A couple of months ago, I was asked to help a Business as Mission startup company develop a process for training new employees in work values which were new to them having little or no understanding of Biblical standards. The owner wanted to teach the value as “secular” but have it based in a Biblical principle. The idea was to gradually teach Christian themes using desired workplace standards.
The following grid is a draft of what such a training plan could look like – it is basic and simple and a “start”. It attempts to link a recognizable theme with the Biblical principle and then a means for training that principle. I welcome any critiques or more importantly, I suggest you take one or more themes and use the methodology (or one you create yourself) to try teaching it with your employees.
| Training Theme
|
Biblical Principle | Practical Methodology for how to Train |
| Be self-aware; understand your strengths and weakness. | For believers: Ex. 35:10; Ex. 31: 3-5 Rom. 12: 3-8
|
Find and administer a skills inventory test in the employee’s language. e.g. StrengthFinders, MMPI, Pro-D, Personality. |
| Be totally honest – a person of integrity. | Prov. 19:9; 21:6; 12:22; 13:5; 28:6 Exodus 20:17 |
Develop a company code of conduct/values and teach each item, one week at a time. Use the ethics course reference below.1 |
| Be subject to authority and the laws.
|
Romans 13:1; I Peter 2:13-19; Eccl. 8:2-5; 10:20; Acts 23:23
|
Bring in a local authority to review corporate laws; this identifies you with the community and shows all employees that you mean it. |
| Be a team player; cooperative; reliability. | Phil 2:2-4; Eph 4:2; Proverbs 18:1; Prov. 27:2
|
Play a game with employees that requires teamwork. Then debrief and encourage workers to work as a team in and outside their job description, helping others. Ask for ideas and examples. |
| Excel in all of your activities; produce excellent work. | Prov 22:29; Eph 6:5-8; Prov 21:5
|
Develop standards of excellence for all production and post them on the wall; hold employees to a high standard with accountability criteria. |
| Be a life-long learner – on the job and off. | Prov 18:15
|
Help employees set career goals and also goals to improve their work habits and make their job more enjoyable; have employees tell success stories in company meetings. |
| Be an example to your coworkers and your bosses. | Matt 5:16; I Tim 5:8; Prov 22:1;
|
Have a story time – using stories from history and Bible which show initiative; and eagerness to get the job done right (e.g. Joseph). |
| Communicate truthfully and kindly. | Prov 21:23; 29:20; Exodus 20:7
|
Design some role play activities for staff meeting which show employees what it means to be open-minded to new ideas; to be honest; provide rewards to winners. |
| Avoid Gossip. | Prov 21:23; 29:20
|
Pick a company issue (like paid leave for example) which all can identify with and prepare two teams to act out a gossip example and then an example which respects privacy for responding to the issue. |
| Be confident and independent; effective decision-maker; good listener, | Prov. 16:9; Psalms 119:105; Prov. 12:15; 18:13
|
Find some national heroes that they all respect that were considered good leaders. Ask them to analyze why. Teach listening more than speaking; asking for help. |
| Be diligent; responsible and dedicated and enthusiastic. | Prov 12:24; 21:5; Eph 6:5-8; James 1:2-3 |
Use a culture training manual showing differences between cultures (e.g. Latin America vs. Germany) Then train for desired punctuality, flexibility, positive attitudes and passion. Tell how you will measure/judge it. |
| Do not be arrogant. | Prov 16: 18-19; 27:2
|
Tell the story of three Bible characters who were humble (Moses, Paul, Jesus). Teach examples of humility in the workplace – be culturally appropriate. |
1 Business as Mission: Guidelines for Cross-Cultural Business Ethics
Larry Sharp, Director of Training, IBEC Ventures
larry.sharp@ibecventures.com