Time listed is subject to change.

Across its great diversity, the Christian Church relies on vast numbers of “church workers” – in pastoral, service and support positions – in its mission of proclaiming and living the Gospel. The volatile cultural, economic, and political contexts surrounding this work today lay bare serious social and ethical challenges to familiar ways of organizing this “Church Work.” Our panel opens with a short presentation on the struggle against institutional exploitation of such workers – especially women – in the Roman Catholic Church. Responding panelists will consider how such exploitation and numerous other factors drive alternative forms of service out of the traditional confines of ministry. Religious and secular laity, even some clerics, carry the Gospel to their work in prisons, community organizations, advocacy groups, etc., without averting to "church," engaging new ethical challenges along the way. Presentation by Phyllis Zagano (Hofstra University), responses from Cesar (CJ) Baldelomar (Boston College), Milton Javier Bravo (Fordham University), and Jennifer Owens-Jofré (Seminary of the Southwest).