Employees Active in Their Churches Enjoy Their Jobs More, Marc Beardslee Says
There is a surprising link between church attendance and job satisfaction, pharmaceutical sales professional Marc Beardslee believes.
Marc Beardslee’s beliefs are confirmed by two sociologists at Baylor University. “The beliefs members of a local church hold about the willingness and work habits affect a churchgoer’s satisfaction on the job — but how much depends largely whether that person a regular attendee, not just an occasional participant in services.”
What makes the difference, Marc Beardslee says, is whether faith finds its expression in work. Simply showing up and occupying a pew doesn’t have any effect on how you feel about your job in the secular world.
The value to an employer for employees to go to church doesn’t depend on the theological expressions the church holds sacred. Going to church makes a difference on the job when the church reinforces efficient, orderly, meaningful work done well with a cheerful disposition.
The Baylor researchers found that individuals participating in such a church also report stronger job commitment and higher readiness to take on entrepreneurial roles in their companies.
So, what do these churches do that help their members enjoy their work? Marc Beardslee says:
- Churches don’t prepare workers for a “higher calling,” although that can be on a church’s spiritual agenda. Churches that help their members find happiness in their work prepare them for work in the here and now.Church members who are busy with social service tend also to be productive and happy on the job.
- Churches that create members who are happy with their jobs may be hierarchical, but they give each member a sense of worth and a sense of place through their work. Church members who feel good about what they do with their church feel good about their day-to-day, secular jobs.
- Churches that help their members find happiness on their jobs regularly name workers in their collective prayers. These churches don’t just pray for church leaders, political leaders, and people in need. They pray that doctors, lawyers, teachers, bricklayers, and pharmaceutical salespeople will be guided in the work for the glory of their God.
- Churches that help their members find happiness in their jobs invite testimonies about faith at work. They let their members share about how their faith informs their working life, and how their faith makes a difference in how they relate to bosses, coworkers, and job responsibilities.
- Churches that help workers feel good about the commission of their jobs people to secular work. They have the entire congregation join in prayer for people in a particular profession.
- Churches that help workers feel good about their jobs remind members that Scripture commands “whatever your hands find to do, do with all your might.” These workers are encouraged to approach their jobs with gusto and energy.
Marc Beardslee knows how faithful work in his church informs dedicated work on the job. Marc Beardslee strives to be an example of faith at work in the secular world.