Millennials Need Guidance on Living Their Faith at Work

Fewer than half of younger Christians say their church is equipping them in this area

Millennials are now the largest generation in the U.S. labor force. Yet fewer than half (46 percent) of working Christian millennials feel their church gives them a vision for living out their faith on the job, a new report from Barna Group reveals.

The question was part of a recent survey of self-identified Christians who are employed and who say faith is very important in their lives. By comparison, 57 percent of Generation X respondents and 53 percent of baby boomers said their church equips them to apply their faith in the workplace.

The share of millennials in the workforce surpassed that of Gen X in 2016, making millennials the largest working generation, according to Pew Research Center. More than one-third (35 percent) of U.S. workers are millennials, while Gen X and baby boomers account for 33 percent and 25 percent, respectively. (Barna defines millennials as the generation born from 1984 to 2001, while Pew defines them as those born 1981–96.)

Among respondents of all ages, majorities agreed that, as Christians, they have a responsibility to do the following at work:

Just 24 percent of Christian workers feel a responsibility to share their faith on the job.
  • Act ethically (82 percent)
  • Speak the truth (74 percent)
  • Demonstrate morality (72 percent)
  • Make friends with non-Christians (66 percent)
  • Practice humility (63 percent)
  • Withstand temptation (59 percent)
  • Do excellent work to glorify God (58 percent)
  • Serve others (53 percent)
  • Speak out against unfairness or injustice (53 percent)

Fewer than half of respondents feel a responsibility to help bring grace and peace to others (48 percent); help mold the workplace culture (35 percent); or share the gospel while at work (24 percent).

Millennials are more inclined than other generations to believe Christians should seek to mold their work culture (40 percent, compared to 35 percent of Gen X and 33 percent of boomers) and serve others at work (58 percent, compared to 51 percent of both Gen X and boomers).

However, compared to Christian baby boomers, millennials are less likely to say they have a responsibility at work to speak the truth (68 percent of millennials vs. 78 percent of boomers); demonstrate morality (72 vs. 76 percent); act ethically (77 vs. 85 percent); or withstand temptation (54 vs. 66 percent).

This survey highlights the need for church leaders to teach today’s young adults how Sunday morning principles apply to their Monday-through-Saturday realities.

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