Someone sent this to me based on an issue in her workplace. I've posted on discrimination and favoritism. I think we are called as Christians to make sure we are not guilty of ageism, racism, sexism, or any other -ism.
As baby boomers age and remain longer in the workforce we see the phenomenon, and often the tension, of younger and older professionals struggling to work well together. Young professionals bring new energy and ideas, new trends, technological skills, and represent what many fear….change. Often young professionals go so far as to idolize their own attributes while seeing (and perhaps treating) their “seasoned” professional counterparts as “aged,” out of style, and old news.
On the flip side, young professionals are often pre-judged by senior-level employees as immature, inexperienced, naive, and altogether unworthy of opportunities to express opinions, participate in “senior” meetings, or to find a “seat at the table” (except maybe the children’s table). Both attitudes represent generalized and unfair assessments.
Young professionals are encouraged to not “let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
In his book On Being a Servant of God, Warren Wiersbe shares some valuable tips on the phenomena of older and younger people working together:
1. Never take down a fence until you know why it was put up.
2. If you get too far ahead of the army, your soldiers may mistake you for the enemy.
3. Don’t complain about the bottom rungs of the ladder; they helped you get higher.
4. If you want to enjoy the rainbow, be prepared to endure the storm.
The apostle Peter challenges the young and old to work together in humility. “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5, NKJV). Paul encourages the older woman to mentor the younger woman in godliness and for older men to encourage young men and in to set them an example by doing what is good (Titus 2:3-5). He goes on to say “in your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8). What a noble and God-inspired calling for us to live out in our workplaces as intergenerational employees learn to grow together in mutual respect.
Showing posts with label Favoritism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Favoritism. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Discrimination
James 2: 1-12
There are so many legal and ethical reasons to avoid discriminating against people. It's just the wrong thing to do. But there are Biblical reasons as well. James exhorts his audience to avoid favoritism, which is essentially the same thing as discrimination. In James' day, one of the big issues was discriminating against the poor, as well as widows and orphans. Those inequalities persists today as well in some forms. But the Bible is clear that any form of discrimination is wrong. From the beginning, we are all made in God's image. We are also told not to judge others. When you treat someone differently because of the color of their skin, their age, their gender, their ability or disability, you are saying that even though you and I are both made in the image of God, I am better than you.
As a Christian, you don't want someone to discriminate against you. Don't do the same to others. Instead, show love for others, especially those that face hatred from many around them.
There are so many legal and ethical reasons to avoid discriminating against people. It's just the wrong thing to do. But there are Biblical reasons as well. James exhorts his audience to avoid favoritism, which is essentially the same thing as discrimination. In James' day, one of the big issues was discriminating against the poor, as well as widows and orphans. Those inequalities persists today as well in some forms. But the Bible is clear that any form of discrimination is wrong. From the beginning, we are all made in God's image. We are also told not to judge others. When you treat someone differently because of the color of their skin, their age, their gender, their ability or disability, you are saying that even though you and I are both made in the image of God, I am better than you.
As a Christian, you don't want someone to discriminate against you. Don't do the same to others. Instead, show love for others, especially those that face hatred from many around them.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Favoritism
James 2:9
James wrote this in the context of church, arguing against church leaders showing favoritism. But I think the application holds true in workplaces as well. Don't show favoritism in your business decisions. That doesn't mean that you cannot make decisions based on what is best for your company, but it does mean that you need to take everyone's needs into consideration, even those who may not benefit you as much. A common theme in James, Jesus' teachings, and the Old Testament is taking care of widows and orphans. In those societies, widows and orphans were typically the lowest classes of people, those least able to take care of themselves. Think about who might be equivalent in your workplace or sphere of contact. Be careful not to show favoritism against these people in favor of people with whom you more closely identify.
James wrote this in the context of church, arguing against church leaders showing favoritism. But I think the application holds true in workplaces as well. Don't show favoritism in your business decisions. That doesn't mean that you cannot make decisions based on what is best for your company, but it does mean that you need to take everyone's needs into consideration, even those who may not benefit you as much. A common theme in James, Jesus' teachings, and the Old Testament is taking care of widows and orphans. In those societies, widows and orphans were typically the lowest classes of people, those least able to take care of themselves. Think about who might be equivalent in your workplace or sphere of contact. Be careful not to show favoritism against these people in favor of people with whom you more closely identify.
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