Christians in Workplace

I am a Christian and I work with a MNC Bank. I have about 11 years of work experience most of which is in a supervisory role.

I have been a Christian for the last 17 years. The one challenge I daily face is how should a Christian behave in a work place? Lot of people have written about it and most of them advocate a Christ like behaviour in the workplace.

The question is, what is Christ like behaviour in a work place?My general observation is that most Christians in this matter emulate the popular Christian image of being:

1. Diligent
2. Hardworking
3. Faithful
4. Accountable
5. Intelligent
6. Gentle
7. Kind
8. Compassionate
9. Submissive
10. Servant hearted

Most Christian Scholars in this area  would agree that a Christian should display these qualities in the workplace just as they would in a Church.

My experience is that emulating the qualities mentioned above in a workplace meets with lesser amount of success as compared to emulating or displaying them in Church. Christians need some additional skills and some understanding of the purpose of Church and workplace.

The Church is place to seek Jesus, fellowship with other Christians, edify oneself and others and help advancement of Kingdom of God and the workplace is essentially part of a business and businesses exist to make monetary gains. Two very different objective, which always pulls a Christian in different directions. That's why perhaps Jesus said that one cannot serve two masters - God and Money.

I believe that in a workplace Christians should also ensure that they are:  

• Shrewd
• Diplomatic & Politicking
• Authoritative
• Confrontational
• Demanding

 Some may argue that these qualities are not befitting to a Christian but I believe Bible indicates otherwise.

Shrewd - In Matt 10:16 Jesus asks his disciples to be shrewd as serpent and innocent as doves. If Jesus says so then certainly both these qualities can co-exist in a human being. Being Shrewd is important because in workplace you will come across mostly unbelievers who do not have the same value system that you have. If you are managing projects or a team you will agree with me that being shrewd is necessary while dealing with people and making sure that the objectives assigned to you are met. It helps in identifying people motives analyse their performance, manage conflicts, identify issues before hand and dig dip into root cause of problems

Diplomatic & Politicking - I feel Jesus was diplomatic while dealing with Sadducee's and Pharisees, who can be substituted for our adversaries in our workplace.It would be naive to think that everybody in our workplace has our best interest in their mind. In Matt 22 : 15 - 22 when Sadducee's and Pharisees were trying to put Jesus in a tight spot, Jesus very cleverly  turns the argument on its head and gets out of a troublesome situation. In other situations Jesus gave a slip to the crowd and his adversaries when he felt that the time was not right to confront them

As Christians there is no harms in advancing our interests which requires politicking and diplomacy. We exist

in our organisation with a purpose and this purpose has to served.

Authoritative -These qualities are a must for Christian Leaders and Managers in workplace. Our position in our workplaces requires us to deliver on our objectives We are accountable for our own and our team's objectives If we don't exude authority in a Godly manner our subordinates will never respective us and will never deliver on their tasks. Authority and accountability go hand in hand.

Confrontational - Christians mostly shy away from confrontation believing that this not what they are called for. Sometimes confrontation become unavoidable. Managers often are required to challenge status-quo and in such situations confrontations are necessary. Jesus confronted Sadducees & Pharisees when necessary.

Demanding - Is it wrong to push our subordinates to deliver more? Yes if we do not compensate them adequately and as per their employment contract. In our day to day jobs we often come across stringent deadlines and scarce resource. Is it wrong in such cases to turn to our team members are ask them do more?..No..We must not think they we are trampling on their rights in any way..but we must make sure that we reward them for the extra effort.

Talking about resources, this is another key difference between church and workplace. Church has 1 unlimited resource which workplace or any other organisation doesn't have - time. Church's objective are not time bound and while dealing with people in the church we can be gracious and accommodating, not so in a work place. Other important difference is that in a Church we have GOD working in people's life who has the power to change people's life beyond our imagination, again not so in workplace.

Most Christian are content taking soft jobs such as HR professionals, General Administration, Hospitality, Nursing, Teaching etc, because they feel that they are not cut for this or this is against their identity.

Brothers & Sister we have to glorify GOD in every profession. We are called to be salt & light of the world so lets spread the light in every area of life and profession. We must show what value Christ can bring to their lives and profession.

Lets aspire to be bankers, scientists, entrepreneurs, politicians, defense personnels or any other profession which we traditionally do not venture into.