Use Words When Necessary
How should we understand and carry out “workplace evangelism”—sharing our faith with others, including our co-workers, customers, colleagues, students, patients, and clients? It is about not confining our evangelism to those who drop in at our church or home. On the one hand, evangelism is a command (the “great commission”) from God. On the other, it is just a privilege to introduce others to our great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Finding the right words to share our faith is often a challenge. Figuring out how to answer questions and challenges to our message is not always easy.
But here is an important insight about evangelizing others: even without saying a word, our life sends a message that is good news (Gospel)—or not. That unspoken message is the groundwork for any spoken message we may communicate—undermining it or supporting it. Workplace disciples don’t just bring a different internal motivation and purpose to work. We don’t just bring a different theory or set of ideas. Our presence and impact is not confined to what we say out loud.
Our message begins with our character, with the behavioral model and example people see. In our era of sexual harassment, hate speech, insults, cheating, arrogance, rudeness, bullying, and epic lying, what is the example Christians need to bring as a Gospel alternative? Do our colleagues and clients see human caring, honesty, effort, excellence, diligence, a listening ear, a sense of humor, generosity? Think of the message these bad or good characteristics send out.
Remember Ralph Waldo Emerson’s saying, “Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.” Remember the cryptic statement attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” I read somewhere that what St. Francis said was, more precisely, “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” “Actions speak louder than words,” according to a common sense saying.
The New Testament is full of exhortations to “walk” and live out our values, not just talk about them. Our life is a message even before we open our mouth. What kind of message is our life sending to our workplaces? Paul’s comment to the Philippian church is well-known: “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). Peter made a similar point to his audience: “Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles so that though they malign you as evildoers they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God” (I Peter 2:12). James exhorted his readers: “Be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves” (Jas 1:22). This is about our character, about the kind of person, or worker, we are. It’s about our “walk”—not just our talk. It’s about our character and example, about our habits. Remember how Jesus told his followers: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Our evangelism starts here.
Of course we also want to speak directly about our faith and our Lord. The essential requirements are (1) to be ready to simply but accurately describe Jesus Christ and his good news, and (2) to be ready to share your own story of life with Jesus. I would just add that our best opportunities come when people are motivated by our care for and interest in them to want to ask us “where we are coming from.” Bingo.
—David W. Gill www.davidwgill.org