Written by: Teresa Devine, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Faith in the workplace is a controversial topic. Explore how a Christian tackled this dilemma and emerged with valuable lessons to share and a positive experience.
Chelsie lands a role with a large technology company after a few years working at a local IT shop. She jumps out of bed in the morning eager to be first at the office, but she’s quickly confronted with tricky situations as a devoted Christian.
Her family taught Chelsie to live according to her faith, but in this new ultra-modern, fast-paced environment, she's afraid of crossing the line.
Chelsie cares about all people, regardless of their religion, non-beliefs, or opinions. She intends not to cause trouble, but also to uphold her values without giving in. The way Jesus teaches.
Passionate about her career, yet confused about handling faith in the workplace, she compiles a list of concerns to discuss with her church group. She needs direction. At the next group gathering, she presents her list of worries, and they talk for hours about the challenges and solutions. Chelsie leaves the meeting with an enormous sigh of relief, armed with superb and loving advice from her wiser Christian friends.
The next few weeks are awkward, but a learning experience for Chelsie. She prioritizes patience and listening as her friends encouraged. By applying Biblical principles to express her faith at work, Chelsie found helpful tips that could benefit other Christians.
Chelsie’s list of concerns:
Faith in the workplace policies
Understanding workplace policies about religious expression is vital. Organizations often limit religious expression to maintain neutrality. Chelsie read her company’s guidelines and met with HR to help her understand the acceptable boundaries.
Tip: Become familiar with your organization's policies and consult HR when in doubt.
Fear of Religious Discrimination at Work
Chelsie’s fear of religious discrimination in the workplace is a valid concern in our society. Although legally prohibited, subtle forms of bias can exist. Chelsie combats this fear by consistently displaying her skills and value to the team.
Tip: Focus on being the best employee possible by exceeding expectations. Never settle for mediocrity. If you feel discriminated against as a Christian, keep a record of the instances and speak with Human Resources. Seek legal advice as a last resort if needed.
Evangelizing the gospel in the workplace
Chelsie knows her faith involves sharing the gospel, but she also knows the workplace isn’t an appropriate platform. Actions, not words, are how she expresses her faith at work by treating her colleagues kindly and respectfully.
Tip: Show the love of Christ through your actions and deeds. It’s typically the most impactful way to share the light of Christ.
Ethical dilemmas at work
Within a few months, Chelsie faced situations where her professional duties and personal beliefs clashed. She prays for wisdom and speaks with her manager about ethical concerns. To her surprise, they reach an amicable solution. Communication is key.
Tip: Don’t be shy about having conversations with your manager about your ethical concerns in respectful ways. It’s possible to reveal a misunderstanding or create a common ground without compromising your faith or job security. If the manager insists on mandating unethical duties, speak with HR.
Living out Faith in the Workplace
Chelsie wanted to weave her faith practices, like prayer and service to others, into her work life. She started by praying silently before lunch and praying privately throughout her day. She looks for ways to help colleagues in need. For example, a co-worker’s car was in the shop, so she offered to carpool. She shocked her coworker with her act of kindness, yet he accepted admiringly. This allowed her to live out her faith without disturbing her work environment.
Tip: Find subtle ways to incorporate your faith through acts of kindness and selfless deeds into your daily routine. For maturing as a Christian, seek Christian coaching and Christian resources to foster spiritual growth.
Respecting religious diversity
It’s assumed that Chelsie's workplace has a mix of religious and non-religious colleagues. If the topic comes up, she seeks to learn about and respect their beliefs, which earns her respect for her Christian faith. She is not seeking a debate or opportunity to convert her co-worker. As a maturing Christian, Chelsie understands how to discern when to listen and learn and when it’s an invitation to evangelize.
Tip: Be open-minded, curious, and respectful about other beliefs. Mutual consideration fosters a healthy work environment and society. Just because you learn about another belief or opinion doesn’t mean you must agree or accept the belief as your own.
Balancing faith and professionalism
Striking the right balance is the most challenging for Chelsie. She faces difficulties head on with staying true to her beliefs while fulfilling her professional duties.
Tip: You are a Christian who is also a professional. It’s a balancing act that requires wisdom, discernment, compassion, and sometimes, trial and error.
Chelsie’s journey illustrates being a Christian in the modern workplace is not a simple path, but it’s manageable. The key is to understand company guidelines and be respectful of religious diversity. You too will find balanced ways to express your faith through Christ-like character and kind deeds.
Your identity in Christ can blend well with your professional life without crossing worldly boundaries. Above all, always pray for wisdom and stay connected to the Lord.
To learn more about the author, visit Teresa Devine. Teresa is 4x certified Christian Writer, and Christian Coach.
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Teresa Devine, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Teresa Devine is a former Fortune 500 executive giving up her lucrative tech career to help Christians go deeper spiritually, heal past pain, and live vivaciously. During her career, the demands took over and life's priorities were upside down. God revealed how to prioritize Him first and her life transformed. Teresa shares proven methods to help align with God and unleash the incredible life He intended. Teresa is CEO of Teresa Devine Co. LLC, creator of 24/7 Purpose®️ Academy and MindTrap Method™️ advanced training. Her mission: Swap the daily grind for daily impact.
