Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Five simple things to do at work this week… 

.... and see what God does

Every day in the UK around 2 million Christians go to work and engage with tens of millions of people in thousands of workplaces and organisations. What amazing opportunities to have a transformative impact for Christ – but do we feel confident in making the most of those opportunities?

The team at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, who empower and equip Christians to make a difference wherever they find themselves, have a few suggestions to get you started...

5 simpletheings
 

1 - BE NOSY

It’s easy for us to get so used to relating to people at work on a purely professional level that we forget that our colleagues and clients have whole lives outside of the workplace.
 
So as you go to work today, be nosy! Within the bounds of appropriateness of course. But start showing a friendly curiosity about people’s lives and ask God to heighten your awareness of the state of those around you. Is anyone distracted, under pressure, unusually tired? Simply asking someone how they’re doing – and actually listening to the answer – is a simple way to reflect God’s love that can make a huge difference.
 

2 - PUT GOD ON YOUR TO-DO LIST

God knows we’re forgetful and has always encouraged his people to use all sorts of practical ways of reminding themselves of his presence and commandments (Deut 6:5-9).
 
So try using just a few small things to help you remember God at work this week… a particular image on your screen saver, a different ring tone on your mobile, a meaningful laptop password, an unusual but significant object on your desk, even a note on your ‘to-do’ list – sometimes we need to be more literal about inviting God into our everyday practical tasks!
 

3 - WAVE GOODBYE TO EMAIL

Sometimes it’s too easy to shoot off an email without thinking how it’s going to be received.  Emails can add stress, be misleading and be detrimental to working relationships.
 
So this week, before writing an email, think ‘Do I need to send this or could I make the effort to talk face-to-face with the person?’ Sometimes they’re just down the corridor or at the next work station. Even if they’re further away a quick call or Skype can really help you understand each other, and the task at hand, better.
 

4 - CAFFEINATE YOUR PRAYERS

If we’re God’s children when we’re worshipping in church, we’re still his children when we’re serving at work. That means we can draw on his wisdom and resources for those workplace challenges we face – but we often forget that.
 
So why not use your daily trips to the coffee point as a chance to spend a minute praying about a work issue using just one line from the Lord’s Prayer:

‘Hallowed be your name’ - God, help me to remember that ultimately it’s you I’m serving at work today
‘Your Kingdom come’ - In my relationship with that customer; in my conversation with that colleague
‘Give us today our daily bread’ - I really need your help to work efficiently and finish this project on time!
 

5 - CHANGE THE BOAT’S DIRECTION

What frustrates you about your workplace? What do you moan about to your colleagues, your friends, your other half?
 
When you’ve identified something you’d like to see changed – unhealthy competition, gossip, an absence of joy – then do something simple to address it: give away a sales lead, talk up your colleagues, buy chocolate for your team. It might feel like a drop in the ocean, but it only needs a shift of one degree to take an enormous ocean liner to a completely different destination.
 
 

This article first was produced by the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), and is republished with permission.

For more ideas on how to live out your faith at work take a look at LICC’s new workplace discipleship resource Transforming Work at www.licc.org.uk/tw or download the app (available through Apple and Android)



 

Baptist Times, 21/09/2015
    Post     Tweet
The challenge and opportunity of microchurch planting
'Resources (of people, finance and goodwill) are often hard to come by, metrics are not kind... but these experimental groups contain the seeds to our survival' Dave Criddle reports from a recent gathering focused on microchurch
The Boy at the Back of the Bus
Interview with Antoinette Brooks, Baptist church member and author of a new book documenting the childhood of Martin Luther King
Rediscovering the magic of Christmas
We can find a fresh perspective on the nativity story by considering some of the less familiar texts that point to and talk about the birth of the Saviour, writes John Hayward
Sharing the Christian story with your local schools
A presentation that has seen hundreds of thousands of pupils learn more about the Christian faith at Christmas and Easter marks its 30th anniversary next year – and it is hoped even more churches and schools could be involved
‘It will help you encounter Jesus in new and deeper ways’
Mosaic Creative has announced the release of a new book and audiobook of biblical monologues for churches called Following the Son by Jackie Mouradian
Different types of small church
The Small Church Connexion team is testing out different categories of small church, from a new plant to one that is choosing to close. These are imprecise categories which need to be fleshed out, but can help us strengthen the resource we offer
     The Baptist Times 
    Posted: 16/11/2024
    Posted: 11/09/2024
    Posted: 05/02/2024
    Posted: 16/12/2023
    Posted: 15/12/2023
    Posted: 06/12/2023
    Posted: 27/11/2023