Integrating Christian Faith in the Workplace
Christians seeking to live out their faith in professional environments often draw on biblical teachings to balance engagement with the world while maintaining distinct values.
Assignment Prompt
How can someone with a Christian worldview be “in the world, but not of the world” (John 15:19 & John 17:14) in their workplace but not annoy and turn off those who do not share the same view and need to hear about Jesus? Approaching this with sensitivity ensures that sharing the gospel enhances rather than hinders workplace relationships. Use the epilogue from Keller’s 2012 text as a prompt in order to develop a personal strategy for integrating your faith and your work. 6pages
Reflecting on real-life scenarios helps in crafting strategies that are practical and respectful of diverse beliefs.
Sample Response Study Bay
Individuals with a Christian perspective can demonstrate their beliefs through consistent integrity and compassion in daily tasks, creating a positive influence without imposing views. Establishing genuine relationships allows for organic discussions about faith when appropriate moments arise. Keller’s epilogue emphasizes leading others in integrating faith and work through church-based initiatives like vocational discipleship programs. Such programs equip believers to view their professions as avenues for serving God and others effectively. Personal strategies might include daily prayer for colleagues and seeking ways to contribute to team well-being. Participating in workplace ethics discussions from a faith-informed viewpoint can subtly highlight Christian principles. As McGhee notes in his analysis, combining organizational support with individual practices strengthens the integration of spirituality at work and enhances overall job satisfaction (McGhee 2019, https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10070433).
- Contribute a minimum of 6 pages outlining how Christians can share their faith at work without causing annoyance, drawing on biblical verses and Keller’s 2012 text for a balanced approach.
- Students create a 6-page paper developing a strategy for integrating faith into professional life based on John’s Gospel and Keller’s epilogue.
Recommended References
- Bleeker, M., Barkhuizen, E. N. and De Braine, R. (2024) ‘The perceived influence of Christian leadership competencies during COVID-19’, South African Journal of Business Management, 55(1), p. a4537. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v55i1.4537.
- Dik, B. J., Daniels, D. and Alayan, A. J. (2024) ‘Religion, spirituality, and the workplace: A review and critique’, Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 11, pp. 279-305. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-110721-041458.
- Héliot, Y. F., Gleibs, I. H., Coyle, A., Rousseau, D. M. and Rojon, C. (2020) ‘Religious identity in the workplace: A systematic review, research agenda, and practical implications’, Human Resource Management, 59(2), pp. 153-173. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.21983.
- McGhee, P. (2019) ‘Integrating Christian spirituality at work: Combining top-down and bottom-up approaches’, Religions, 10(7), p. 433. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel10070433.