come to Jesus

I first heard this term when I joined my current employer in 2001. Coming from a religious family, a religious university and (arguably) the most religious state in the country to Minnesota, it seemed like such an odd phrase. What were these "come to Jesus" meetings that everyone was talking about? And why were they talking about them at work?

It didn't take me long to figure it out. A "come to Jesus" meeting is one where you have it out with someone else. They've been pissing you off or doing something wrong, and it's time to fix the problem. Kind of makes sense, doesn't it? After all, is coming to Jesus not all about change?

I don't think anyone likes an argument (especially not Minnesotans), but I kind of enjoy "come to Jesus" meetings. I don't like loose ends, unresolved arguments, or "Minnesota nice" in the workplace. I like getting things out in the open and fixing problems, and I find it refreshing when people have the courage to do it.

Many "come to Jesus" meetings are planned as one-way sharing events. A preacher to his congregation, if you will. I'm just not one to sit silent for sermons, and I always laugh when I hear that someone wants to have a "come to Jesus" meeting with my team. Few of us will sit there and take it. I like that.

Where did "come to Jesus" come from? Is it only my company that uses it so frequently? And why did I never hear it in my jobs in UT and CA? I'm curious...