YOU CAN BECOME A WORKPLACE MISSIONARY: HERE’S HOW
Including links to speaker videos from our 2020 conference VISION NEW NORMAL: YOUR WORK AS GLOBALOCAL MISSION
We are called to go into all the world to proclaim the Gospel. But not many are even making their faith visible in the workplace. If we are not a missionary here at home, how can we be ready for tentmaking mission in another country, another culture?
Often, believers do not have a visible faith at work because (1) they think it is not allowed, (2) they don't want to, or (3) they don't know how. Speakers of the Nov 7 conference addressed these issues.
Dispelling Myths & Fears
“No proselytizing" in company policies means that we should not interrupt our work to push our religion on others. We never want to "push" our worldview on others (1 Peter 3:15). But we do have the legal right to stand up for our faith at the right lime and in the right manner.
Some of us are reticent about our faith, especially in the science and tech sectors, for fear of being judged as narrow minded, being labeled for our politics and ethics, or risking our career prospects. We would do a good job, display a strong work ethic, but remain in effect closet Christians.
Deep down, we may feel guilty, stressed and dissatisfied about our work. But if we learn how to engage others at work, we can be authentic, free, fruitful, and fulfilled.
How and where to start?
Elaine Kung of Called To Work spoke on the fundamental importance of seeing work as part of God's creation design for us and therefore our calling.
Megan Foster-Nguyen, an elementary math teacher discovered that she was ineffective in her job because she was striving for her own honor, “doing it for me " rather than living and working for God, to bring Him honor.
Imago Dei: We are made in God's image (Gen 1:27) to display His character—little mirrors around the world to show people who God is, and His love for the world which He created. What an honor to be His image-bearers!
It takes commitment and discipline (Col 3:10) to give up our self-preoccupation, and through trials be refined to increasingly reflect God's character. What would that look like in our daily work? It will take faith, obedience, humility and courage.
Faith to be authentic. If becoming a Christian is the biggest thing in our lives, we need to claim that, and live it out. It means giving up our idols, the counterfeit gods we bow down to—acceptance, respect, career success. Faith is trusting God for the control, satisfaction, security and significance that only He can deliver.
Denise Yohn is a brand leadership expert. At a business conference she attended with her clients, all panelists were asked this question: "What is the most significant decision you've made in your life?" How would she respond? A risk/benefit debate raged in her head. Finally, she shared that becoming a Christian was the most significant decision that changed her life. Later, several conferees came up to thank her. Regretting that they had been silent about their faith, they were now inspired to publicly profess Christ as she had done.
Obedience. Rijo Simon, a young software engineer, described himself initially as a “church mouse", fervently serving among believers, but hiding in the workplace. Only obedience to the Great Commission, which gave him no option to dodge his responsibility for the eternal destiny of others—that alone gave him the courage to “out himself". When he obeyed, doors opened for relationships and conversations with colleagues. He was neither ridiculed nor side-lined at work. His mentor and supervisor became friends with Rijo's family, and they would ask for prayer whenever in need.
Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. We need to think more of the people in our workplace—their needs, how we can help, and what would be "good news" to them. A Barnard College survey showed that 75% of their graduates are looking for ways to live a more meaningful life. Shall we deny others of the answer which so many are seeking at this time?
Courage. Courage is not moving forward without fear. It is moving in the presence of fear. The fear of workplace witness is real, whether in the post-Christian North American workplace or in other creative access countries. But the truth is: when we respectfully acknowledge our faith, people actually respect that. And if we are persecuted for doing so, remember that Jesus was judged far more harshly, and ridiculed far more cruelly. He bore all that on the cross for us. When He rose, He declared victory over all trials, and offers us His peace and power with which to face ours.
Prayer. As workplace missionaries, we are not doing it alone. Rijo pointed out that sandwiched between the Great Commission in Matthew 28 are verses 18 and 20. They speak of our abiding relationship with Christ who is God with us—our Savior, Friend, and Counselor. We go and bear witness in the context of this intimate and fruitful relationship with Christ. We shall not fear for we know that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. With that, witness for Christ begins on our knees.
"A prayerless life will be most futile even if spent in preaching and teaching the Word of God." Prayer alone will show us when and how to speak, and the words to say. God prepares the way for us. We pray for our colleagues by name, bringing what we know of them before Him in 360-degree petitions.
Pat Gelsinger, #1 2019 Glassdoor CEO, sees himself as senior pastor to his company. His care and respect for others' faiths give him many opportunities to talk about his own Christian faith. Crisis like this pandemic is opening more hearts than ever before. In one-on-one situations, he would ask how he could pray for his staff. He has asked thousands of people. Almost always, they would let him bring their needs before his God. Prayer is a powerful way to touch lives.
Pauline Auyeung, renal dietitian, also testified to the blessing of boldly offering prayers for patients and colleagues when there is mutual trust and respect. Prayer is a powerful way to touch lives.
OWL: Three Steps To Engage Others
Sue Warnke, senior director of communication at a leading CRM solution company shared how we can engage others and change the way people perceive the Christian faith, which is the place to start.
Step 1: Open The Door. First, we need to out our Christian identity. We have a choice to do it or stay hidden. The sooner, the easier. We can wear a cross, put a verse in our blog, share what we do on weekends, etc. Be genuinely interested and ask about people's faith background, how they grew up. People can easily answer that, and they will. Once we ask, we are on the clock for God, standing on holy ground. We treat what people share with respect, and God will bless it. We listen, and share our story when asked.
Step 2: Widen The Door. Water these conversations like seedlings with tender loving care and prayer. We don't have to have all the answers. It is not about us. Our sincere interest in others, honoring who they are, will draw them out.
Step 3: Leave The Door Open with bread crumbs so people could seek us out if they so wish. When a need is shared, ask permission to say a short prayer on their behalf. Show integrity and care for others on the job. Always have a scripture and a personal story ready when people ask us why we do what we do (1 Peter 3:15).
Take baby steps. God will bless them. Be forgiving of ourselves when conversations don't go well. Always lean on God. Obey the call to be His ambassadors in the workplace, beginning right here, right now.
The key is to take the first step, and do so in prayer.