This article might perhaps stoke the ire of hundreds of God fearing, bible believing, church going folk, those who joyfully fill church pews of every denomination on the weekend, and trek and trudge to work for five more days during the week. Some of the same folk I might add, who bring their employers and non believing work colleagues to the point of bitter confession: “I am not going to hire any more Christians”, their perception of that designation being someone who goes to a small church, has a Jesus Loves You track ready for distribution and reads their Bible all day, while doing the Company work in between.
I’m not going to argue about who is a Christian. That is not my purpose. There truly is a perception that Christians don’t really like to work hard. There it is. I’ve said what’s on many people’s minds. But I do hope you would see me as qualified enough to speak on the topic. I’m a born again believer, and an employer and a hard worker and a trainer. No contradictions there. I found myself repeating the mantra about not hiring Christians until professional training and a gut feeling that there was more to this, demanded that I look beyond the trends and explore the reasons logically.
For the average Christian, there is an irreconcilable chasm between the divinely focused Sunday (or Saturday) and Monday’s grainy realities. If Christians are not taught to apply eternal principles of excellence, accountability, integrity and adaptability to their careers and jobs, Sunday really defeats its purpose to be a filling station for a thirsty soul to go back out again. In his 1978 publication, The Christian Employee, Robert Mattox illustrates this myopic point of view with a story about a Christian employee called “John”:
“John like most Christians, believes that work is necessary and even honorable, since a man is supposed to support his family. But at the same time, he believes that the system of secular employment is at enmity with the spiritual world. His only hope is that one day the system will be replaced.… He wants the Lord to return so that he can escape the office.”
Employers who are willing to get staff to change attitudes and work ethic would do well to use these belief systems to their advantage. Most people who call themselves Christians do genuinely love God, and would work better if they recognized the correlation between Sunday and Monday. They are both acts of worship. The Christian’s life is supposed to be one of superlatives – being the best, working the hardest and smartest, being the most innovative, the most efficient, the most pleasant, every single day. When these truths come alive, we are the best witnesses for Christ.
Lisa Dublin is the Director of OSSi, a six year old training company that facilitates presentations, seminars and workshops in effective public speaking, customer service excellence, employee motivation and excellence in the workplace, career guidance, business etiquette and image management. If you do have a comment on today’s article, drop us a line at OSSi: [email protected].
This is a good article but not nearly long enough. I think Lisa could have told us more from her professional training and eperience. Please allow me to add a few thoughts. The people of the world who don`t love the Lord and have no particular liking for Christians will watch for every opportunity to cut down a believer. Unfortunately, there are people who go to church but have not have an encounter with Christ. Outside of church religion has little or no impact on their lives. Some – not all – may be terrific workers simply because they are money hungry and profit driven. But if they don`t show up for work or come in late, or are unproductive, Christianity takes the fall, because after all they are church goers and it is assumed they are Christians. I expect many Christians are very good workers. I grew up in a strict Christian home in Canada. My dad was a self employed painter and paper hanger. I would get up about 8 A.M. for school. When I came down to the breakfast table he had already left for work. He ight come home for lunch or he might not. But he would be home between 5 or 6 P.M. for supper. Often he would go back to work for a couple of hours after supper. He did this five – sometimes six – days a week. When I left home at 19 yrs he was still working the same schedule and long after that. Christians who have true Biblical values and goals can be motivated to reach for the top. Some people work only for themselves. We should work not only to earn a living but to be able to help others who are less fortunate. We should think of our work as a ministry unto the Lord. We serve Him best when we strive for excellence. A Christian should try to be the be the best at whatever it is he or she does. As a pastor I have preached this: Do your praying and Bible reading on your own time NOT on your employer`s time. If you are being paid for six or eight hours of work that time belongs to your employer NOT to you! But let me say this in closing. Please don`t be too hard on us. Christians are human. We have areas of weakness in our lives the same as the rest of you. Ands we have our bad days. I suspect there are many Christians in the workplace who could benefit from the work Lisa does. But then they are not the only ones! Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Pentecostal Evangelist.
As a Seventh-day Adventist,i am automatically passed over for a lot of jobs because of my profession, despite my work ethic,employers will flat out tell me they have reached their quota of sabbath keepers, true Christians regardless of denomination bring a special blessing to the workplace and a sense of morality and ethic that is a bonus to anyone who has to entrust the day to day workings and finances of their company to the management of strangers
what the hell is the columnist trying to say? what is the moral of this inept article? i hope they aren’t hiring people in the work place based on their religious profession; that pre-medieval system has long gone.
you know im sometimes stagger that people still believe in these superannuated believes that were spawned from ancient despotisms.
everything i read in the bible, it suggests slavery. why don’t you stupid christian sell all your possessions and give it too the poor, hypocrites.
I understand what you are saying, here, but perhaps those times for you are the time that God is calling you to speak to on behalf of those people–your prayer of intercession.
For unless those people’s attitude and conducts are healed, you will continue with the distress that overwhelms the joy and peace of your mind.
So take the privilege to call for God’s healing in those people, and watch His doe wonders, that you might know of, as you grow in knowledge of Him, and to learn how to give Him the glory.
correction
God is calling you to speak to Him on behalf of those people
Watch Him do wonders that you might know of
Well, I would comment to a greater degree, but I’m one of those Christians with a lousy work ethic. So there’s no use in further implicating myself.
I will say that while not all Christians have a great work ethic (that’d be me, for one), not all persons with a lousy work ethic are Christians.
It seems to me it’s somewhat evenly divided between Christians and non-Christians.
I am a born again believer, bought with the preciuos blood of Jesus. I am only 21 been working for 3 years and i have seen some “christians” really brig shame to the name of my Lord and Saviour. Showing up to work late, maliciously use up paper and ink saying its skerrit ink so i’ll print coloured flyers; do nothing and say that the PM doesnt set an example and its really of concern, cause there are unsaved persons @ my work place who do their job very well and u cant witness to them cauuse they are looking at the “christian” who has NO work ethic. Sad but true
oh plz…i can’t even consider the statements in this article as truthful…seeing that most persons consider themselves to be ‘christians’ as long as they go to church. That means you have included “Catholics, Baptists, Gospel Missions, Pentecostal, Seven Day, Jehovah Witness, etc.” in your analysis. In addition, this theory that you bring across here lacks realism, and the reality is: 1. we are all human, not perfect human beings but just human. 2. you can’t think that the because a person is a christian, you expect them to be ‘most holy’ and/or extremely jubilant all the time. Reason? because people go through situations. Futhermore, if we were like this all the time, “you people” in society would call the christians hypocrites.
The truth of the matter is, just because there are a few of them who behave this way, doesn’t mean that you or whoever with their Phd should classify it as all christians.
Because then I would say, all non-christians have no respect for the people that are christians. And all non-christians believe they can do as they please with no regard for others, using theory.
Lisa, I was surprised to find out that employers are disinclined to hire Christians for the reasons outlined herein. I was even more appalled at some of the comments I’d read so far, hence my input. I have recently been born-again & think that if these comments reflect how Christians witness to the world, then we are failing Jesus where His Great Commission to spread the gospel is concerned.
Our personal issues/problems should in no way be reflected in sour dispositions on the job or elsewhere. Despite our daily challenges, we are called upon to GIVE GOD THANKS AND PRAISE at all times; the JOY OF THE LORD should be our strength. As it pertains to a bad work ethic & petty pilfering on the job etc., we are called upon “to render service as to the Lord, not to men” (Ephesians 6:7).
Above all, being a Christian involves a perceptible change in thoughts & attitudes. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus instructed, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they will see your good works & glorify your Gather who is in Heaven.” One could attend church services 7 days a week, but if there has been no change on the inside through the Holy Spirit, which is made manifest in the way that one behaves, treats others, reacts to life’s situations/circumstances; & is perceived by his/her worldly peers, then he/she does our Saviour, Jesus Christ & His Father in Heaven a great disservice, by professing to be a Christian.
Make no mistake: Christianity is not about attending church, or making that claim. It’s what happens when you leave the church & there’s no pastor/priest, brother/sister to impress. It’s a way of life, which revolves around your relationship with your fellow man (both saved & unsaved) and the amount of reverence you have for God to keep His Word regardless & thank/praise/worship Him despite life’s circumstances. It will be hard sometimes, but with God, nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37).
I strongly disagree. What abou the part in he bible hat says pray without ceasing?. Christians need to glorify God on a daily basis not being ashamed to do so.We need to speak the word of God wherever we go to win souls to Christ as this is our main and only purpose on earth. As a Christian you should know that. Something is wrong wen the employer have issues with hiring a Christian that is not ashamed to glorify God, even at the work place. To the Christian, if ur employer cannot stand you talking about God at work ,know that ur doing something good and that is the employer that have a problem not you. Let him go ahead and fire you, for the righteous ones will be tested and face many tribulations, but for those in Christ will stand and prosper at the end.For it is better for a poor man to serve God and go to heaven than for a rich man to neglect God and burn in hell. Ur reward is not on earth it is in heaven. Just as they did not like Jesus himself and crucified him, a man without sin, who are u that even ur employer would not want to do the same.
I recall what Mahatma Ghandi of India stated: “Were it not for Christians he would have been a Christian.” I fully comprehend what he meant by this.
After fulfilling our Sunday obligation, first to God and we go on our way, out in the world, we are to take Christ with us wherever we may be and in whatever we do. This means, to act as He would act.
Sadly, in the work environment, it is a dog eat dog system/world and this could make some people become frustrated and unhappy. After all they are humans. It also depends on “the boss” and his/her mannerism.
There are also some co-workers even as they say they are Christians and try to project it but do not act as Christians at all. They are Christians through word of mouth and on the surface. Their faces will also reflect it. I, personally, have come across some of them. Their mannerisms need improvement.
There are also some who lambaste other religions and criticize the Church and its members. They place themselves on a higher-than-thou attitude and pedestal, know-all and better than-thou that their religion is better than another. They are bold enough to criticize those people – to their faces. How sad. Is this genuine love for God and for others and respect for them and their religion? This leaves much to be desired. Much more could be stated about that.
Pertaining to the work force, this is what I am fully aware of and through experience. Employees are to conduct themselves appropriately in the work force. Perform your assigned duties to the best of your ability, giving your employer fair work. Employers must also pay their employees fairly. This means fair work for fair pay and vice versa.
Christians can be Christians without wearing it on their sleeves. When you are at work, you are there to work and not to read the Bible or pray out loud and make loud statements. You can read the Bible on your breaks and not on company time. You do not pray openly on company time. Christians can pray in their mind as they perform their chores. No one knows. No one can read your mind and this does not prevent them or
should not prevent them from performing their duties efficiently.
A message for those who state they are born again as if others of another religion are not born again. When I read that passage in John, I concluded that some people have misinterpreted that passage, once again to suit their mentality and understanding. They have erred. I explained this on a previous writing on DNO. I do know that the Holy Spirit revealed it to me while reading it for the third time. It hit me like a thunderbolt. If you challenge me, I can take you up on that one.
Do not harass and criticize other people about their religious devotions. You are not experts. You have your own type of worship and interpretation; others have theirs. Cease dominating them. In other words, mind your religious business of all and leave others alone to worship as they were taught and as they believe according to their faith. You are not God and God did not give you a mandate to do so. Furthermore, it is unloving and disrespectful and you are by no means pleasing God. Always think God and what will Jesus say and do.
As some interpret Holy Scriptures to suit their mentality, think of which religion, Church had the Bible first and was first established.
The teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the writings of the Apostles are our directives, for daily living, according to what the Church believes and teaches. They pertain to, how to know and love God, to serve him, how to love others, perform our earthly duties, to please Him and to obtain eternal salvation. This includes to live happily and peaceful on earth with others and among them.
Not because you have a newfound religion as you state that you are a Christian and a good one and that you should stand in judgment and state that those who do not dip their heads and entire body in water are not baptized. It is also not Sola Scriptura.
There are those that say this and that is in the Bible but they do not always practice what is in the Bible. One of it is “Divorce.” Read what Our Lord said about marriage and divorce. Also St. Paul’s writing.
So there is more to the Bible than mere words. There is the Word of God which every one of us are to obey. Sadly, it is not always obeyed and where humanity to humanity is concerned.
In the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “A man (person) should be judged on the contents of his (her) character rather than the color of their skin.” All Christians are obligated to practice this wise and godly statement.
There is a tendency for Christians to discriminate in various respects. Sometime ago I saw a book which is entitled “Your attitude is showing.” I was curious to know what it is all about. I bought it and read it. Therefore, Christians keep this in mind, “Your attitude is always showing”, one way or the other. Most importantly God knows, sees and hears all things.
God bless every one!
This is an interesting article, but where is the evidence that people are not employed because they are Christians? I think that the church has somewhat failed many people in that it does not really teach people how to apply those teachings, taught on Saturday and Sunday,at the workplace. Most people are God fearing but honestly the way we carry ourselves at the workplace is unbelievable. But again its tough out there since society is bigger than us, and we are influenced without even knowing that we are part of it.
if am an employer i’d prefer my employees none religious,b cuz religious people are nuts.I mean this people belives in idiotic concepts or in better words fairy tales.any time u belive in something u have no proof or evidens of,is nonesense,and people with faith in christ are not needed in my workplace.i need more open minded people,am sorry if u guys dont like what ur reading dut truth hurts
@ imhotep
Christians are open-minded people and more open-minded than you are. You have depicted that you are one negative and broadminded person and probably an unhappy lot.
Whose side are you on, God or the devil? It appears to me that you are not on the side of God and do not possess a humane heart. 
What type of world do you reside in? Are you residing on Mars?
You are discriminating and generalizing. So what are you? Non-religious, agnostic, atheist, a practicing nothing?
Have you not heard that religious people make good citizens and also good workers? They are also happier people. I will add, if they conduct themselves as genuine Christians and diligent employees.
People are people and they should not be looked at and looked down on because they are religious or are affiliated with a certain religion. They seek employment for their livelihood. If they possess the required credentials then they should be employed.
In the part of the world I presently reside in, if it is known that you discriminate against people who are Christians or who are of another religion, you will have to face the brunt of the Human Rights Commission. At the completion of the hearing, if you are found guilty of discrimination on the basis of religion and other matters, you will be charged an exorbitant sum of money. You may be ordered to employ or re-employ that employee, if he/she wants to be employed with you and remain in your employ.
I visualize that you will make one bad employer. Conform yourself to the Most Holy Will of God if you wish to receive His blessing and graces, peace of mind, good health and long life.
Christian employees are no better than non-christian and in some cases worst. Christians generally condone that are in their favor. They have no more integrity than the average employee. Do Christian employees adapt to promptness, loyalty, and ensuring a good days work? Zero
“Most people who call themselves Christians, do genuinely love God, and would work better if they recognized the correlation between Sunday and Monday. They are both worship”.
That is very true. The problem with most of us Christians, is that we are too focused on religion, which has nothing to do with being a Christians.
And so we spend most of our time doing the works of religion, which is not God’s work. That is the reason we experience no spiritual growth, because God’s Love is the Light and Water by which we grow in the Spirit–not by the work of religion.
As Christians we need to realize that God has chosen and has blessed us with all the gifts of the Spirit, by which He uses us to do His work.
Hence doctors, nurses, teachers, and the rest of us with a certain skill in the workplace are no less servants of God than the pope, bishop, priest, pastor or preacher is. For each of us has a special gift, as God’s Holy Spirit is working through us for His glory.
If we could think about that truth, as we serve others in our field of work, perhaps there would be less employee cheating, stealing, and disloyalty; hence less employer mistrust, abuse, and, or harassment. Everyone would do a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay.
We need to acknowledge the fact that as we maintain a relationship with God, He wants to be the guide and teacher of our every thought, word, and deed. Since we spend so many hours a day, at work, God being our utmost guide there, should be an aspect we should not reject.
Great article. Christians should be the most productive employees in all spheres.
In his book “The Prophet” Kahlil Gibran has this to say about work…
“…Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man’s hunger…”
Many of the tasks in today’s workplace are uncreative and devoid of love. Hence, they do not fulfil those basic human needs.
Sorry the word “lackibg” should read lacking and “I’m” should read Him
can’t say I disagree. I am a follower of Christ and the worst example of employees that I have seen in my working career of almost 23 years are people who call themselves christian. We are supposed to be the best example of those displaying good work ethics,a fair days work for a fair days pay, respect and accountability but sadly this is lackibg. May we arise and begin to represent Christ in all we do and work as unto :I’m.
It seems only logical to conclude that the bigger church Christians need to teach the smaller church christian how to apply Godly principles in the workplace.
I read your article with much intensity and interest. Setting aside the myriad of though-provoking comments I could make in response, my only wish is that mankind, in all his doings, would employ a greater sense of humanity over Christianity, or Islam or any other Faith for that matter. When all is said and done, our adherence to the Faith of our choice (whether as recent converts or if imposed on us by birth) stems simply from a belief that there is One (complete with human cravings) to whom we owe our existence. And yet there is no impirical evidence that He is real. No wonder our Faith is so whimsical, so superficial, so conditional.
That’s the best article I have read on DNO. I made a commitement to never do business with any one that says am a christian. Like christianity validate’s any poor or unethical behavior on their part. Worst client in my line of business and let’s not discuss pay or the act of paying.
Great ARticle Dublin, We should glorify God on the boy as well, not only on sunday where we lift our hands to worship. Working hard as unto the Lord is a form of worship as well and is a testimony to the believer.
I’m not an christian, but I loved the article. Clearly, you know your stuff.