W ORK L IFE : On the Frontlines Formation Course Week 4

1. WORKLIFE: On the Frontlines Formation Course Week 4

2. Key Theme Stories: Understanding how to engage non-Christians with the Kingdom of God in the workplace.

3. Case Study: Story 1 Joanne is a Christian who deals with a difficult personality on a daily basis. That person is her boss, Sam. Joanne has worked for Sam for 10 years. Sam is nominally religious, attending services, but has not shown interest in spiritual things. He knows that Joanne is a Christian and attends church regularly. He’s OK with other’s faith, as long as they don't try to convert him. While not a cruel person, he seems to enjoy playing mind games. For example, he will try to track down subordinates on the weekend just to see if they are available (not because he has actual work for them to do). He will delve into their personal lives, sometimes uncomfortably so, but does not share anything about his own life. He will often make inappropriate jokes without regard for whether the person he is telling them to would be offended. He is extremely jealous when "his people" are asked to work for others and will become passive aggressive with them until they "admit" that he is the best to work for. He claims that he wants his team to work together, but will often take actions to pit team members against each other and even against clients. He always makes clear in every case that he is the one "in control" and subtly puts his subordinates down in front of others.

4. Case Study: Story 1 (Continued) Joanne has experienced a lot of frustration working with Sam. As his right hand person, she is highly trusted by Sam since she takes care to make sure the work is done according to his exacting standards. She is also skilled in dealing with clients and her colleagues. While things are usually okay, Joanne has learned to develop a thick skin. So she is not offended when he insults her, even in front of clients. She has learned to see it as part of her job to "clean up his messes" when he offends others. In fact, she spends a fair amount of time reassuring the associates on his team that they are doing good work and helping them develop their own thick skins. Nevertheless, there are times when it gets to be too much and her attitude takes a nose dive. She starts treating Sam and others around her poorly and retreat into herself. She acts as miserable as everyone else seems to feel at her company, who do not have the eternal hope that she has. While she wants to worship God at work by being joyful, she feels that it doesn't always turn out that way.

5. Case Study: Story 1 Discussion Questions: Have you ever dealt with a difficult personality like Sam in the workplace? If so, how do you respond? How would you advise Joanne if she were to come to you asking for advice? What do we do when our “frontlines” consist of people who are difficult to love?

6. Case Study: Story 2 A local organization interviewed Maria for a laborer/janitor role. Maria did not speak any English. For every question that six individuals on the interview team asked, her answer was “I need job.” Once the interviewing team realized that they were not getting anywhere with the interview, it was decided to bypass Maria in the interview process. Interestingly, Maria had brought her 9 year old daughter, Ana to the interview with her. Ana had sat in the foyer while her mother was being interviewed in the Conference Room. One of the individuals on the interviewing team was a Christian by the name of Beth. At the end of the brief, non-productive interview, while escorting Maria out of the Conference Room, Beth noticed little Ana there. She soon discovered that Ana spoke perfect English, and that Ana and her mother had legally come to the USA from El Salvador 4 years prior. Beth was curious as to whether she should pursue speaking to Maria through her daughter Ana.

7. Case Study: Story 2 Discussion Questions: What would you have done if you were in Beth’s situation? Should Beth pursue interviewing Maria through her daughter Ana? If you were in a similar situation, would you consider hiring someone who cannot speak English to do perform janitorial/laborer functions? Have you ever been in a position where you were given an opportunity to live “unnaturally” in your workplace in a way that honors God?

8. Case Study: Story 2 (Part B) In the summer of 2012 the Receptionist at the front desk at my job called Beth to say that a woman named Ana was there to see her. Puzzled, Beth decided to investigate, despite not having an appointment scheduled. Suddenly, the woman lifted up her arms and came towards Beth for a hug saying, “You probably do not remember me, I am Ana, Maria’s daughter”! Beth was overjoyed. Ana continued, “I am finishing Nursing School; I am engaged to be married in August; and I asked my Mom if I could come to ask if you would like to be a guest at my wedding. My Mom never stops talking about you and telling others at church that you gave her a job, which made it possible for her to save money to send me to school. I also want to thank you.”

9. Case Study: Story 2 Discussion Question: How can we stay cognizant of the “ripple effects” of our daily Christian witness?

10. Things to Ponder This Week Question: • How can you live missionally on your frontlines in a place that can be at times indifferent, and at other times hostile, to the Christian faith? • How can you develop a global missional mindset in your workplace? • What are some of the ways you can support global mission needs through your work? Reading: • Imagine Church by Neil Hudson – Chapter 4