A Ministry of Compassion Church of Katy
Dealing with Non-believing Co-Workers
Hi everyone,
This is something that has really been weighing heavily on me. I'm fairly new to the Fire/EMS scene and I've noticed that, at least in my department, Christian technicians and firefighters are the minority. I've ridden quite a few shifts and been with many different partners and none of them have been believers. They're all caught up in the secular. Conversations are generally full of immensely profane language, exceptionally crude jokes, and stories of parties and how they intend to spend their off-time which usually entails drinking until they can't stomach anymore but leaving enough time to sober up for their next shift. And the attitude, 99.9% of the time leads them to extreme cynicism concerning their job and inevitably crosses over into the patient care realm. After every single shift I find myself completely spiritually and emotionally drained and it's not necessarily because of the calls that I've run that shift, but more so with the verbal and emotional garbage that I have seen or heard. It hurts because I understand that there's so much more to life and that this profession is an AMAZING opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ. I was just curious how some of you veterans of the profession have dealt with similar people and situations. I'm just a brother trying to find some encouragement haha.
This is something that has really been weighing heavily on me. I'm fairly new to the Fire/EMS scene and I've noticed that, at least in my department, Christian technicians and firefighters are the minority. I've ridden quite a few shifts and been with many different partners and none of them have been believers. They're all caught up in the secular. Conversations are generally full of immensely profane language, exceptionally crude jokes, and stories of parties and how they intend to spend their off-time which usually entails drinking until they can't stomach anymore but leaving enough time to sober up for their next shift. And the attitude, 99.9% of the time leads them to extreme cynicism concerning their job and inevitably crosses over into the patient care realm. After every single shift I find myself completely spiritually and emotionally drained and it's not necessarily because of the calls that I've run that shift, but more so with the verbal and emotional garbage that I have seen or heard. It hurts because I understand that there's so much more to life and that this profession is an AMAZING opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ. I was just curious how some of you veterans of the profession have dealt with similar people and situations. I'm just a brother trying to find some encouragement haha.
Views: 6
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by jagfangirl27 on -
I've been in law enforcement for nearly 14 years, about 10 of those in communications and 2 as a deputy. The rest was in the jail as an inmate records technician. Christians are definitely in the minority. The best way I have found to deal with it is to PRAY FOR THEM. I had a real problem with one of my co-workers who was not only unChristian but was actually sabotaging me. I put him on my prayer list and two amazing things began to happen - not only did he change his attitude toward me, MY attitude toward him changed. I began to realize that I was judging him and it softened my attitude toward him, so his attitude toward me softened as well. It is hard to put up with the garbage but if you don't lower yourself to fit in, you will over time earn their respect for who you are as Christ's representative.
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Permalink Reply by Brooks Childs on -
I find your reply very much appreciated and timely. I have beome very distracted by co-workers who were unChristian and sabotaging me as well... I forgot how prayer and foregiveness alowed me to focus properly on the true values in this life, and the transformations I have witnessed through humility.
Thank you.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Tilghman on
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Thanks so much for your reply. You are so right. Since writing that message I strived to stay out of the gossip circles and the crude jokes and language and I have seen some interesting things happen. I think, at least I hope, my coworkers have taken notice of the difference in me, which is Christ. I'm constantly asked before a shift if "bad language" offends me because whomever I am riding with that day has seen me work, or heard how I work haha, and I've gotten the nickname "St. Justin", which is flattering but so so far from the truth. That has opened the doors for me to share just a snippit of Jesus I think. I tell them all the time that I don't use "bad language" but I am not here to judge them for the lives they lead, that is God's job. I'm just hear to be "salt and light" and I will love them just the same whether they have a foul mouth or a clean one, because that's what Jesus did, loved the sinner not the sin. I just pray before I go on shift that I can be a light and difference in someone's life, be it my partner or my patient. I also totally agree with the respect issue. I have seen coworkers that I thought couldn't stand me turn out to be some of the nicest people once they saw that I intended to be different from the status quo and that I attributed that difference to my relationship with God. I believe that once the world sees the beauty of Christ, which I pray everyday is evident in my life and actions, it is refreshing just like the "spring of living water" that Jesus says His Word is.
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Permalink Reply by Rev Robert A Crutchfield on -
I think every Christian in the fire service runs into at least some members who are ambivalent toward faith at best. However I can tell you this from my own experience as a chaplain. More than once I've been pulled aside by a member you might not expect. Its usually the one doing the most cussing, and telling the most crude jokes. They'll start out something like, You know chaplain, you might be surprised hearing this from me. But stepping on that engine gets easier knowing you're around somewhere praying for us.
I remember leading the invocation at a department business meeting one time. I was praying for God to be our partner as we went about the duties he has called us to , and to always "have our back." I could literally feel and hear the stress lift out of the room !
As chaplains our ministry most of all is one of presence. Keep your Christian example out there at your fire house, police station etc, I assure you your impact will be greater than you could ever imagine.
Yours in Christ,
Chaplain Crutchfield
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Permalink Reply by Tracy Hardy Arthur on -
Hey Justin!!! i am new to this group but I saw you were from Kinston. I live in Lagrange(jason actually) I have been a dispatcher with Greene Co Sheriffs Officer for 3 yrs. My son Randy is 19 y/o. He has just begun a group called Responders for Christ at Ormondsville OFWB Church in Ayden...He has a facebook page...we would love for you to join us
© 2012 Created by Rev Robert A Crutchfield.
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