When Your Christian Workplace Isn’t Very Christian

I work for a Christian organization that does not have a healthy culture. This leads me to feel a lot of discouragement and cynicism. I know the world is full of sin, including at Christian ministries. How can I think biblically about the way Christian work should be done in this world? How can I cultivate an affection for the people there (who also seem to feel discouragement and cynicism)? And how can I make things better?

We know the Lord wants us to be encouraged and hopeful—not discouraged or cynical—in any work he has called us to undertake. Work is a good thing (John 5:17; Gen. 2:15). In it, we find purpose and an opportunity to serve others, bless the world, and glorify God.

And yet, with the fall of man came sin that fills our labor with “thorns and thistles,” making it an often painful toil (Gen. 3:17–18)—even in workplaces filled with followers of Christ. In fact, the Enemy likely has more of an interest in enticing Christian organizations to unhealth given the overt threat their labor is to his domain of darkness.

We therefore shouldn’t be surprised if our Christian workplace falls short of God’s glory. But we also shouldn’t accept this as inevitable or unavoidable, because we as believers are called, taught, and empowered to contrast the ways of the world as we conform to Christ’s likeness.

How Should Christian Work Be Done?

As we pray for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as in heaven (Matt. 6:10), our work—in any sphere that doesn’t intentionally propagate sin—can be a vessel of God’s renewing work in the world.

If we work in medicine or counseling, we can be vessels of his healing. If we work in food service or financial services, we can be vessels of his provision. If we work in data systems or waste management, we can be vessels of his order.

We as believers are called, taught, and empowered to contrast the ways of the world as we conform to Christ’s likeness.

Whether or not we work for a Christian organization whose mission, values, and expectations align with biblical truth, our personal approach to work still should. All work should be done as unto the Lord, not unto men (Col. 3:23), in obedience to his commands and submission to his will for the furthering of his kingdom.

For example, while we work not for man’s approval but for God’s (Gal. 1:10), we’re called to submit to our earthly master as a testimony of our submission to Christ (Eph. 6:5). While work isn’t meant to be the source of our identity and worth, we should undertake it with dedication and conviction, knowing it’s part of the good works God has prepared in advance for us to do (2:10).

That said, working for an organization that claims to align with the Christian faith provides a unique opportunity for coworkers to hold one another accountable to mutually agreed-on standards and callings (by the help of a mutually indwelling Holy Spirit). We should do so, and do so seriously, for the sake of our organization’s witness to the gospel.

How Can We Cultivate Affection for Those We Work With? 

First, we should consider whether we’re praying for our coworkers as much as we’re complaining (to ourselves or to others) about them.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin and conform them to the likeness of Christ. Pray for anything that may be affecting the way they work—past hurt, family conflict, undue pressure, deep insecurities, or harsh leaders. Pray also with gratitude for the good they bring—gifts and skills that may complement ours.

Most importantly, we can pray for ourselves. In examining the speck in our coworkers’ eyes, we should ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the log in our own eyes first (Matt. 7:3–5). Our sins may be negatively affecting workplace culture as well. We can also pray for God to soften our hearts with compassion toward our colleagues (Ezek. 11:19).

Our coworkers are more than just partners in our ministry. They’re part of our ministry. God’s purpose for our work isn’t limited to the product it creates, the resource it provides, or the recipients who benefit—it also includes serving, honoring, and seeking the good of those with whom we labor along the way.

How Can We Make Things Better?

We’re right to be discerningly honest about the brokenness in our workplaces without minimizing sins or using grace as a license to permit them (Rom. 6:1–2). If we stop identifying and resisting sin, we become more vulnerable to its influence.

Certainly, there’s a time to speak out against wrongdoings or injustices, and we should pray for wisdom and courage in knowing when and how to do so, just as Nathan confronted David (2 Sam. 12) or Paul confronted Peter (Gal. 2:11–14). Jesus even provided specific instructions for addressing sin between believers to usher in repentance and restoration (Matt. 18:15–17).

God may not immediately move the mountain of improving our workplace culture—although he can, so we can ask him to (17:20). But maybe he’s calling us to chip away at the mountain instead. Day by day, with faithfulness and hope, we can take every opportunity to embody and foster the healthy culture we long to see.

Our coworkers are more than just partners in our ministry. They’re part of our ministry.

The golden rule teaches us to treat others as we wish they would treat us (Luke 6:31). In the way we conduct a meeting, steward resources, act with integrity, advocate on a committee, speak kindly, extend grace, enforce accountability, give feedback, maintain priorities, or make organizational decisions, our most powerful agent of change may be the attractiveness of our example.

God can use the light we shine before others to both convict and compel, and as others see our good works, they may give glory to our Father in heaven who alone can change them too (Matt. 5:15–16).

Turn to Christ, Our Hope

For all assignments God gives us, there’s a time to stay and a time to leave. In seasons where you feel especially restless with your work, prayerfully consider (with the help of wise counsel) whether God is calling you to anything different. If he isn’t (or until he does), pray for endurance to keep your hand to the plow.

In your frustrations with others, turn to Christ’s patience. In your despair over workplace culture, turn to Christ’s promises. In your discouragement over your own failings, turn to Christ’s mercy. And for as long as he assigns you to your labor, persevere under his easy yoke and light burden as you turn to Christ’s rest (11:28–30).

Our labor for him is never in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). He will complete the good work he started in us (Phil. 1:6). And he can use every shortcoming we face (in and around us) to deepen our faith and our dependency on him.