God at Work: The History and Promise of the Faith at Work Movement

by David W. Miller

What was once taboo - faith at work - is increasingly accepted in corporate America. From secretaries to CEOs, growing numbers of businesspeople today want to bring their faith to work. Yet they wrestle with how to do this effectively and appropriately in a pluralistic corporate setting. For help they turn not to their clergy, but to their peers and to a burgeoning cottage industry on spirituality at work. They attend conferences and seminars, participate in Bible study and prayer groups, and read books, blogs, and eNewsletters. They see their faith as a resource for ethical guidance and to help find meaning and purpose in their work.

In God at Work , David W. Miller looks at how this Faith at Work movement developed and considers its potential value for business and society. Done well, the integration of faith and work has positive implications at the personal level, as well as for corporate ethics and the broader economic sphere. At the same time, increasing expressions of religion and spiritual practices at work also present the threat of divisiveness and discrimination.

Drawing on the insights of theological ethics as well as the sociology of religion, Miller analyzes the history of the modern day Faith at Work movement from its roots in the late 19th century to its modern formulation and trajectory. He examines the diversity of its members and modes of expression, and constructs a new framework for understanding, interpreting, and critiquing the movement and its future. Miller concludes that workers and professionals have a deep and lasting desire to live a holistic life, to integrate the claims of their faith with the demands of their work. He documents the surprising abdication of this field by church and theological academy and its embrace, ironically, by the management academy.

Offering compelling new evidence of the depth and breadth of spirituality at work, Miller concludes that faith at work is a bona fide social movement and here to stay. He establishes the importance of this movement, identifies the possibilities and problems, and points toward future research questions. God at Work is essential reading for business scholars and leaders, theologians and clergy, and anyone interested in the integration of faith and work.

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jeff G · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book, Miller traces the history of the Faith at Work movement, discussing three waves. It is helpful to see how the integration of faith & work has been in consideration over many decades.

He build a useful 4-fold model (what he calls an 'Integration Box') in describing how different individuals and organizations work in this are: ET - Ethics, EX - Experience, EV - Evangelism, EN: Enrichment.

While not an easy read, it is well researched and organized.

[Darin Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miller's book "God at Work" provides an excellent examination of the history and dynamics of attempts to formally incorporate spirituality into daily secular work. It is very academic in tone and purely descriptive rather than prescriptive with the exception of the final chapter. Miller concludes the book by falling into the same trap he laments throughout earlier chapters. One of the shortcomings of any "Faith at Work" movement, he says, is that all responsibility is delegated to clergy, both lay and ordained, with no obligation placed on the corporate world. In the final chapter, Miller lays out recommendations for advancing the integration of spirituality and work,directing every recommendation exclusively at the church and the academy, with a particular emphasis on seminaries. The books biggest shortcoming is its nearly exclusive attention to Christianity in this context. Despite protestations in the introduction that while the book will focus on Christian efforts, it will also address a broad array of non-christian denominations. Other than a cursory and somewhat derogatory mention of the non-Christian organization "Spirituality in Business" and a two sentence musing on resistance to Islam, the book is entirely centered on the Christian faith with an emphasis on evangelical churches. Miller's book would be much more relevant and useful if he had used a broader palette.

[Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very comprehensive review of the ways Protestants have tried to understand and promote an understanding of lay ministry, particularly since the beginning of the 20th century. Not an area that will interest many, but this is a very useful book for those few who are interested. A couple of howlers have crept in, though, most conspicuously the premature demise of the Vesper Society, (p. 53) which Miller apparently believes to be defunct, but is still going strong.

[Bob Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough, scholarly researched book on the Faith at Work movement: analyzing its history, strengths, and challenges. The best introduction to the topic of Faith and Work.