The Secret to Spiritual Influence In the Workplace

For the last 30 years I've made my living competing in the marketplace—most of that time as owner and president of a national general merchandise distributing company. As a young business owner, my "job" was as a business executive. But I felt God wanted me to spiritually serve those around me in the workplace—the place where I spent most of my waking hours. I just wasn't sure what that "looked" like. Would it resemble some kind of traditional church activity or mission outreach program or would it be something totally different? As I struggled to sort it all out, a few things were obvious. They still apply today.

God considers the workplace important. About 90% of the men and women mentioned in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11 worked in secular occupations. Some of God's favorite role models in the Bible were politicians, farmers, soldiers, business leaders, educators, doctors and more. Only a few were religious professionals.

My time is limited. Adding additional religious activities to my calendar only added to the stress and guilt I already felt juggling my roles as a husband, father and entrepreneur. I felt frustrated and often wondered if I would ever "get it right."

My most spiritually strategic opportunity to serve God was right under my nose. Every day I come in contact with dozens of people my pastor and other church leaders may never meet. I work side by side with them.

I began to study how men and women of the Bible ministered to their co-workers. Helpful clues emerged:

• They didn't divide their lives into "church" and "work" activities. All their activities could be used by God to serve Him—including work.
   
• Their faith was natural. They didn't do their jobs and then put on a religious hat and go off and do something spiritual. They allowed Christ to shine through their lives in everything they did.

To me, sharing Christ naturally in my workplace means that I don't bring religious activities to work. I bring my availability. Co-workers may not respond to a tract, a Bible study, or a big black Bible on my desk, but they do respond to anyone who shows an authentic interest in them. It means seizing the opportunity to listen to hurting people. Moments become much more meaningful than materials.

It's not about building my organization and personal reputation. It's about invisibly building into people and becoming a servant.

A surprising thing happened as I worked to change the spiritual climate of my workplace. God changed me, too. This radical but biblical form of personal ministry forced me to take risks. It taught me to depend on God's strength and not my own talents. It taught me humility. It taught me that serving God is not something I do inside four walls with stained glass windows. It's something I am and it can happen here and now.

Here are a few questions to help you jumpstart your own workplace "ministry":

• Why might God have strategically placed me in my current job?
   
• If I truly saw my workplace as a ministry opportunity, how would it change my attitude and how I do my work?
   
• What can I do right now—despite whatever obstacles exist—to positively influence those around me for Christ?

It is personal, hands-on, sometimes time-consuming form of spiritual influence… and incredibly satisfying. I now understand the words of St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel. Use words if necessary."

--Kent Humphreys

Kent Humphreys is Chairman of American Health Diagnostics, which markets a rapid HIV test kit in the U.S. He owns three other businesses and is also Ambassador for Fellowship of Companies for Christ Intl. FCCI equips workplace leaders to impact their workplace for Christ. Visit their web site at www.christatwork.com or Kent's web site at www.lifestyleimpact.com.