Faith and Commerce
There’s a brother at Profunksticated’s gig who is the office manager’s assistant. He likes to discuss his faith in Jesus Christ with whoever will listen. One morning, he was talking to a sister in accounting about his faith in the office’s kitchen, but she seemed like she was half-hearing him as she went about getting her tea and toast for breakfast.
I came along and she returned to her office as he then directed his evangelism toward me. Of course, I listened for a few minutes before I went back to my cubbyhole.
I later told the woman she looked as if she wasn’t feeling dude’s faith-sharing. She replied that she didn’t feel comfortable having extended conversations about religion in the workplace.
A few days later, I asked dude if he tried to share his faith with the Indians – both Sikh and Hindu – who work there. He said only if someone were to ask, then he would use that opening as an opportunity to share Christ.
I bring this up because sharing religious faith in the workplace, as you know, can be a touchy issue. This is tough for today’s American Christians, who are charged by the resurrected Jesus to spread his teachings to the world. That command, as you may know, is called the Great Commission.
Have any of you who profess to be Christian ever felt the need to share faith in the workplace but were hesitant because you believed it might offend a co-worker or supervisor? If you’re hesitant, do you feel as if you let Christ down? Or do you believe that work is not the place to practice overt evangelism?
I tend to believe one’s actions are stronger than words. I’ve been told that showing love, kindness and compassion – even when dealing with workplace bullies – might be the only Bible some people will ever read.
On his topic, I would highly recommend you watch a flick called The Big Kahuna, starring Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say the movie shows how three businessmen negotiate the intersection of faith and commerce.
Peace.
i am with u and actions are stronger than words happy 45th
Yes, happy 45th.
Comment by rawdawgbuffalo — August 28, 2008 @ 10:34 am
“I tend to believe one’s actions are stronger than words. I’ve been told that showing love, kindness and compassion – even when dealing with workplace bullies – might be the only Bible some people will ever read.”
However, what many Christians fail to believe or realize is that kindness, compassion, love are not exclusive to Christianity. These principles are universal and are addressed in one way or another in major faith.
To extrapoloate the words of Pres. Clinton, “People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.” Dude at work preaching is demonstrating example of power. Not a good look.
Hi, K.I.M., thanks for stopping by. How should Christians share their faith if that’s what the teacher — Jesus — commanded? Specifically, that eternal life is possible only through belief in Him? Just by going about their business?
Comment by K.I.M. — August 28, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Hey Profunk
I’m not super bibley. Given that the Bible leaves a LOT of room for various interpretations, how do we know that HIM is not a metaphorical term for LOVE (which I equate to God). Love is universal, therefore, no matter how you experience the divine LOVE….eternal life is possible.
K.I.M., I call myself a Christian (despite my writing profane rants when I started this blog), and I admit I struggle with whether to read the Bible literally or allegorically. I do believe in a force called God and there was a Jesus who died and arose for our myriad sins. My intellect (read: head) tells me that’s crazy, but my spirit (read: heart) tells me otherwise.
Comment by K.I.M. — August 28, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ, but I cringe at the tone set by most Bible thumpers. I like to believe I witness by example and by word when necessary. When I see someone in a pickle that they discuss with me, all I have to give them is Jesus. I can’t solve their problems. That is when I will most likely share my faith–to let him/her know there’s an answer for the pain and suffering. If someone is particularly hard-hearted, I may ask God for an opportunity to witness or that he will bring others into the person’s life to witness or create the circumstances that will show the person who He is. I never negate the power of prayer.
Very well said, A.
Comment by A — August 29, 2008 @ 9:46 am