According to a poll of university graduates in 2023, “33% of new grads say the option to work remotely is the most important factor in their job search”. A lot of respondents were concerned about mental health and work-life balance. During the Covid lockdown, many discovered they could pursue their careers from home, spend more time with their kids and spouses, experience professional fulfillment, and work during their preferred hours. They now take advantage of more “me-time.” They nurture relationships with their retired parents, grandparents, and friends, sometimes getting involved in weekday Bible studies and walking groups. Remote working even makes it possible to volunteer more. Here are five important ways to still share the Gospel as we work remotely.
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1. Follow the Natural Longing to Share the Gospel
One trait Christians share is a longing to share the gospel. The workplace is an environment where perhaps many co-workers are unsaved. According to Jordan Raynor, “Our workplaces are the primary place where most of us build relationships with unbelievers.” Taking that away by working from home and sharing the gospel is instantly more difficult. For, as Paul asks,
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” -Romans 10:14
After all, non-believers frequently become curious about God by witnessing the example of a fellow employee in the middle of his or her work day. They observe the ways that Christians handle stress, criticism, praise, and disappointment. When they wonder what makes their Christian friend different, they can ask their questions right away and get an answer immediately.
But God is above and beyond all of our circumstances, and a change of location will not stop the gospel from going forward. God will be glorified, and the good news will be spread. Connecting through technology requires more effort, but God is the God of the impossible. We can trust that God can move hearts through our lives, even over an online meeting.
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2. Look for Opportunities to Talk About Hope
A computer can help us to reach beyond the staff room. Utilize a video conference platform such as Zoom or Google Teams to bring as many people together at meetings as possible. Do this regularly, and if you miss the one-on-one opportunities to share the gospel, they can become part of one-on-one video conferencing or the informal chat before a meeting.
Working remotely is a good opportunity to make more connections with other professionals around the country and world than could ever be possible in an office. Our reach for the gospel could increase! But let the Spirit lead. Beware of the temptation to script encounters and force “Jesus talk” into every situation. On the other hand, whether we meet in person or over the Internet, this advice holds. Wait for the Spirit’s prompting instead of feeling pressured to add “religion” into the conversation. Look for the Spirit’s help when you are frustrated with technology. Sometimes, coming alongside someone in empathy or aid opens the door to a deeper conversation.
As for reflecting the love of God, the challenges of a remote meeting add their own kind of stress, and we can still demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit in how we handle things like muted participants or people who cannot find their camera or the problem of background noise.
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Galatians 5:16
Be alert to the challenges others are facing—not everyone likes to work remotely. Perhaps prepare to organize a less formal lunchtime get-together or another opportunity to meet in person, which was sparked online.
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3. Take Advantage of the Extra Time to Prepare
There can be a temptation to work longer hours when someone is merely walking from the bedroom to the office. Perhaps you have also believed the lie that God wants us to work relentlessly, without rest, for his kingdom. Yet,
“Whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. [...] There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” - 1 John 4:16, 18
These verses unmistakably note rest and peace with God through Christ. Jesus taught us to abide in him. Christians cannot love well out of their own strength; they need Christ’s fullness. Christians obtain his fullness by resting in him. Pressure to lead co-workers to Christ suggests that fear has crept in, but there is no place for it here.
The rush to get dressed, to drive into the city, to drive back again is gone; this leaves more time for Jesus. Get out of your home office and use the extra time to worship, pray, and study the Bible. From this place of peace, you will build your relationship with Jesus. From there, you are better able to share him. Be intentional about separating your worship space from your workspace so as not to get distracted from this important time with the lover of your soul. Truly let him love you in the quiet and nourish your heart and mind.
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4. Answer God's Call Regardless of Location
Jordan Raynor asserts that a remote setting might not be the better choice for everyone, even if it was positive a year or two ago. “You may choose to return to the office so that you can be more intentional about building relationships with unbelievers in person.” Even if you love it at home, the Holy Spirit could be redirecting you for his sake. In some cases, remote relationships can be fostered effectively for Christ, but when that is not the case, be prepared for God’s leading.
One bit of good news for Christians in the workplace is that they are invited to serve their Savior, whatever their workplace looks like. Any job can become a service to the Lord.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” - Colossians 3:23
Even if we did not want to return to the office after the pandemic, there is joy in knowing we are serving our King and Savior by doing so. We are all on a mission. Compare going back to the office with leaving the comforts of home to share the gospel in another country. In either case, we are stepping outside of our comfort zones.
But again, our strength is in Christ. If he sends us, he will equip us. “Now may the God of the peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will.” (Hebrews 13:20-21) And be prepared, too, that God might call us to remain where we are, even if we want to go back to a formal work setting where we are surrounded by co-workers. In prayer, seek God’s day-to-day directions about this. His instructions could change in a few months a year or tomorrow.
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5. Leave Your Comfort Zone
Many people heeded the call to work from home when this was necessary due to social distancing and lockdowns. The idea was scary for some but wholeheartedly embraced by others. Now, going back to work heralds a positive new phase in some careers - they longed for human connection all that time. For others, returning to work is a nightmare they are trying to avoid. Not everyone is able to choose; rest assured, however, that the most important connection a Christian makes every day is with Jesus. Ask him for peace of mind to make a choice and then not lose sleep over it. As long as you do not use a remote position as an excuse to become a hermit, be at peace. There will be other ways to get involved with co-workers, Christians and non-Christians. And remember that the benefits of working with people, whether over Zoom or in person, work both ways. Someone might have been called by God to connect with you.
Sources:
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/03/new-college-grads-worried-about-being-overworked-in-their-first-jobs.html#:~:text=Not%20far%20behind%2C%2019%25%20of,layoffs%20are%20their%20biggest%20worry.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/evangelism-remote-workplace/
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Originally published Wednesday, 20 March 2024.