5) Good Communication
Good communication is vital for the well-being and development of any Christian Workplace Group. If this is maintained, then many pitfalls and problems can be involved. There are probably six areas that need to be highlighted.
Within the Group
Make sure that you know what each other is doing. If there appears to be disagreement or confusion within the Group then this will seriously affect the credibility of the group with managers and other work colleagues. As a team have regular meetings and review what you are doing and plan for the future.
With Managers
It is important to engage with managers, to have their support for what you are doing. When you have decided what you want to do and what you want to ask from managers, then set up a meeting, probably with someone from the HR department. Make sure as you move forward that you have regular meeting with a manager to report on progress of the group. Periodically, perhaps annually, present a brief review of what the group has done and what it has achieved.
Work Colleagues
It is important to let other work colleagues know what you are up to and to invite them to be involved. There are a number of ways to do this, depending upon the facilities available within your workplace: production of newsletters; good use of notice boards, advertising meetings; use of the organisation’s intranet; posters; word of mouth; open days; e-mail; articles on popular work web-sites. Remember to always make sure that managers have agreed use of these facilities.
Other Workplace Staff Networks
It is most important that Christian workplace groups see themselves as part of the overall diversity framework and act in a corporate way. Talk to other diversity groups and whenever possible work together. This strengthens diversity groups as a whole and supports having a combined positive influence in the workplace. Identify both common ground and areas of potential differences with other networks and where there are differences seek to find a resolution. Where common ground cannot be found accept that there are differences.
With Transform Work UK
Remember Transform Work UK is here to help you. We can give you advice based on the experiences of many Christian Workplace Groups that are part of our network. It is also possible for a member of their team to come and visit you or zoom call and advise you on how to move forward. When things are moving forward, stay in touch so that we can continue to pray for you and to learn from your experience.
With Churches
Christian Workplace Groups are not meant to be churches and it is important to maintain links with local churches, to seek their support in prayer. Our experience is that the presence of a Christian Workplace Group does bring people along the path to faith, so it is important that if colleagues are seeking to know the Lord Jesus, that we are able to put them in touch with a local church.