The Pronoun Test

Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, visited various workplaces in America for 6 months administering what he called “The Pronoun Test.” He asked employees general questions about the company. If the answers he received described the company in terms of “they” and “them” he concluded it was one kind of company. If the answers described the company with “we” or “us” he concluded it was another kind of company.

The pronoun test is simple but very revealing. I suspect employers would love to have only employees who see themselves as a member of a team serving together to accomplish a shared mission and purpose. Their workers would use “us” and “we” when discussing the everyday life of the company. Pronouns that indicate personal commitment and devotion to the company would be used when talking about it.

The same principle applies to the way we talk about Jesus. A lot can be revealed by the pronouns used. If I ask the question, “To you, who is Jesus?” Some will say, “He is the Son of God,” or “He is the one who died on the cross and rose from the grave.” Others will say, “He is my Savior and Lord,” or, “He is the one who died for me.” Do you see the difference?  One answer reveals knowledge, the other reveals a relationship. Who is Jesus . . . to you?

Norman Drummond, Chaplain