These stories echo some of the classic themes of church life. Some are about the meaning of belonging in the community of the workplace. Church people talk about the leaders who make the rules, the brass who enforce them and the employees who get away with murder. When the bosses, like pastors, make fair rules and live by them, employees treat each other and themselves better. People also talk about acceptance in their workplaces.
Some congregants cluster together because of similarities in their work.
Teachers gather in one corner, civil servants in another. I have participated in powerful worship services that were organized by workers seeking to share before God the trials and celebrations of their work. Participants' stories of work-related experiences were grounded in faith. Laurent A. Parks Daloz, Cheryl M. Keen, James P. Keen and Sharon Daloz Parks study a cross section of people from many walks of life who have through their work made a unique and lasting impact on their communities. Far from the individualistic, competitive spirit that characterizes our time, these quiet leaders live out communal values like commitment, confession, compassion and courage.