Question 3: Witnessing to Co-Workers
by Rev. John Shearouse

Question 3: I've found it difficult at times getting along with my co-workers. I can't talk or joke about some of the things they get on about... crude coarse joking, etc... I wanted to ask if you had any tips for Christians and how to get along at work?

I always found that the best kind of relationship with fellow workers is one in which you are very forthright about what you believe, but in a friendly way.

There is a way, I think, that you can be a very strong witness, and yet good humoured about it all. When guys at work would invite me to go to the strip club for lunch, I would say with a smile, "Now you know that is not the kind of place I would want to go... you know what I am like. You know that my life is about serving the Lord. But if you want to go somewhere, why don't you come to church with me instead? It will be a lot better for you to get some real bread instead of that stuff you feed on at the club." Or instead of inviting the co-worker to church I might say "why don't you come over to my place for dinner with my family and then you can join us for our Bible study we have after. It might do you some good and you might understand why I have completely lost interest in the strip club."

There was one guy I had spoken to about my faith that I invited over for supper. In response to my invitation, he said, "but you have a hidden agenda." So I said to him, "a hidden agenda? What do you mean? You know I want you to become a Christian. I am totally open with you about that. And if you come over to my house, we will have family worship after supper, just like we always do, and I will explain things from the Bible and knowing that you are there, I will even try to point some of my comments as you so you will understand the gospel. So are you going to come over or not?" And he said, "Okay" and he came over and the next day he told everybody about his time with us and how my kids were eager to meet him and how they enjoyed sitting down and answering questions about the Bible. I learned about what he said from the manager of the wood shop who was a faithful Christian. I've lost touch with the fellow I invited over, but I hope he is a believer now.

But that should give you an idea. Just keep it really friendly and upbeat, yet "salty" (Jesus said, you are the salt of the earth).