ForumGarden

For those that regularly go to church:

As some know, I just moved and am without a job. Since I'm in the Bible Belt, an aquaintance suggested I join a local church for networking. He says that it's a great way to meet new people and build a business network.

That struck me as awfully manipulative. I assume it really happens, but I want to know what those that regularly attend church would think about such a person.

Accountable wrote: For those that regularly go to church:



As some know, I just moved and am without a job. Since I'm in the Bible Belt, an aquaintance suggested I join a local church for networking. He says that it's a great way to meet new people and build a business network.



That struck me as awfully manipulative. I assume it really happens, but I want to know what those that regularly attend church would think about such a person.




My personal view on people using church to gain material things, wether it be to get employed or seeking employees was a sin. Period!!!:yh_devil

I have seen it and despised it. My ex wife works for a guy that hired from the church and abused them all in some way or other.......

flopstock wrote: It's done all the time. But it's not just church. Any common interest group where people meet and work together on projects or commuity events is a great way to meet business connections. Also health clubs are a good source.

...


That's a primary reason I belong to Toastmasters and the only reason I would join ASTD (a trainers' association). But to join a church to network seems especially distateful, if not blasphemous (not that I'm unfamiliar with blasphemy).

I don't know of anyone that attends church for the sole purpose of network, but then again perhaps I'm naive. However churches, except for maybe the mega-churches, are usually a tight-knit community where close friendships are conceived and nurtured. I know my closest friends in life have been those I met at church. I think networking is a natural by-product of involvement in a church. I suspect if one attends church just to network, not only will the results be disappointing but he/she will feel out of his element and quite uncomfortable. I don't imagine the experiment would last long.

I can relate an experience where a smooth-talking guy came into our congregation and quickly made key friends and contacts. Some soon became suspicious of his activities, notified police, and turns out he was wanted in Florida for fraud. He was a scam artist. One of the church members who was a target of this con artist, helped the police in a sting operation. The perp went to jail.

"the Bible Belt" depending with whom you talk to that covers everything from Wyoming to Pennsylvania.

Accountable wrote: For those that regularly go to church:

As some know, I just moved and am without a job. Since I'm in the Bible Belt, an aquaintance suggested I join a local church for networking. He says that it's a great way to meet new people and build a business network.

That struck me as awfully manipulative. I assume it really happens, but I want to know what those that regularly attend church would think about such a person.


If you are an atheist, I would say that it would make you a bona fide hypocrite.

Try this-may be a chapter near you or there will probably be something like it. Why not network non churchgoers?



http://www.bni.com/

Lon wrote: If you are an atheist, I would say that it would make you a bona fide hypocrite.
And what type of hypocrite would I be if I weren't atheist?

gmc wrote: Try this-may be a chapter near you or there will probably be something like it. Why not network non churchgoers?



http://www.bni.com/
To quote one of my all-time favorite TV characters, Holy Cr*p! There is truly an organization for everything. A chapter is right here in San Antonio.

Thanks GMC. :-6

I don't want this to stop the conversation, though, Lon.

Accountable wrote: And what type of hypocrite would I be if I weren't atheist?


Well, if you are not an atheist, I wouldn't think you are a hypocrite at all. The church group would accept you I would think. "To thine ownself me true".

Lon wrote: Well, if you are not an atheist, I wouldn't think you are a hypocrite at all. The church group would accept you I would think. "To thine ownself me true".
I don't know. I was raised in the church. I'm just religious enough not to take visiting lightly, which is why I don't visit. Going there with an alterior motive just seems a bit too wrong. Of course, maybe it's another convenient excuse to stay away. :-2

Now that's a new one on me. A church with a bouncer. Somehow or another I'm not sure that our Lord would approve. What next?

Shalom'Ted

flopstock:-6

Yes, but Jesus was driving out merchants and money exchangers etc. I don't know of any churches where people are trying to sell or scam something during the service. Though I did no of one preacher who was helping himself to the loose change in the collection plates. Talk about getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar.

I personally have never witnessed anything in a church that would require a bouncer.

I find the whole issue rather ludicrous and incredible.

Shalom

Ted:-6

FAR said...But you know I do that wherever I go, out to eat, to a store, where ever, its in my nature. I'm naturally inclined to watch out for danger.



Since God put that in me, I suppose it is the Lords will for me?... i can relate to that! i can't even go to the grocery store without my radar on. it's IN us. we all have a calling. when i was 10 years old i knew i was supposed to defend the weak. not to my credit, it's simply what i was meant to do. who knows why? and there is NO place safe or sacrosanct anymore.

Far Rider:-6

First of all I am not judging you. Now I understand the situation, I'm not sure how I would respond. Never been there so haven't done that.

You leave me wondering how I would handle such a situation!

Shalom

Ted:-6

Not everything Christ did was written down. But one of the times He really got upset was at the marketing of stuff in the Chruch.

Some salesmen are so slick that they will be welcomed unlike the guy that was sent off.

Tired but do plan on checking out that networking organization.

Not a big fan of meetins so might not fit my style.

As for marketing in Chruch I have posted my busisness card on a adbord that was set up at an Assembly of God Chruch as well as the adboard by the Christian Book store. And I have run adverts in the Christian Busisness Directory. That was before Beverly Hills International went bust:( Had a downline of 400 at the time.

Lotto

http://www.flalottomagic.net/?sponsor=Z4941

MagicZ4941A