When you said: “I cringe as much at one of the local Christian radio station as most of the secular ones” I cringed along with you. I think that this is a sad reality in many of our communities.

There is a sad tendency in SOME Christian circles to think that we are entitled to a happy work experience or else we play the martyr. I know because I use to think like that. It is unBiblical. I harp on 2 Thessalonians 3 because it was such a reality check for me personally. I also use to think that if I were the boss, I could set up a perfect Christian workplace. If I was a sinless boss in a sinless world, it would be easy, but neither are true.

That same Jewish employee had a bad experience of some sort at another office from a Christian employer. I don’t know the details, but she is a great worker and a treasured employee and more curious about my faith than probably anyone else.

I cringe as much at one of the local Christian radio station as most of the secular ones.

Thank you for your response.

Bryant King

Yes, your comments *are* very valuable, and I appreciate your perspective as a boss. Honestly, I have not looked at it from that perspective, so you raise some very good points that I need to think about. Let me take a stab at a few of the things you mentioned.

1. I do not believe that a Christian businessman or boss should hire only Christians. In fact, I know of many non-Christians who are better workers than Christians! This reminds me of the “Shepherd’s Guide” which is the Christianized version of the Yellow Pages here in Louisville. Look, if I need a good or service, I want the most qualified, and I would rather have a surgeon with 20 years of experience and graduated head of his class but is lost than a newbie who barely passed his med school but who has Christian pencils and storybooks. In the instance you brought up with the Jewish employee, I think you handled it well, stating your intentions but not demanding that she conform to something God has not worked in her own heart and life. You demonstrated her value by not squeezing her into your mold but welcoming her even though she does not know Christ.

2. In fact, I venture to say that even playing Christian music is de facto a good thing. First, Christian music today needs a lot of help, but second, Christian music can also be a superficial excuse for not being missional at work (we Christianize the place without ever evangelizing the people).

3. Missional work should be something that is done in the natural outworking of one’s environment. It is very easy to be so intentional that is obnoxious to others and appears fake. What I mean is cultivating an approach where you prayerfully and winsomely embrace people where they are in life, through praying and caring for them, demonstrating the power of the gospel in your own life and the change it has brought. It is a sharing of not only the gospel but also your life and making yourself accessible and open to the lives of others, knowing that it is not about you, but about God’s glory and the good of others.

4. Here’s the rub that I have experienced with unbelievers. I have come to the place where they feel welcome with me, they know I care about them, they know that they come to me with anything, and so on. Yet our friendship could get to a point where the gospel is not mentioned, Jesus is not shared, and their need for him gets shelved. You can get to the point with such unbelievers that to then bring up the gospel would be an even greater challenge than when you first talked to them, because you have gotten into a rut. I’ve been there, and it is incredibly frustrating to get out of that.

5. I would not advocate being missional to the point of losing our business. I do believe, however, that there will be times when sharing Jesus with others will not be well-received, either from a coworker or a family member or someone else. We are to be prepared for that. But are to be responsible, discerning, and gracious in fleshing out our witness before others. We have not right to be arrogant, intemperate, or bombastic in our work. We nullify the message by our method and become a stumbling block and an excuse for them not to believe than a reason to consider Christ. There are some things that you cannot avoid, but there are others that can be prevented as you seek to model a humble, Spirit-led lifestyle where you are seeking the good of others in serving them, loving them, and sharing with them the good news of Jesus Christ.

I don’t know if any of that helped at all, but it was my meager attempts to address some of what you mentioned. I have much more to write on this subject, so I hope that future posts will be an encouragement to you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and I hope to discuss this matter more with you in the days and weeks to come.

Sorry for taking so long to chime in (mid-terms and meetings today). First, let me say how much I appreciate you providing a window into your life and workplace. This is very helpful. I know that the time you gave to sharing your heart, and I want to respond in an equally meaningful manner.

The first thing that comes to my mind is two dentists who are twin brothers working in the same practice. These brothers are committed Christians, serve as deacons, and are faithful witnesses both in their community and overseas on mission trips. I honestly don’t know how they do it, but they told me very similar stories of how people would just open up and tell them of their struggles, their life situations, and their need for help beyond what a dentist could give them. Many of their clients whom they ministered to came to church with them, some coming to Christ. When I hear of what you are doing in your practice, it reminds me of these two brothers and causes me to rejoice in knowing that men like yourself are working not only in the field of medicine but also in the field of souls.

I wish I could relate more from your perspective, but I have never been in a situation where I was under such constraints. While I do not have the answers or solutions, I do have a desire to be an encouragement to you. The simple fact that you are wrestling with the tension is a wonderful testament of God’s grace at work in your life, and I pray that the Lord will provide uninterrupted opportunities to share the love of Christ with those in great need of him.

One thing I thought of that you might want to consider is doing a bi-yearly picnic or party of some sort for all your clients. Doing something like that would give you a great opportunity to meet many of them outside the office and maybe even share your testimony or the gospel in a relaxed setting. I say that because I remember my dentist doing something like that for his clients back in the day (except it was not for the gospel but for fun and games at a waterpark).

It looks, to me at least, that your staff and patients ARE being exposed to the Gospel message. Does that mean that they are falling into a spiritual swoon and experiencing salvation in a dramatic fashion in your office? Probably not, since that sort of stuff rarely happens even in church.

Yet, as you demonstrate Christ and share Godly wisdom and counsel, you are planting seeds that God will bring to fruit in His timing. He will bring conviction, regeneration, and faith at the right time.

It appears to me that you are seeking His guidance and exercising wisdom and care in your workplace, and that your concerns and questions are of the type that all of us encounter.

I do NOT regularly press the matter of my employees own need for a Saviour. As Timmy aptly pointed out, the cross isn’t sexy. I fear losing valued employees or at least losing their respect as their boss. This may be sin. This may be the worst kind of sin- selfishly needing their labor and neglecting their soul. A Jewish employee of mine expressed concern early on in her employment over my obvious Christianity and whether her being Jewish would be a problem. I expressed to her that she is a valued employee, and I would love to see her become a Christian, but that it was not a condition of employment. When pressed by her, I even told her that I believed that not turning to Christ would result in an eternity in hell. I am either a really good or really bad boss because employees tell me they have no intention of ever working anywhere else- including this Jewish employee. The door for witnessing is open, but neither of us knock on it often.

I am also afraid of taking the Cross that isn’t sexy to my patients. I had an openly lesbian patient tell me this morning that she wasn’t worried about the possible outcome of a procedure because of her faith in God. Hmmm. I said nothing. Do I explain to her that we don’t deserve our next breath, much less a positive outcome on a procedure? What about the cantankerous lady who takes the Lord’s name in vain but is here to do a financially productive procedure. Do I explain to her that she is breaking the 3rd Commandment? My business needs their patronage. I don’t think I can afford to lose these patients. I have bills. I have a family. I have a church to give offerings to.

If my own relatives are not happy when I bring up the gospel, then how will patients react? How will staff react? There seems to be a difference between being ready in season and out of season to preach (2 Timothy 4:2) and being constantly preaching.

Jerry, I fear I am coming off adversarial, but I am not trying to be. Timmy’s point is about being missional at work. I agree, but how far do we take it. Do we act missional until we are fired or until we lose our business? As an employee, lines will be drawn for you, but as an employer, I get to draw some lines.

Put another way, the seeker sensitive church poses a problem because it tries to act like a business. Huge problem! My church shouldn’t and doesn’t look like a business. But what you are suggesting might make my business not look like a business either.

And here is the kicker. If you read 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 you will see that Paul says what to do with a brother who doesn’t pay attention to the teachings. He tells the church to not associate too closely with the disobedient brother but to admonish him and let him feel ashamed. That’s HUGE! This is all following Paul’s teaching about disciplined work. It is my responsibility to God to work in a proper manner, and potentially my church’s responsibility to treat me differently if I do not.

Jerry, I fear I am exposing my own ignorance and derailing Timmy’s valuable blog. I am enjoying reading others responses. Feel free to e-mail me at kingsnakedmd at comcast.net. It is a slow day, I will try to respond. I am happy Timmy is discussing this subject because it is one which occupies much of my thought and an area where I know I have sin yet to root out.

Bryant King

Let me propose a couple of thoughts that come to mind.

Do you ever take breaks with your employees, or ever go to lunch with them, have office potlucks, bithday parties, etc.? It would appear that these times could give opportunity to share the Gospel?

Do you ever distribute advertising items (pens, calendars, etc.) to your patients? These could include the Gospel. If you send them test results, appointment confirmations, etc. you could also use these mailings to present a Gospel witness. Something like Living Waters’ “Million Dollar Bill” could be added to the envelope.

I know that when I am in the Dentist chair that I spend a considerable amount of time looking up at the ceiling. I would welcome Scripture references printed where I am looking while the dentist is working away, possibly you could post appropriate verses there.