There seems to be some
question as to how Hospitality should be handled in the Workplace.
Here are a few items for consideration: |
Material:
Christians are allowed to layout Christian Material in the
Workplace, if there is a designated area where other materials are
being displayed or distributed. If there are issues about this in
your work place, please report those problems to Personnel and your
local Pastors until the problems are properly addressed and
corrected.
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Socials:
Christians are not obligated to “be nice” or to “naturally conform”
to a work place’s form of socialization, especially if it is
offensive (ex. halloween). It is not recommended that Christians
“celebrate” halloween, especially in the work place. Christian
“celebrations” should be kept simple and reverent. Do not fall into
the trap of exchanging presents with someone of the opposite sex in
the work place. Make your rules known (according to “the rules”
outlined in The Bible). If you do not want to participate in
“legalistic birthday clubs”, don’t. Make your own friends, collect
their birthdates (if you wish) and keep a personal notebook, but
only if you are of the same gender. Be careful not to become
legalistic with “your own rules”. Prayerfully consider all “social
transactions”. One year you may feel lead “by the Spirit” to give a
friend a birthday card, the next year you may not.
It is not recommended that Christians socialize with the opposite
sex beyond the bounds of “professional transactions” or
“professional lunches”. Lunches should be for personal time spent
alone, with family members, or with friends or co-workers of the
same sex. If married, it is not recommended that lunches be spent
with the opposite sex. If both are single and desire a personal
relationship outside the bounds of professional transactions, it is
recommended that you both seek counsel from your local pastors,
since pursuing a personal relationship within the work place could
lead to misunderstandings and other professional problems later on
down the road. If someone of the opposite sex in your place of work
seems to need a personal friend, seek your local Pastors for counsel
for them. See the document entitled “Social Hospitality” (within
this Chapter) for more details on “how to” and “how not to” counsel
someone of the opposite sex.
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Coffee or Tea Tables
and Snack Bars:
Sample sheets are attached for an example of “How to Operate” “Work
Place Coffee or Tea Tables” and “Work Place Snack Bars”. Many
offices get way too legalistic about their Coffee or Tea Tables and
Snack Bars, charging money with a “legalistic accounting system”,
not sharing, and constantly complaining about “who is suppose to”
make the coffee and perform clean-up duties.
The simple techniques outlined on the attached sheets make
allowances for the fact that there may be Visitors or Staffers that
simple do not have the money (for a season of their life) to donate
for coffee, tea or snacks. As Christians, we need to be sensitive to
these issues, showing Grace and Mercy. These simple techniques also
cut back on overall hassles, creating a more friendly, less
legalistic environment in which to “live and move and have our
being”. As others witness the fairness and the justice in your
“Christian Hospitality”, be prepared for them to approach you,
testing “the waters” of Christianity, possibility in Hopes of
finding someone they can trust and confide in. Be prepared to
befriend and counsel them. Do not be offended or offensive. See the
document entitled “Social Hospitality” for more details on “how to”
and “how not to” counsel someone.
Supplies can be purchased in bulk at local Food Warehouses to keep
the cost down. This is also a good way to introduce others in your
place of work to the Food Warehouses that may be available in your
area so they can in turn begin to save money on their home grocery
bills by purchasing food and other household items at wholesale.
A simple coffee pot can be purchased for $10 (maybe an initial
goodwill offering on your part). Donations (coins and/or supply
donations) can be made “at will” by those participating. Just keep
track of the coin donations and use them to purchase more supplies
or a new coffee pot. Consider these transactions an “offering” to
The Lord and He will honor your “offerings” in so many other ways.
Do not allow other’s complaints or frustrations to distract you,
just keep on serving them in humility and ask them to do what they
feel comfortable doing, but do not allow them to change or take away
your “Spirit of Hospitality”. This type of “honor system” will help
others to increase their level of integrity and hospitality. Over a
period of time the Holy Spirit will move in people’s lives and you
will witness breakthroughs, as you continue practicing patience,
kindness and gentleness with others.
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Matthew 25:34-40 – Then the King
will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my
Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since
the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you have me
something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you
clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and
you came to visit me’. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord,
when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you
something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you
in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or
in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the
truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of
mine, you did for me’.
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