You’re chatting with your coworkers in the break room when someone casually mentions they haven’t been to church in years—usually followed by a laugh and some joke about “surviving Catholic school.” Everyone nods along. You smile too, not wanting to make things awkward. But in the back of your mind, you’re wondering, Should I say something? Or just leave it alone?
If you’ve ever felt that quiet tension between being open about your faith and not wanting to make things weird at work, you’re not alone. A lot of young Christians navigate this exact space—wanting to be authentic but not come off as preachy, awkward or out of touch. You’re not trying to be the office missionary. You’re just trying to be yourself.
So how do you talk about your faith in a way that feels honest but still fits the moment? Here’s where to start.
1. Speak their language
Christian jargon has a way of sneaking into everyday conversation—usually without us realizing it. You say things like “God really showed up,” or “I’ve been in a season of growth,” and your coworkers look at you like you just switched to another language. Because, well, you kind of did.
Pastor and author Michael Hidalgo puts it plainly:
“We use words, spout phrases and refer to concepts that mean something to those familiar with Christianity, but carry little meaning for those who do not share our beliefs.”
It’s not about watering things down—it’s about being clear. Say what you actually mean. “I’ve been really anxious lately, but my faith has helped me stay grounded” is way more relatable than “God gave me a spirit of peace.” One sounds human. The other sounds like a T-shirt.
2. Listen first, talk second
It’s easy to think that being bold in your faith means doing most of the talking. But some of the best spiritual conversations start with simply listening.
When Paul visited Athens, he didn’t launch into a sermon. He observed. He asked questions. And when he finally spoke, he quoted their poets—not Scripture—and connected their culture to the God he knew.
“The challenge before us is to understand how the larger culture thinks and talks, and meet them in that place,” Hidalgo writes.
You don’t have to have all the answers. Just start with curiosity. People are more open to your beliefs when you’ve taken time to understand theirs.
3. You don’t have to be right
A lot of Christian culture subtly trains people to treat every conversation like a debate to win. But according to Hidalgo,
“Paul was less interested in his viewpoint being proven right and more interested in learning what the viewpoint of the people of Athens already had right.”
That’s a big shift. You’re not at work to win arguments or prove a point. You’re there to do your job well, build trust and be someone people actually want to talk to. Leading with empathy—not theology—opens the door for real conversations.
4. Let your faith show in small ways
You don’t have to bring up Jesus in every conversation for people to know you’re a Christian. Honestly, the way you treat people says a lot more than your words ever could.
Own your mistakes. Speak well of others. Be generous with credit and gracious under pressure. Let your faith shape how you show up—not just what you say.
Eventually, someone will notice. And when they ask what keeps you steady or hopeful or kind, you’ll be able to answer without it feeling forced. That’s a better witness than any prepared pitch.
5. God’s already at work (even if no one’s talking about it)
Being the only believer in your workplace doesn’t mean God isn’t present there. Hidalgo puts it like this:
“The love, mercy, beauty, creativity, life and energy of the almighty God are screaming out everywhere in our world.”
You don’t have to create some big spiritual moment for God to show up. You just have to pay attention to the ones that are already happening—and be willing to name them when the time is right.
So no, you don’t have to be your office’s spiritual tour guide. But you also don’t have to act like your faith is something to hide. Just be present. Be clear. Be kind. And let the rest unfold naturally.
