Would Others Say You’re a Christian?

by Joani Schultz

A few years back we met a brilliant, kind, faith-filled gentleman. His name was George Gallup Jr., famous pollster. In the midst of one of our conversations about a research project we commissioned on Faith and Friendship, he mentioned a question used in past polls:

“Would others say you’re a Christian?”

What a great question! (Yes, the famed Gallup organization created great questions.)

How would others answer that about you, your family, your workplace, your church? Not you, but others.

Recently I experienced back-to-back examples that reminded me that others are watching.

Yes.

Others. Are. Watching.

And it’s pretty awesome when they notice something different about Christians shining in a dark world.

Jesse’s story

Recently our company (Group) hired Jesse. He now works our distribution center’s second shift. The past seven and a half years he worked the night shift at a nearby convenience store. (That job denotes sheer bravery to me, since it offers a front row seat to shoplifting, drug deals, overdosing, and other shady stuff.)

But Jesse didn’t dwell on that. He told us about Travis (a Group staff member), one of his “regulars.”

“He [Travis] would come in every day and very respectfully interact with me, which as an overnight employee was a bit mind-blowing. He was very nice and spoke with me and listened to what I had to say. It was one of those things where you start going, ‘Hey man, what do you do outside of coming to this store every once in a while?’ And he was like, ‘Oh you know, I work, and hang out, I’m a normal guy, I’m cool…’

“I’m thinking there seems to be a shortage of those kind of people around me lately, so tell me more. He’s like, ‘Well, I work down at Group.’ And immediately something clicked in my head…”

Jesse had already noticed other patrons who wore the red Group name badges. And they, too, were unusually kind to him.

Well, you already know the rest of the story. Travis invited Jesse to apply. And now Jesse’s a Groupie happy to send shipments of resources to serve our friends in ministry.

Would other people say you’re a Christian?

Here’s another example…

The Better Business Bureau just honored Group with the 2018 Torch Award for Ethics. Almost 900 business staff came together to celebrate ethics in business. That’s cool! To have a secular organization recognize a Christian organization unbeknownst that anyone was “watching” meant the world! Check out the video they created to highlight our mission and why we were chosen to receive this prestigious award.

I offer these true stories, not to be braggy, but to inspire us as Christians who shine the light of Jesus to a world who will notice. 

“You are the light of the world,” Jesus said. “Like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden…let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16).

We want others to say there’s something different about us. We respect others. Show kindness. Live ethically.

Group is on a mission to equip others to shine Jesus in their relationships—family, friends, co-workers, church friends. To be disciples. We know as Jesus-followers we can make a noticeable difference. So. Will you join us in our quest?

We want to blanket our country with a new resource that unleashes the power of relationships Jesus-style. It’s called Friends of God: A Discipleship Experience.

It will revolutionize discipleship that guarantees all who participate will shine Jesus even brighter.

Are you up for it? Would you be willing to ask those in your circle of influence (Christ-followers and those unsure of Christianity at all) to risk a relational experience with Jesus? It will be packed with adventures—12 sessions’ worth!

Then see what happens. Find out:

Would others say you are a Christian?

Share your stories here!