Master of Arts in Higher Education (MAHE) Theses

Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

First Advisor

Drew Moser

Second Advisor

Tim Hermmann

Third Advisor

Todd Ream

Abstract

The integration of faith and work refers to the manner in which individuals reconcile meaning sets and worldviews with their work. In the two most recent decades, discussion on the involvement of religion, faith, and spirituality in the workplace has increased in popularity in the United States (Hammond, Stevens, & Svanoe, 2002; Hillman, 2005; Kidwell, 2014). While recent studies describe the characteristics of an individual’s integration of faith and work and influences on the same, research measuring the extent or trends of integration is lacking. Further, studies predominately focus on the impact of congregation, religious attendance, or workplaces on faith-work integration. A gap exists in the literature on the relationship between higher education and faith-work integration.

The present study describes the experiences of young alumni from a Christian university integrating faith and work as well as their perceptions of how Christian higher education affects this integration. Using a convergent parallel mixed method approach, the researcher explored the manifestations and experience of faith-work integration in young alumni through a survey and telephone interviews. The major finding reinforced the distinctive mark of Christian higher education, the inseparability of faith and life, and its impact on faith integration in the workplace. Christian educators are encouraged to consider three implications for practice: continuing the emphasis of faith integration, increasing discussion on vocation and faith-work integration, and modeling faith integration.

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