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Career Ministry Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a career ministry?
A career ministry is a faith based ministry with meetings organized for the purpose of helping people in career or job transition.
Who offers a career ministry?
Typically churches and other faith based organizations offer career ministries for their unemployed (currently around 10% of their church members) and "underemployed" members (54% of their church members). A career ministry is also a great community outreach service!
How does a career ministry compare to our other ministries?
A career ministry compliments your other ministries by reaching out and helping your community at their point of need! This ministry virtually pays for itself by helping your members find work faster so they may support their church and family and by reducing church benevolence fund expeditures!
Church ministry comparisons:
Ministry name Materials cost Length of curriculum
Marriage Builders $30 per couple 6 weeks
Celebrate Recovery $17 per person ongoing
Divorce Care $20 per person 12 weeks
Financial Peace University $99 per person 14 weeks
Grief Share $20 12 weeks
Parenting $20 10 weeks
Encouragers $25 7 weeks
Restoration of the Heart $25 10 weeks
Career ministry $29 16 weeks, ongoing
What takes place at a typical career ministry support group meeting?
There are a variety of different formats, but generally a job search support group meeting agenda will include some or all of the following:
- Pre-meeting networking
- Introductions
- Prayer
- Devotional related to job search
- Success stories (new jobs gained, interviews coming up, etc.)
- Local job announcements, upcoming job fairs, etc.
- Guest speaker and/or learning session (includes specific job search training such as - resume writing, interviewing, salary negotiations, finding your ideal work, etc.)
- Acccountability (reviewing job search process commitments by individuals)
- Closing statements and prayer
Who leads a career ministry?
Persons who are dedicated to helping people, who are familiar with biblical principles, who are available to lead the meetings, without a conflict of interest.
It is wise to select two support group leaders in case one is not able to make a meeting, or has to leave the ministry. They don't have to be human resource professionals, recruiters or career counselors, although these types may add to the credibility of the group. Career ministry leaders need some startup training in running a career ministry, the many issues that can enhance or derail a career ministry, and a good solid job search curriculum to teach from (just like a Sunday school teacher uses a lesson plan to lead classes).
The size of the ministry will determine the number of volunteers needed. Some large groups (averaging 100 particpants per meeting) have a volunteer support staff of 40! Whereas a smaller group averaging 10 to 20 weekly participants may be effectively led by two persons. It helps to have additional volunteers to assist with 1) marketing of the ministry, 2) administrative issues, 3) technology issues 4) and a strong church/ministry liason.
Why should our church start a career ministry?
There are many reasons including:
- High unemployment/underemployment rates affect your members ability to support their family and church. A church with 500 members is currently losing $50,000 to $75,000 per year in tithes due to unemployment. Out of all the ministries a church can offer, a career ministry is the only ministry thats literally pays for itself!
- Unemployment is one of the highest periods of stress in a persons life.
- Unemployment can separate people from God. A career ministry helps to create a stronger relationship with God during the stressful job loss, and search process.
- People over 40 will change careers an average of 3 times in their life. Persons under 40 will change careers an average of 5 to 6 times during their life. So the need for a career ministry is a long term need - not just when unemployment rates are high.
- Building a neighborhood community that is beneficial for both the church and career transitioners is a win-win opportunity and a great outreach program.
- Career ministry participants learn how to find the work that God has designed for them, making them happier and more productive employees!
Career Ministries is a 501(c3) non profit organization based in Tampa, Florida. www.careerministries.com 813-960-1876 Joe Jones, Executive Director
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