In today’s Church, and in today’s world, Christians who are
disciplined in the word of God are the exceptions, not the rule (Hughes, 2001).
Faith is tested on a daily basis, with all Christians facing Godly or worldly
choices in the moment of truth. In Daniel 3:8-18, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abed-Nego had a choice to make – to have faith in God and face the fiery
furnace, or to bow down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar had
built. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego chose to keep their faith in God and
emerged from the fire unharmed accompanied by a fourth man “like the Son of
God” (Daniel 2:25, NKJV). From this act of faith, King Nebuchadnezzar praised
God and promoted the three leaders (Daniel 3:30).
Leaders today can learn much from Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abed-Nego in expressing and living their faith. The workplace can be a
challenging place to communicate faith values. However, research shows that
over 90% of Americans affiliate with religion (World Fact Book, 2009). According
to Moore (2010), this affiliation to religion of approximately 270 million
Americans, can serve as a common thread to influence their professional lives.
Today’s secular organizations show a more culturally diverse workplace and
provide opportunities for the introduction of discussions of faith and
spirituality dealing with workplace diversity, leadership, team management, and
organizational culture to name a few (Lews & Geroy, 2000).
Fortunately, leaders can make a conscious decision on
communicating their faith based upon the culture and values of the specific
organization (Lewis & Geroy, 2000). Enter the three C’s of faith
communication:
- Conviction – Leaders who aspire to become transformational must focus on developing and displaying their core moral values (Northouse, 2006). Visionary leaders are convicted so much so that their belief in their cause is bigger than their words (Baldoni, 2003, p. 18). A convicted leader who espouses faith values can drive their conduct and ultimate communication of faith by their actions.
- Courage – Transformational leaders express confidence in what they do (Northouse, 2006). Like Winston Churchill, leaders have courage when things look their worst (Baldoni, 2003). Leaders can choose to communicate faith values with more courage to do so.
- Change – King Nebuchadnezzar decreed that no one would speak against God (Daniel 3:29). He even went so far as to put Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in leadership positions (Daniel 3:30). The faith communication of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego spurred change, and leaders can spur change in secular organizations can as well.
So, as Matthew 5:16 says “Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”
(NKJV). Leaders can choose to communicate faith. Leaders that live the word of
God by having the conviction and courage in the workplace can be the catalysts
for change.
References
Baldoni, J. (2003).
Great communication secrets of great leaders / John Baldoni. New
York : London McGraw-Hill, 2003.
Lewis, J. S.,
& Geroy, G. D. (2000). Employee spirituality in the workplace: A
cross-cultural view for the management of spiritual employees. Journal
of Management Education, 24(5), 682-694.
Moore, T. W.
(2010). You believe in what? an examination of religious differences in the
workplace. Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, 15(2),
43-63.
Northouse, P. G.
(2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
World Fact Book.
(2009). https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.ht
