Real talk from 10+ years on the team
Pros
I've been here over 10 years and fall more in love with this place every day. I'm a more faith-filled follower of Christ, better spouse and parent, stronger leader, and more generous person overall because of the impact working here has had on my life. Here are 3 areas in particular that stand out: 1. Mission: I've never been part of a place where every single person on the team is fully committed to our mission of leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. There's something incredibly special when the entire staff is running in the same direction, aligned in their values, and full of trust for each other. 2. Impact: I've never been part of a place that has such a far-reaching, global, local, and personal impact in people's lives. It's incredibly humbling and fulfilling to get to be part of. 3. Culture: I've never been part of a place that has such a high emphasis on trust, transparency, feedback, accountability, personal and family health, and leadership development opportunities. We work hard, have so much fun in the process, and experience tremendous growth every day.
Cons
The cons I tend to see people mention most here are 1) work-life balance and 2) pay. Here's why I don't have any concerns about either one: Work-life balance: This is really up to you! Let me explain: There is so much trust given in how we manage our schedules and workload, so each person really has to have the personal discipline to do that well instead of relying on the organization to do it for you. If you're someone who hasn't yet established healthy work-life rhythms, you're going to struggle no matter where no work. But if you're someone who has learned to manage your time and energy well, this is such a freeing, trusting place to work. My team is so great about working hard when we work, being fully present with family when we're home, and holding each other accountable to taking great time off to recharge. (For instance, we'll lovingly get onto each other if we ever see someone checking emails on vacation!) This is a place that highly emphasizes your personal health and your family—but it takes you playing your part in that too. Pay: Yes, you could get more if you worked somewhere else. If your top career goal is to make money, this isn't the place for you. But if your top goal is to use your skills and gifts to lead people to Christ, I can't think of anywhere better to fulfill that calling every day. I personally find the pay very fair and more than enough for my family to live comfortably. And when I add in the crazy generous benefits package (especially the 401k matching!), the healthy work culture, the development opportunities, etc., it's a no-brainer. It's an honor to me to get to live out my calling here AND receive such a high level of care through not just salary, but benefits, leadership, etc. For me, it's all a matter of perspective and priorities.
