General principles for marketplace ministry

First of all, remember that you were hired and are paid to do a job. Your employer has the rightful expectation that you would perform your job requirements to the best of your abilities. Practically, for the believer at work, that means giving your company your best. Be on time. Go the extra mile. Do your work in excellence. Meet your deadlines. Be an easy person to lead. Have the attitude of Colossians 3:23 that says, whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. Or in other words, your work when done in excellence should reflect your desire to honor Christ. This will give you the platform of respect among your leaders and co-workers. They will listen to you when opportunities arise.

Pray. Follow the principle of talking to God about people before talking to people about God. Who are the people in your workplace that you spend the most time with? It would make sense for the Lord to put people in your path that He would like for you to influence. These could be vertical relationships or horizontal or service staff in your building. Pray for them by name regularly. Pray for openness to the gospel. Pray for opportunities to build relationships. Pray for boldness for yourself and that your speech or “conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt”.(Col.4:6)

Relationship. Don’t view your co-workers as projects. Regardless of whether or not they ever profess faith in Christ we’re still called to love our neighbor in word and deed. Serve them at work by trying to lighten their load when possible. Build the relationship. Get inside their world. Genuinely care for and listen to them. This means pursuing the relationship even when it’s not convenient for you. What does that look like? It may mean asking them to grab some coffee or a drink on the way home from work one day. Invite them over to your house on the weekend to watch a game or to go to a festival or something you share a common interest in.

Don’t shy away from the fact that you’re a believer or keep that hidden until a later time. Be upfront with them about your faith and the difference it has made in your life but be sensitive about going to far with that conversation early on. There will be times for you to build on that. Keeping your faith hidden and then dropping it on them later will make them think you’re either not that serious about it (like most cultural Christians) or that you’ve “baited and switched” something in your relationship with them. For more on sharing your faith, I highly recommend the “Co-Journers” method of evangelism. See attachment.