GLEN ALLEN — Tyson Foods Inc. in Glen Allen invests in its team each day to achieve the highest level of quality and production possible. In the process, the company sets an example for others to follow.
Alan Tyson, director of chaplain services at Tyson Foods, finds that the corporate setting offers a unique method of being the presence of Christ. (Tyson is in no relation to the company's founders.)
Tyson Foods employs 126 chaplains who provide services to more than 85,000 team members at 252 locations in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“One of the unique aspects of workplace chaplaincy is the incredible opportunity to get to know and minister to people that have no pastor and seldom darken the doors of a church,” Tyson said. “It is an opportunity to help Christians overcome the Sunday to Monday gap.”
Tyson, who is endorsed by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, entered into corporate chaplaincy in 1993 with Hudson Foods Inc. in Rogers, Ark. He also served as a chaplain with the United States Army and worked at a Christian counseling center.
George Pickle, the Fellowship's associate coordinator for chaplaincy, believes an effective corporate chaplain greatly impacts the life of a company, as well as the lives of those the company employs.
“Research has shown that when a corporation has a chaplain who is a presence in the system, there is less conflict among employees, less sick time and more productivity,” Pickle said. “A chaplain serves with a focus of genuine care in life's celebrations, crises, and everyday experiences.”
One of Tyson's chaplains recently encountered a situation with a team member who gave birth to a still-born child. When chaplain Larry Petton received word, he immediately went to the hospital to pray with the young couple, who did not have a local pastor of their own. Chaplain Petton was asked to conduct the child's funeral.
Tyson Foods, which has employed chaplains since 1999, hires chaplains to minister to all employees, regardless of faith or status within the company.
We practice a ministry of presence and availability to all of our team members and their families,” Tyson said. “Many of the company's plant locations make accommodations for Muslim team members to pray.”
yson said that it is important for corporate chaplains to have some knowledge of the business world, enabling the chaplains to underscore to the employees the value they bring to the company.