Christianity in the Workplace

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T.A.Stobie_SFO

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How do you express your Christianity in the Workplace?

I will post my views to this later, after some have had to chance to answer (but you can deduce it from my website if you are in a hurry).
 
By living it…not by proselytizing. That means that I will treat people with respect, look to develop their skills, be understanding about their personal conflicts and treat my clients and coworkers ethically.

However, it’s a job, and at a privately owned company to boot. So it’s not appropriate to go into much detail about my personal life, other than the occasional reference.
 
I don’t know if it counts since i go to school still, but typically i try to live it and help others understand it. I got many questions about different aspects of the faith so i try to answer them to help them understand what and why we believe different things.
 
I always wear my crucifix. But more importantly I try to live Christianity in my words and actions.

Instead of gossiping I will change the conversation or give an alternative reason why a person said or did something.

Instead of saying we (my family) are lucky, I will say that we are blessed. Just little things like that. I will also make peace with my “enemies” and be kind to others.

There is not too much else I can do since I teach in the public school system, but many of my students are Catholic so they are always giving me gifts of religious articles. I always display them on my desk since they were gifts from the children.
 
I have two calendars on the wall, one from Catholic Relief Services and one from the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. I always wear my Miraculous Medal. I will pray the Liturgy of the Hours to myself at work during the 3:00 hour. People at work know I am Catholic and will occasionally ask questions.
 
I too try to live my faith in the workplace. Now disabled and homebound, so it is easier to be Christian in my current workplace (home office - little paying work).

Back in corporate America, I would arrive early for meetings and pray for their success, have religious pictures/calenders in my cell (cubical), have a bible in my desk, and wear a cross around my neck. I would discuss my faith when people asked about it, and pray with those who wanted to pray.

I maintained my high ethical standards in the workplace (and this is one reason I was laid off) and tried to act in the corporation’s best interest while working for them.
 
I express it through my actions and attitude. It often shines it’s brightest during lunch, while walking to a resteraunt. It is amazing how something as trivial as holding the door for a mother who is pushing a stroller, stopping to help an old lady cross the street, or buying a bum a meal can have such a big impact on others. The actions help to reinforce what is conveyed through my attitude, and often times brings up an opportunity for witnessing.
 
Like many others who have posted here, the main way I express my faith in the workplace is by trying to conduct myself toward others with charity and integrity.

IIn addition, when co-workers discuss our families and lives, I speak naturally about Catholic schooling or being involved in church activities. That marks you enough so that others will engage you from time to time with either questions, support, or prayer requests.
 
I am a prosecuting attorney. On my office wall I have pictures of St. Thomas More and Our Lady of Guadulupe. Sometimes when I prosecute a sexual assault case I will give the victim a medal of St. Maria Goretti and tell them her story.
 
I have two bibles sitting on a shelf in my office. I am as openly catholic as it gets. As a result I have to take some questions and gentle insults from time to time. I speak openly with my non-catholic, christian co-workers and try to dispel whatever misunderstandings they have about the church. There is one extremely anti-catholic individual in my office, but I manage to get along quite amiably with him. Who knows, over time he may see that we really are christians.
 
It is so refreshing to hear how all of you proudly and openly show your faith! I am still a student but at my job I wear Catholic shirts and discuss with others about my beliefs. I also make a point to invite others to remember God in their daily life.

Unfortuneately, once I start my real job, as a teacher, I will not have as much open ability to express my faith. I will demonstrate it, however in my lessons, the way I live my life, and by what I encourage my students to become in life. I will also try and be the teacher sponsor for the school’s bible club or something similar.
 
I try to be “discreetly visible.” I’m sure everyone in my division knows I am Catholic. (I wear a crucifix, have holy cards pinned to my cubicle walls, etc.) They know I am willing to discuss my faith and answer questions about it – and I do get questions from time to time. I generally let them do the initiating so as not to be too pushy.

I am sometimes surprised how often people bring religion up. So far I can say that discussions have always been very cordial and we’ve had no religion bashing in spite of quite a diversity of beliefs. We just back off when we clearly hit an impasse. I have really nice co-workers.

Oh, and I keep a Bible and a copy of the catechism at my desk for reference! 👍
 
How do you pray in the workplace?

I have prayed silently in my workspace and well as in meetings (or rather waiting for them to start or resume) as well as with another person or two who either asked to pray or after discussing a problem with them, I invite them to join me in prayer.
 
I work for an organization that is unapologetically Christian and we all have crucifixes, icons, images of the Virgin, rosaries, etc. hanging from our walls. When I was in the Marine Corps, however, I would invite colleagues to daily Mass at lunch. One close friend eventually returned to the Church. He blames me, bnut it was the Holy Spirit!

Chris C.
 
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