HOW TO LOVE THOSE OF OTHER FAITHS

As God’s people, we’re all called to act upon the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19-20) as well as the Great Commandment (Mt. 22:37-40) wherever we are. The focus is often placed on our action or inaction, and the performance or result. But what if practicing our faith could be less about our needs, and more about understanding the needs of others? 

That’s the thesis of Sue Warnke, a senior director at Salesforce, who is also a global leader of Faithforce, Salesforce's 3,000-person interfaith employee resource group. On Sept 24, 2022, she spoke about her journey at our latest Work As Globalocal Mission Webinar on “Building Bridges Across Faith At Work”.  

In Sue’s experience, loving God and loving our neighbors often become loving God and loving other Christians, although according to the Pew and Gallup polls, non-Christians make up 70% of the world population and 25% of the US population. Fear of saying the wrong thing or being mistaken as endorsing other religions or gods get in the way of our intentions and obedience.

So how do we live out Jesus’ commandments? Sue thinks it’s simpler than what we expect: love people as Jesus loves them. Or demonstrate what Jesus looks, sounds, and acts like to the people around you. Be the person that Jesus has empowered you to be and watch people come to you as they did to him. You are not the marketer; you are the product!

Here are Sue’s 7 practical tips for loving your non-Christian neighbors:

1. Acknowledge holidays

Look up a list of religious holidays each year and think of ways to reach out on each one. Simply asking what your Muslim, Sikh or Jewish colleagues do on their holidays can make a difference. Imagine if they ask what you do for Christmas or Easter and what those holidays mean to you.

2. Ask direct questions about faith

Most people love to talk about themselves and what matters to them most. Start a conversation naturally by being curious and asking questions. To an atheist, you may ask: What are some misconceptions you think people have about atheists? Or to anyone: What’s your faith background? How did you grow up?

3. Partner on an outreach event

Another way to get to know coworkers of other faiths is to organize a volunteer event or community outreach together at work so you can learn about their faith and others can learn about yours.

4. Invite others to share their stories

Find or create an event at work where people of different faiths might be able to share their background. 

5. Send support after a tragedy

Pay attention to the news such as the Pittsburg, Christchurch, or Sri Lanka attacks on Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Contact individual members of that community at your workplace or in your neighborhood and ask how they are doing. Post or send words of support online at work, on social media or via a greeting card.

6. Host a vigil after an attack

Focus on traditions, stories, and philanthropy rather than theology. 

7. Drop the Christianese

For the billions of people who follow a different belief system, labels like “lost” and “non-believer” are hurtful and unnecessary barriers. Imagine how you would feel if someone used those labels for you. So use everyday language to build a bridge of kindness that will heal wounds and open a dialogue.

Sue shared stories for each of these tips plus more at our webinar so we encourage you to check out the GoLiveServe YouTube Video. 

What stands out to you? What might you try?

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 Jn. 2:6)