FAITH · WORK · CALLING · LEADERSHIP
Thoughtful, Biblically grounded conversations about faith, work, and everything in between.
If you’re wrestling with complicated questions about how your faith intersects with your work, calling, or leadership, you’re in the right place.
Hi, I’m Meryl. I’m an author, researcher, consultant, and coach who isn’t afraid of complicated questions. Drawing on research and theology, I explore some of the more challenging, less-talked-about aspects of following Jesus.
THE CHALLENGE
Faith touches more of life than Sunday morning.
Being a Christian is more than attending church, doing a daily devotional, and being kind. Our faith should intersect with and shape every aspect of our lives, including our work, leadership, relationships, and decision-making.
But sometimes it’s tough to figure out how to bring our faith to bear on:
- A difficult situation at work
- Making a career change
- Motivating people to do their best work
- Using our gifts and skills in ways that feel meaningful
- How we interact with other Christians
These questions rarely have simple answers. But they’re worth exploring. Through my writing, research, and conversations, I explore the complicated questions surrounding work, faith, calling, and leadership and invite you to follow along.
CHOOSE YOUR PATH
Where would you like to start?
I have questions about faith, work, or calling.
Explore thoughtful essays about faith, work, calling, leadership, Christian living, and the complicated places in between through Pilgrims & Exiles.
Work has left a mark.
Find language, thoughtful frameworks, and practical steps for making sense of difficult workplace experiences through When Work Hurts.
I’m trying to figure out what’s next.
Explore one-on-one coaching for seasons of transition, questions of calling, leadership challenges, or times when the way forward isn’t clear.
My organization needs support.
Through Alongside Consulting, my team and I work with nonprofit and higher education organizations and leaders who need expertise, perspective, capacity, or support.
YOUR GUIDE
Hi, I’m Meryl.
I’m an author, researcher, consultant, and coach who’s experienced enough church and work hurt to last a lifetime. Even so, I love God’s vision for the people of God, and I believe our everyday work is part of what it means to live into that vision.
I’ve spent years studying, writing, teaching, consulting, and talking with people about the intersection of faith and work, calling, and leadership. I’m interested in what the Bible says about pursuing wisdom in each of these areas, but I also want to hear what social science has to say. Here you’ll find me wrestling with both while always upholding the Bible as our best and highest authority for life and faith.
I believe good questions deserve more than quick answers. They deserve curiosity, careful thought, good research, and meaningful conversation. If you’re not afraid of tough questions and where they might lead, you might like it here.
MDiv • PhD • Author • Researcher • Consultant • Coach
As seen in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Fathom, Common Good, and more.
KIND WORDS
What people are saying…
About When Work Hurts
Such a great read for any professional in the middle of the grind. This book feels like having coffee with a friend in the most therapeutic way (a smart, witty, highly-educated friend, no less). This book is a blessing for anyone who has found themselves frustrated with their work and their calling.
Hekate Fulgora, via Amazon
From a Substack reader
This is so good. Your writing on the “unspokens” has been incredibly accurate and gracious. Thank you for the good work you are doing.
[Reader name], Pilgrims & Exiles reader
From a coaching client
I was so thrown and you helped right the ship. I will be forever grateful.
Mimi Larson, coaching client
HOW IT WORKS
Start with a question. Stay for the conversation.
1. Explore.
Start with whatever brought you here. Read an essay, explore a book, or find a resource that speaks to the question you’re carrying.
2. Stay in the conversation.
Subscribe to Pilgrims & Exiles for my latest essays, ideas, questions, and resources about faith, work, calling, leadership, and Christian living.
3. Go deeper when you need to.
Read a book, explore one-on-one coaching, or find organizational support through Alongside Consulting.
Big questions deserve thoughtful answers.
We’ve all got questions. If yours have to do with faith, work, calling, and leadership, you’ll find ideas and resources here to help you make sense of your experience in light of what Scripture and social science tell us.
Sometimes a new framework helps us name what we’ve experienced. Sometimes a thoughtful question helps us see something differently. And sometimes understanding the problem more clearly is what helps us decide what comes next.
That’s what I hope you’ll find here: language for what you’re experiencing, frameworks for understanding it, and thoughtful questions to help you move forward.
THE BOOK
Has work left a mark?
When Work Hurts is my guide for people who have felt beaten up and burned out in their work.
Rooted in Christian Scripture and drawing from social science, it offers thoughtful frameworks and practical steps to help you name what happened, understand how it affected you, and move toward healing and hope.
Helping someone else through work hurt?
I’ve also created resources for pastors, therapists, coaches, and other helping professionals seeking thoughtful Christian frameworks to support the people they serve.
FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Looking for my consulting work?
Through Alongside Consulting, my team and I work with nonprofit and higher education organizations and leaders doing important work who need additional expertise, capacity, perspective, or direction.
We offer support in program evaluation, program and curriculum design, higher education consulting, workshops and training, and coaching.
Pull up a chair.
If you’re wrestling with questions about faith, work, calling, or leadership, I’d love to have you join the conversation. Subscribe to Pilgrims & Exiles for thoughtful essays, good questions, and resources for making sense of the complicated parts of work, faith, and life.