1. Be known as a Christian from the start

2. Remember you are paid to do your job not to evangelise. Credibility as a witness means not abusing a trust. Make the most of an opportunity but don’t stop work for extended conversations.

3. Watch the way you live as well as speak. It might be a small thing but turning up for work on time (or not!) adds or detracts from your witness to Christ.

4. Recognise that the approach to witness will look different depending on your workplace context.

If you work in a place with a large turn-over of staff you may only have one or two opportunities  with people. Being bold is the key.

If your workplace involves you working with the same people day in and day out then gentleness is crucial.

If you work in a place where you are very much a junior colleague being patient might be the key.

‘Earning’ the right to be heard might be necessary in a more hierarchical organisation that will require perseverance.

Working alongside more vulnerable people; hospital patients, school children, etc. will require discernment as to when it is appropriate to share.

5. Recognise that you can go long periods of time without an opportunity at work. The work place environment is not naturally conducive to deeper conversations.

6. Build trust by demonstrating the values of friendship – compassion, loyalty, vulnerability, openness.

7. Remember details as people have shared them with you eg. Partner’s name, children’s names, ages, interests and then try to follow them up in natural conversation.

8. Pray by name for people!

9. Read a Christian book at lunch-time but think carefully about your choice. Pick a title or topic that might open up conversation eg at the time of the Olympics a biography of Eric Liddell.

10. Prepare for Monday morning and the’ interesting weekend?’ questions that might come. Have something curious to say that provokes a response.

11. Be cautious of getting too friendly or personal with someone of the opposite sex. Friendliness on our part because we want to share Christ can, in a non-Christian’s mind, be confused for romantic interest.

Busyness serves as a kind of existential reassurance, a hedge against emptiness; obviously your life cannot possibly be silly or trivial or meaningless if you are so busy, completely booked, in demand every hour of the day.

(HT: David S Harvey)

True friendship consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and value – Ben Johnson

A man of many companions may come to ruin,but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother - Proverbs 18:24

Where God gives us opportunity let us be true friends today.