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Although money is an important factor in an employee's satisfaction—and in fact the finalists in this year's survey tended to pay more competitively than nonfinalists—the results indicate that mission matters more than money.

"In the eyes of the world, there are places to work where the pay and benefits would be far greater than at Medical Ambassadors International," says IT director Jim Muncy. "If your heart is to serve a living God, then you must believe that your job satisfaction will be to find where you can be most effective in advancing his kingdom. I cannot see anywhere that I could do that better than at MAI."

But De Pree's Wright cautions that an overemphasis on the mission can backfire and be a liability. "There is a tendency to put money into the mission. But leaders have two responsibilities: their mission and their people. If you are called to leadership in a Christian organization, you are accountable for the growth of every person in that organization as well as fulfilling the mission. It's not one or another. It's both." This pioneer Best Christian Places to Work survey salutes the workplaces and leaders practicing just that.

Helen Lee is cofounder of the Best Christian Workplaces Institute and a former assistant editor of Christianity Today. To order copies of this issue, write cteditor@christianitytoday.com.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also appearing on our site today:

Inside CT: Great Places to Work | There is indeed much to praise and imitate in Christian companies.

40 Best Christian Places to Work: The Complete List & A Closer Look at the Top Finalists | Christianity Today salutes four finalists in ten categories.

Profiles of the first place companies in the survey's ten categories include:

Co-CEO Synergy | Sharing leadership works at Christian Medical and Dental Associations.

Rigorous Hiring | Group Publishing places importance on the quality inside the company and not just in the product.

People of the Hugs | Howard Publishing's pajama day, adoption support, and National Hugging Day celebrations create a family-like ambiance.

Freedom and Grace | Covenant Christian High School teachers and staff are encouraged to be creative, lead classes in innovative ways, and take initiative.

Lives in Balance | At Evangelical Christian Credit Union, professional development is not just a nice bonus but also a spiritual responsibility.

What Burnout? | The Coalition for Christian Outreach takes seriously its responsibility to care for employees.

No Prayer, No Results | Medical Ambassadors International's emphasis on praying creates a strong sense of commitment.

President in Sweats | Leadership's informal style reflects an atmosphere of openness on the Whitworth College campus.

Practicing What They Teach | Dallas Theological Seminary and Multnomah Bible College and Seminary share a philosophy on managing employees.

Shepherding Hearts | Phoenix Seminary focuses on mentoring the balance of head knowledge with character development.

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April 2003, Vol. 47, No. 4