What is “Faith-based Professional Development”?

Great question.

Here is a true story that helps illustrate what we do.

Recently we were hired to conduct a dozen Enneagram typing interviews and lead a three-hour follow-up workshop with our S.A.L.T. leadership team.

You never know when the healing power of the Holy Spirit will show up – it’s best to be prepared –but not always possible.  It always feels like a privilege to me.

My final interview was with a new employee who self identified as an Enneagram Type 1, The Reformer, The Perfectionist.  After I asked a question about security, I noticed redness around her eyes.  I asked her if she needed a moment.  She gratefully agreed.

During the interview she confided in me that she, Jennifer, (not her real name) had recently come from a high energy, highly structured, fast paced, policy and procedure-filled, corporate environment.  She had been at her new position for 3 months.  It was a newly created position with no formal procedures or policies, no rules or guidelines.  The job description was very broad.  The performance expectations are very high (though obviously not higher than her own).  Her immediate supervisor is a very charming, highly intelligent Type 7. 

As a Type 7, limits and structure are not a priority for her boss.   The lack of structure and benchmarks, for a project whose deadline was 5 months away was enough to freeze Jennifer in a self-critical holding pattern.  Her anxiety at having a blank canvas with no guideline but expectations for greatness brought her to our interview ready for a good cry.

Earlier in the day I had interviewed and helped several more experienced women employees identify their Enneagram types.  Many were Type 1s.  I suggested to Jennifer that we find, within the office, a mentor of the same personality type who might be able to provide some support and suggestions.

Thank you Jesus.  The person I had in mind was not available.  However, in the office across the hall another mentor was ready, willing, and as a Type 1, more than able to assist us.  I explained the situation, that, they were both Type 1s, and that Jennifer was at her wits end.

The miracle began.  It was as if I had been a mediocre language translator who had understood only some of what Jennifer was saying. Then it was as if I had brought in someone from her home country who not only spoke her language, but her dialect, and was from her own home town!  The transformation was astounding.  They were so caught up in the conversation that I suggested I leave so they could speak their language without worrying about me not understanding the nuances. Thankfully they allowed me to stay.  Jennifer was starved for empathetic understanding and redemption.  Our mentor did not disappoint.

She was so encouraging and so empathetic and had stories of times when she was younger and frustrated and felt alone, as if she was the only one who had this inner critic the size of Rhode Island.  She spoke lovingly of her own mentors and how they had helped her get through some very difficult times.  She told of all of the policy and procedure manuals she had written “because somebody needed to” and . . . all of Jennifer’s shame and anxiety, about being found out to be “worthless” because she wasn’t getting it right, because she was stuck. . . went away.

Jesus took it.  With the love and support of a blessed mother mentor, he took away her sin. He took away her anger at herself for not being good enough.  He took away her self-judgment.  He returned to her, her whole heart. The transformation was astounding. Her eyes cleared and actually shined with her enthusiasm.  Her confidence returned.  I didn’t recognize her as the same woman who had come into the interview, broken and hopeless, alone and sick about her job performance.

Go and sin no more.  Your Faith has made you whole.  No more shall you not ask for help.  No more will you rely only on your understanding.  No more will you be alone. “For I am with you always.”

As I watched them interact, it was like a loving big sister geek, explaining to her sad little sister, “Don’t worry little one.  There are more policy and procedure manuals to write.  You are not a freak.  It’s just what we do. This is how we operate.  No one notices the huge self-critical lobe on our brains but us.” A Type 1 empathizing with another Type 1.  They spoke the same language.  They knew the landmarks and the territory.  They were from the same planet.  They got each other.  One was helping the other.  The other was helping the 1.

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

In closing I asked who wants to pray.  Our new mentor was happy to pray for us.

Her prayer was so encouraging and supportive, full of grace and empathy.  It had a ring of hope in it.  It was a blessing for all of us to be in His presence and experience the healing power of love and support.

I hope that illustrates the transformational power of “Faith-based professional development.

Paul J. Van der Grift