mikeShriver

I have recently applied for a job at my Alma Mater. Being a Christian affiliated university, there are certain faith requirements for prospective employees, and probing questions that must be answered upon application, prompting (for the first time, really) to actually try to articulate my position on faith. I’ll include the actual essays below.

Note: I have already been notified that I didn’t get the position I applied for. This probably had more to do with the current economic troubles the school is facing than the essays below.

A Note to Prospective Employers: The following essays are probably longer than they appear on the application due to space limitations (and handwriting). This version is copied directly from my working drafts.

Describe clearly, and with examples, your life of faith. How would you talk about your relationship with Jesus Christ? Please provide any aspects of your personal journey of Christian faith that are relevant.

A journey is the best way to describe my relationship with faith. I was raised in a Baptist tradition and have found myself frustrated with the failings of an evangelically focused church. This has caused me to go into cycles of questioning my faith and a constant (almost nagging) exploration of what I actually believe. It has been hard for me to pin down a specific set of beliefs that I hold. Most strongly I believe that a live of faith and following Jesus calls above all for a concrete example of compassion that is primarily focused on improving the situation of the created world. Care for the poor, an end to violent conflict (from the red letters) and environmental stewardship (an important theme in Genesis) are three readily available examples of the kinds of actions and attitudes I feel called to from Christ’s teachings. I believe that these things should be a Christians primary means of evangelism, and I humbly make all attempts to conform my behavior to Christ’s example.

What church do you currently attend? Describe your regular association with a group of Christian believers, including church affiliation and membership. Please also describe your participation in any Bible study or prayer group, or community outreach and ministry.

I am currently attending Seattle Mennonite Church. I am, at present, not a member of any church. Admittedly, my re-association with the christian church (at large) has been relatively recent (within the last 2 months or so) and so my relationship with this particular church is still somewhat underdeveloped. I am making contacts, and a good deal is helped by the fact that I have several friends in the congregation. I attend no bible studies or prayer groups with any regularity. I am exploring some of the ministries that the Mennonite community offers, and it was the presence of these ministries, such as Christian Peacekeeper Team, and Ten Thousand Villages, that drew me to this particular congregation (and back to regular church attendance) in the first place.

Tags: christianity, church, employment, faith, SPU