General Activities
Industrial Mission is undertaken by the Christian churches in order to understand, respond to and influence the world or work. At the heart of Industrial Mission is the connection Christians make between Christian faith, work and economic life. Our task it to discern the activity of God and to foster appropriate responses in these aspects of God’s creation. Industrial Mission is, therefore, part of God’s creative work. Industrial Mission is ecumenical in order not to add to those divisions which already exist in economic life.
The Aims of the Churches’ Industrial Group
- to establish and develop Industrial Mission in the Birmingham area through industrial chaplains and others
- to promote the understanding and interpretation of the Christian faith in economic life, in conjunction with industrial and commercial undertakings, trades unions and organisations dealing with the training or employment
- to be a resource to the church in relation to work and economic life, affirming work as part of God’s creative purpose for all people
These formal aims provide the focus of the work and are included in the Constitution.
Core Activities and Purpose
To learn about industry and commerce and how it affects people
- through chaplaincy
- through links with the Chamber of Commerce, Unions and others
To care for people at work
- through chaplaincy
- resourcing local churches
- networking with helping agencies
To act with others in promoting a more humane and just society by offering the insights of the Christian faith
- researching and acting on key economic issues
- encouraging good working practice and positive cultures
To share with the wider church the knowledge gained in order to stimulate a greater awareness of the impact of industry and commerce on society
- providing briefings and other material
- providing training and education on chaplaincy and ‘faith and work’