Some Christians see their places of employment as a distraction from doing the “real” work of God: going on a mission trip or even serving more in their local church. However, God places His people at jobs to be a light for Christ. Admittedly, this is a challenging task. Going on a mission trip gives much more instant gratification. The mundane day-to-day of a regular job can seem like there is no fruit, but there are ways you can effectively share your faith at work.
It is the believer’s priority to understand that God has opened the door at this place of work not only for a paycheck but also to impact the Kingdom. A follower of Jesus should always look for opportunities to share their faith at work. As they pray and are expectant, these opportunities will arise.
So, here are 10 best practices for sharing your faith at work:
1. Focus on Christ Instead of Detractors
Sometimes, Christians focus on secondary issues or what would be considered “detractors.” Some examples of this could be getting into a political argument or even a heated debate about sports. Getting into these situations may mean winning the argument, but you risk losing the relationship.
Other detractors are controversial issues in the Bible. A non-believer may want to argue about the Great Flood in Noah’s time or even the parting of the Red Sea. They may want to focus on what they believe to be contradictions in the Bible. However, in the grand scheme of things, these little controversial issues will not determine someone’s salvation. Stay focused on the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Small debates on Bible happenings should be reserved for peaceful discussion with other believers.
2. Lead With Your Life First
A person at work will not want to hear the Gospel if the person sharing it has a very inconsistent life that lacks character. When sharing faith at work, Christians must ensure they live a life that reflects the love of Christ. If they do not lead by example, they will never be able to “close the deal” with the Gospel.
It has been said that the only Gospel someone may ever read is a believer’s life. Therefore, follow-through, integrity, and character matter so much.
3. Do Not Try to Redeem Them to Good Works First
Your goal is to lead someone to Christ. This may result in only a seed that is planted or watered. It may result in their coming to Christ.
However, there are some Christians who want people to change their lives first. These Christians are preaching the Gospel of “Behavior Modification.” They may berate non-believers about their language, habits, or lifestyle choices.
But the believer should be focused on getting non-believers to Christ and letting Christ do the work of sanctification. Too often, Christians want to scold people for their bad behavior, so non-Christians are left thinking that following Christ is just trying to be a better person. They are never shown or taught what grace is in behavior modification.
4. Learn to Be Aware of Overkill
Our conversations should be full of grace like salt is seasoned on food. Too much salt makes even the best quality food taste terrible. And no matter how amazing the Gospel is, if someone is overbearing when sharing their faith, they risk losing the opportunity to make a positive impact. Pay attention to the way the other person is responding to you. You don’t need to share the entire Gospel in one siting. If you sense some tension, be willing to back off and approach the topic another day. Pray and ask the Lord for another opportunity to arise organically with that person.
5. Be Relatable
So many Christians are not able to relate to non-Christians. Relatability is the ability to build a bridge of relationships. And a relationship is the number one need for those non-Christians with questions or hurt. Being relatable means having normal conversations, sharing personal struggles, and being genuinely interested in the other person.
6. Let the Relationship Be Bigger Than the Task
Once a relationship is formed through being relatable, the believer must focus on the person and not make them a Gospel project. Unintentionally, Christians can leave non-Christians feeling dehumanized when we use Christianese terms for them like “souls” and “the harvest.” At work, the believer should focus on the relationship instead of just trying to get them to accept Christ.
7. Evangelism Is a Dance, Not a Boxing Match
Many believers treat evangelism as a boxing match to win instead of a dance. Dancers work in unison and read the lead. Boxers on the other hand have one goal: beat the person and win the match by knocking them out.
Believers “box” when they argue with non-believers, punching them with well-crafted arguments at every turn. There are times when aggressive apologetics may be needed, but this should be the exception, not the rule. Evangelism, especially in the workplace, should be like a dance of questions, caring answers, and an ongoing movement of relationship-building.
8. Personal Testimony Is Paramount
The culture today is post-modern. Most people do not believe the Bible is the authority. They will argue against that. So, in a post-modern world, the believer must understand that their testimony is appealing because relative truth is so pervasive. A person may not believe in Jesus or the Bible, but they cannot deny what has happened to the Christian because of the Gospel.
9. Get a Grasp of Their Wounds and Questions
When it comes to evangelism, it is more important to understand than to be understood. The believer should care deeply about their non-believing friend’s past wounds from church/religion and help them with their questions. Sometimes, there are no clear answers to the questions that are asked, but Christians can relate to non-Christians by admitting they struggle with questions, too.
It is okay to struggle with doubt even if someone follows Jesus. So many people think that all questions and doubts must be resolved before they get saved, but faith is a journey of learning, growing, questioning, and sometimes even doubting.
10. Know the Rejection Difference
Believers often think that people uninterested or opposed to the Gospel reject Jesus. Sometimes, they may reject something entirely, like a bad version of Christianity they experienced. Or they could be rejecting something they do not understand about the Bible.
Believers often take rejection personally. Usually, though, non-believers are rejecting something else. It is the believer’s role to remove those obstacles with dialogue and possibly debate carefully.
When Sharing Your Faith at Work, Don’t Argue Just to Argue
The workplace is a wonderful place to share the Gospel. It is a mission field where believers can make an eternal impact through a temporal assignment. Therefore, Christians should take their workplace ministry as seriously as vocational pastors take churches.
Let me leave you with this verse. In 2 Timothy 2:23-24, it says, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
Believers in the workplace have a chance to make a huge impact, but we need to be wise about our delivery and our tone of voice when sharing your faith at work, careful not to argue just for the sake of arguing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions Christian employees might ask:
1. How can I gauge if a coworker is open to discussions about faith?
Begin by observing and listening carefully. Notice if they mention any spiritual beliefs, life challenges, or curiosity about your values. Casual, open conversations where you share aspects of your own life can also naturally reveal their level of openness. Respect their responses and proceed gently.
2. What are some ways to share my faith without using religious jargon?
Instead of specific Christian terms, use language that conveys values, such as kindness, integrity, or peace. Share stories or examples from your life that highlight these qualities. This approach allows you to communicate faith-based principles in an accessible way without overwhelming someone unfamiliar with religious terms.
3. How can I respect workplace boundaries while sharing my faith?
Familiarize yourself with workplace policies on personal discussions. Keep conversations brief, non-intrusive, and during appropriate times, like breaks. Always prioritize professionalism and ensure that discussions don’t interfere with work tasks or the comfort of others.
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