The Uneasy Conscience of Unionized Evangelicals

New Covenant Christian Community Church also has church members who belong to public sector unions. The Great Recession decreased funding for public schools in Bethlehem and throughout the state. Public school teachers were asked to do the work of non-teaching employees (who were laid off during the 2008–2009 recession), making it difficult to properly prepare for class sessions. Obedience to God-ordained authority in one’s workplace (agreeing to management’s request to complete additional tasks) became a challenge given the labor contract requirements to which the teachers were also beholden. Given the dual obligations of membership at New Covenant and the union local, theological tensions and ethical opportunities for faithful Christian practice emerged. Union membership creatively expanded traditional theological notions of obedience and authority. Simple obedience to the business model of education was not an option. Through the union, teachers were not sinfully rebellious to stand up for their students even as this entailed challenging authority through the advocacy work of the union. Hard work and a hard stance against mismanagement occurred simultaneously. Evangelical public school teachers at New Covenant exhibited a work ethic and cultivated a labor ethic in response to real-world circumstances in their workplaces.