FRANKFORT, Ill. – The Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) recently honored Aspen Group, the Midwest’s premier ministry-enhancing church design/build company, with a certification as a Best Christian Workplace in America. Aspen Group is one of only 55 churches, Christian schools, and businesses to receive this honor and one of only six service companies to earn the distinction.

"No one can deny that Christian organizations are feeling the effects of the nation's worry over the economy,” says Al Lopus, President and Cofounder of Best Christian Workplaces Institute. “Although we believe that Christian organizations should do all they can to pay competitively, our survey shows that there are other factors even more influential in making your employees feel blessed by their work, including work being a place of community."

Aspen Group is a leading design/build firm with over a decade of experience serving the church and para-church markets. Aspen Group partners with churches throughout the Midwest with offices in the Chicago and Indianapolis areas. Their staff includes architects, project managers, field superintendents and other design and construction professionals working together as a unified team.

They believe this collaborative approach, along with their dedication to understanding the alignment of ministry, culture, leadership, and facilities, is highly beneficial for churches.

In order to be certified, organizations must complete the Best Christian Workplaces Institute Employee Engagement survey and meet predetermined standards of excellence.

“The survey confirmed some things we knew – we have a great group of employees who are very dedicated to the mission and purpose of Aspen – while giving us some things to work on as well,” says Brad Eisenmann, General Manager of Aspen Group. “While receiving the certification is certainly gratifying, we know we can’t rest on our laurels. The survey provided great feedback to help Aspen in our ongoing desire to serve our clients well and provide a great environment for our people to grow and thrive.”

The survey covers such issues as: job satisfaction, organizational commitment, Christian witness, supervisory effectiveness, work satisfaction, personal growth and development, management effectiveness, customer/supporter satisfaction, teamwork, communications and pay and benefits.

View the complete list of 2009 Best Christian Workplaces in the US.

The Best Christian Workplaces Institute has surveyed more than 80,000 employees across North America in the past eight years. BCWI is a research based organizational and human resources consulting firm based on Mercer Island, Washington. They are online at www.bcwinstitute.com.

Aspen Group is online at www.aspengroup.com and can be reached at (888) 241-9980.