Perspective on Workplace Evangelism

I've definitely had conversations about God with colleagues before. Because I work so much, most of my friendships came from some type of work interaction. Family members get sick and ask for prayer, babies are born and religious upbringing becomes a topic, etc. Yes, I've talked about those things with industry colleagues...but in the context of nurtured friendships, with a foundation of trust. When I have discussed my faith, it was not done at the expense of interrupting workflow. If people approach me after a speaking engagement and ask to learn more about me, I'll share as much as they want to hear...whether it's entrepreneurship, work/family balance, my faith, my interest in adoption, or cooking tips.

Being the black sheep that I am, I would have to say that I am not a fan of workplace evangelism. Yet you should not hide who you are. In fact, I believe you should be the best that you can be at work and promote yourself (yes, another controversial Christian topic) to a position of visibility that lets people "opt-in" to know more about your life, your perspectives, and your choices.

This appears as a part of the Faith@Work Consultation.  See also: 

Interview with Marcus Goodyear of TheHighCalling.org, Part 1 and Part 2. 

Peter Collins, The Ethics of Firing, Part 1 and Part 2.  

William Miller, On Building Trust, Part 1 and Part 2.

Galen C. Dalrymple, The Curse of Busyness, What Are You Building?, and Honest Scales.

Timothy Dalrymple, The Holy Ghost in the Machine, and first and second articles on the Moral Dimensions of the Financial Crisis.

Mary DeMuth, Marketing Without Manipulation.

Jonathan Dodson, Do Worldly Honors Matter?.

John Hoyt, Courage in a Time of Darkness.

Mark D. Roberts, Remembering the Sabbath

David Rupert, Wipe Your Feet

Nolan Sharp, When Work Teaches Faith

Tim Stafford, Believe in Your Calling.

John Terrill, Reframing Business Education.  

Vicky Wu Davis has developed a rich and varied career in telecommunications and the computer gaming industry. She is the founder and CEO of Froghop, Incorporated, the founder of Executive Minds for Social Innovation, co-founder of WorkWise Executives, and formerly the Regional Executive Director of the International Orphans Foundation. She advises multiple tech companies and lives with her husband and son in Andover, Massachusetts.