Burnout, The Millennial Generation and Christian Scripture on Work 

Abstract: Composed for professor Greening's THEO 101, spring 2020 semester, class the researched work entitled "Survey of the Millennial Generation, Rates of Burnout and Christian Theology" works to define the millennial generation, identify its attitude towards work and translate christian scripture related to the practice and attitude of work. In its conclusion, the composed work moves to develop discussion solutions based on christian scripture to lessen the prevalence of chronic burnout among the millennial generation.

Maria Price 

Survey of the Millennial Generation, Rates of Burnout and Christian Theology

Our increasingly globalized and contemporary world provides more changes now, than ever before, for individuals to be consumed by preoccupations concerning productivity and efficiency. Making up significant proportions of the workforce in the year 2020. Colloquially referred to as "the burnout generation," millennials entered the workforce holding starkly different value measurements for what justifies satisfying or fulfilling work. This discrepancy, compounded with evolving productivity expectations, has led to a quiet revolution among young people to ascertain meaning, fulfillment and sustainment in their professional life. Theologians rely on the essential characteristic of imago dei to substantiate that "work" is an essential characteristic of being human within God's kingdom. Conversely, literature review of theological notions concerning work and it's practice emphasize the notion of recognizing the sabbath and pursuing work that is fulfilling to one's life. The gap between these notions is wide, we must work to fully live out our circumstance of being made in God's image yet also recognize and embrace notions of sustainment and thoughtful rest. For the millenial within the 21st century workplace, due to confounding and compounding variables, these notions often lead to extreme practices related to one's work and their mentality of it. We can work to lessen the trajectory of burnout rates by returning to the word of god and those, theologians, who consider such portions as: Genesis, Exodus,The Wisdom Literature, and The Acts of the Apostles, to provide evidence pertaining to how man is to live by his work. In review of theological understandings concerning work, we may find encouragement to undertake practices that lead toward better relationships between modern community members of God's kingdom and work.

Born between the year 1981 and 1996 millennials, now "the largest generation in the U.S." (Millennial Generation, CQ Researcher) have been known to shift the basis of many facets of our contemporary society on almost every metric. Further, it is noted that millennials now make up the largest age demographic within the U.S. workforce. For many years, the church has experienced lower rates of regular attendants across every denomination. With rates of American religious non affiliation rising to 20 percent, in a 2012 Pew Research Poll, we may begin to consider the influence this shift in religious affiliation may play in neighboring domains of our everyday lives. Millennials are increasingly more "individualistic" than prior generations which serves as evidence supporting poll findings that they both identify as independents more frequently and are more openly accepting of race and gender. It is worth noting, however, that there are many factors which confound the latter notion. Notions of increased acceptance of marginalized groups by the millennial generation can be attributed to the fact that, they are the most diverse generation with "42 pecent identifying as non-white" as well as the most educated (Millenial Genration, CQ Researcher). Acknowledging these we may understand the general notion of millenial "acceptance" as being determined by a different set of value based principles than prior generations such as The Baby Boomers. Colloquially, we understand it as "A state of emotional and physical exhaustion caused by a prolonged period of stress" and can be used in conversation to note one's dissatisfaction of frustration with work obligations or work life (Urban Dictionary, "Burnout"). Psychologists define burnout as a "syndrome" which emerges as a result of "prolonged interpersonal stressors on the job." Further, burnout rates among employees can be anticipated by organizations when considered on the dimensions of: workload, control, reward, community, fairness and values relative to a specific domain or organization's culture (Understanding Burnout, Maslack and Leiter). Organizational structure and culture is deeply significant to the occurrence of burnout within a given employee population. Recently developed in response to this fact is the notion of workplace spirituality. Sinhg and Chopra's research titled "Workplace spirituality, Grit and Work Engagement" contextualize these notions within multinational organizations further. It defines workplace spirituality as "an extrinsic factor which refers to a supportive work environment." What is significant about their research is the inference that "organizations should hire employees with high grit" and work to provide them with "meaningful work" as means to encourage engagement. Main and Lean's research "Work-Life Expectations of Christian Millenials' ' works to understand the difference in values between the millennial generation and boomers to account for a shift in workplace practice and expectation. Notions of organizational hiring structures developed throughout Sinhg and Chopra's research compliment understandings of the millennial demographic within the reviewed work outlined in the Depaul research on Christian Millennial research.

Burnout is defined differently depending on its context and who is working to define it. They describe those born between 1981 and 1996 as being "sheltered, confident, peace-keepers, team-oriented, pressured and achievement oriented."Considering these dimensions of chronic burnout against the characteristics of the millennial generation one can concede that the occurrence of burnout among this generation is increased as compared to other generations. Outcomes of burnout are articulated as being closely associated with "various negative reactions" these are: job withdrawal, job dissatisfaction, low organizational commitment, absenteeism, intention to leave job and turnover. These outcomes provide significant interest in developing understanding of circumstances which encourage burnout and dedication of thought and resource to provide solutions to this concerning trend.

Christian theology relies on the analysis: of scripture, through huermidics, practice and tradition, to more closely ascertain ontological and epistemological understanding. More contemporary, we undertake this activity to better know one is able to live out both a sustainable and fulfilling life. Theologian work concerning central aspects of the human connection to work assumes a holistic and holistic approach. The original premise of this relies on the notion that we are in the image of God, Imago dei. Referencing the bible's first chapter in Genesis we observe God's "work" taking place over six days where in the seas, earth, land, plants, animals and finally humans "made in His image" were created (Genesis, 1:27). On the seventh day, the sabbath, He rested. The relation humans have within God's dominion is made more complex when, against the direction of God and under the advice of the serpent, Eve consumes fruit of The Garden of Eden. Genesis continues by describing God's cursing of "the ground for thy sake; in sorrow thou shalt eat of it all the days of thy life" (Genesis 3:17). Theologian Douglas Wooley references Harrison's "Loving the Creation, Loving The Creator" comment on the events of genesis to provide perspective on man's relationship to work and the pursuit of subsistence and success "suddenly human survival comes to depend upon work and productivity" (Wooley, Sin Distorted Work in the Fall). The Wisdom Literature, books Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job, provide guidance and perspective on the circumstance of our work and how to live well within it. Theologians draw both explicit and implicit understandings from these in working to develop notions of the human association to work in our lives. Proverbs chapter 12 verse 24 states "the hand of the diligent shall bear rule." It can be conceded that one who is diligent in their work will incur greater control of the circumstance of their life. We see this notion being communicated often through American virtue and character, consider Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, and more contemporarily in the observation that millenials value the aspect of individualism more highly than prior generations. Recognizing the contradictory world we live in the book of Ecclesiastes ultimately works to develop the notion that we have control over few things in this life outside of our attitude toward the present moment, hence " ... rejoice in all of them(the pleasant things); yet let him remember the days of darkness" 11:8. A motif across each of The Books of Wisdom is a fear of God. That is, the perpetual understanding that all that is, is the result of God's will or work and garnders a certain level of acknowledgement or respect. This understanding informs theory concerning work life and balance because it allows for the removal of the burdensome thought many feel about the circumstance or outcome of one's life.

The Acts of the Apostles works to describe the work Jesus began following his birth and that which continued after his resurrection. From these we are able to discern the way we can work to live, by observing directly Jesus' interaction with others of his time and the efforts undertaken by his 12 disciples. The Parable of the Talents, Mathew Chapter 25 verses 14-30 describes the effect of intention as one lives their life. Fore it is not the ultimate accumulation of any single good that determines the extend to which one has lived a valuable life, but rather the intent one has in living a meaningful life. Noting that the Lord said "well done" to both the servants who returned to him with distinct amounts of money, one with a greater sum, and only admonished the servant who displayed no intention to be thoughtful with his God given resource, we can take that it is not the quantity of a life lived rather the attention to intention. We may also reference Ephesians chapter 4 verse 28 which reads "let him labour,working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may give to him that he needeth." This highlights a central principle of the millennial Vous Church's value of "generosity" as a "privilege" (Vous Church, Our Values). To expand on this, it is the privilege of those who work and receive financial favor to give generously to their communities. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, in chapter 10 verse 31 reads "weather therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever do ye to the glory of God." Again, we see a statement from the disciple Paul stressing a fear of God for the disciples of God in Corinth. This is significant to the discussion of burnout within the more contemporary context because a fear of God allows us to share in the responsibility of life with God, rather than taking all of the dynamics of life as a sole responsibility. Further it alludes to the human precept to find joy and meaning in what we do no matter the task or event.

From this research I'd like to outline potential remedies in response to the increasing prevalence of burnout among the millennial generation. As we recognize that work is necessary for us not only to subsist in our ever globalizing and evolving world individuals must dedicate effort now, perhaps more than ever, to understand and acknowledge the line of work they feel called to do. This may manifest in a given "talent", inclination or intrest. Through my research I am encouraged to continue finding ways to use my personal interest to influence my academic and professional pursuits. This allows for, as undertaken research has noted, one to find glory in much of what they do. Further, lessons from The Book of Wisdom have stressed that we are to hold a healthy fear of God. This allows for individuals to revel in the simplicities of life as well as share in the burdens of life outside of themselves. These are things I have found it essential for ever more contemporary generations to know as research has shown increasingly more contemporary generations embrace notions of individualism and personal evaluation. What is promising of the future is the growing curiosity and inquisition into fundamental theories of what best encourages the pursuit of both a meaningful and fulfilling life.