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Dear Friends,

How can we witness to Christ in the context of where we work?

Alex

By what we are - and what we do - and the way we do it.

As St. Augustine once said, the strongest power of conversion is a good example. He was assailed with all kinds of clergy preaching to him - that didn't impress him much.

His long-suffering mother, and some ascetics he ran across - that was another story.

Alex,
I work in the pharmaceutical industry and the majority of the workforce are from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. As you know these countries are mainly Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Punjabi. The weird things is that I have a strong connection with most of the people I encounter and dialogue with on a daily basis.
Althught, I've sometimes received "dirty looks" from Muslims for eating lunch with a Hindu and vice versa. I find generally they are very comical people and they appreciate the respect that I give them. They know that I am a Christian and we've talked about it a few times over lunch.
We have a prayer room just off our cafeteria, for the most part it's used by Muslims.. and occasionally myself. I've noticed that the Muslims whom I've seen in there are very welcoming and one gentlemen that I know actually moved over and made some space for me to pray.

I think if Christians on a whole were more devout in our worship and less secular, Non-Christians would become more intrigued with us.

Brad - who can do an Indian accent so well that it has had them holding their sides with laughter.

Dear Brad:

You failed to mention Buddhism as a "major" affiliation of the Southwest Asians you work with.

About 80% of Sri Lankans are Buddhists and about 8% are Christians. If they are the latter, almost 90% of Christians in Sri Lanka and in the diaspora are Catholics, courtesy of the Portuguese.

My brother-in-law is one Sri Lankan Catholic.

Amado

Dear Brad,

Your experiences remind me of the Muslim convert to Orthodoxy, now an OCA priest, who said that what "got him started" on Christianity was how monks prayed seven times daily or the office.

In a presentation, he said that one of the best ways Christians have at their disposal to witness to their life in Christ is the seven-fold rule of daily prayer to which we are all enjoined.

Alex

Alex,

I think it involves doing our work "as unto the Lord"; seeking to serve rather than be served; seeing our workplace as a mission field or outpost of the Kingdom of God. Even those times when we really "blow it" due to the pressure of some pending deadline, etc can be used to bring glory to God if we ask forgiveness of those we may have offended. I know this by experience! Our Lord is Holy and yet so approachable - "� come unto Me all that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest�". Our ministry in the workplace should be one which refreshes and encourages the weary - who knows the struggles and heartbreaks of those who "suffer in silence" about us? Are we not called to point them to the True Rest? While we make "appointments" in our books, let us write down the names of those who, for the love of God, we will briefly meet with - a brother in Christ may need a word of encouragement, checking the status of someone's Mom who is in the hospital, etc. For lack of a better word, I refer to this as my "Daily Love List". When we take the time to share how the Lord has led us through a difficult time, it may be helpful to another. For example, after my Mom passed away more than two years ago, I shared of how my father was her constant companion and attended to her when things were very difficult. My grandmother (Mom's mom) was abandoned by her husband after MS crippled her. My Mom's first husband passed away. When she was critically ill, I'm sure her greatest fear was being abandoned by my Dad - after all, that was her past experience. He stayed. He fulfilled the vow, "� in sickness and in health � 'til death do us part�". His gift to her was being there for her. Now I mention this (in abbreviated form) because I shared this with the people in my workplace. A few months latter, a woman's husband was in a very bad car accident. His life was in the balance - death seemed imminent; many were praying for his recovery. She was there - day and night. His condition gradually improved and she was steadfast in doing all she could for her husband. He made a full recovery and we all rejoiced. She mentioned to me tearfully one even after work that what I had shared about my Dad being there for my Mom really helped her make it through this ordeal. All glory and praise to God!

I've already mentioned Douglas Hyde in an older post and his book Dedication and Leadership. A former communist (in Great Britain) who became a Christian/Catholic. A good read - I think I included a excerpt from the book in the post. He carried TWO copies of The Daily Worker with him and would leave one behind on purpose at some well trafficked location - bus/train station, breakroom at work, doctor's office, etc. So, it helps to have some literature to distribute or a prayer card, etc.

I have also found that the prayer of the heart keeps me "grounded" in the Lord. A simple prayer in silence that the Lord remember those whom we pass by on our way to work or at work may be also be used by our gracious Lord to bring that person to the Saviour. His mercy is wondrous!

I have a few icons in my cubicle. It sets a tone of reverence and prayerfulness in the midst of busy-ness. While some may not have the time to read a book, they may receive a beautiful message from God through these windows into Heaven. I don't get many comments, but I know they are being seen! I did have a great conversation with a Catholic man who noticed these icons and a prayer card I have of Pope Benedict XVI (found this on the ground just as I stepped off of the evelator!). This man truly encouraged me in my journey toward the Church (East/West) - I know he was sent by God - he helped me with some questions regarding my family, etc as he also had gone through a similar journey - he became Catholic and his wife followed a few years later. He referred to himself simply as "God's mule" - just simply carrying Good News to all who would hear. Wow!

In Christ's love,

Woody

P.S. I would also mention - cheerfulness - a good sense of humor. Dr. Alex, I always amazed and edified by your knowledge - I am equally thankful for your great sense of humor and lightness of heart that has brought cheer and smile to many a heart! God bless and thank you!

Wonderful answer.

End of story.

Except for a minor point - which is actually - in agreement with you � slave of love. So I am sure you will agree with me � as I believe you live it � without acting.

There is a difference between real personal holiness and - acting.

I remember, when young, that I worked with a Quaker. He held himself to very strict rules. And when he did not live up to his set of Quaker rules - he would be devastated � apologetic � and genuinely upset with himself. He constantly monitored himself. The rumor was that his Quaker elders � were disappointed with him � and he was �on the outs� and perhaps even shunned.

His constant monitoring of himself � always had his nerves on edge. He was never relaxed � and always (it seemed to me) on the edge of breakdown.

Being young and not yet tainted by the world � this seemed to me � a dishonesty with ones self. A real � lack of peace that was not appealing as the �right way to live�.

And I have met dozens of Evangelicals who play the roll of holiness (at work) very well � they seem to be wonderful examples � but � eventually � you come to see that it is only a role � they are acting out. They are so busy being holy � that they are not really human and you can�t really talk with them about human things unless you are willing to sit in the pew while they preach how wonderful life is now that they are saved � and you can be saved too.

Real holiness � attracts those whom it will attract � without any real effort on the part of the Christian.

Kind of like when Paul first went out and tried so hard to make converts � and nothing happened but frustration. But after God worked on Paul a bit � converts cam to Paul without him really trying to find them.

So I think it is important at work to keep your mouth shut (about religion and God) and pay attention to your own personal holiness (conscience) throughout the day. And only speak of God � when asked about God � or religion � or when someone might ask �Why do you do � what you do? � when the answer is �Because that is what God wants me to do.�

I do not see evangelization (unless you are a priest) as � advertising. Evangelization can be as annoying as popups when web surfing.

So � I see it as the assigned job of the priesthood � to market God � advertise � to say �God� without being asked and without being invited.

Not having that assignment � nor authority � I see the laity task of evangelization as � speaking about God � when asked � or when in all honesty � one must (due to the situation). But other than that � I see evangelization as being an aroma � a presence � within the Christian � that one either has � or does not have. I would call that � personal holiness. It is either there � or it is not there � and others can plainly tell the difference between the genuine thing and � acting the part.

There is no doubt in my mind that the slave of love - does not act - but is genuine.

-ray

Good answer. By living the gospels, being more like Christ. Actions speak louder than words.
There are certain times you can't discuss religion and politics... work is one of them. Work is hard enough, it is long, takes time away from our families, why make it any harder by creating riffs and valleys because of preaching?

My one manager one time was big into Jesus he thought he had to tell everyone about it.
He would give them this book he endorsed and would discuss it with his employees (who were being nice back to the boss).
Never did it to me.
When his wife was sick and he would say God gave them the strength to get through it, that is alright, not preaching, and who is going to argue with a man in his position?
But when you give me a protestant/evangelical book and want to discuss it with me.. that's the wrong setting, especially when he gave them as birthday gifts/christmas presents at work. You weren't even asked if you wanted the book!!

My one ex-girlfriend's dad found the lord(reformed marlboro smoker, reformed alcoholic, and reformed Catohlic so he was). He went into work and preached, stuck bibles and tracts everywhere. He almost got fired for it.
That stuff really really made his plant workers mad (this was a before I met her). I went to his church ONCE with him and the preacher tore me apart for wearing a nice shirt and being a Catholic. I only went because I was young and wanted to show respect I guess.

M.,

Bosses must be careful in doing that. Not only is it ineffective but it might get him into legal troubles.

The preacher didn't like your nice shirt? I guess he wanted you to keep up appearances by wearing slopping jeans and a wife beater shirt as I've seen many people wear. Or did he object to the fact that all you wore was a shirt? That does seem a little inappropriate.

Pray for people when they ask for it. Offer kindnesses and when you do and if they ask why you offered it tell them. Sometimes study groups at break times if you don't push it. Pray before meals, not long drawn out prayers. All of these may be helpful in your witness.

Dan L

When I was in the work place it was natural to talk about things I had been doing at church, such as something funny that happened at choir practice. Also I read Christian books at breaks or lunch time because I wanted to, not for the purpose of evangelizing. Over time, people came to view me as a serious Christian and that gave me the opportunity to talk naturally about what I believed, when someone had a question. I have never felt comfortable "advertising" Christianity, but I think just living your life tends to say something to others about Christ.
Michele
ps after I chose my screen name I realized that I picked a male form-oops!