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The Sacredness of Secular Work: 4 Ways Your Job Matters for Eternity
From a leading voice in the faith and work movement and author of Redeeming Your Time comes the revolutionary message that God sees our daily work—in whatever form it takes—with far more value than we ever imagined.
The Bible tells us our labor is not in vain. But it is exceedingly hard to see how that is true when we’ve grown disillusioned by the fleeting nature of our work and the assumption that evangelism is the only sacred work we do. Bestselling author Jordan Raynor offers an empowering declaration that the time, craft, and care of the business owner, the bank teller, or stay-at-home parent carries an eternal impact far bigger than we think.
Combining research and storytelling, Jordan proves that our work is one of the primary activities that brings God delight, and quality work has potential to physically last into heaven. Through an exponentially bigger view of the gospel and fascinating scriptural insight, Raynor reveals twelve propositions for why work has intrinsic and eternal value, and
With this biblically redemptive perspective, readers will feel free to pursue their passions and skills and—perhaps for the first time—experience our Creator’s delight in the work of their hands.
The Bible tells us our labor is not in vain. But it is exceedingly hard to see how that is true when we’ve grown disillusioned by the fleeting nature of our work and the assumption that evangelism is the only sacred work we do. Bestselling author Jordan Raynor offers an empowering declaration that the time, craft, and care of the business owner, the bank teller, or stay-at-home parent carries an eternal impact far bigger than we think.
Combining research and storytelling, Jordan proves that our work is one of the primary activities that brings God delight, and quality work has potential to physically last into heaven. Through an exponentially bigger view of the gospel and fascinating scriptural insight, Raynor reveals twelve propositions for why work has intrinsic and eternal value, and
With this biblically redemptive perspective, readers will feel free to pursue their passions and skills and—perhaps for the first time—experience our Creator’s delight in the work of their hands.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2024
171 people are currently reading
1051 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Raynor
20 books1,411 followersJordan Raynor is a leading voice of the faith and work movement. Through his bestselling books (The Creator in You, Redeeming Your Time, Master of One, and Called to Create), the Mere Christians podcast, and his weekly devotionals, Jordan has helped millions of Christians in every country on earth connect the gospel to their work.
In addition to his writing, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup which Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own.
Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in The White House under President George W. Bush. A sixth-generation Floridian, Jordan lives in Tampa with his wife and their three young daughters. The Raynors are proud members of The Church at Odessa.
In addition to his writing, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of Threshold 360, a venture-backed tech startup which Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own.
Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in The White House under President George W. Bush. A sixth-generation Floridian, Jordan lives in Tampa with his wife and their three young daughters. The Raynors are proud members of The Church at Odessa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
November 17, 2023
So glad I read this book! Gave me a beautiful picture of why work matters to God, to others, and to me. Gave me a grander picture of hope and of heaven (I was not expecting this when I started the book). Jordan is a great writer - clear, compelling, biblical, and he shares some great stories along the way.
June 6, 2024
An eye opening and practical must read that will shift your mental model of work. It's even more fun if you listen to Jordan bring it to life in audio.
February 19, 2025
As someone who has accidentally stumbled into the corporate world, I found this book to be really encouraging! Before reading this, I wondered how my seemingly secular corporate job could have lasting kingdom impact. Raynor discusses the intrinsic value of our work throughout the entirety of the book, and it really helped relieve a lot of pressure I tend to feel as a Christian in corporate America.
November 21, 2024
A few months ago, I began really wrestling with the purpose of work. If I’m not in vocational ministry, does my work matter? If I’m in a secular job, does it matter only when I’m sharing the gospel? This book was SO helpful in teaching me about God’s design for work and its significance in light of eternity. Highly recommend, and the audiobook is free on Spotify!!
September 9, 2025
A POV i’ve never heard before, a thought process that is so cool and so radical to the working Christian. Well-written with a lot of really thoughtful analogies that really push the point across.
October 23, 2023
Amazing book! This book points to answers that everyone is seeking, whether you have a Christian worldview or not. It shows why we have a yearning for eternity and why the Bible has the best answer to "why does it matter what I do during my life and how can it matter for eternity?". It brings a very real eternal perspective to our day-to-day lives. This book is very inspiring and will resonate with anyone who wants to clarify how their lives contribute to a legacy of something greater than themselves.
October 24, 2023
I know many Christians today that are frustrated with the tension that exist between messages they receive from consistently repeated Christian ideals about their work against what they feel gifted (or even simply tasked) to do everyday. In this book, Jordan teases out these ideals and challenges them with Scripture and wisdom from many sources to draw out the practical ways in which Christ moves in and through us to beckon others to Himself through excellence and beauty in the work we accomplish every day.
February 6, 2024
This book made me look forward to how my work during my time in this world is seen by God and will last into eternity. Jordan’s solid foundation in God’s word opened my eyes to so many truths that I ought to be looking forward to in the new heaven & the new earth in relation to my current work today. Can’t thank him enough for writing this! Whether you work in a secular field, marketplace, or ministry, this book is for you.
November 21, 2023
Jordan Raynor is a leading voice in the faith and work movement. He is the best-selling author of books such as Master of One, Called to Create and Redeeming Your Time). He also hosts the Mere Christians podcast and the weekly The Word Before Work devotional.
The purpose of his latest book, which was dedicated to Tim Keller, is to help you see how your so-called “secular” work matters for eternity. He begins by looking at the instrumental value of your work. Your work matters for eternity because you can leverage it to share the gospel with those you work with. The core idea of the book is that in addition to your work having instrumental value, it has eternal intrinsic value to God. That is, your work matters for eternity even when you’re not leveraging it to the instrumental end of sharing the gospel with those you work with.
Raynor looks at the Great Commission, which all Christians are familiar with. He writes that this was not the first commission we were given. The First Commission that we were given, also known as the creation mandate, was the call to fill, subdue, and rule this world with God and for his glory.
Raynor addresses what he refers to as the “Abridged Gospel,” which has become the dominant version of Jesus’s good news preached in our churches today. The Abridged Gospel is all about what Jesus has saved us from—namely, sin. But, Raynor states, without the beginning and end of the Gospel story, it’s impossible to see what Jesus has saved us for. With the Unabridged Gospel in view, we can understand and embrace our dual vocation: the Great Commission to make disciples and the First Commission to make an entire world for God’s greater glory.
The author tells us that it’s not a coincidence that the Abridged Gospel came to prominence at roughly the same time the Great Commission became the only commission we preach, as the two ideas are inseparable.
The book is very well organized, built around twelve propositions. For example, Proposition 1 is: Your work has intrinsic value because God works for the pure joy of it. The author also includes four ways your work matters for eternity.
At the end of each chapter, a helpful “Your Sacred Response” asks the reader to respond to what you’ve read by working through a single practice. You can write your answers in The Sacred Response workbook, which the author gives you instructions on how you can download it for free. Also included are “Free Resources for Mere Christians and “Free Resources for Pastors”.
I’ve read and can recommend all of Raynor’s books. This book will help you to understand how your work matters for eternity.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
• The purpose of your life isn’t something as small and fleeting as your happiness. The purpose of your life is to participate in the ultimate cosmic drama—working with God to cultivate heaven on earth.
• Any work you do for God’s glory, powered by God’s Spirit, and according to God’s rules will last forever.
• While the world defines excellence as being the best, God seems to define it as doing our best. That’s what brings him pleasure!
• The Master finds great joy in watching you pursue excellent stewardship of the talents he has given you—especially if you find joy in your work.
• While all Christians share equal status as adopted children of God, we will not all share equal station and responsibility in the Eternal Heaven on Earth.
• You earn eternal rewards every day you work hard at the work God has given you to do—especially when you don’t love your job (see Colossians 3:22).
• Whatever you do for God’s glory and the good of others—big or small—matters for eternity.
• Every single action you take today has an impact on the treasure, crowns, words of affirmation, clothing, and vocation you’ll be rewarded with in the Eternal Heaven on Earth.
• We’re called to a very specific kind of work. To make a Garden-like world where image bearers can flourish and thrive, where people can experience and enjoy God’s generous love.
• While leveraging our work to the instrumental end of evangelism is far from the only way our work matters to God, it certainly is a way.
• When you know that God cares about 100 percent of the time you spend at work and not just the 1 percent when you get to explicitly share the gospel, it makes you come fully alive.
• Since the beginning, Christianity has spread most rapidly through mere Christians embracing the Great Commission as they go about fulfilling the First Commission to fill, subdue, and rule this world for God’s glory.
• Our co-workers won’t know we are Christians if we work only with excellence. They will know we are Christians if we work with excellence and love.
The purpose of his latest book, which was dedicated to Tim Keller, is to help you see how your so-called “secular” work matters for eternity. He begins by looking at the instrumental value of your work. Your work matters for eternity because you can leverage it to share the gospel with those you work with. The core idea of the book is that in addition to your work having instrumental value, it has eternal intrinsic value to God. That is, your work matters for eternity even when you’re not leveraging it to the instrumental end of sharing the gospel with those you work with.
Raynor looks at the Great Commission, which all Christians are familiar with. He writes that this was not the first commission we were given. The First Commission that we were given, also known as the creation mandate, was the call to fill, subdue, and rule this world with God and for his glory.
Raynor addresses what he refers to as the “Abridged Gospel,” which has become the dominant version of Jesus’s good news preached in our churches today. The Abridged Gospel is all about what Jesus has saved us from—namely, sin. But, Raynor states, without the beginning and end of the Gospel story, it’s impossible to see what Jesus has saved us for. With the Unabridged Gospel in view, we can understand and embrace our dual vocation: the Great Commission to make disciples and the First Commission to make an entire world for God’s greater glory.
The author tells us that it’s not a coincidence that the Abridged Gospel came to prominence at roughly the same time the Great Commission became the only commission we preach, as the two ideas are inseparable.
The book is very well organized, built around twelve propositions. For example, Proposition 1 is: Your work has intrinsic value because God works for the pure joy of it. The author also includes four ways your work matters for eternity.
At the end of each chapter, a helpful “Your Sacred Response” asks the reader to respond to what you’ve read by working through a single practice. You can write your answers in The Sacred Response workbook, which the author gives you instructions on how you can download it for free. Also included are “Free Resources for Mere Christians and “Free Resources for Pastors”.
I’ve read and can recommend all of Raynor’s books. This book will help you to understand how your work matters for eternity.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:
• The purpose of your life isn’t something as small and fleeting as your happiness. The purpose of your life is to participate in the ultimate cosmic drama—working with God to cultivate heaven on earth.
• Any work you do for God’s glory, powered by God’s Spirit, and according to God’s rules will last forever.
• While the world defines excellence as being the best, God seems to define it as doing our best. That’s what brings him pleasure!
• The Master finds great joy in watching you pursue excellent stewardship of the talents he has given you—especially if you find joy in your work.
• While all Christians share equal status as adopted children of God, we will not all share equal station and responsibility in the Eternal Heaven on Earth.
• You earn eternal rewards every day you work hard at the work God has given you to do—especially when you don’t love your job (see Colossians 3:22).
• Whatever you do for God’s glory and the good of others—big or small—matters for eternity.
• Every single action you take today has an impact on the treasure, crowns, words of affirmation, clothing, and vocation you’ll be rewarded with in the Eternal Heaven on Earth.
• We’re called to a very specific kind of work. To make a Garden-like world where image bearers can flourish and thrive, where people can experience and enjoy God’s generous love.
• While leveraging our work to the instrumental end of evangelism is far from the only way our work matters to God, it certainly is a way.
• When you know that God cares about 100 percent of the time you spend at work and not just the 1 percent when you get to explicitly share the gospel, it makes you come fully alive.
• Since the beginning, Christianity has spread most rapidly through mere Christians embracing the Great Commission as they go about fulfilling the First Commission to fill, subdue, and rule this world for God’s glory.
• Our co-workers won’t know we are Christians if we work only with excellence. They will know we are Christians if we work with excellence and love.
November 26, 2023
In “The Sacredness of Secular Work,” Jordan Raynor, challenges a common misconception within the church: the idea that certain callings are inherently more ‘sacred’ than others. This book is an eye-opener, a myth-buster, and a call to action.
For too long, many of us within the church community have held onto the notion that the real heroes are those serving overseas, implying that other vocations are less significant in the grand scheme of eternity. Raynor’s insightful narrative dismantles this hierarchy of callings, asserting that every form of work carries its own sacredness and eternal value.
What makes this book particularly compelling to me is how it feels like the culmination of a fifteen-year personal journey. As someone who has been living cross-culturally for a long time, I resonated deeply with those of us trying to communicate this very message to local congregations. Raynor’s use of biblical evidence is not just convincing but strikingly memorable. He revisits the first commission to humanity – to be productive – and illustrates its ongoing relevance, standing in contrast to the Great Commission without undermining its importance.
This book arrives as a crucial voice at a pivotal time, reminding us of the inherent value in all our work. It’s a heartfelt thank you to Jordan Raynor for not just writing another book, but for igniting a much-needed conversation about the true nature of our work’s sacredness.
For too long, many of us within the church community have held onto the notion that the real heroes are those serving overseas, implying that other vocations are less significant in the grand scheme of eternity. Raynor’s insightful narrative dismantles this hierarchy of callings, asserting that every form of work carries its own sacredness and eternal value.
What makes this book particularly compelling to me is how it feels like the culmination of a fifteen-year personal journey. As someone who has been living cross-culturally for a long time, I resonated deeply with those of us trying to communicate this very message to local congregations. Raynor’s use of biblical evidence is not just convincing but strikingly memorable. He revisits the first commission to humanity – to be productive – and illustrates its ongoing relevance, standing in contrast to the Great Commission without undermining its importance.
This book arrives as a crucial voice at a pivotal time, reminding us of the inherent value in all our work. It’s a heartfelt thank you to Jordan Raynor for not just writing another book, but for igniting a much-needed conversation about the true nature of our work’s sacredness.
October 3, 2024
Does work have value only when used to share the gospel with co-workers? Or does work have intrinsic value? Raynor persuasively argues that work, when done with excellence and for God's glory, is sacred. The Bible knows nothing of a secular/sacred divide for the believer, especially when it comes to work. He also shows that Christians are called to fulfill two commissions: the First Commission, which is the call given by God in Genesis to be fruitful and multiply, to bring creation to its full potential and the much more well known Great Commission. We often severely neglect the first and this leads to a deficient theology of work.
In part 1, Raynor highlights how many have bought into an abridged gospel that is solely about Jesus dying for sins so that we can go to heaven when we die. The unabridged gospel, on the other hand, is all about the kingdom, where God's loving, redemptive reign comes to earth in the person and work of Jesus. To be in Christ is to carry on Jesus's work of redeeming the physical creation through our work.
As a follow up to the abridged gospel, Raynor also corrects a common misunderstanding of the believer's final destination. The goal of salvation is not to escape this world, but to participate with God in redeeming and recreating the world as a foretaste of the New Heaven and New Earth.
Flowing from the unabridged gospel and a biblical view of the world, Raynor prescribes three ways in which believers can work faithfully: (1) weeding out those activities that are antithetical to the kingdom, (2) planting and harvesting for the kingdom, and (3) serving as faithful ambassadors of God and his character.
This is a game-changing book that should be read by ministry leaders and mere Christians everywhere. Ministry is for every follower of Jesus and work done with excellence, love, and godliness is sacred no matter the industry.
In part 1, Raynor highlights how many have bought into an abridged gospel that is solely about Jesus dying for sins so that we can go to heaven when we die. The unabridged gospel, on the other hand, is all about the kingdom, where God's loving, redemptive reign comes to earth in the person and work of Jesus. To be in Christ is to carry on Jesus's work of redeeming the physical creation through our work.
As a follow up to the abridged gospel, Raynor also corrects a common misunderstanding of the believer's final destination. The goal of salvation is not to escape this world, but to participate with God in redeeming and recreating the world as a foretaste of the New Heaven and New Earth.
Flowing from the unabridged gospel and a biblical view of the world, Raynor prescribes three ways in which believers can work faithfully: (1) weeding out those activities that are antithetical to the kingdom, (2) planting and harvesting for the kingdom, and (3) serving as faithful ambassadors of God and his character.
This is a game-changing book that should be read by ministry leaders and mere Christians everywhere. Ministry is for every follower of Jesus and work done with excellence, love, and godliness is sacred no matter the industry.
November 22, 2023
Jordan Raynor doesn’t disappoint. Jordan does a really good job of pushing back against the standard Christian narratives of our modern day society. But not in a “let’s throw all the conservative principals down the drain” sort of way. But rather a peeling back of layers that aren’t being peeled back in today’s Christian circles. I really appreciated the “push back” to ways of thinking I’ve been fed for decades. Push back can have a negative connotation but really this book felt like it was illuminating some thoughts, verses, ideas that have maybe not been completely fleshed out in our modern American Christianity. As a very “conservative Christian” I really loved the nudges in this book.
Well done, Jordan 👏
Well done, Jordan 👏
October 24, 2024
A great read! I was challenged and encouraged as I listened to the truths of God’s view of work, his care and enjoyment of the worker, and the new understanding that God will remember our work (even secular work!) into Heaven and will celebrate with us all that was done to His glory!
January 16, 2026
Sooo important!!! The reader gains perspective of how their work matters for eternity even if their job itself has nothing to do with the church, how the fall has tainted work on this side of Heaven but how work was always included in God’s plan, and how we can help “pull back the veil” of Heaven through our every day actions.
January 30, 2025
Loved this one! Highly recommend to believers who work outside of ministry. I will be thinking about this one for a while!
December 1, 2024
This book was very helpful for me this summer as I was thinking through how a Christian should interact in a secular work environment. Raynor explains that many Christians teach and believe the primary "use" of working in a secular is to talk about and share the gospel, and that is often our measure for if we are glorifying God in our work. However, what about the other 98% of our lives when we are doing the tasks of our job, washing the dishes, or driving to work- are we glorifying God if we are not doing something strictly "spiritual?"
The premise of the book is that Christians are called to glorify and honor God in every moment of our lives, even in secular work environments, not only when we are sharing the gospel.
The last section of the book then explains practical ways Christians should be distinct in their lives and still emphasizes our call to share the gospel with unbelievers.
I did not love his writing style, though it is an easy read. There are several theologians/pastors he quotes that I don't consider super solid, but it is overall a thought-provoking and Biblically-sound book.
The premise of the book is that Christians are called to glorify and honor God in every moment of our lives, even in secular work environments, not only when we are sharing the gospel.
The last section of the book then explains practical ways Christians should be distinct in their lives and still emphasizes our call to share the gospel with unbelievers.
I did not love his writing style, though it is an easy read. There are several theologians/pastors he quotes that I don't consider super solid, but it is overall a thought-provoking and Biblically-sound book.
June 8, 2025
Great book!
January 15, 2024
I began reading Jordan Raynor’s latest book The Sacredness of Secular Work with great anticipation, having devoured 3 of his earlier works. I wasn’t disappointed. The book is an important read for believers who may question the value that their secular careers have for the kingdom of God. As I’ll discuss below, I think it’s an important read as well for those working in the pastorate or the mission field.
The phrase that came to mind after I finished reading this book was “pragmatic theology.” Instead of trying to “squeeze” my spiritual thinking into my everyday work, but never completely reconciling the two, Jordan makes it easy to connect the dots. He does this by not only focusing on the message of the Christian gospel, but by painting a bigger picture of our work here on earth and how it fits in God’s beautiful creation story. (By the way, this makes the book not only a good read for the Christian reader but for the Jewish reader as well.) The “instrumental value” of our work (leveraging our work to share the gospel with others) is contrasted with the “intrinsic value” of our work (loving our neighbor and thereby living out the gospel message). Because we have been saved not only BY our good works, but FOR good works, our work is intrinsically valuable in the redemption story of God’s creation. The accompanying downloadable workbook helps you to paint your picture, by serving as a catalyst to have you pause and consider your own “why” behind your everyday work in the greater picture of creation. (And Jordan, the grand master of the “commitment tracking system” so wonderfully explained in Redeeming Your Time, again shows off his list-making prowess in The Sacredness of Secular Work!)
As someone who is also suffering from burnout in my own profession, this book was the refreshing drink I desperately needed. My work as a surgeon was becoming unfulfilling, and part of me began to doubt that my work would have any value in the Eternal Heaven, where there would be no pain or suffering and therefore no need for a doctor! What would I be doing in the Eternal Heaven if our resurrected bodies will never need healing? But that’s not the point… I’ve come to realize that what is important is that the work I do now in the “thin places” between heaven and earth matters to God because through it I “can scratch off the veil between heaven and earth, revealing glimpses of the kingdom of God in the present.” Jordan helps us to see how we can do that in our own lives by, among other things he details in the book, “weeding out what doesn’t belong in the kingdom, and planting what does belong there.” For me personally, this may include confronting and weeding out the economic abuses in the healthcare world to give others a glimpse of God’s Kingdom.
I also think that pastors and others working in full-time ministry could greatly benefit from reading this book. Although many of the ideas might not apply to full-time ministry per se, I do believe that it could be a valuable resource in helping pastors counsel others who are questioning their secular work or suffering from burnout as I was.
I found so many good nuggets in this book, and I’ll end this review with 2 of the many: “…any work you do for your fame, for your fortune, and according to your rules will perish. But any work you do for God’s glory, powered by God’s Spirit, and according to God’s rules will last forever.” And my favorite, “articulate where you see yourself professionally in five million years.”
Thank you NetGalley and WaterBrook publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The phrase that came to mind after I finished reading this book was “pragmatic theology.” Instead of trying to “squeeze” my spiritual thinking into my everyday work, but never completely reconciling the two, Jordan makes it easy to connect the dots. He does this by not only focusing on the message of the Christian gospel, but by painting a bigger picture of our work here on earth and how it fits in God’s beautiful creation story. (By the way, this makes the book not only a good read for the Christian reader but for the Jewish reader as well.) The “instrumental value” of our work (leveraging our work to share the gospel with others) is contrasted with the “intrinsic value” of our work (loving our neighbor and thereby living out the gospel message). Because we have been saved not only BY our good works, but FOR good works, our work is intrinsically valuable in the redemption story of God’s creation. The accompanying downloadable workbook helps you to paint your picture, by serving as a catalyst to have you pause and consider your own “why” behind your everyday work in the greater picture of creation. (And Jordan, the grand master of the “commitment tracking system” so wonderfully explained in Redeeming Your Time, again shows off his list-making prowess in The Sacredness of Secular Work!)
As someone who is also suffering from burnout in my own profession, this book was the refreshing drink I desperately needed. My work as a surgeon was becoming unfulfilling, and part of me began to doubt that my work would have any value in the Eternal Heaven, where there would be no pain or suffering and therefore no need for a doctor! What would I be doing in the Eternal Heaven if our resurrected bodies will never need healing? But that’s not the point… I’ve come to realize that what is important is that the work I do now in the “thin places” between heaven and earth matters to God because through it I “can scratch off the veil between heaven and earth, revealing glimpses of the kingdom of God in the present.” Jordan helps us to see how we can do that in our own lives by, among other things he details in the book, “weeding out what doesn’t belong in the kingdom, and planting what does belong there.” For me personally, this may include confronting and weeding out the economic abuses in the healthcare world to give others a glimpse of God’s Kingdom.
I also think that pastors and others working in full-time ministry could greatly benefit from reading this book. Although many of the ideas might not apply to full-time ministry per se, I do believe that it could be a valuable resource in helping pastors counsel others who are questioning their secular work or suffering from burnout as I was.
I found so many good nuggets in this book, and I’ll end this review with 2 of the many: “…any work you do for your fame, for your fortune, and according to your rules will perish. But any work you do for God’s glory, powered by God’s Spirit, and according to God’s rules will last forever.” And my favorite, “articulate where you see yourself professionally in five million years.”
Thank you NetGalley and WaterBrook publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
February 12, 2024
The main message of the book is bold and biblical, but not much heard. I hope this book changes that.
October 20, 2023
Raynor challenges his readers to look at their lives and the everyday and find God. This book is practical and will encourage everyone to see that their lives, and the work they do in them, is far from meaningless. Highly recommend!
May 20, 2024
There was some good truths scattered throughout the book but I found myself getting hung up on a few concepts that seemed to rely heavily on others perspectives and scripture that may not have been looked at in the correct context.
October 31, 2024
This book was fine, and even though I agreed with most of the theological points Raynor made I felt like they were misapplied a bit. Like most pop-theology books, it oversimplified the topic at hand (faith and work).
Ironically, the best chapter in the book was the one on evangelism.
Ironically, the best chapter in the book was the one on evangelism.
April 7, 2025
Jordan Raynor’s The Sacredness of Secular Work hits on something that’s long been stirring in me—and likely in many others who’ve straddled both “ministry” and “marketplace” spaces. He puts language to a frustration I’ve quietly carried for years: the idea that full-time church roles are somehow more spiritual or important than other forms of work. This book unpacks that myth gently but clearly, and reminds us that the calling to reflect Christ isn’t limited to a church payroll.
I’ve worked as both a youth pastor and a director of a social enterprise in Southeast Asia. I’ve preached and led small groups, and I’ve built chatbots and designed curriculum to support women entrepreneurs. And I can say without hesitation that the Kingdom work happening outside the walls of a church building is just as vital—sometimes even more embedded in daily gospel encounters—than what happens on Sunday mornings. This book affirmed what I’ve come to believe over time: that the distinction we’ve made between “sacred” and “secular” is often more cultural than biblical.
Raynor doesn’t take cheap shots at pastors or missionaries. I respect that. He honors their work while making space for a much-needed rebalancing. The issue isn’t individuals in ministry—it’s the culture within evangelicalism that has elevated certain callings above others. I’ve seen this play out firsthand. I remember a college chapel service where a call to full-time overseas missions was presented as the peak of spiritual commitment. It was well-intentioned, but it unintentionally sent the message that the rest of us might be settling for “less than.” That kind of language shapes a hierarchy that isn’t just inaccurate—it’s damaging.
What I love most is how Raynor manages to affirm the sacredness of all work without downplaying the call to gospel proclamation. Some push back so hard against bad evangelism models that they remove proclamation entirely from the equation. But Raynor strikes a better balance—reminding us that all believers, regardless of profession, are called to reflect and proclaim Christ in ways that fit their context.
For me, this book isn’t just a good read—it’s something I want to share broadly. I see two key audiences who need this: pastors who need a fresh vision for equipping their congregations to live missionally in everyday work, and professionals who’ve quietly wondered if their jobs could ever truly “count” for the Kingdom. This book says clearly: yes, they do. Deeply.
We’ve got a long way to go in the Church when it comes to valuing the priesthood of all believers. But this book moves us closer. Raynor gives voice to a theology of work that encourages and liberates, and it’s something I hope more churches and leaders start to preach from the pulpit.
As someone who has lived both realities, I can say this book doesn’t just inform—it affirms. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
I’ve worked as both a youth pastor and a director of a social enterprise in Southeast Asia. I’ve preached and led small groups, and I’ve built chatbots and designed curriculum to support women entrepreneurs. And I can say without hesitation that the Kingdom work happening outside the walls of a church building is just as vital—sometimes even more embedded in daily gospel encounters—than what happens on Sunday mornings. This book affirmed what I’ve come to believe over time: that the distinction we’ve made between “sacred” and “secular” is often more cultural than biblical.
Raynor doesn’t take cheap shots at pastors or missionaries. I respect that. He honors their work while making space for a much-needed rebalancing. The issue isn’t individuals in ministry—it’s the culture within evangelicalism that has elevated certain callings above others. I’ve seen this play out firsthand. I remember a college chapel service where a call to full-time overseas missions was presented as the peak of spiritual commitment. It was well-intentioned, but it unintentionally sent the message that the rest of us might be settling for “less than.” That kind of language shapes a hierarchy that isn’t just inaccurate—it’s damaging.
What I love most is how Raynor manages to affirm the sacredness of all work without downplaying the call to gospel proclamation. Some push back so hard against bad evangelism models that they remove proclamation entirely from the equation. But Raynor strikes a better balance—reminding us that all believers, regardless of profession, are called to reflect and proclaim Christ in ways that fit their context.
For me, this book isn’t just a good read—it’s something I want to share broadly. I see two key audiences who need this: pastors who need a fresh vision for equipping their congregations to live missionally in everyday work, and professionals who’ve quietly wondered if their jobs could ever truly “count” for the Kingdom. This book says clearly: yes, they do. Deeply.
We’ve got a long way to go in the Church when it comes to valuing the priesthood of all believers. But this book moves us closer. Raynor gives voice to a theology of work that encourages and liberates, and it’s something I hope more churches and leaders start to preach from the pulpit.
As someone who has lived both realities, I can say this book doesn’t just inform—it affirms. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
June 24, 2025
I dearly needed this message at this time in my life. As a software engineer in the private sector, living through an age of intense consumerism, algorithm-driven media, and artificial intelligence, I experience doubts about the spiritual significance of my work almost daily. Despite the meager talent and warm passion I have toward writing code—and the beauty I see in the software we have the privilege to architect—I often consider whether I would be better off abandoning this field entirely, going into more traditional church ministry or missionary work.
Put simply, I forgot that God creates. God paints and sings and crafts and arranges. The Bible describes God's creative capacity even before it explicitly acknowledges his love! As beings created in God's image, it's only natural that we have an ability and desire to joyfully work and create too. It is quite reasonable to assume that the eternal life Christ has invited us to through his death and resurrection will be filled, in large part, with working and creating together with him.
Reflecting God's light in the world is not accomplished merely inside the walls of a church building, or across the world. Nor is reflecting God's light only a matter of talking through the Romans Road. It's my everyday behaviors and interactions at work and at home. It's the diligence exhibited on an arduous project, the compassion shown to friends and enemies alike at the office, the joy that transcends holidays and paychecks.
I'm just parroting off the contents of the book—not truly reviewing it—but let me assure the reader that my gushing is a dim paraphrase of the encouragement in these pages. Raynor writes in a manner both approachable and convicting, filled with both heartwarming anecdotes and strong Biblical citations. He shines a much-needed spotlight on humanity's call to steward God's creation, without detracting from the importance of the Great Commission.
I truly have no critiques to provide—hence the five-star review. Any follower of Christ navigating the confusing, crazy, dark, and broken world of professional life in the 21st century would do well to read this book!
Put simply, I forgot that God creates. God paints and sings and crafts and arranges. The Bible describes God's creative capacity even before it explicitly acknowledges his love! As beings created in God's image, it's only natural that we have an ability and desire to joyfully work and create too. It is quite reasonable to assume that the eternal life Christ has invited us to through his death and resurrection will be filled, in large part, with working and creating together with him.
Reflecting God's light in the world is not accomplished merely inside the walls of a church building, or across the world. Nor is reflecting God's light only a matter of talking through the Romans Road. It's my everyday behaviors and interactions at work and at home. It's the diligence exhibited on an arduous project, the compassion shown to friends and enemies alike at the office, the joy that transcends holidays and paychecks.
I'm just parroting off the contents of the book—not truly reviewing it—but let me assure the reader that my gushing is a dim paraphrase of the encouragement in these pages. Raynor writes in a manner both approachable and convicting, filled with both heartwarming anecdotes and strong Biblical citations. He shines a much-needed spotlight on humanity's call to steward God's creation, without detracting from the importance of the Great Commission.
I truly have no critiques to provide—hence the five-star review. Any follower of Christ navigating the confusing, crazy, dark, and broken world of professional life in the 21st century would do well to read this book!
November 21, 2023
This is a wonderful roadmap for Christians who flounder in how to incorporate their faith into their "secular" profession. Jordan Raynor points us to the "First Commission" narrated by God in Genesis, instructing man to create and develop culture on earth. Work is re-focused to be a means of worship to the Creator by using His creation as an example of the talents and gifts given us to reflect. It is in the development of culture that we reflect His creative character ... and that He viewed work as good.
Jordan goes further in giving practical suggestions as to ways we can interject our faith into the work environment with love and care of those we work with, as well how we address the quality of work we do. You don't have to be a missionary in a hut in a foreign country to share the Gospel - you Live it in your work every day.
This book is a huge breath of fresh air and uplifting motivation of doing the best work with the tools given us - whatever that work may be.
Jordan goes further in giving practical suggestions as to ways we can interject our faith into the work environment with love and care of those we work with, as well how we address the quality of work we do. You don't have to be a missionary in a hut in a foreign country to share the Gospel - you Live it in your work every day.
This book is a huge breath of fresh air and uplifting motivation of doing the best work with the tools given us - whatever that work may be.
March 2, 2025
If you are a Christian you’ve probably felt like your work isn’t impactful or that if you aren’t a missionary then your ability to tell others about Christ is diminished.
Jordan Raynor completely dispels those thoughts.
He lays out how Christian’s should be in the secular workplace and why it has value.
This really helped me feel better about my work and my passion for being the best at what I do.
He does a wonderful job of breaking down why or work matters, what falsehoods about work have been taught us, and how to thrive for God’s kingdom every day.
I highly recommend for anyone not in ministry.
Jordan Raynor completely dispels those thoughts.
He lays out how Christian’s should be in the secular workplace and why it has value.
This really helped me feel better about my work and my passion for being the best at what I do.
He does a wonderful job of breaking down why or work matters, what falsehoods about work have been taught us, and how to thrive for God’s kingdom every day.
I highly recommend for anyone not in ministry.
October 20, 2023
If you have ever felt like your work isn’t as important as a pastor or missionary, then this book is for you. Jordan Raynor breaks down the misconceptions about the full gospel and eternity to then show how our work (any and all work) matters for eternity. This book will make you think and challenge your beliefs, in the best way possible.
September 1, 2025
This is one of the better Christian books I’ve read in 2025. If you struggle with finding your work meaningful, bump this to the top of your list. I rated it four stars instead of five because there are too many points to ever remember them all.
September 30, 2025
I just think Jordan Raynor is such a phenomenal author. This was a perspective I’d never really heard before, and has me thinking a lot about the intrinsic value of work and how it can glorify God. I’m definitely gonna have to go back and reread this with a highlighter and a Bible next to me.
July 10, 2024
Excellent book. Really great read for believers working in a “secular” role.
I will be recommending this book to a lot of people.
I will be recommending this book to a lot of people.
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