Christians at Work-Greater Awareness Needed 

by Nancy King
Article from Affirm magazine Autumn 1998 		 faith at work home page

What impact can Christians have in a secular workplace? Nancy King addresses some of the issues raised by Don Mathieson in his article Extra Care Needed-Christians at Work and makes some practical suggestions.

There are some very practical things that Christians can do to improve the quality of working life. First, there is the matter of transformation of the workplace itself, and secondly, there is the inescapable fact that Christian workers have very clear scriptural guidelines on how to act and behave in that workplace.

Christian Employers

After a decade of restructuring and change the greatest challenge to leaders in the workplace is to rebuild employee loyalty and trust. The unrelenting pursuit of profit as the result of market deregulation and greed, has produced a climate of distrust. Companies and organisations are now seeking value-based management programmes, but there is little awareness amongst Christians of how 'servant leadership' - the Christian model of leadership1.- can apply in work situations. (As Don Mathieson points out, perhaps this is because the clergy are not directly involved in workplaces.) If there was a much greater profile given to 'servant leadership' and its relevance in the late 1990s, workplace issues emerging today could be resolved through understanding this model of leadership. Understanding cannot take place unless there is communication, therefore Christian leaders must take the message of 'servant leadership' into corporations and government using innovative, influential people to communicate that message.

The presence of destructive gossip in the workplace, referred to in Don's article, is basically a leadership issue. Destructive gossip is the result of cynicism, it stems from poor communication, and the low morale resulting from people not feeling valued at work or feeling defensive. Leaders must help people to build up their self-esteem, and build pride in belonging to their company. To do this it is necessary to explain to people what they are doing right. Employees like to know that their work has some value and some purpose.

A good question for employers to ask people is, "What is the most important thing that you have achieved for the company this month?". It not only gets people thinking about the value of their work and the contribution they have made, but it gives them recognition for what they have achieved.

There are four things which the Christian manager can do for employees -

· Practice 'Servant Leadership'

· Communicate. Employees need direction, good communication systems and planned communication. Internal communications is a specialist area and should be given the importance it deserves.

· Build teams. Jesus knew a thing or two about building teams! His disciples were given a common purpose, teaching, coaching and support.

· Give employees recognition and praise. This should be sincere, planned and there should be a system in place togive small awards.

Christian Employees

Scripture's teaching for slaves can apply equally as well to Christian employees. "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything: and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong and there is no favouritism." 2.

When people do not feel valued unethical behaviour can occur - be it getting photocopying done for free, taking time off sick when they are not ill, or pinching the office stationery. (Employees can take heart if they are treated unfairly as God will judge).

Ultimately, although this is a leadership issue, there are four things which a Christian employee can do to help bring about changes in the workplace -

· Manage the boss.

This means finding out what things the boss needs help with, recognising the employees own weaknesses, and working out the greatest areas of conflict and disagreement.

· Record, analyse and measure.

If employees react only on an emotional basis, and many do, they are not able to get changes which will improve the quality of working life. Instead they need to present systematic evidence which will not only give good results, but also help improve future decision making.

· Be assertive and persistent.

The skills of assertiveness are important for employees to be able to communicate effectively with their employees. Persistence can be reinforced by the words of Paul to Timothy. "For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead his Spirit fills us with power, love and self control." (2:1-7)

· Create a critical mass.

If employees can communicate their ideas to like-minded people they can build a body of opinion which is likely to have more influence with their employers.

I mention these practical issues so as to raise awareness and debate on the role of Christians at work. There are many exciting stories that can be told of Christians serving the Lord in the workplace, but there is much to be done, especially in the area of transforming the workplace. Where are the Christian leaders who will do this?
 
 

Endnotes:

Tom Marshall, Understanding Leadership, Sovereign Print, 1991.

Colossians 3:22-24. There are similar instructions in Ephesians 6:5-9, 1 Tim 6:1-12, Titus 2:9-10 and 1 Peter 2:18.

This article first appeared in Affirm magazine Autumn 1998.

Nancy King works as a consultant in ITIM Workplace Chaplaincy Service in Christhurch. She is a principal of Wordsworth Communications Ltd. and conducts workshops related to workplace issues. Nancy is a liturgical assistant at Christchurch Cathedral.
 
 

back to God's Work & Our Work