I was looking for some inspiration to share on being a witness in the workplace the other day and stumbled upon this list. It was compiled a couple years ago by Josh Reeves, who is the Lead Planting Pastor with Redeemer Church in Round Rock, Texas.
Josh offers some great ideas to bring Jesus into the workplace. His list doesn’t include the stereo-typical leaving a Bible sitting on your desk or a Christian screensaver on your Mac or PC. It doesn’t even include wearing a cool t-shirt on casual Fridays, WWJD bracelets, crosses, jewellery or bumper stickers.
Instead, Josh lists very simple actions. Intentional, kind moments that are breaths of fresh air. Gentle glimpses of life as it was meant to be, even on the job.
It might seem strange that I would think of such things given I am no-longer in secular employment. But the heart behind this advice rings true no matter who you work alongside. Wouldn’t we all prefer to work in an uplifting environment?
Actually… I mostly work from home and I don’t see many people during my day. But I can still make deliberate choices to be salt and light in my encounters with other people and support my husband in being missional at his work.
As you read this list, I challenge you to ponder Josh’s ideas and see if they spark other possibilities. Let the Holy Spirit help you stir up pleasant, Jesus-like experiences for your co-workers and, if you’re in a similar situation to mine, help you support someone else put this into practice.
- Instead of eating lunch alone, intentionally eat with other co-workers and learn their story.
- Get to work early so you can spend some time praying for your co-workers and the day ahead.
- Make it a daily priority to speak or write encouragement when someone does good work.
- Bring extra snacks when you make your lunch to give away to others.
- Bring breakfast (donuts, burritos, cereal, etc.) once a month for everyone in your department.
- Organize a running/walking group in the before or after work.
- Have your missional community/small group bring lunch to your workplace once a month.
- Create a regular time to invite co-workers over or out for drinks.
- Make a list of your co-workers birthdays and find a way to bless everyone on their birthday.
- Organize and throw office parties as appropriate to your job.
- Make every effort to avoid gossip in the office. Be a voice of thanksgiving not complaining.
- Find others that live near you and create a car pool.
- Offer to throw a shower for a co-worker who is having a baby.
- Offer to cover for a co-worker who needs off for something.
- Start a regular lunch out with co-workers (don’t be selective on the invites).
- Organize a weekly/monthly pot luck to make lunch a bit more exciting.
- Ask someone who others typically ignore if you can grab them a soda/coffee while you’re out.
- Be the first person to greet and welcome new people.
- Make every effort to know the names of co-workers and clients along with their families.
- Visit co-workers when they are in the hospital.
- Bring sodas or work appropriate drinks to keep in your break room for co-workers to enjoy. Know what your co-workers like.
- Go out of your way to talk to your janitors and cleaning people who most people overlook.
- Find out your co-workers favourite music and make a playlist that includes as much as you can (if suitable for work).
- Invite your co-workers in to the service projects you are already involved in.
- Start/join a city league team with your co-workers.
- Organize a weekly co-working group for local entrepreneurs at a local coffee shop.
- Start a small business that will bless your community and create space for mission.
- Work hard to reconcile co-workers who are fighting with one another.
- Keep small candy, gum, or little snacks around to offer to others during a long day.
- Lead the charge in organizing others to help co-workers in need.
Now, the challenge. Step out in faith and intentionally give it a go!
We’d love it if you would share some of your ideas here and stories of your experiences.
Blessings,
Gayann
Gayann and her husband, Stephen, have provided web design and email communication support to NZCN since 2006. She has home schooled their two children for the past nine years, but was ‘made redundant’ at the start of 2013. Since then, she has taken a more active role with NZCN.
Excellent ideas – all do-able! Thanks.