Religion and Work Collide!
Posted by: David Bunch
The Setting
I experienced quite a collision of faith and work Friday at the office. Over the last several weeks we have been interviewing job candidates for several open positions. These are group interviews in which the candidate is required to give a 3-5 minute presentation on something that they are passionate about.
The Topic
One particular candidate interviewed very well. She had the necessary skill sets and educational background to do the job, and she presented herself in a professional manner. Then, she got up to give her 3-5 minute speech which she titled Purpose.
Only it wasn't really on Purpose. It turned out that the speech was a brief, non-confrontational introduction to the Gospel. She talked about why ministry was important to her and how reading the Bible can make a difference in people's lives. Considering she walked in blindly and spoke to people she did not know, I have to say she did a pretty good job.
The Reality
But I was turned off!!! Yikes! I've admitted it right here, to everyone, in writing! But it is true. At first, I felt kind of bad, like maybe I should be pulling for her given the fact that I too view my relationship with Christ as the focal point of my life. But then I just kind of stepped back and viewed the scenario objectively.
The truth is, this was a business setting in which she was trying to convince us that she had the skill set to do the job. We were interested in what she would bring to the organization to help us accomplish our goals. Frankly, it wasn't the place for a Bible Study. A business topic would have been better fodder for the speech.
In fairness, the others in the room (of little religious persuasion) were very kind and seemingly impressed by the content of the speech. They were very attentive and respectful. But in a meeting we had today in which we reviewed the candidates, one manager mentioned that the woman's topic (religion) was on the "be very careful list" (along with politics, etc.).
The Conclusion
So what do you think? I have taught Bible Studies in Starbucks, I've witnessed to friends on the job, stood boldly for what I believe....but still found myself coming away from this encounter feeling like the Gospel could best be presented in the workplace in other ways (at a morning devotion, lunchtime Bible Study, by "living out loud")....just not during an interview!
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this one!
The Setting
I experienced quite a collision of faith and work Friday at the office. Over the last several weeks we have been interviewing job candidates for several open positions. These are group interviews in which the candidate is required to give a 3-5 minute presentation on something that they are passionate about.
The Topic
One particular candidate interviewed very well. She had the necessary skill sets and educational background to do the job, and she presented herself in a professional manner. Then, she got up to give her 3-5 minute speech which she titled Purpose.
Only it wasn't really on Purpose. It turned out that the speech was a brief, non-confrontational introduction to the Gospel. She talked about why ministry was important to her and how reading the Bible can make a difference in people's lives. Considering she walked in blindly and spoke to people she did not know, I have to say she did a pretty good job.
The Reality
But I was turned off!!! Yikes! I've admitted it right here, to everyone, in writing! But it is true. At first, I felt kind of bad, like maybe I should be pulling for her given the fact that I too view my relationship with Christ as the focal point of my life. But then I just kind of stepped back and viewed the scenario objectively.
The truth is, this was a business setting in which she was trying to convince us that she had the skill set to do the job. We were interested in what she would bring to the organization to help us accomplish our goals. Frankly, it wasn't the place for a Bible Study. A business topic would have been better fodder for the speech.
In fairness, the others in the room (of little religious persuasion) were very kind and seemingly impressed by the content of the speech. They were very attentive and respectful. But in a meeting we had today in which we reviewed the candidates, one manager mentioned that the woman's topic (religion) was on the "be very careful list" (along with politics, etc.).
The Conclusion
So what do you think? I have taught Bible Studies in Starbucks, I've witnessed to friends on the job, stood boldly for what I believe....but still found myself coming away from this encounter feeling like the Gospel could best be presented in the workplace in other ways (at a morning devotion, lunchtime Bible Study, by "living out loud")....just not during an interview!
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this one!
I think that had she approached the subject in a business sense - like Jesus CEO or something - she may have been better received. Of course, I don't know what kind of business you are in, but I would think there must be some Biblical approach she could have taken that would have combined the two. I'm not apprehensive to share my faith, but I am very careful about how and when I share with certain professionals. There is an attorney in my city who has very vocally offended many other attorneys because he often preaches at them. "How do you know if you're ready to die?" is his lead-in question. He operates from the assumption that they know nothing about God - and he knows everything.
Bad perspective.
Okay, now I've said too much. Hope it made some sense.
Posted by
Kris |
Mon Jun 05, 11:46:00 PM 2006
"Be all things to all men that by all means you might save some." Perhaps she took the Scripture of "instant in season and out of season" and saw it with her own perspective? While I can't say if what she did was "right" at the time and place, I would like to pose the question....when is the "right" time to keep our mouths closed and allow people to go to hell? Because we are embarressed...? Because we are afraid of what others will think...? Casting seed and bearing fruit are not a good idea for us...they ARE a requirement of salvation! "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:..." (John 15:2) Just "food for thought..." not an answer.
Posted by
My Father's Daughter |
Tue Jun 06, 09:11:00 AM 2006
An interesting situation, which brings up interesting issues. First, I doubt she rescued anyone from hellfire with her speech. Second, if she intended to "plant a seed," then it is not necessarily the case that she did so effectively. Giving a Bible study during the interview may have fit the criteria of the speech, but the interviewee could be seen as just another pushy Christian who will cause discomfort and awkwardness on the job. Many times in our earnestness, we put people off more than we bring them in. Furthermore, her motives were not necessarily pure. It is a current social phenomenon that a certain degree of Christianity can be seen as "cool" or acceptable, as the rise in charismatic culture demonstrates. She could have been playing the religion card, hoping to appeal to religious people in her audience, and hoping that they would defend her and prefer her over other candidates simply because she professes Christianity. I'm not saying that this is the case, but it very well could be; pandering is not restricted to the secular world. I think that Dave may have sensed such insincerity, hence his uneasiness. Living the Christian life is much more difficult, and many times more effective, than verbal profession of faith.
Posted by
beau and stephanie |
Tue Jun 06, 11:26:00 AM 2006
I second beau and stephanie, especially this quotation, "Living the Christian life is much more difficult, and many times more effective, than verbal profession of faith."
So many times we equate "verbal profession" with "standing up for God" or whatever and even imply that if we are not running around "verbally professing" that we are not living up to the Great Commission.
Let me backtrack and say that of course there are appropriate times where we are nothing less than obligated to speak up and verbally profess. But sometimes I think we pass off verbally professing for being "real Christians" when in reality the way that we live is the true indicator.
Posted by
chantell |
Tue Jun 06, 04:03:00 PM 2006
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Posted by
Anonymous |
Mon Jul 10, 08:44:00 AM 2006