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National Faith at Work Summit in Kansas City April 28, 29

“We’re in a culture war that continues to undermine our Christian faith in the workplace,” states Mike Willich, Director of Network Engagement with Unconventional Business Network (UBN).

Willich is one of a growing chorus of voices that say the work environment is becoming increasingly hostile to people of faith. He and his organization are bringing a Faith at Work Summit to Overland Park to provide the tools and encouragement needed to reverse the trend.

Begun in 2001, Unconventional Business Network is a nonprofit organization with an aim to advance the faith-at-work movement among small business leaders in the United States and beyond.

They are on to something. Even while culture becomes hostile to people of faith, research shows that when faith is allowed to be expressed at work, good things happen.

A 2012 study found that when employees of all religions feel comfortable bringing their faith to work, “a number of positive outcomes for individuals and organizations exist.” The study determined that burnout is reduced, constructive conflict behaviors increase and happiness and productivity improve.”

“In one sense,” states a peer-reviewed paper on the subject,  “since religion is an important part of the whole self for many people, the extent to which individuals feel comfortable engaging their religious identity at work is an important empirical question

Encouraging that is part of what UBN does. “We believe the Bible is the ultimate business handbook, containing practical instruction for today’s business leaders,” it states as its mission. “From Biblical principles presented in Proverbs to stories like the builder Nehemiah, God’s Word reveals business wisdom that is distinctive and practical for today’s entrepreneurs and their leadership teams. When applied, Scripture’s guidance forms an unconventional business.”

UBN will host a Faith at Work Summit, on April 28 and 29 at the Overland Park Sheraton. Willich says “we are going to arm small business leaders with the stories, wisdom, and techniques to grow their business God’s way.”

Attendees will meet hundreds of Christian business leaders; Learn from more than 15 inspiring faith at work speakers and Engage in breakout sessions designed to give business leaders and others practical guidance for their workplaces.

To learn more visit unconventionalbusiness.org.

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice

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