KenVincent
Moderator
Registered: 12/19/07
Posts: 103
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The Big Questions 1. Over the long run, what might be the impact on our lifestyle if many of the jobs jettisoned during the recent downturn are not replaced as the economy rises again? 2. While losing a job and not being able to find another creates financial hardship for most people, what other effects is unemployment likely to have on them? 3. In what specific ways does the Christian faith help you when you are "pounded down" by the circumstances of the economy? 4. Is there anything in the current job shortage that should cause us personal fear? If so, what? If not, why not? 5. What role should churches take with members who are distressed by being unemployed?
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Ken Vincent
Online Forum Moderator
St. Luke Lutheran Church
Albuquerque, NM |
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WillHoffman
Registered: 01/04/08
Posts: 98
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| #2 |
1. I think this is rather simplistic, static reasoning. The make-up of our workforce and the types of jobs is constantly changing. Many of those lost jobs were either unproductive, obsolete or precarious at best -- like journalism jobs. The American world of work has changed dramatically since the previous Great Recession of 1980-83. The downside is that the work-ethic covenant between employer and employee was ruptured, beginning with the firing of the union air traffic controllers, whose jobs are essential and government- subsidized.
2. The downside of the 1980-83 recession was the large number of senior employees "hosed-down" by major companies to avoid paying pensions, the gradual elimination of benefits like health care, and the exporting of many jobs "off-shore." Today, if workers want raises they must either change jobs or employers.
3. I think the Christian faith is a double-edged sword in our economy. Historically, one side is the collective culture of the Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism which propelled and grew Western society, and its present-day secular consequences. The other side is the individual sense of worth, collaboration and spiritual ethics as well as the social "safety net" and ministry with a fragile structure.
Here's a Will Story: I once asked the retired Johnson & Johnson Marketing VP if his proudest accomplishment was getting the company be open during the Tylenol scare. "No," he replied. "I never had to lay off a single employee during a down-turn." Prudence and ethics trumped power and vanity.
4. Obsessive personal fear should not be part of the equation in the current job shortage. Like the previous Great Recession, most people will be tested and will prevail. Yet, there will be a growing segment of "victims" -- the homeless and those who give up. One positive result was that the government job training system was reformed, eliminating subsidized, make-work jobs; political dependency and patronage; perpetual training-circuit riders; and a plethora of questionable, duplicative non-profit contracting support agencies.
5. Churches can assist with moral and resource support, networking, and advocating and supporting stimulus measures.
I believe that the previous Great Recession was more damaging. Remember that in addition to double-digit unemployment there were egregious double-digit inflation and double-digit interest-rates. Today, the fear-mongering media can only focus on jobs. One of the positive consequences of the previous Great Recession is the profound growth of worker productivity and quality as well as the increased mobility of workers in the past thirty years. Others results have only recently been accomplished: belated, concomitant increase in the federal minimum wage and protection in the workplace.
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BeverlyDavies
Registered: 08/21/09
Posts: 5
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| #3 |
1. Over the long run, we will have to adapt to the changes put upon us by lost jobs. New directions will become evident in jobs having to do with the environmental concerns, food production, construction, education and health care. Life is ever changing and we will all change jobs many times in our lifetimes. The ability to respond to loss and change will become a hallmark of survivors. Not everyone will have the flexibility or the resources to respond positively, and many will need assistance when job losses occur.
2. Job loss and unemployment take a heavy toll on an individual and their families not only financially, but also emotionally. In our society, much of our self esteem is wrapped up in our job identity and therefore, when that is lost, it is only natural to stagger a bit as we have to 'go within' to find our true value which is always spiritual instead of the superficial definition we subscribe to in our capitalistic culture.
We are not our jobs, or our bank accounts, or where we live, or the car we drive. We are much more than that. We are children of God.
3. Hard times require much in the way of PRACTICING our faith. HAVING faith is different from professing faith. We can trust that our Heavenly Father loves us and is working to bring about circumstances that are in our best interest. Our job becomes doing the footwork of walking through the hard time, knocking on all the doors to see which one God will open.
4. Fear is a natural human response to loss. However, fear cannot be allowed to paralyze us. We must instead assure ourselves of our Father's love, and get up and start taking action. Decisions made from fear are often bad decisions. Let us first assure ourselves of our safety in God's love before we make life changing decisions.
5. I hope churches will become centers of hope for the unemployed. Support groups, speakers, education programs, individual spiritual support from clergy and lay people, community outreach, and sermons on surviving times of difficulty would all be helpful. Leadership should be taken in talking about this subject, reducing shame on being unemployed, and references to Jesus' hopeful message all can help to support those who are suffering from unemployment. Providing a place to come and talk about their pain would be helpful. We are a community who helps one another through hard times. Hard times sear into our memories like nothing else and we remember vividly who was there for us during those bleak days. Let the Church be that comforting memory.
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