As you are probably aware, there is not a shortage of reading material on business strategy. In fact, the vast majority of business schools, seminars, and coaches want to focus on strategy as well. The problem is that most businesses do not fail due to a poor strategy. No, it is execution that kills most businesses (pun intended).
Why is it that we are so quick to think we know what is going on in a particular situation when we really don’t have the whole story? Why do we so often jump to conclusions about someone’s actions or behavior when our perspective is clearly limited? How is this related to our relationship with (and faith in) God?
So many things happen in our world today and we are often very quick to assume we know the whole story, including others’ motivations, circumstances, and intent. The truth is that we know very little about these things just by looking at a picture or video on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
In many of the small groups I have been in over the years, there is one question that has come up quite often. This may not be the most popular question or even the most passionately argued, but it does come up a lot. The question is this – are you to be an active or passive witness?
To be more clear, there are usually one or two people in the group that get a little uncomfortable when the subject of evangelism comes up for discussion. Immediately, they get images of standing on the street corner with bullhorn in hand and shouting out warnings to those passing by.
Maybe their picture is more subtle, but just as uncomfortable for them. Either way, they usually say something like, “I don’t have the gift of evangelism.” Maybe they say, “I don’t like to talk about my faith.”
Many suggest, “I think we should just live our Christian life by example. We should not have to tell people what and why we believe. They should know it by the way we live.”
Are these people in the “passive witness” camp wrong?
Before you answer, let’s look at the other camp. When this discussion about our responsibility to witness comes up, these others jump all over it! They are quick to talk about the number of times they have shared Jesus with some complete stranger, a customer, or maybe a childhood friend.
They can tell crazy stories about how people have accepted Jesus as a result of them simply asking an innocent question that led to an intense conversation about eternity. This discussion really gets the people in the “active witness” camp fired up!
Are they wrong?
So what is the answer?
Are you to be an active or passive witness?
Fortunately for you, I have the answer! That answer is “Yes!”
Yes, you are to be an active witness. Yes, you are to be a passive witness. You are to witness both actively AND passively! Neither of these options is acceptable only by itself. If we are to be fully committed disciples of Jesus, then we are to witness in every way available to us.
Sure, there are some personalities that are naturally more outgoing. These people will most likely witness to people in situations where the less outgoing may be uncomfortable. That is fine.
However, that does not remove the responsibility from the less outgoing! It only means that these people need to be more intentional about building relationships with the lost around them for the purpose of eventually talking to them about Jesus and their eternity.
When you look at the statistics of the workplace, Barna reports that roughly 40% of the U.S. adult population is unchurched. That means there are plenty of people around you in the workplace that need what you have. They need you to share your faith.
If you do not already have a solid relationship with them that would allow you to do this, then you need to get to work! Start intentionally working on your relationship with them. Get creative, but get closer. Of course, you are to do this with a sincere desire to touch their heart, not for a tally mark in your Bible.
The point here is that you are to be active as a witness for Jesus. Using a bullhorn is not the only way to do this. Whatever your personality or circumstances, find a method that plays to your strengths. Then start!
And for you “active witness” campers, do not let your natural ability to witness to others overshadow the need for you to also live out your faith by example! Whatever your personality, you are also called to live a godly life as an example for those who are watching.
This means your business practices are to be above reproach. You are to walk what you talk! You are to live out all that Jesus has commanded us – in every facet of your life.
You are not free to live as you please simply because you are good at approaching complete strangers with the truth of the gospel. Your witness and your example should go hand in hand!
I will leave you with a few verses that can serve as back-up for what we have discussed here. There are plenty more where these came from, but this is a good start!
You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lamp stand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
1 Peter 3:15
This post is based on material from Dave Anderson’s book, How to Run Your Business by THE BOOK. It is the first post in a series of five in which we will address common character issues for leaders. Our first character issue is the little white lie.
“But it was just a little white lie, right?”
How many times have you heard (or thought) this? I know we have all told someone they looked good when, in fact, they may not have. Maybe you told someone you liked their haircut or their new pair of shoes. You get the idea. I am not here to argue that point. I want to know if this behavior is okay in your business. Is it okay to tell white lies as a Christian in business?
Let’s try another line with which you may be more familiar…
“Who is it?…Just tell them that I am not here.”
If you have an assistant or receptionist, I am sure you have said something like this before. If not, congratulations! If so, can you justify saying something like this when you know it is not true? If your people see or hear you saying things like this, what effect do you think it has on their opinion of you? What effect does it have on their own behavior? If it is left unchecked, what behavior does it eventually lead to?
The white lie is so common in our world that most people do not even realize they are telling one. It can take many forms. Some of these may seem harmless (or even helpful) at the time. Some of them are a little more dangerous, but they are justified as being safer than telling the truth (at least at that moment!). Regardless of the rationalization, I think we need to take a long, hard look at this topic.
So what are we to do as Christian business owners and leaders? What is the expectation of us?
Well, as you probably guessed, I think we need to turn to the Bible for our answer. If we look at Ephesians 4:25, we will see the following verse:
Therefore, putting away all lying, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
Obviously, I could point to many other verses that make it clear that we are not to lie, but to tell the truth. This is God’s expectation of us. It is not dependent upon circumstances or conditions. It does not apply only to some people, but to all who claim the name of Jesus.
In How To Run Your Business By The Book, Dave Anderson gives the following key advice:
I will leave you with this verse from Luke 16:10…
Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.
I encourage you to start watching what you say. Increase your awareness of your words and make sure you are not falling into this trap.
Have you been guilty of little white lies?
Do you see the danger in where they lead?
What is your plan to change this behavior?
I called a friend the other day and asked him out to lunch.
While that may not seem unusual, consider that this friend had worked for our company up until that week and was terminated for non-performance. Now are you interested?
I told him that my offer to buy his lunch had two main purposes. First, I wanted to take the opportunity to learn from him whether there was anything he thought we could do better as a company. He is also a Christian and could give me insight about that aspect of our company. While I think I have a good feel for what happens from day to day in my business, I always hear something in an exit interview that surprises me. If I am open to it, I can always learn something from an ex-employee.
My second purpose was to take the opportunity, with his permission, to offer advice to him. I had observed him for close to a year and I felt I had a perspective that could help him. If I am truly in this business for an eternal impact, why would I not intentionally mentor another Christian when I have the chance? I felt we had a good enough relationship that he would give me that chance.
I learned about a couple of things that we could improve on immediately.
We had a great lunch and it went just as I expected. He gave me some honest and thoughtful feedback. As always, I learned about a couple of things that we could improve on immediately. Also, as I expected, he was open to my feedback on his performance and future work opportunities. With our company, he was not in a job that fit his strengths. We discussed another job he is already considering as well as some he has not considered, based on my assessment of his strengths. All in all, we both profited from the meeting.
What are your thoughts on this list?
Are there any reasons you would add or remove?
Does your company execute exit interviews? If not, should you?
If so, do you have a success story to share?