I hate to break it to you, but your employee’s core values are probably not what you think. Furthermore, their values are probably very different from yours as a Christian leader in America.
The Cultural Research Center of Arizona Christian University released the “America’s Values Study” that examined the worldviews of Americans. The study was a comprehensive research project that examined various aspects of American values, beliefs, and attitudes.
In summarizing the data, people’s stated core values across various topics were segmented into three worldviews: Integrated Disciples, Emergent Followers, and World Citizens. Integrated Disciples were defined as having a biblical worldview. Emergent Followers lean toward a biblical worldview but do not have a fully formed one. And finally, World Citizens lack all or most of the elements that typically define a biblical worldview.
Here’s a summary of each of the three worldviews:
Integrated Disciples (6%):
- Religious Commitment: Integrated Disciples are characterized by a strong and traditional religious commitment. They prioritize their faith as a guiding principle in their lives.
- Moral and Social Values: They tend to hold conservative moral and social values, often aligning with traditional Christian teachings on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.
- Political Engagement: Integrated Disciples are more likely to be politically engaged and identify with conservative or Republican political ideologies.
- Views on Climate Change: They may be skeptical of government intervention in environmental issues and climate change policies.
Emergent Followers (19%):
- Religious Flexibility: Emergent Followers have a more flexible approach to religion. They may still identify with a religious tradition but are open to exploring alternative spiritual paths.
- Moral and Social Values: Their moral and social values tend to be more progressive and inclusive, often diverging from traditional Christian teachings on issues like LGBTQ+ rights.
- Political Engagement: Emergent Followers are less likely to align with a specific political party and may be more politically independent or moderate.
- Views on Climate Change: They are more supportive of government action to address climate change and environmental issues.
World Citizens (75%):
- Secular and Global Outlook: World Citizens have a secular worldview that prioritizes global concerns over religious or national identity.
- Moral and Social Values: They hold liberal and progressive moral and social values, often supporting causes such as gender equality and environmental sustainability.
- Political Engagement: World Citizens are more likely to lean towards liberal or Democratic political ideologies but may also identify as political independents.
- Views on Climate Change: They strongly endorse government intervention to combat climate change and advocate for international cooperation on environmental issues.
The Surprising Breakdown
What surprised and concerned me was the breakdown of the percentage of people who fit into each worldview group:
- Integrated Disciples, those with a fully formed biblical worldview, represent 6% of the population. These are the most biblically sound, with conservative moral and social values.
- Emergent Followers with a partially formed biblical worldview represent 19% of the population. They are open to following various religious paths and are more progressive in their moral and social views.
- Finally, World Citizens represent a whopping 75% of our population! Three out of four people ascribe to secular views, with progressive or liberal social and moral values.
So, suppose you are leading a secular business. In that case, you can assume that even though 81% of Americans say they believe in God, three-fourths of your employees are really World Citizens who entirely eschew a biblical worldview. Another 19%, or nearly one out of five, have progressive social and moral values that contradict a biblical worldview. Sadly, only six out of 100 employees have a biblical worldview that aligns with yours.
I suspect that even if you are leading a parachurch or church, these worldview breakdowns will hold true.
What’s A Leader to Do?
“What’s a leader to do? How can we be effective leaders and witnesses of our faith when 94% of the population does not align with our biblical worldview? In a word, it’s our witness.
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls His followers to be ‘the salt of the earth’ and ‘the light of the world.’ This charge is not just for our personal lives but extends into our leadership. As Christian leaders, we have the unique opportunity to influence our workplace through our character, actions, and decisions. We are called to add value (like salt) and illuminate truth and goodness (like light) in our work environments.
Here are eight ways we can positively influence our workplaces based on our core values as Integrated Disciples:
- Be Salt – Enhance and Preserve: As salt enhances flavor and preserves food, seek to enhance your organization’s culture and preserve its moral integrity. This might mean promoting ethical business practices, fostering a culture of respect and integrity, and caring for the well-being of your employees.
- Be Light – Illuminate and Guide: Like light dispels darkness, aim to bring clarity, truth, and positive direction in your leadership. This could involve being transparent in your communications, making decisions that reflect your Christian values, and guiding your team with wisdom and discernment.
- Lead by Example: Remember, the most powerful witness is often our example. Strive to reflect Christ in your actions and decisions. This means practicing patience, showing kindness, acting justly, and offering forgiveness.
- Cultivate an Inclusive Environment: While maintaining your faith principles, create a workplace where all feel valued and included. This includes respecting diverse perspectives and beliefs and trying to find common ground.
- Engage in Constructive Conversations: Encourage open dialogues about values, ethics, and worldviews. This is not about imposing beliefs but about sharing perspectives in a respectful and understanding manner.
- Serve Others: Look for opportunities to serve your employees and community. This could be through community service initiatives, employee assistance programs, or simply being available and attentive to your team’s needs.
- Pray for Wisdom: As a leader, you need wisdom to navigate complex situations and make decisions that align with your faith. Regularly seek God’s guidance and wisdom in your leadership journey.
- Invest in Personal Growth: Continue to grow in your faith and understanding. This personal growth will spill over into your leadership, enriching your ability to lead effectively and compassionately.
In essence, being ‘salt and light’ as a Christian leader means positively influencing your workplace through your faith-filled leadership. It’s about making a difference, not by forcing beliefs but by exemplifying Christ’s love, grace, and truth in every aspect of your leadership. Let us embrace this challenge, remembering that our ultimate goal is not just organizational success but being faithful stewards of the influence God has granted us.
Discussion Questions about Core Values
These questions can serve as a valuable framework for guiding a thoughtful and engaging discussion about the article and how its insights and perspectives apply to our lives today.
- Understanding Worldviews: Given the statistics presented in the “America’s Values Study,” how do you think the prevalence of different worldviews (Integrated Disciples, Emergent Followers, World Citizens) impacts the dynamics within a workplace? Discuss the potential challenges and opportunities these diverse worldviews present for a Christian leader.
- Role of Leadership in a Diverse Environment: As a leader, how can you navigate the challenges of leading a team with diverse values, especially when they significantly differ from a biblical worldview? Consider the balance between maintaining personal convictions and respecting other people’s beliefs.
- Being ‘Salt and Light’: Reflect on the metaphor of being ‘salt and light’ in the workplace as described in Matthew 5:13-16. How can this be practically applied in everyday leadership scenarios? Discuss specific examples or strategies that embody this principle.
- Inclusivity and Witness: How can Christian leaders create an inclusive environment that respects diverse perspectives while also being a witness to their faith? Discuss the line between inclusivity and compromising on core values and how a leader might navigate this.
- Personal Growth and Professional Leadership: The article emphasizes the importance of personal growth in faith and understanding for Christian leaders. How do you think personal spiritual development impacts professional leadership? Discuss the relationship between the two and how they influence each other.
More Articles
I have written several articles on values. You can find them by typing “Values” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are several of my favorites.
- #569: Scalable Culture: Fueling Innovation and Paving the Way for Growth
- #563: Four Ways Christian Leaders Can Impact Culture for Good
- #558: Building Trust in Leadership: A Christian Lens on Competency, Consistency, and Character
- #549: Why Focusing on Becoming, Not Achieving, is the Key to Christian Leadership
- #496: Do You Agonize Over the Need to Defend Your Workplace Culture?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. What’s your reaction to the split of the three worldviews? How does that impact your leadership?
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Category: Personal Development | Values
