Interview with Bridget Schnautz

Can you tell us about God”s calling in your life?

There have been many benchmarks I can identify in looking back. My first church exposure came around age 8 when I was invited to VBS. Having no sense of “church protocol,” I started pounding the piano. A woman I thought was going to scold me, sat beside me and said, “Bridget, do you know that Jesus loves you?” My family was chaotic and my father was terminally ill. Her gentle intervention stirred my interest in the love of Jesus. That church provided several great mentors who got me to church and taught me about the walk of faith.

I rebelled in early adolescence and ended up in foster care. I think that was a God thing, a second benchmark. It gave me a stronger network of Christian people, who gave a striking alternative to the dysfunction of my own family. These people influenced me to pursue a Bible college education, first at St. Louis, and then Lincoln. I needed the worldview education and foundational Christian values.

So you became a solid Christian?

I”m not so sure. In years of Bible college, I never caught onto God”s grace. I worked at a financial institution in Lincoln, Illinois, for a few years, developing professional and public service skills. Then I had another transitional moment when I accepted an invitation from Dallas Christian College. I became dorm mom, taught some classes, dealt with student discipline, but it was my own faith that entered a new phase. In my Christian walk I had always had friends and mentors who helped me answer my questions, but I began to find more occasions where I had to directly trust God!

Where did that lead your career?

In time, after a trip to Europe, I was offered a management position at a Dallas church, a position that further developed my personnel and business skills. Then, after I married Tim and moved to southern Illinois, I applied for my current job. The interviewer looked at my Christian education degree, my church and Christian college jobs, and asked, “What makes you think you can do this job?” She was concerned about my shortage of knowledge and experience with all the laws relating to human resources, but, hearing how I handled life challenges, she decided I could learn to be good at a job for which I appeared to be underqualified. It has opened ministry in areas I never imagined.

“Ministry” as a human relations manager in a paint factory?

As the job developed, I had daily encounters with people whose worldviews and life systems were all over the map. I really struggled with them until I realized I was expecting Christian behavior from people who have no pretense of Christianity. Then I became better at my job.

Say a bit more on that issue.

When we work in Christian institutions, we tend to have our own nomenclature, a language that we understand, but outsiders do not. For example, when I approach conflict, my worldview puts a priority on forgiveness and reconciliation. But I faced people who have no inkling of those values. I had to speak their language to try to guide them toward resolutions that I believe God values.

Where else do you face the challenge?

The secular perspective on diversity is a big area. I am required to conduct training programs that promote tolerance and acceptance of almost everything, including homosexuality. I say, “The material I am given to teach says this, but I personally hold a different view.” I cannot present my understanding of the biblical teaching in that setting, but I open the door for private discussion.

Do people follow through privately?

All the time. I recently talked to a “high-maintenance” employee who seemed to be in continual conflict, doing destructive things because of his generalized distrust. I asked, “Do you suppose there is a better way to handle your problems?”

He responded, “Well, what would you do?”

I simply said, “My philosophy is that it is always right to do the right thing.”

He looked puzzled. “How can you believe that?”

That opened the door: “My beliefs are rooted in the Bible, which I believe to be God”s true Word.”

Do other Christians understand your sense of ministry?

Many do. In 23 years at the same site, there are many who have watched me. And I have accountability with other Christians who are in secular management.

Do you have any metrics to affirm your effectiveness in management?

Longevity is one measure. We also have an annual employee survey. The overwhelming majority of employees indicate that I respect them and they respect me. Employees may not like my decisions, but they demonstrate trust by seeking my assistance when encountering both work and personal challenges. There is also an HR scorecard that tracks a variety of metrics measuring HR services to our “customers.” Further, we have annual individual goals and performance reviews.

What is your biggest challenge?

The same challenge I had in the Christian workplace””getting so busy that I don”t stop to “be still and know that he is God.” Though I believe in spiritual disciplines, I am easily distracted from them. Yet in my pilgrimage, I believe I am growing in the simple joy of devotionally reading God”s Word. A battle with cancer helped me get straight on that.

How has your job impacted your family life?

My job requires about six or seven business trips a year. I was away most of the first week of my daughter going to kindergarten. I would not do that now. I am willing to risk my employer”s displeasure in order to live by my priorities. My husband is a preacher for a small church, but he has a variety of professional interests. My job has enabled him to pursue his callings. And my income has allowed us to be generous with kingdom work. That is a shared value.

Any closing reflections for us?

I feel incredibly blessed by our God who has always put the right people in my life at the right times. If God has used me to bless other people, it is the result of Christian people who decided to care for a little girl who was not always easy to love.

Paul Boatman is chaplain of Safe Haven Hospice in Lincoln, Illinois.