the intercom. Sometimes it might take a few minutes for him to get loose, but he always had a big smile as he rounded the corner and stuck out his hand. Then we'd walk back to his office for a brief chat. He'd often introduce me to others in the hallways or in their offices. Larry and I would sit in his office for a few minutes, sometimes for half an hour if he didn't have urgent business. We'd talk about his job, his family, whatever was of interest to him.
A few times he ran into difficulties on his job. On those occasions we'd meet somewhere for lunch, and he'd give me the details of the problem. Because I had an understanding of his work, he trusted me to give him biblical counsel about those situations.
That experience has reinforced for me the value of pastoral care in the marketplace. On people's jobs, in the local grocery and hardware stores, at the post office and service station, and on the town's sidewalks, the pastor can build strong relationships and perform vital ministry, ministry that cannot happen in any other way.
In many ways, pastoral care in the marketplace is more challenging ...
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