Last weekend, Alpha announced two new resources curated for believers in the marketplace. Aiming to equip individuals to integrate their Christian faith with their work lives, these resources dive into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Christians in today’s work environments.
The Malaysian Workplace
The Alpha Malaysia Research team has recently released a new publication under WIP titled ‘The Malaysian Workplace: A Battleground or Breakthrough? Decoding Malaysian Attitudes Toward Careers and Work’.
This study, based on insights from over 1,000 respondents, explores the challenges of work and the relationship between faith, profession, and achievement.
The findings reveal that 40% of respondents experience work boredom, anger, or restlessness.
“People are seeking more than just a paycheck; they desire purpose, recognition, and growth,” said Joyce Tang, Alpha Malaysia’s research manager.
The research also highlights generational differences in work motivations. For Gen Xers, recognition and reward were key drivers (54%), while millennials prioritised financial security and career advancement (57%).
Assistant research manager Eunice Jalin noted a significant link between faith and impact with 6 out of 10 Christian respondents identifying as integrators (realising work is worship and service unto God).
In contrast, 33% saw themselves as onlookers, acknowledging some connection without actively seeking to make an impact, and 7% considered themselves compartmentalisers, viewing faith and work as separate.
Beyond presenting data, this publication includes discussion points and insights from 32 thought leaders, offering a comprehensive perspective on the findings.
“We hope this publication will inform, inspire, and encourage both churches and believers in the workplace to be more intentional,” Tang and Jalin said.
Download your copy of the digital report here.
Work Inspired:by Purpose (WIP) Series
The WIP Series is a three-episode series designed for meaningful workplace conversations held during the weekday lunch hour.
The series explores common topics revolving around struggles, success and standing out.
“It’s very simple and intentional, a pre-Alpha resource tool,” Alpha Malaysia workplace manager Kenneth Ho said when launching it at the Work Inspired:by Purpose Conference in August 2024.
Each episode has been curated to fit into the workday lunch hour and features real-life experiences from Ryan Ng (founder of DriveFunnels, now with Alpha Malaysia), Bryan Chin (SneakerLAH founder) and Suzanne Ling (PichaEats co-founder).
At the WIP Conference, the three speakers dissected the question of living out one’s faith at work in a special panel discussion.
“We talk so much about bringing people to church, to serve in church and plug into the community. But if everyone’s so busy in church, who is going out? We pray for everything and everyone, and then?” asked Ling, who helms a non-profit empowering refugee communities in Malaysia.
Chin said people of other faiths want to know the ‘secret sauce’, and as believers we carry a different vibe.
The founder of Malaysia’s largest sneaker convention also briefly shared a deeply personal story of his wife’s recent passing and how God has been moving even amid grief.
“As much as I’m grieving, God has been really real. I think that’s what it’s about — being somebody outside doing God’s work in your own way. People can see it and feel it,” he said.
This was echoed by Ng, whose career journey started with inheriting a family business, to starting his own company, burning out and rediscovering God at work.
“If you’re trying to figure things out, I would encourage you to ask a few questions. What brings you joy, what brings you pain? What are your passions and non-negotiables,” he shared.
The WIP Series will soon be available. Express your interest by emailing Alpha Workplace Development Manager, Kenneth Ho, at kenneth.ho@alpha.org.my.
Photos provided by Alpha.
