By Robert C. Vogel
Regardless of the state of the economy,
there will always be the need for a “spiritual lifeline” for anyone undergoing
a career transition, and especially for those seeking new employment.
While the marketplace is never as tough as
when one becomes unemployed, the fact is that it can happen to anyone, at
anytime, for any reason, regardless of one’s seniority, position, or value.
The loss of a job is a part of one’s career
that is filled with a wide-ranging set of emotions, and next to the death of a
loved one, it ranks as one of the most traumatic experiences in life. It is
imperative that job seekers deal spiritually with these emotions, and it is
recommended that each take time to become “spiritually grounded” in scripture
before, during, and after the basic mechanics of the job search process.
The Job Search Ministry, started by David
Giffin in 2001 at the Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in
The ministry’s mission is “to spiritually
and mechanically support the unemployed during their job search process, so
that they not only secure new employment, but more importantly, develop a new
or closer relationship with Jesus Christ”.
Max Lorenz of Life and CareerWorks, notes
that “while implementing the fundamentals of a job search is an important part
of your daily efforts toward successful re-employment, the need to understand
and effectively deal with the emotions inherent to a search is equally
important. Relating all of the feelings and issues you encounter with the
master plan God has for each of us is necessary to being a well-rounded
person”.
The Job Search Ministry’s meeting topics
direct and guide individuals through scripture discussion in ways to understand
and better relate to feelings of anger, worry, fear, loneliness, hopelessness,
and depression that result from a tumultuous job market and hard-to-predict
economy. It also assists job seekers in discerning God’s will, and it offers a
two-pronged approach for any search – first, turning the situation entirely
over to God, and second, finding the job God has earmarked for each of us.
David Giffen regularly recalls his initial
thoughts about the two-pronged approach. “In my daily prayer, I told God that I
believed He already knew what my next job was to be, that He had already
identified it, and in fact, He had written my name on it” says Giffen. “My
outlook was significantly changed, as I realized God already knew the end
result, so why would I worry about anything? God had already picked out the job
that would provide the financial needs for my family. If God ‘provided for the
birds of the air’, as noted in Matthew
A major focus of the ministry is to
encourage members to do their very best with their search efforts. Julius
Glaser, a senior-level sales and marketing professional who actively
participates in the ministry adds to Giffin’s sentiments. “I have learned
through Bible study that our work
really matters to God, regardless of where we are in our careers or our career
transitions. Whether our work is for
an employer, or part of a personal job search, we’re to perform to the best of
our abilities to please and honor the Lord,” Glaser testifies.
The structure of the Job Search Ministry’s
program is very effective, because it includes: 1) time to share what is going
on in each other’s lives, 2) time devoted to study of the Word, 3) time devoted
to making commitments, and 4) following up with each other to insure you have
met your goals.
Accountability is very important within the
Job Search Ministry program. Accountability to the group for keeping job search
commitments and spiritual commitments is monitored at each meeting. Accountability
to oneself, to one’s family, and to God is discussed in small groups at the end
of each program.
The thought of dealing with all of the
concerns and doubts that one has in the middle of a job search is frightening.
It can be very lonely and disheartening, and the weight of finding a job is
almost overwhelming at times. One’s mind can run out of control with worry and
self-pity. Thoughts run rampant over what could have been done to avoid a job
loss, even many months after leaving a job. But once a person’s emotions are
under control, or at least in check, he or she can move forward with a
strategic and spiritual approach to finding a job.
“The Job Search Ministry provides its
participants with an opportunity to turn an otherwise ‘gut-wrenching, high-anxiety’
situation into a very wonderful, character-building, spirit-enhancing
experience”, claims David Smith, a career strategic marketing executive
involved with the program. Smith adds that “while a job search doesn’t always
feel like a wonderful growing experience, the ministry’s twice-a-month program
is a real blessing and helps everyone to understand that the Good Lord is with
all of us, and it’s up to each person to reach out and walk with the Lord on a
daily basis for guidance and direction”.
Most men and women involved with the
ministry program throughout the Greater Saint Louis area agree that the days
following the evening meetings are the most productive, due in large part to
the spiritual refreshment and nourishment facilitated through the Job Search
Ministry.
Giffin relates, “I once read an article in
which the author bragged about American industry having created a ‘just in
time’ approach to meeting its employment needs.
The writer indicated that we had become so good at hiring, and then
terminating people’s employment when we no longer need them, that it was like a
very sophisticated inventory management system. Unfortunately, he never gave
any consideration that the result of that efficient process was a great deal of
human misery and suffering”.
Giffin knows all too well about the “end of
the process”, as he dealt with it for years as a human resources executive,
regularly seeing employees lose their jobs. “I knew what was in store for them;
a lonely journey that included a non-stop roller coaster of emotions,
self-doubt, and concern for themselves and each family’s financial future”,
reflects Giffin.
This human resources manager regularly
thought about how those people dealt with their feelings. Then in January of
2001, Giffin became one of those people when his position was eliminated. He was distressed, and he was worried. He experienced feelings of grief over the
loss of something that had been a huge part of his life, as is the case with
many who lose a job.
Shortly after the initial shock of what had
transpired, a wonderful thing happened to Giffin. He remembered that he was not
alone in dealing with his problems, and he realized that God was on his side
and would provide for all of his needs, including his next job. Giffin’s
experience was very similar to the journey that many men and women are
addressing today, or will have to someday encounter in the future.
Max Lorenz, who participated in the Job
Search Ministry while developing his own consultancy business, noted that over
75% of the almost 300 job seekers who have been involved in the ministry to
date did not have any kind of outplacement assistance offered to them by their
former employers. “The need to be able to interact and share ideas with others
on a regular basis is critical, more so for those who do not have outplacement
assistance, because job search structure, evaluation, problem-solving, and
networking are key. That regular interaction is then complemented by the
spiritual growth that everyone aspires to achieve through this ministry”.
Feeling the power of the Holy Spirit after
much prayer and contemplation, Giffin pondered ways to help unemployed people,
quickly leading to the creation of the “spiritual keys” pamphlet, now used as
the foundation of the ministry within six area churches.
Everyone who attends the Job Search
Ministry for the first time receives a ten-page pamphlet entitled, The Spiritual Keys to a Successful Job
Search. The pamphlet is intended to assist individuals spiritually, as each
works his or her way through the job search process.
The Spiritual Keys to a Successful Job
Search explains that “God is waiting for you, and He is waiting with open arms
to bring you closer to Him through the walk you will make together. The journey
involves searching for a new beginning with a new job. But more importantly, it
involves a closer relationship with your Heavenly Father, which will result
from the journey”.
The pamphlet is available to anyone interested
in learning more about participating in the ecumenical, not-for-profit program,
or to anyone interested in starting a ministry in his or her own church. Additional
information on the Job Search Ministry is available at (314) 802-2624 and
(636) 532-0031.
| Location | Time |
|
Bonhomme Presbyterian Church Leader:
Julius Glaser 636-532-3486 |
2nd
& 4th Monday at |
|
St. Claire
Assisi Church
Leader:
Pat Wells
636-394-7307 |
1st
& 3rd Wednesday at (New participants please call 636-458-4623) |
|
Incarnate
Word Catholic Church Leader:
Bill Geis 314-576-5366 |
1st & 3rd Thursday at |
|
Ellisville
United Methodist Church Leader:
Damien Flaherty 636-227-4378 |
1st & 3rd Tuesday at |
|
Leader:
Don Stookey 13431
North Outer 636-227-3505 |
During Sunday School |
|
West
County Christian Church
Leader:
Kriss Morris 314-878-5994 |
2nd
& 4th Tuesday at ( |
Robert C. Vogel is a
senior-level sales and marketing executive, and an active member of the Job
Search Ministry, who may be reached at www.rcvmarketing.com and
rcvogel@swbell.net.