A New Ministry Perspective OR Litourgia

Beth and I have two couples who have become some of our best friends. Adam and Diane are both teachers, and they're great at what they do. Bill is a pharmacist (anyone who has a Doctoral degree when they're 24 makes me sick) and Amanda works in the Insurance industry. In recent conversations with these friends, I've realized that they all desire to be in ministry, and they desire to know what it looks like them for at their jobs to do ministry, but very rarely do we discuss what it means to be a Christian pharmacist or a Christian 3rd grade teacher. So, here's my question...What would happen if I sat down with Adam and Diane and Bill and Amanda and asked this question "What can the church do to support you in your ministry at your workplace?" Frankly, I think that this question changes many things....
First, when we ask this question, we name the work of the Holy Spirit that we see at work in others. When we name the work of God in others we empower them to see their gifts and realize what God is doing in their lives...we help them realize that they have an important role and place in the life of the church.
Second, when we ask this question, we empower lay people. Suddenly, clergy aren't the only ministers...EVERYONE is a minister, everyone has a role and a place in establishing the Gospel story in the world. Responsibility no longer lies at the feet of clergy...It enhances and empowers the Priesthood of all believers!
Finally, asking a question like this shifts the vision and perspective of the church. Suddenly, our work becomes outward focused...we're not just focused on what happens inside our walls, but we're working in the world. Suddenly the world doesn't have to come through our doors; we send people into the world, into the places where they've been called and work. We realize that God is calling us to the world, not calling the world to us.

I wonder what answers would be...maybe they wouldn't change anything, but maybe we would. I think that one of the most important things, though, is that we send people, empowered to do the litourgia...the work of the people in the world.