Service Record

Did you leave that paper in the copier for my benefit?” he asked sharply.

My knees went limp under the volume of blood draining from my head. Ever quick-witted, I stammered, “Uh…no, no I didn’t.”

The paper my summer employer referred to was a school-required evaluation of my internship with him. An evaluation not very flattering of his abilities.

And with that blunder, I kissed my Christian witness to this man goodbye.

How nice it would be to start this piece on Christians’ relationships with their bosses on a victorious note–recounting my model encounters with the leaders I’ve served the last 12 years. Sadly, too many resemble the one above.

On reflection, these gaffes exhibit the fruits of a worldly, not “Word-ly,” mindset toward work and authority–a cultural attitude nurtured by books like 1987′s How to Work for a Jerk: “My objective is to help you to understand what bosses are, and to show you how to circumvent what they do.”

Yet the timeless Word prescribes a radically different approach: “Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord, rather than men; . . . it is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23,24).

As Christians in the workplace, we should tune out the world’s attitudes, calibrating our mindset to a biblical perspective of honor and service. May the following principles keep you punching the clock, not the boss.

1. Don’t view your superior as the enemy. “By nature we tend to…dehumanize people who are not like us,” Stanley Baldwin wrote in Take This Job & Love It. “We may live according to the Golden Rule in our relationships with peers while not even seeing [bosses] as people.”Or teachers. During high school, a girlfriend was astounded to find her typing teacher watching television in my living room. It surprised her that the man who made her stand to type when she was tardy also had a home life–let alone was my dad. While respecting your boss’ position, you must also view him or her as a person with common needs, including salvation.
2. Submit to your employer’s authority. Too often Americans only honor authorities whom we think “deserve” it. But this denies God’s role in their placement. “He who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:2, New International Version). As we submit to our employers, we are saying, “God, I submit to You.”Submission means exhibiting a teachable, not defensive, spirit when corrected. “You can take that potentially painful and unpleasant experience,” notes Baldwin, “and turn it to your advantage by responding positively.”If your boss seems set against you, know that God exercises sovereignty over his or her actions: “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1). In Trusting God, Jerry Bridges elaborates, “No one can harm you or jeopardize your future apart from the sovereign will of God. Moreover, God is able to and will grant you favor in the eyes of people who are in a position to do you good.”No matter how unfair a superior, resist the temptation to belittle the person with co-workers. “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone . . . . so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:17,18). In my case, I should have gently raised the difficulties with my boss directly, rather than critiquing him behind his back.
3. Work diligently. In Why America Doesn’t Work, Chuck Colson reported a 1982 survey done by a nonprofit foundation. Only 16 percent of workers interviewed said they were doing their best work. Why such a poor showing? The remaining 84 percent said they would work harder only if they gained something from it.Whatever our job, we work for the Lord–as both He and our bosses are watching: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).This principle surfaced during a recent conversation with a friend. Her husband had employed a Christian who cheerfully practiced an outstanding work ethic. His consistency left a pleasant taste with my friend, as well as her husband, which opened the door for me to later explain my faith and be well received.

When we apply Scripture and serve our employers, we may or may not get accolades or promotions, but we honor God, to whom we ultimately answer. And when our actions honor Him, it’s unlikely we’ll leave surprises in the company copier.

Practical points

• Do you need to reconcile with a superior? If you are purposely dodging him or her, probably yes. After my internship blunder, I sent my employer a note asking for forgiveness and thanking him for the experience I did gain. But don’t take my coward’s way out–apply Matthew 5:23-24 by amending things in person.

• Do you feel unfairly treated? What do 1 Peter 3:15-17, 2 Peter 5:6 and Romans 12:17-21 propose as appropriate responses?

• Do you pray for your boss? Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?” (Matthew 5:44,46). Ask God to give your boss strength and wisdom at work, as well as a desire to know Him.

• Do you respond positively when corrected? “He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray” (Proverbs 10:17). Some bosses care about your development enough to discuss areas that need growth. And maybe they have a point. How could you demonstrate a more teachable spirit?

• Are there ways to pay more respect to your superiors? If you’re a student, for example, you can arrive on time, not talk back, honor class rules and apply yourself. Too often the rebellious attitudes that we cultivate during school years follow us into the workplace.

• Has is gotten just too bad to take? Take This Job & Love It advocates not only prayer and speaking to your boss directly, but also utilizing established grievance procedures and keeping accurate records of your interaction with him or her. If over time these efforts fail to improve your relationship, consider moving on.

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