Why There’s No Such Thing as “Secular Work”

Have you ever heard a Christian describe a job that isn’t full-time vocational ministry as a “secular job” or “secular work?” Maybe you’ve even used that phrase yourself. I’ve said it plenty of times.

I hope this article will help us retire that phrase forever.

I mean no offense to those who use the phrase. Neither am I arguing that there’s no difference between full-time vocational ministry and other jobs. I consider myself blessed to be in full-time ministry for nearly 10 years, and I don’t look back longingly at the jobs I had before I entered full-time ministry. I consider it a blessing to be in full-time ministry and don’t want to minimize that blessing.

With all the caveats out of the way, I want to share a few reasons why I believe Christians should put the phrases “secular work” and “secular job” to death.

“Secular work” and the clergy/laity distinction

Part of the problem with the “secular work” moniker is that it can give the impression that some Christians (i.e. preachers) are the professional class of Christians. I am thankful that members of the church of Christ are quick to point out that there is no clergy/laity distinction in the New Testament. We should be careful that our language does not betray that conviction by elevating only the preacher to the status of “full-time minister.”

Christians collectively—from the babe in Christ to the seasoned elder—are a “holy priesthood” who “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to god through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5). Every Christian belongs to the “royal priesthood” that works to “proclaim the praises” of God (1 Pet. 2:9). Every Christian is to present their “bodies as a living sacrifice acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1). Being a living sacrifice is a full-time job, no matter who signs your paycheck. It’s even the goal of those in “full-time ministry” to equip all saints for the work of ministry by Christ’s grace (Eph. 4:11-12).

I wonder if most Christians fully grasp the “all hands on deck” aspect of ministry in Christ’s church when some of them are relegated to working “secular jobs.” Because there is no clergy and laity in Christ’s body, even those who have a “secular job” are full-time workers for Jesus.

The danger of compartmentalization

I think the idea of a “secular job” can also foster compartmentalization in the Christian life. The truth is that no aspect of the Christian’s life is supposed to be “secular.” Christian’s shouldn’t “check their Christianity at the door” anywhere they go, work included. It is possible to get the impression that I live as a Christian on Sundays, Wednesday nights, and my days off, but then I slip into my “secular” identity to go to work, conduct business, etc.

But the Christian’s work life should be saturated with their faith. For the Christian, there is no such thing as secular work. If we apply the New Testament household codes to modern work, we see that Christians are commanded to do their work “as to Christ… doing the will of God from the heart with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men… And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Eph. 6:5-7; Col. 3:23). Christians ultimately seek to please their Heavenly Boss, by working faithfully for their earthly boss.

The myth of neutral territory

Similarly, the idea of “secular work” and a “secular job” can make it seem like there is neutral territory in the world untouched by the Lordship of Jesus Christ. But there is no “secular” territory. Every atom is God’s jurisdiction, workplaces included.

Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). No matter where they are, Christians go about their business and do their jobs as those who are commissioned to shine God’s light, imitate Christ, and work to reconcile the world to God through Jesus. We are to do all to the glory of God, even at work!

Not every Christian can (or should have) a paying ministry job. But every Christian should always be working for Christ and doing all to the glory of God. A mailman, hairdresser, and delivery truck driver don’t have “full-time ministry” in their job descriptions. But a Christian mailman, hairdresser, and delivery truck driver do. They have a Boss above their boss at work, and they work for Him no matter where they are.

That’s why there’s no such thing as “secular work.”