For many, work is the single largest time commitment in life. And for many, faith and church community are the most meaningful commitments in life. Understanding how people integrate these two facets of life is the core purpose of this research. Researchers from Rice University and Wheaton College are conducting a groundbreaking and comprehensive study with a broad-based general U.S. population survey on faith and work, as well as focus groups with representation from both professional and working-class participants, as well as between 180 and 200 in-depth, follow-up interviews. The study will provide the first broad baseline that could inform the public about the opportunities for and challenges associated with how individuals understand their faith to inform their work, and what congregations and their leaders might do to support the appropriation of faith to daily work among the laity. The project is led by Elaine Howard Ecklund (PI) and Denise Daniels (co-PI).
Faith at Work: An Empirical Study

Laura Achenbaum
Associate Director of Research

Katelyn Beaty
Acquisitions Editor, Baker Publishing Group

Denise Daniels
Hudson T. Harrison Professor of Entrepreneurship, Wheaton College

Elaine Howard Ecklund
Professor of Sociology, Rice University

Jauhara Ferguson
PhD Student in Sociology, Rice University

Hayley Hemstreet
Program Manager

Bradley Johnson
PhD Student in Religion, Rice University

Brenton Kalinowski
PhD Student in Sociology, Rice University

Simranjit Khalsa
Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Memphis

Richard J. Mouw
President Emeritus and Professor of Faith and Public Life, Fuller Theological Seminary

Jerry Park
Associate Professor of Sociology, Baylor University

The Impact of Gender and Organizational Position on Faith-Work Integration
Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion