Back in the late 1970s, I read an essay purporting to predict the shape of preaching in the future. The writer argued that by the turn of the century the local pastor would no longer be a preacher; instead, he or she would simply handle baptisms, personal counseling, and catechizing children (this was not a Baptist futurist). The congregation would continue to gather to hear preaching but not from the local pastor.
Each denomination would have several stellar preachers who would be available to the churches through satellite links (the internet was a bit in the future). Local churches could choose the preacher they heard, either by topic or preaching style. Thus, congregations would never again be subjected to amateurish, boring, mediocre preaching. That vision of the future never happened. ( I suppose the simulcasting of the megachurch pastor’s sermon to the “satellites” of some multi-site churches comes close.) Most people seem to want to hear from a pastor who is made up of flesh and blood, not so many pixels.
Twice this past week, I’ve found myself in a conversation about the effect of outsourcing. In each, the conversation began with a comment on friends who were engaged in job searches, job searches that had thus far proven futile. At this point, the subject of outsourcing came up. The AC tech who had come to service the church unit spoke of some friends who had lost their jobs at a large insurance company in Columbus. Their jobs were shipped overseas so dozens of American workers were suddenly jobless. The funny thing is this company’s slogan speaks of how much it is on the side of its customers. Apparently, it is not on the side of its employees.
I admit to mixed feelings about outsourcing. I’m enough of a capitalist to believe companies should make profits. Yet, I still have to ask: At what cost? Sure, the powerful, greedy auto workers’ unions may have brought trouble on themselves due to their increasing demands. Yet, is there a powerful, greedy claims adjusters’ union doing the same to the insurance industry? Does the Bank of A*****a, no less, really have to hire men and women living on other continents to call my home to try to entice me to take advantage of their new low interest rates on transferred balances? I wonder.
Some argue there are “jobs Americans won’t do” so we have to outsource or hire undocumented workers. Again, I wonder. When I was convalescing from knee surgery, I met a man who is as American as the Fourth of July. His job? He picks up dog-droppings from his customers’ lawns.
I’ve been reading about the beginnings of the Guinness brewing company. Even the most ardent teetotaler knows Guinness is one of the most famous beers in the world. Anyway, when Arthur Guinness opened his brewery in Dublin, he had a vision. An ardent Christian (again, not a Baptist), Guinness wanted his company to make a good product and to be a benefit to his employees. So, Guinness paid a fair wage, provided medical care to his employees and their families, offered classes so the employees could learn to read or develop new skills, taught wives of employees how to make healthier homes, and provided “counselors” to help with employees suffering from alcoholism. Guinness was one of the most popular places to work in Dublin and, despite all the perks offered to employees, the brewery made a profit.
Contrast Guinness with some American companies. Survey after survey has shown that American CEOs and other upper-level executives make more than their foreign counterparts who lead equally prosperous companies. If these executives were content to drive last year’s Jag or Bentley would they be able to keep their employees—the troops who make their money—at home?
Do I want the government to take the executives’ monies and redistribute the wealth? No, like I said I’m something of a capitalist. Still, we evangelicals have had a pretty good record for reminding Christian workers they should give an honest day’s labor for their wages. Maybe it’s time we reminded Christian bosses that how they look after their workers is a telling illustration of the integrity of their Christian commitment.
