Sharing faith with colleagues

Like many people I talk to, my work identity and faith stayed separate for years. My faith did not seem appropriate to acknowledge with colleagues. Around 2010, however, I did start posting check-ins from my church on Facebook with a short scripture or nugget from the sermon. Granted, it was a gentler time on social media, but I was encouraged (and a bit surprised) by the genuine conversations sparked by those posts.

In contrast to my late start, Gloria Zhang , one of my former colleagues at Duolingo, has shown tremendous early confidence in sharing her faith.

"Spiritual conversations happen naturally because I am genuinely interested in getting to know my colleagues. If I ask someone, "Why did you move to Pittsburgh?" they will likely ask me the same thing, and since I moved to Pittsburgh to help out as a church volunteer for college ministry, it is easy to share how Jesus has impacted my life. If someone asks me what I did on the weekend, and I was at a church event, I sometimes share that I'm Christian and then go into detail about what I did with my church that day. It is rarely awkward because people are curious and will start to ask questions. I go into the conversations trying not to have assumptions about the other person, and if things show conflicting values, I don't go into a debate; I think it's important just to listen and ask more questions before I start sharing my faith views.

Becoming a Christian is the best thing that has happened to me and is the core of my identity. So I will tell people pretty soon after they meet me that I'm Christian, just like in a similar vein, how I tell them I'm a data analyst too. As it says in 2 Corinthians 5, I'm called to be an ambassador for Christ in all areas of my life, including at my workplace."?

I love that God used Gloria, over 30 years my junior, to teach me about boldness and true identity outside of job titles.

One of my favorite podcasts, Viral Jesus, is an excellent source of additional inspiration for sharing faith, especially in digital spaces. The host, Heather Thompson Day, is honest and funny and has guests with fresh, contemporary perspectives.?

I hope you will check it out!

I'd love to hear about your experiences integrating faith and work.