Let’s be honest, are our colleagues really the kinds of people whom we would choose to keep as friends in real life? Most people probably have no particularly strong feelings for their coworkers, colleagues, or clients, but still keep up a facade of friendliness for the sake of keeping their job. Ohio based pastor Reverend Aaron Hale chose to tread the path of radical honesty instead by announcing to his new congregation that “I am here to work, not to make friends.”

Before the start of his first sermon, the recently ordained pastor clarified that while he was hoping for a fruitful and productive cooperation with his clients and colleagues, he would not be available for informal small talk or after hour meetups. “Work is work and play is play. I hope that we’re all on the same page here. I’m here for you to deliver sermons, ordain weddings, conduct burials, and some administrative work. If you want any social chit-chat, please go to someone else. It’s not that I don’t like you; I just think that mixing your career with your personal life creates an unprofessional work environment.”

After delivering an uplifting sermon on the values of compassion and charity, Hale went on to attend a shareholder meeting to discuss strategies to maximize DPS (donations per sermon) over the next quarter.

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