Reverend Robert Spach shares ideas about religious literacy and professional life

Monday, November 7, 2016

Oklahoma State University Watson Graduate School of Management students recently listened to the importance of understanding religion and its place in business. The Rev. Robert Spach spoke about religious literacy, pluralism and professional life.

Spach grew up in Brazil, received his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College, his master’s from the University of Virginia, a master’s of divinity from Princeton Seminary, and his doctorate degree from Columbia Seminary.  Since 1993, he has served as the college Chaplain at Davidson College in North Carolina.

Spach introduced essential soft skills when being aware of religious behaviors in the workplace. It is important to be exposed to many different religions and cultures to understand and interact with others in a professional setting.

“In our globalized world, where people of diverse religious traditions and secular worldviews interact on a daily basis, professionals in all walks of life need to cultivate both broad religious literacy and a pluralistic perspective,” Spach said.

Spach has published scholarly articles on church history and church-related higher education, and he has taught courses on religious particularity and pluralism. He describes religious pluralism as celebrating cultural and religious diversity and acknowledge existence. This requires serious engagement and learning of other religions and cultures.

“With these skills, they will be prepared to make informed decisions as they engage with clients of other faiths, manage teams of religiously diverse employees, and create an inclusive work environment where everyone feels respected and therefore is more likely to contribute effectively as a team player towards the organization’s goals,” Spach said.

As an ordained Presbyterian minister, Spach’s ministry at Davidson is interfaith in nature, he also works with Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim students from diverse backgrounds, as well as students who identify as secular or as spiritual but not religious.

OSU students interacted with Spach and listened to his perspectives on religious communications.

“Rev. Robert Spach not only spoke with passion and relevance but his lecture on religious pluralism and literacy in workplace pushed students to consider the importance behind understanding differences and celebrating diversity,” Matthew Levitt, OSU MBA student, said. “In today's global economy, OSU MBA students will be uniquely positioned to manage a variety of workplace situations thanks to speakers like Dr. Spach and the many others who participate in our professional development.”

“What struck me the most about Rev. Spach’s speech was that he acknowledged the existence of differences in religions, and he discarded the common statement that we are all the same,” Hind Manou, OSU MBA student, explained. “He strongly believes that we should understand these differences and the reasons behind them to avoid our personal assumptions.” 

Spach’s closing message to students was that in order to understand others and their culture, people must look at different approaches. It begins with self-understanding and personal identity in the community to which one feels they belong. People must look to ethics and the right-actions to build relationships and create a center, while establishing boundaries.