Learning from Tim Tebow about Workplace Evangelism
I can't claim to be a football fan, but this season is the closest I've come to being one. This Saturday I'll be glued to the playoff game between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots, rooting for Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.
Last month, three Long Island students were suspended for "Tebowing"—mimicking Tebow's signature one-knee kneel—in the school hallways. According to the school, the sheer number of students who would mimic the move created "a safety hazard." This says a lot about Tebow's status in pop culture, as does the fact that name-checking Tebow has become a common practice in contexts as diverse as GOP presidential debates to progressive talk radio.
But Tebow's name is synonymous with more than just football (and stunning fourth-quarter wins). His signature move started as a bow to God. Tebow himself defines "Tebowing" as "to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different."
As Tebowing and Tebow himself have exploded into a nearly ubiquitous pop culture reference, he has attracted plenty of criticism, ranging from the ignorant to the outrageous, with conclusions about the larger meaning of the phenomenon ranging from bullying to unwise to maddening to sacrilegious.
I had a totally different reaction to the Tebow phenomenon: conviction.
Christians who aren't in the public spotlight might be tempted to dismiss Tebow as an exaggerated witness: maybe he is among the few in the kingdom "called" to start an Internet meme or command the attention of a football stadium.
But it's not true. In fact, it's every Christian's job to witness to the grace that saves, while gaining attention for that witness is no more our job than bestowing that salvation.
At the end of the day, Tebow is a guy doing his job while also going out of his way to make it clear that he is a Christian. And that is something all Christians can and should emulate.
Tebow is brave. Although he's not the only Christian in the NFL, it is not a workplace known for incorporating Jesus. Tebow created that space, and made it a place of praise. And he started long before he played for the NFL or the Broncos reached the playoffs.
Often, it takes courage and conviction to demonstrate Christ in the workplace. I can't imagine "Tebowing" every time I score a professional achievement in my office, but I can imagine blessing my food in public, refusing to make a decision without praying first, and talking to coworkers about my faith when the timing is appropriate.
Auditing America's Political Integrity
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chickadee
Abigail, Your comment can be answered as following...its easier for Christians to "talk" than to actually love & serve the people around them.
al
...i really like watching sport like this and after reading this article im so amazed with this team,because they played with Gods grace that really good example that we should really engaged in every things that we do not only on here...
Pamela Mathews
Alan, I was not missing the point, just making a different one. The evangelical community is way over invested and way over reading into this. Maybe he's just having a good season. Maybe he's secretly a horrible person. Maybe God hates football and wants him to quit. We really have no idea. Let's not go overboard about a young man and a game.
Alan Bernard
Pam, I believe that you are missing the point. the goal is to glorify God in whatever avenues He gives us and understand that we are called to use even something trivial as a game to bring glory to God and share his Word. There is not a single verse in the Bible saying that we need to "keep a healthy separation between faith and" anything else we do in this life. Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1Co 10:31)
Pamela Mathews
This is football! And my household rejoiced when the Patriots trounced him and we hope it happens again on Saturday! I think we all need to keep a little perspective, have fun, and keep a healthy separation between faith and games.
Marcus
I believe the reason God created Man is to glorify him. Tim Tebow is a big inspiration at this. If you have not seen the YouTube video "Tim tebow mic'd up Chicago Bears" you need to see it. Win or lose Tim is all about glorifying God. He realizes that God is not interested as much with whether we win or lose but what kind of character we demonstrate. Tim gives God all the glory and is the ultimate humble leader.
Doreen Ashley
Just to add - However, no I would not be more likely to embrace Islam, because I have my own faith and already am familiar with the tenets of Islam and don't agree with them. Many people don't know anything about any religions, however, as evidenced by the number of people googling John 3:16, probably the most cited Bible verse.
Doreen Ashley
Kathleen - If he practiced what he preached I have to say I would be impressed. It would definitely influence my, and probably others', conception of muslims.
Tim
Kathleen, it would evoke neither view in me. I'd just see it as a person expressing their faith. Cheers, Tim
Kathleen
So, if Tebow were painting his face with references to the Quran and shouting "Allah Akbar!" at press conferences and leaning down to pray facing Mecca at every touchdown -- would that make you likely to embrace Islam as your religion ... or would it just strike you as an absurd, embarassing and offputting display of religiousity?
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