Greetings, Pastor Jim here: Link to my Blogs: https://pastorjimchambers.blogspot.com/
I want to discuss how we share our faith in the workplace.
When we think of our work and how can we share Christ with our coworkers, I’ll bet some of us sometimes have fear. Not fear of how our coworkers might react, but how our workplace and company may react.
Let me give you the latest information on what the law says about that. The American Center for Law and Justice is a legal firm that litigates many cases in support of Christian values. They state, “Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on religion. This includes refusing to accommodate an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs or practices unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship (more than a minimal burden on the operation of the business).” They go on to say, “Federal and State laws protect the religious freedoms of employees and employers. Employers can run their business in conformance with godly principles and employees cannot be forced to act in a manner that conflicts with their religious beliefs. For instance, Christian employers may hold and participate in voluntary chapel services and prayer meetings for employees, and employees can share their faith with co-workers during breaks or free time so long as it is not disruptive.
In short, there is no law requiring the workplace to be a religion-free zone.”
For more information and link on this just message me, I and I can forward them to you.
With that being said, how does one share their faith in the workplace?
- Gentleness, self-control, & love. 1 Peter 3:14-Do not fear their threats; do not be freighted. But in your heart revere, Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
- John 13:34-35, A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciple if you love one another.
- View the work itself as a ministry.
People don’t like to be condescended to or manipulated. If you are only in that work to get a conversion out of people, they will know it and they will resent it. Excellent performance in the work itself, for its own sake, along with humane treatment of customers and coworkers, will earn you the right to be heard. Paul’s tent-making wouldn’t have been a viable evangelism strategy if he made lousy tents. The fact is that you have not left the full-time ministry. The word “ministry” simply means “service.” All Christians, without exception, are in full-time service to Jesus Christ, and to the world, he cares so much about. Whatever a Christian does—writing reports, driving trucks, sweeping floors—is a ministry to God and neighbor. When it is done in a God-honoring way, it is a powerful witness that draws people toward the verbal witness.
- Be patient.
Earning the right to be heard takes time. You should not expect evangelistic opportunities quickly. Trust that as you labor faithfully, God will use your track record of excellent performance and humane treatment of people to awaken the hearts of those around you. I have heard stories of people who came to Christ after retirement; they became convinced Christ was alive after reflecting on decades of seeing Christians do their daily work so differently.
- Evangelize relationally.
I know the whole idea of “relationship evangelism” has sometimes been used to crowd out the verbal proclamation of the gospel. But we can do both, and I’d encourage you to evangelize relationally at work. That means not reducing the gospel to a canned set of bullet points. When opportunities arise, focus on being responsive to the person you’re witnessing to—and trust that as the Lord works in them, they will continue to grow more responsive to the gospel. This is especially important in the workplace, where relational dynamics can be complex and boundaries are important.
Just remember that as Christians we are a call to not hide our faith in the church house, nor are we to leave faith at the doorsteps of our church, but we are to as Jesus put it. Matthew 28:19-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the end of the age.”
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