Hmm… I dunno. I think we’d like to think so, but I’d bet it happens more than we realize.
I’ve seen shadiness like that illustration before. In fact, I’ve known someone to get hired simply for asking for the job, having no experience in it whatsoever.
Which is unfortunate for those of us who have invested time, energy and resources to get where we are.
Yes. This happens in ministry all the time. It’s not this blatant, but it does happen- especially if the organization is going with the “first who, then where” mentality.
Soap box.
First who (as suggested by Jim Collins) basically states that org’s should get the right people on the bus first, then find out where they can best be utilized in the org. This is awesome.
The problem however is that it can’t be a cookie cutter mentality. It cannot be a cloning operation. If you want people that will do things exactly the same way you do, think the same way you do, and not ask questions- don’t hire people, just do everything yourself. (The excuse is that “they’re just not the right fit”. Nobody is the right fit. We’re all misfits! We’re all flawed.)
End Soap box.
So yes. Ministries do make personnel decisions based on external appearances.
Thankfully, not all ministries do this. Some get it. They get the right people on the bus and make it work.
Probably happens most in “public-facing” positions like pastor or worship leader roles. And I think that physical appearance should play *a* role in hiring for those positions, but it shouldn’t trump other legitimate qualifications.
Brian Spessard says
Hmm… I dunno. I think we’d like to think so, but I’d bet it happens more than we realize.
I’ve seen shadiness like that illustration before. In fact, I’ve known someone to get hired simply for asking for the job, having no experience in it whatsoever.
Which is unfortunate for those of us who have invested time, energy and resources to get where we are.
Aaron Melton says
Of course not; They hired you. 😛
j/k, I’m just jealous because I don’t have hip-hair.
Nick Shoemaker says
Yes. This happens in ministry all the time. It’s not this blatant, but it does happen- especially if the organization is going with the “first who, then where” mentality.
Soap box.
First who (as suggested by Jim Collins) basically states that org’s should get the right people on the bus first, then find out where they can best be utilized in the org. This is awesome.
The problem however is that it can’t be a cookie cutter mentality. It cannot be a cloning operation. If you want people that will do things exactly the same way you do, think the same way you do, and not ask questions- don’t hire people, just do everything yourself. (The excuse is that “they’re just not the right fit”. Nobody is the right fit. We’re all misfits! We’re all flawed.)
End Soap box.
So yes. Ministries do make personnel decisions based on external appearances.
Thankfully, not all ministries do this. Some get it. They get the right people on the bus and make it work.
Brian Spessard says
Well said.
Yohan Perera says
I don’t think John the Baptist looked very good when considering his out fit and the food he ate (Grasshoppers)….
But God hired him…
dannyjbixby says
“This doesn’t really happen in ministry, right?”
Right…
Scott Magdalein says
Probably happens most in “public-facing” positions like pastor or worship leader roles. And I think that physical appearance should play *a* role in hiring for those positions, but it shouldn’t trump other legitimate qualifications.
John Saddington says
yes. like people with red hoodies.
PhillipGibb says
maybe I should get back in shape just in case there is an opportunity, don’t want to get turned down because of my developing gut, 😛
John Saddington says
sweet! me too!