Is Evangelism Impossible While Working From Home? Series

The great commission of Jesus Christ begins with the word “Go.” Traditionally, Christians have come to realise this commandment by gladly packing their bags to a faraway land as “missionaries” and “evangelists.” But how is one supposed to fulfil this commandment when everyone is forcefully locked up at their homes? The dreadful Covid-19 virus has fast-forwarded human history by at least 10 years by converting our “physical” world into a “virtual” one. And it looks like it would be a long time before we get to meet our colleagues, friends and even our neighbours face-to-face. So, is evangelism impossible in this world—especially while we work from Home?

Jesus in his sermon on the mount quipped, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” When it comes to evangelism, Jesus was outright categorical—your life should speak louder than your words. It was St Francis of Assisi who further expounded this concept of evangelism. He said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” So, what does this all mean? People will have a change of heart and accept Jesus Christ when they see Jesus living in us more than hearing about Jesus from us.

There are countless ways in which we can show Jesus to our colleagues even while working from Home. Everybody in our team can know how much Christ-like we are by the way we associate with them. Following are some pointers to reflect on how much Christ-like we are in our workplaces.

1. The ability to appreciate others: When was the last time you appreciated your colleague from your heart? Do you actively look for opportunities to find the good in others and appreciate them? Most of the time, we appreciate others only when we are forced to appreciate. For example: when our manager announces the promotion of our colleague in a team meeting. But Christ-like workers would not be afraid to praise others. They realise they can grow only when their team grows.

2. The humility to acknowledge mistakes: When was the last time you uttered the word “sorry” when you were confronted with a mistake you had committed? Did you really believe that it was “you” who had committed that mistake? Most of the time, we try hard to justify ourselves. We would blame everyone around us except ourselves. But Christ-like workers do not have any sort of insecurity. They realise they can improve only when they come to realise their mistakes or weaknesses.

3. The discipline to honour commitments: What would be your strike rate when it comes to fulfilling commitments and adhering to deadlines? Do we deliver on our promises? Most of the times, our clients and managers are unable to trust us, as we have let them down far too often. We somehow believe the end is more important than the means. But Christ-like workers are diligent in their work not just at the beginning of a project but throughout the course of the project even until its completion. They value people and trust more than the work itself.

4. The desire to gain feedback: When was the last time you asked your colleague or manager regarding some feedback on your work? Did you even try asking for feedback privately? Most of the time, we think our carefully constructed persona would come crashing down if we allow others to peek into our weaknesses. We love to play “Mr/Mrs Perfect” in our workplaces. But Christ-like workers are aware of their inadequacies and the need to learn more about their subject. And what better way to learn faster than by hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth?

5. The yearning to help others: When was the last time you assisted your struggling colleague or your manager? Did you share part of their workload when their chips were down? Most of the time, we believe that we ourselves need an assistant to complete our work and there isn’t much time available to aid a struggling colleague. But Christ-like workers are always on the lookout to help those in need. Since they are diligent with their own work, they are always able to find time to assist their team.

6. The attitude of operating without bias: When was the last time you acknowledged the idea or an opinion of your junior colleague? Or worse, did you even invite them to share their opinion during the team meeting? Most of the time, we operate with certain biases. For example: we believe a rookie with an international degree to his credit is more valuable than the experienced person in our team. But Christ-like workers give more importance to merit and equality. They realise they can learn a lesson from everyone around them.

Every working day, there are several interactions (read as opportunities) with our team even in a virtual atmosphere. Our colleagues, manager and even clients can easily know how much differently we operate from the rest of the team. Unless they see a marked difference that impacts their lives positively, they wouldn’t be curious to know the reason behind our difference. And only then would they take Jesus and His claims seriously. So, if you can honestly say that you are good with the above six pointers then you are a faithful evangelist—even without stepping out of your home!