For me, when I started my own business, I decided that although finances would be tough, tithing was important. That is a decision I have stuck with and if anything my ‘joyful giving’ above that needs measuring more carefully.

For me, whether as a coach or manager, the people around me are created by God with a specific purpose in mind. Aiding those people to find the freedom of who they are created to be is a real privilege as well as a huge amount of fun. My clients and those I mentor vary from senior partners in Accountancy Firms to excluded teenage boys who live in and out of prison so the opportunities for fun and privilege are plentiful.

An example of how I choose to treat people would be as follows:
A few years ago, in the corporate world, I was asked to re-configure a particular department and within that fire a person viewed corporately as ‘trouble’. I agreed to the re-configuration and requested that I make my own staffing decisions. The person viewed as ‘trouble’, once managed positively, thrived and I couldn’t have carried out the re-configuration as effective without them. After a year they won a company award for achievement, staying at the company for 4 years longer than me.
Another example was when I was on 8 weeks maternity leave, the company wanted to fire my Personal Assistant for lack of performance. I asked if I could manage it on my return. She flourished and stayed at the company for 9 years after I left.
Both are examples of where I was able to take the time to bring out a person’s true value, by realising that there was a value in the first place.

In my current role as an independent coach many of my clients struggle with their priorities and time management. They find it helpful to be treated as a whole person rather than just a work machine and then flourish with their new life-balance. In business it is true that ‘people buy people’ and whilst I would never thrust my agenda on clients, they employ me as a coach because of who I am as well as my International Coach Federation training. Most of  my clients know that I’m a Christian and as far as I know that doesn’t put them off! In 2009 I am (privately) committing to pray for all of my clients more regularly. With my mentoring of excluded teenage young people, my Christianity is about the only way I can operate effectively. First and foremost they need to be loved. “Love the sinner, hate the sin” is the motto to work to. Many people find this hard to accept but it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit and an understanding that God created each and every one of us that this is possible for me.

How can others bring their faith in to practice?

1. Prayer is the first and last place to start. Find people to pray regularly for your work and those you work with. Retired people find this fulfilling as they can empathise with the work environment and feel valued in the Christian community. (I email a one page prayer list for personal and work activities to 5 people, who pray for me. It makes a huge difference to my life and effectiveness)
2. Stand together. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for the next person to devour. Don’t be that person! In addition to prayer support, find someone in your work place or Church who will listen to what’s going on in your work life. Not give advice – listen!
3. Don’t beat people about the head with your Bible. Live your Christian life for people to see. They will be drawn to the light of Christ. (Salt and Light)
4. Understand why you believe what you believe. Study the Word, particularly in relation to work. LICC has a great reading list and some courses you can benefitfrom.
5. Be relevant. Remember that Jesus stands alongside you. He was completely up to speed with what was what in society and the workplace – keep up to date with other people’s values and ideas. Engage with them.
6. Take time out to be with God. As well as others praying for you, occasionally go on retreat to spend some quiet time with God. Listening to Him.
7. Don’t feel guilty. No-one has an exemplary prayer life and those at work can feel guilty if they don’t spend 2 hours a day on their knees or studying the Bible. Find a routine that works for you and if you aren’t a person of routine, that’s fine too. Chatting to God on the way to work is as valid as five minutes on your knees.
8. All work is God’s work. We don’t have to be a health professional or teacher (overseas) to be doing God’s work. John Stott reminds us that God calls us to be someone rather than do something. Who are you being?