Abstract
This paper combines organizational and theological frameworks to address the integration of Christian spirituality at work (SAW). It begins with a brief explanation of SAW, followed by a more narrow description of Christian SAW. The paper then provides a snapshot of several integrative models from the SAW literature, after which it offers a new theological model of Christian SAW, noting that Christians want to contribute to God’s new creation while worshipping Him through their work. Both this and the models from the SAW literature are considered to be ‘top-down’ approaches in that they provide guidance for managers on how to integrate employee spirituality. The next section then provides new ‘bottom-up’ qualitative research exploring the underlying conditions that working Christians believe are required for enhancing their spirituality at work. The paper concludes by bringing these two approaches together to produce a new theoretical contribution on how best to integrate Christian SAW, and to achieve the benefits of doing so for an organization.
Highlights
For Pope John Paul II (Paul 1981), work is part of who we are and what we do
For the purposes of this paper, the phrase ‘spirituality at work’ means individuals enacting their spiritual values at an individual level, and the outcome of that enactment in their work-related context, unless otherwise stated
As Christians, if we focus on the demands of our good work, this is a guarantee that divine ends will be met and met well
Summary
For Pope John Paul II (Paul 1981), work is part of who we are and what we do. It touches all aspects of our lives, and is the primary means by which we improve those lives on earth. For the purposes of this paper, the phrase ‘spirituality at work’ (or SAW) means individuals enacting their spiritual values at an individual level, and the outcome of that enactment in their work-related context (collective level), unless otherwise stated This same literature details the positive effects of embracing SAW. If we take the thin definition provided earlier as a basis, Christian SAW may involve finding purpose in our labors by directing them to God the Father, as the larger reality empowering our spirituality. Such a focus ensures there is no difference between the spiritual and the physical (i.e., labor) since both are an inseparable unity (Volf 2001). This openness, in turn, ensures we expand outwards by the Spirit to connect with others, as we gain a sense of attachment to and integration with all life (Moltmann 1997)
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