Using Church To Get A Job?

[AcrylicInk]

If a Christian does work in church, such as running a youth group or playing in the band, is it right for them to use these activities to help them get a job (on a CV or in an interview)? Does it make a difference if they only do those things for the purpose of writing it on a CV rather than from any sense of love or duty?

[Bust Nak]

If a Christian does work in church, such as running a youth group or playing in the band, is it right for them to use these activities to help them get a job (on a CV or in an interview)? Does it make a difference if they only do those things for the purpose of writing it on a CV rather than from any sense of love or duty?

I don't see why not. Would it make a difference to you if an atheist does work in a secular place such as running a youth club for the sole purpose of writing it on a CV?

[AcrylicInk]

I don't see why not. Would it make a difference to you if an atheist does work in a secular place such as running a youth club for the sole purpose of writing it on a CV?

What I mean is, is it ok for the work a Christian voluntarily does for God be the reason they earn money? Correct me if I'm wrong, but when Paul travelled the world to tell people about Jesus he didn't do it to earn money or a career. He did it because he felt God wanted him to. So if a modern-day Christian is, for example, the church treasurer and they want to become an accountant, is it ok for them to talk about their role in church in a job interview?

[Bust Nak]

What I mean is, is it ok for the work a Christian voluntarily does for God be the reason they earn money? Correct me if I'm wrong, but when Paul travelled the world to tell people about Jesus he didn't do it to earn money or a career. He did it because he felt God wanted him to. So if a modern-day Christian is, for example, the church treasurer and they want to become an accountant, is it ok for them to talk about their role in church in a job interview?

If a Christian did work in a church to bulk up his CV, that's between him and his church/God, I think Christians would agree that anything done (no matter how nice) for a purpose other than to glorify God is sinful re:filthy rags.

From the point of view of a potential employer, it simply shows this person is competent enough to run a club, play in a band etc. If I was hiring someone, I would want them to put down such information.

[Filthy Tugboat]

I don't see why not. Would it make a difference to you if an atheist does work in a secular place such as running a youth club for the sole purpose of writing it on a CV?

What I mean is, is it ok for the work a Christian voluntarily does for God be the reason they earn money? Correct me if I'm wrong, but when Paul travelled the world to tell people about Jesus he didn't do it to earn money or a career. He did it because he felt God wanted him to. So if a modern-day Christian is, for example, the church treasurer and they want to become an accountant, is it ok for them to talk about their role in church in a job interview?

A job interview usually consists of previous life experience and things learnt that may contribute to the workplace they are being interviewed for. Running a youth group for whatever reason falls under "life experience". Is there a problem with earning money partially or completely due to working for God? Does it not matter more what they do with that money rather than whether or not working for God produced that money?

[cnorman18]

If a Christian does work in church, such as running a youth group or playing in the band, is it right for them to use these activities to help them get a job (on a CV or in an interview)? Does it make a difference if they only do those things for the purpose of writing it on a CV rather than from any sense of love or duty?

I generally view this sort of thing as "fishing for hypocrisy" -- that is, trying find ways to smear ordinary, decent people as hypocrites by using some standard that no theist has ever actually used.

It's silly as well as polemic. You can find plenty of REAL hypocrisy if you look for it, e.g. nominally Christian or Jewish bank presidents and CEOs who routinely defraud and steal from the public, or nominally (and loudly) Christian Presidential candidates who practice condemnation, callousness and self-righteousness as opposed to the values and ethics that Jesus taught.

[AcrylicInk]

If a Christian does work in church, such as running a youth group or playing in the band, is it right for them to use these activities to help them get a job (on a CV or in an interview)? Does it make a difference if they only do those things for the purpose of writing it on a CV rather than from any sense of love or duty?

I generally view this sort of thing as "fishing for hypocrisy" -- that is, trying find ways to smear ordinary, decent people as hypocrites by using some standard that no theist has ever actually used.

I wasn't trying to blame anyone. It was a genuine question because I was filling out a job application and suddenly thought that maybe I shouldn't be listing my jobs in church to try and sound impressive.

[cnorman18]

If a Christian does work in church, such as running a youth group or playing in the band, is it right for them to use these activities to help them get a job (on a CV or in an interview)? Does it make a difference if they only do those things for the purpose of writing it on a CV rather than from any sense of love or duty?

I generally view this sort of thing as "fishing for hypocrisy" -- that is, trying find ways to smear ordinary, decent people as hypocrites by using some standard that no theist has ever actually used.

I wasn't trying to blame anyone. It was a genuine question because I was filling out a job application and suddenly thought that maybe I shouldn't be listing my jobs in church to try and sound impressive.

My apologies. Second-guessing oneself is a trap into which anyone who takes ethical behavior seriously can easily fall. Just don't overthink it; you had no deception in mind, of course, and there's nothing wrong with giving credit where credit is actually due -- even to oneself.

[Goat]

If a Christian does work in church, such as running a youth group or playing in the band, is it right for them to use these activities to help them get a job (on a CV or in an interview)? Does it make a difference if they only do those things for the purpose of writing it on a CV rather than from any sense of love or duty?

I generally view this sort of thing as "fishing for hypocrisy" -- that is, trying find ways to smear ordinary, decent people as hypocrites by using some standard that no theist has ever actually used.

I wasn't trying to blame anyone. It was a genuine question because I was filling out a job application and suddenly thought that maybe I shouldn't be listing my jobs in church to try and sound impressive.

My personal opinion.... the value of listing those jobs is to show that a prospective employer you are motivated, and have experience. Part of the entire job process is 'selling yourself' .. and that does include your job experience.

If you would list those experiences outside of Church, then by all means list it on your job application. Just as long as it's to show experience, and not push the 'see how religious I am' attitude. This is particularly true for running the 'youth group', since it shows organizational experience, and the ability to work with others.

[RobertUrbanek]

Because of the Mormon influence, the issue of church experience does arise in Utah, as noted by these Internet comments:

While I was in Utah (working for a nationwide company, by the way) occasionally I would get a resume with such things as "two years volunteer work in Spain" or describing work on a collective farm. It was so obviously Mo that it was laughable. Such things can help or hurt depending on the person reading the resume.

When I had some work done on my house, bidders were careful to include the local bish or SP with the references. -- SoCalNevermo

I work in Utah County and I have served on a lot of search committees. I am still shocked at how many applicants try to work in their LDS affiliation into the interview despite only being asked about relevant education and experience.

My department is decidedly non-Mormon but even the Mormons get irritated by this. Last year an applicant for a management position came in clearly unprepared for the interview. He seemed to assume that his BYU credentials and church connections would suffice. He was sunk when he continually addressed his answers to our questions to the men on the committee - completely ignoring the women. -- Caedmon

I couldn't tell you the number of times I've had Mormons walk in for an interview and sneak the fact they are Mormon into the conversation. They just assume I'm Mormon, too, I guess. They really do think that their credentials (i.e. mission, BYU) will automatically get them the job. -- lurker99