Becoming an ambassador for Christ in the modern workplace

Miranda Carls July 20, 2022

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Sharing our faith, or any belief that differs from that of others, can be awkward and uncomfortable. Don't some of the best things in life start out that way though?

Consider this. If you are married, how would you describe asking your spouse out on the very first date? How about initiating the first kiss? (Awkward?) Those uncomfortable moments ultimately led to your most important human relationship. If you manage people, consider how it felt the very first time you gave truly difficult constructive feedback to someone on your team. (Uncomfortable?)

Getting over that initial awkwardness and learning to provide effective feedback has probably led to greater awareness and performance from your team. Sometimes we need to push through the awkward and the uncomfortable to get to something incredible. If we are willing to push through the uncomfortable for so many of the temporary joys of this world, why don't we push through it for something as consequential as winning souls for Christ?

It's important to note I'm not advocating for behavior that disrespects company policies or impedes your ability to be a productive employee. That wouldn't represent the grace and peace of Christ very well. This is a good opportunity to reframe how we view "workplace evangelism."

Sometimes we think of evangelism in the workplace as something big and scary, or something that could get us fired. We picture ourselves standing on top of a conference room table, red in the face, shouting Scriptures at people as they enter the room. We shudder at the thought (rightfully so) and decide it's best to keep faith in a tightly shut box we leave at home during the workday.

Deep down, we know evangelism doesn't work that way. That's not what we see to be effective in Scripture or in present day practice.

When we make evangelism out to be some sort of aggressive, unwelcomed, one-sided act, we miss the mark. We sabotage the relational process and miss out on the small moments God has placed right in front of us. I'm sure Satan is quite pleased when we talk ourselves into hiding every sliver of our faith out of fear. So, take the red-faced, tabletop-screaming image out of your mind and welcome smaller, more relational opportunities. Let's look at a few examples.

Brett went to the corporate gym each lunch hour with James, a coworker in his department. They struck up a friendship over several weeks and learned they both love to grill. Brett invited James to a cook-off his men's group at church was hosting. Over time, James began asking Brett questions about his faith. James attended a few more men's group events and, eventually, began bringing his family on Sunday mornings. James got to know Jesus and matured in his own faith.

Alicia was in the break room filling up her coffee. Chantel and Maria were enjoying a coffee break as well. Though they didn't hang out outside of work, the three of them enjoyed working together and had good workplace camaraderie. As they discussed summer plans, Alicia shared her kids were looking forward to church camp. Chantel asked Alicia what her religious beliefs were, and Alicia provided a brief description before they moved on to discussing Maria's upcoming anniversary trip with her husband. Later that day, on their way to their cars, Chantel shared she grew up going to church but hadn't given it much thought since childhood. She asked Alicia if she might want to meet for morning coffee to chat the next week.

Todd was at happy hour one night during the quarterly sales meeting. As a group of five colleagues were discussing their various spiritual beliefs, Todd learned that most of them were agnostic. They began poking fun at a caricature they had in their head about Christianity. Much to their surprise, Todd disclosed he was a Christian. He light-heartedly corrected their caricature description and briefly shared his faith background. The discussion topic changed, and Todd wasn't sure if he should have kept his mouth shut. The next day, one of them caught him in the hall and said, "Hey, Todd, thanks for sharing yesterday. I'm actually a Christian too, but didn't say anything. Anyway, let's chat more sometime."

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything but only God gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9, ESV

Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians is incredibly encouraging. It makes sharing about Jesus more realistic and less intimidating. The "seed planting" analogy moves our minds from the image of shouting from tabletops at people we barely know toward authentic conversations and meeting people where they are, with a gentle and welcoming posture. We plant seeds, but God gives the growth. Perhaps He will be at work moving a planted seed into an evangelism or discipleship relationship. Or perhaps you are simply a small part of a larger work God is doing in someone's heart.

Look for those small, meaningful moments to plant or water seeds. Consider the three examples of Brett, Alicia, and Todd. Notice the natural, open, and relational nature of each interaction. Be open to authentic conversations and the abundant opportunities to show Christ to others through your actions. Point to Jesus at every opportunity. Ultimately, evangelism is neither aboutyou nor because of you. Jesus can meet people wherever they are if their hearts are open to it. Your humble role is to stop hiding and stop resisting those daily opportunities to plant seeds.

We can identify so many small interactions that seem to come out of nowhere, but we know better. God truly can use the smallest of moments to open a door. It's quite amazing. I've heard stories of a passing comment or a T-shirt prompting one simple question, which morphs into a small conversation, and eventually leads to bigger discussions. Seeds can be planted in so many ways when we aren't actively trying to hide our faith and the good news we know. When we show up unashamed of our identity in Christ, we invite curiosity. We take a wall down and put a door in its place.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16, ESV

As we remind ourselves that sharing the gospel doesn't always have to be big and scary, let's also remember that sometimes it requires boldness and bravery. We need to pay attention, always ready to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit when He is leading us to speak up or step out in a bigger way. I can't help but think of an experience years ago at a company meeting for an organization I worked for.

"Hey, I'm gonna do a little devo and pray at the couches in the hotel lobby tomorrow before our first session. If anyone wants to join, that's where I'll be," a woman confidently announced after dinner. I should also share with you she hadn't been with the company long and likely didn't know the faith backgrounds of every person in the room. I was so inspired by the matter-of-fact, absolutely shameless way she made her announcement. I thought, that is what it looks like being unashamed of the gospel.

The next morning, a small group of us met her in the lobby and it was a beautiful way to start the day in Christian fellowship. This woman simply kept her light unhidden and extended a simple, graceful invitation. I share this as a hopeful encouragement for you. As you plant seeds, don't be afraid to be bolder when you feel the Spirit prompting you in that direction. God works through us in both big and small ways. We simply need to step out in obedient faith.

If you work within the United States (or most other countries, for that matter), it's almost certain that your coworkers have heard of Christianity. Unlike the mission field Paul and other missionaries of the early church entered after the resurrection, you are not tasked with being the first person to tell somebody about the notion of Christianity. What you are tasked with is being a positive ambassador for Christ.

As Satan plants lies about Christianity, be an example of what it really means to follow Christ. If people have had negative experiences with the church, be the one to show them not all Christians are like the ones they may have known in the past. It's amazing what a witness you can be by simply wearing the badge of "Christian" and letting others see Christ in you through your behaviors.

What if you allowed God to use you as an ambassador, planting an initial seed that leads to a coworker hearing the gospel?

Excerpted fromThe Word at Work: Ten Biblical Principles for Christian Professionals, by Miranda Carls (Pebble Mack Publishing 2022).

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Miranda Carls is an author, facilitator, and certified leadership coach. She has a passion for helping Christian professionals show up as high performers and leaders at work while remaining firmly anchored in the truth of the Gospel. Having worked with start-ups, non-profits, churches, mid-size organizations, and Fortune 500 companies, she understands the dynamics of both secular and faith-based settings. Learn More »

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