Dear Editor,
I don't believe that the main reason the church is so opposed to this flexi-workweek has anything to do with the rights of workers in respect of their desired working hours and when they would want to worship. I think the church's real reason has to do with what it thinks it will lose. If this is the case, then the church just needs to think a bit more.
While we would not want to see workers being forced to work on their worship days, the simple truth is that if we want to raise our productivity levels, some workers will have to work on that special day. Companies should not be prevented from hiring new workers on account of having flexi-workweek schemes, and then having prospective workers refusing to work on account of their religion.
Even though our churches won't publicly admit this, it is true that flexi-workweek is a threat to them. With reduced congregations come reduced revenues. We all know that these revenues are vital to our churches. However, our churches should see flexi-workweek as an opportunity and not a problem.
When one listens to the typical church sermon, one cannot help but wonder where these pastors get the energy to shout out their lungs. It is understandable that they would want the rest of the week to recuperate. I know that many of our pastors will find it very difficult to work more than once a week. I think this is another reason they oppose flexi-week so much -- they may need to have additional worship days and shout more.
If our churches adapt to flexi-week then they should benefit. Instead of having one main worship day, our churches should consider having three or even more. Sure, they may get less people on each of those days, but they should end up getting more when all of those days are combined. More attendance should mean more money; shouldn't it?
Also, our churchgoers will have more reasons to accept flexi-week. They will not have to worry about missing their "day in church" as they will have other days from which to choose.
Some will say that flexi-workweek will clash with that day which is ordained in church doctrine and it must be obeyed. However, this should not be a problem as church doctrines can always be changed. If our churches can "reinterpret" their doctrine to accept women priests and common-law unions, then they can do so to have more than one main worship day.
Also, as an added incentive, if the god that these Christians worship is as powerful as he is always made out to be, then he shouldn't have a problem adopting a flexi-workweek either.
Our churches have been losing relevance with the times. For their sake, I would hope that they don't drive more nails into their coffin by resisting flexi-workweek. Goodness knows we need it.
Michael A Dingwall
michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com
Church could benefit from flexi-workweek
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I don't believe that the main reason the church is so opposed to this flexi-workweek has anything to do with the rights of workers in respect of their desired working hours and when they would want to worship. I think the church's real reason has to do with what it thinks it will lose. If this is the case, then the church just needs to think a bit more.
While we would not want to see workers being forced to work on their worship days, the simple truth is that if we want to raise our productivity levels, some workers will have to work on that special day. Companies should not be prevented from hiring new workers on account of having flexi-workweek schemes, and then having prospective workers refusing to work on account of their religion.
Even though our churches won't publicly admit this, it is true that flexi-workweek is a threat to them. With reduced congregations come reduced revenues. We all know that these revenues are vital to our churches. However, our churches should see flexi-workweek as an opportunity and not a problem.
When one listens to the typical church sermon, one cannot help but wonder where these pastors get the energy to shout out their lungs. It is understandable that they would want the rest of the week to recuperate. I know that many of our pastors will find it very difficult to work more than once a week. I think this is another reason they oppose flexi-week so much -- they may need to have additional worship days and shout more.
If our churches adapt to flexi-week then they should benefit. Instead of having one main worship day, our churches should consider having three or even more. Sure, they may get less people on each of those days, but they should end up getting more when all of those days are combined. More attendance should mean more money; shouldn't it?
Also, our churchgoers will have more reasons to accept flexi-week. They will not have to worry about missing their "day in church" as they will have other days from which to choose.
Some will say that flexi-workweek will clash with that day which is ordained in church doctrine and it must be obeyed. However, this should not be a problem as church doctrines can always be changed. If our churches can "reinterpret" their doctrine to accept women priests and common-law unions, then they can do so to have more than one main worship day.
Also, as an added incentive, if the god that these Christians worship is as powerful as he is always made out to be, then he shouldn't have a problem adopting a flexi-workweek either.
Our churches have been losing relevance with the times. For their sake, I would hope that they don't drive more nails into their coffin by resisting flexi-workweek. Goodness knows we need it.
Michael A Dingwall
michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com
Church could benefit from flexi-workweek
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