How Faith at Work: Faith & Work for Christian Leaders

Amy Sherman on Faith in Action What if your 9-to-5 job mattered just as much to God as your Sunday service?

For many Christians, faith is confined to the walls of the church.

Amy Sherman—author, scholar, and one of Christianity Today’s 50 Most Influential Evangelical Women in the U.S. —is challenging us to rethink discipleship.

In a recent conversation on The Intersection Podcast hosted by Bob Varney , Sherman reminded us that the Kingdom of God is not limited to pulpits and pews.

It shows up in classrooms, boardrooms, neighborhoods, and even in the way we handle finances.

Sherman shared how her story began at a horseback-riding summer camp, where she first encountered Christ.

Later, at Messiah College and the University of Virginia, she discovered a deeper truth: faith is not an add-on to life—it is life.

Wright, Sherman came to see Christianity as a “religion for the public square,” shaping justice, beauty, and human flourishing in every sphere.

From Filling Slots to Unleashing Vocations One of her most powerful realizations came while leading a ministry in Charlottesville.

Every year she recruited volunteers from her congregation—tutors, coaches, bus drivers.

But then it hit her: she wasn’t seeing people for who God had uniquely made them.

Bankers were driving vans when they could have been tackling the payday lending crisis destroying families in their community.

This revelation sparked her groundbreaking book, Kingdom Calling , which calls Christians to connect their vocational power with God’s mission for justice and renewal.

Flourishing in Every Corner of Society Sherman’s latest book, Agents of Flourishing , expands the vision.

Drawing from Jeremiah 29:7, she paints a picture of churches that actively seek the peace and prosperity of their cities.

Using the Human Ecology Framework, she highlights six arenas of flourishing: The Good (justice and moral order) The True (education and wisdom) The Beautiful (arts and culture) The Just (equity and fairness) The Prosperous (economic well-being) The Sustainable (health and creation care) When churches engage these arenas intentionally, they become catalysts for lasting community transformation.

Why This Matters Now Bob Varney noted during the episode that 90% of Christians remain stuck in the sacred-secular divide —thinking God only shows up in church.

Sherman countered with hope: seminaries, young leaders, and networks like Made to Flourish are helping believers connect “Sunday to Monday.” Still, the call remains urgent: we need to commission teachers, lawyers, artists, and business leaders as much as missionaries.

As Sherman put it, “Stories matter.” When Christians live out faith at work, they don’t just preach—they embody the gospel, becoming living witnesses in their communities.

Join the Movement At Cities Project Global, we share Dr.

Sherman’s conviction: discipleship means living by faith in every area of life.

Through the Leadership Circle and other initiatives, we’re awakening leaders to see work not as separate from worship but as central to it.

The invitation is clear: Stop dividing sacred from secular.

Become an agent of flourishing in your workplace, your city, and beyond. 👉 Learn more about our courses and resources at Cities Project Global .