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22 May 2006

Ask MeCha! What the hell is my "personal testimony"? →[More:] I'm applying for a job as a nurse's assistant at a Christian summer camp. Among many other things, they want me to "share (my) personal testimony," and that's all it says. Now, I'm friends with God, and generally I think the rule is just not to piss him off. I really want this job, and I'm willing to to write this up, I just... don't know what they're looking for. It's not all about Jesus, because later they ask for me to describe my relationship with Jesus (pronounced in Spanish, just for fun) in a separate write up. Any insight as to what I need to put on the table? Thanks, bunnaiz!

post by: viachicago at: 15:05 | 22 comments

She wants a conversion story. I say tell her that you fell down a well or something.

posted by jonmc 22 May | 15:09

Why, I should think it's your personal testimony as to how you were prior to salvation, versus how you are having been saved.

I suggest a backstory involving heroin, prostitution, and perhaps several abortions. Then the baptismal rebirth, rehab, and the tremendous good things that now happen. You can pick up some good ideas from chain letters (so-and-so did, and won a bajillion; so-and-so did not, and was crushed by a tortoise).

posted by Five Fresh Fish 22 May | 15:10

Pretty sure they mean "how you met God."

But if they're asking for your testimony, they may be a bit more preachy than you're interested in. Especially if they find out you're just friends with Him, not roommates.

posted by me3dia 22 May | 15:11

They're hinting about a bribe.

posted by box 22 May | 15:18

What they said. But bunnyfire could give you good, practical advice, I think.

posted by taz 22 May | 15:20

I think they want to know what you'd say on the witness stand, should word ever get out about the things that happen there...

posted by Triode 22 May | 15:21

I'd write something about how I never gave religion much thought until I started giving back to others (hence wanting to be a nurse's asst), and how helping people/serving others bought me closer to Jesus and changed my life.

With a lot more adjectives.

posted by iconomy 22 May | 15:23

A testimony is how your life was before jesus, how you met jesus, and how your life has changed after you met jesus.

Discribing you relationship with jesus, is about how you do little things here and there and are aware of him in your everyday life.

So to sum up:
testimony = jesus changed my life
relationship = how live with jesus daily

posted by bigmusic 22 May | 15:23

three words: Witness Protection Program. (with Jesusy talk around the edges).

posted by Lipstick Thespian 22 May | 15:31

is this camp baptist, evangelical lutheran, non-denominational, etc?
i think you're on the right track... mention how bad life sucked before christianity, when/how you came to accept jesus christ as your personal savior, and then describe all the powerful ways in which it has affected your life. look to paul's letters for inspiration. definitely write about all the different ways you've been blessed, and how thankful you are, how/why you have absolute faith in your own personal salvation, etc. your 'relationship with jesus' will describe the different ways in which you grow, spritiually, through your daily prayer, biblical studies, volunteer work, uhh witnessing to people on the street, etc.

also, these might help

posted by Wedge 22 May | 15:39

Yup, bigmusic and Wedge are correct about what they're looking for in terms of a personal testimony. Just be honest- your story doesn't have to be dramatic to be meaningful and moving to others.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 22 May | 15:47

One time Jesus borrowed 20 bucks from me and said he'd pay me back in a week. But then He lost His job. He was going to pay me back anyway, out of His two week's severance, because He's a standup dude, but I told Him to just keep it, because we're tight like that.

posted by Capn 22 May | 15:50

Interesting...

Purpose, Do's & Don'ts, Outline, Types, Paul's Testimony, Ministry Issues

Disclaimer - I am an active disbeliever (confirmed heathen)

posted by porpoise 22 May | 16:16

Sample testimonies. Another.

posted by JanetLand 22 May | 16:25

You probably don't have to be as detailed as those, however.

posted by JanetLand 22 May | 16:26

i'm with triode : >

i'd say: "Well, i was in this bar, and went to go pee, and there he was at the next urinal. Jesus and I have been dating ever since." ; >

posted by amberglow 22 May | 17:28

I thought it was funny you said "What the hell" in relation to your testimony

posted by eekacat 22 May | 18:02

This is code. It means, "We are a 'born-again' fundamentalist Christian summer camp. Other Christians need not apply."

posted by ikkyu2 22 May | 18:59

Well, somebody invoked me, so...

Yes, a personal testimony is basically,in a nutshell, "I was lost but now I'm found and here's how it all went down."

My own testimony includes God talking to me while I was watching a drag show in a gay bar. Yes, seriously. My butt was in church two weeks later.

Apparently this camp is interested in born-again workers. If I were you I'd call and talk to whoever is hiring. They might just hire you anyway, but expect to be witnessed to if they do.

I'd really be interested to know what denomination sponsors this camp. That actually matters.

posted by bunnyfire 22 May | 22:01

OT- what did god say to you, bunnyfire? just curious

posted by Wedge 22 May | 22:34

Guys, thanks for the responses. I definitely did not think that's what my personal testimony was. Turns out the position has been filled and I won't be working there anyway. Despite that, I'm still very curious about the camp now, and definitely plan on calling to see which denomination sponsors them. It says nothing about it on their website as far as I could see. And, witnessed? Oh man. I surely am not ready for all that. Honestly though -- thanks for takin' the time to inform me. :)

posted by viachicago 22 May | 23:14

I used to think "nondenominational" meant "generic Christian".

Since coming to Texas, I now know it means, "We used to be part of the Southern Baptist Convention but had a falling out with them and/or they kicked us out." In other words, at least around here, "nondenominational" = "Baptist" in all ways except formal affiliation.

If the camp is "nondemoninational", and they are asking for "personal testimony", they are almost assuredly in the in the Baptist tradition.

posted by Doohickie 23 May | 12:57

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