(Dis)Integration
Between 2017 and 2021 we undertook comprehensive research into the integration of faith and work for young Christian adults in Europe & Eurasia.
This research was made possible by the generous financial support of the Templeton Religion Trust.
Scroll down to download our research leaflet
Looking at entry surveys (both quantitative and qualitative), ongoing individual feedback from training, and exit surveys from Cross-Current participants from 27 different countries, we made the following conclusions.
Integrity is #1 - but it’s so fragile
Above all other virtues, young Christian professionals value integrity as an essential and defining quality to both their personal and working life.
The work culture and worldviews of their colleagues, on one hand, and their Christian faith, on the other, are significant influences in shaping the perspectives of these young adults. They live in a place of tension, with a genuine desire to live authentic and integrated lives. Yet certain aspects of their work culture militate against living out their Christian virtues in everyday life.
This creates a virtue gap between aspiration and lived reality, with integrity being both highly desired and also fragile.
Work is both a career and a calling
At the intersection of professional excellence, cultural relevance and their faith, Christian graduates inhabit a liminal space of risk and opportunity.
Besides their intelligence, talents, excellent education and strong work ethic — which by themselves are enough to turn them into influential individuals, they also have a higher sense of calling, reinforced by faith and spirituality.
By the nature of their faith and work, young Christian professionals are uniquely placed at the intersection of Christian communities and professional communities. They require dedicated support to bridge the gap and bring an insightful and competent Christian contribution to society.
Discipleship in a distracted world
Our research identified three multi-faceted discipleship dimensions sought by young Christian adults to grow as ambassadors for Christ in their workplaces.
Relevance: Young professionals need contextualised biblical teaching and profession-targeted training, committed to sector-specific issues.
Continuity: Character formation and the transformation of virtues into lifestyle takes time. It is critical for young adults to be encouraged through long-term integration between participants’ personal faith and public lives when starting out in their careers.
Accountability: Another factor to successfully change virtues into a lifestyle— the opportunity for participants to share with, and learn from each other and from more experienced fellow Christians—is crucial for long-term transformation so that they know they are not alone.
We have identified that young Christian professionals frequently experience a disconnect between their faith identity and their work identity. For some, this disintegration can be an impediment to a continued life with Jesus. For others, this dualism limits their personal flourishing, inhibits their opportunity to bring a Christian influence into their workplace, and diminishes their potential for societal impact.
In response to these challenges, young Christian professionals need whole-life discipleship focused on growing skills, inspiring intellect and nurturing Christlike character so they can live integrated lives of faithfulness and fruitfulness.
