The Christian arm of a research-based firm that consults various organizations has released this year’s list of the best Christian workplaces in America.

Among those appearing in the U.S. portion of the list are 55 education institutions, churches, publishers, and companies, including Alliance Defense Fund, the DeMoss Group, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, InterVarsity Press, Joni and Friends, LifeChurch.tv, MOPS International, and Open Doors with Brother Andrew. The portion of the list dedicated to organizations in Canada, meanwhile, features 7 different groups.

To compile its list, the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) surveyed more than 11,869 employees in 124 organizations across North America.

“Creating a workplace in which our employees can thrive in order to fulfill our mandate and passion of supporting to our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ is so important,” said Dr. Carl Moeller, President/CEO of Open Doors USA, after BCWI’s 2009 list was released. In addition to the BCWI list, Open Doors was also recognized by Charity Navigator with the maximum four-star rating for sound fiscal management.

“These two honors are really a tribute to the hard work, passion and integrity of our staff,” said Moeller.

In order to be certified in the United States or recognized in Canada by the BCWI, organizations are required to complete the BCWI Employee Engagement survey and meet predetermined standards of excellence. 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.

BCWI began surveying employees across America in 2002 with the help of Christianity Today magazine. The first survey was the largest ever conducted on the attitudes of Christian workplace employees, with 8,700 participating, representing more than 15,000 employees in 85 organizations.

Since then, the mission of BCWI has been to serve faith-based organizations by creating processes of discovery, facilitating organizational effectiveness, and encouraging practices that build healthy workplaces.

"No one can deny that Christian organizations are feeling the effects of the nation's worry over the Economy,” says BCWI President Al Lopus, whose organization is a subsidiary of Best Workplaces Institute, Inc.

“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," he adds. "The Best Christian Workplaces survey consistently reveals that Christian employees appreciate God-glorifying relationships shaped by the fruit of the Spirit."

Over the past seven years, BCWI has surveyed more than 75,000 employees across North America. Last year, the Mercer Island, Wash.-based organization surveyed more than 7,834 employees in 67 organizations across the United States and selected 33 winners.

The 2009 Certified Best Christian Workplaces in the US include:

Alliance Defense Fund

Amor Ministries

Apartment Life

Appalachian Bible College

Aspen Group

Bethany Learning Center

Bethel University

Bethesda Christian School

Briarcrest Christian School

Calvary Chapel Christian School

Christian Heritage Academy

Coalition for Christian Outreach

Community Bible Church

CRISTA Ministries

Crossroads

Delaware County Christian School

DeMoss Group, Inc.

Denver Rescue Mission

English Language Institute/China

Evangel University

Evangelical Christian Credit Union

Evangelical Christian School

Evansville Christian School

Faithbridge Church

The Friends of Israel

God's World Publications, Inc.

Heartland Community Church

Howard Books

Indian Rocks Christian School

Indiana Wesleyan

InterVarsity Press

Joni and Friends

Kensington Community Church

Lakeland Christian School

LifeChurch.tv

Light of Life Ministries, Inc.

Lincoln Christian College and Seminary

Long Beach Rescue Mission

MOPS International

New Mission Systems International

Olivet Nazarene University

Open Doors with Brother Andrew

Ouachita Christian School

Partners International

Phoenix Seminary

Samaritan Ministries International

Southland Christian Church

The Pittsburgh Project

Tacoma Rescue Mission

Tyndale House Publishers

Water Street Rescue Mission

Wheaton Academy

Whittier Christian High School

World Harvest Mission

The 2009 Recognized Best Christian Workplaces in Canada include:

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

Centre Street Church

Linden Christian School

Medeba

Partners International Canada

Power to Change

Waterloo Mennonite Brethren