Hi everyone. I am a deputy manager in retail and had a really lovely conversation with one of our volunteers today. Within it however they opened up to me about their grief after having lost both their parents towards the end of last year and their sadness that they will ‘never see them again’. I cannot remember exactly what I said but I believe I responded saying ‘I don’t believe that’ and then when they asked something around what I meant, essentially clarifying that I did not believe they will not see them again one day. They responded saying that their mum was a strong believer that there is something after death, that they believe this too and then something around how none of us can know for sure however.
The conversation went on and I wanted it to touch on faith again, so I would be able to say something to explain my beliefs further and in someway correct what I had said, but I was too weak to know how to or what to say. Believing that a belief in Jesus is the only way to enter heaven, I feel awful that I implied that everyone can, regardless of whether they have believed in him or not and so feel very shameful and worried around what to do.
I understandably want them to know the truth, so feel I should bring it up with them in some way again, through messaging or a conversation. I am quite new to being in a managerial position and despite finding it, I admit, daunting communicating the Gospel with non Christians in general, feel even more concerned to do so being at this level – more so than if I was a fellow volunteer. I am still in my probation period and really loving the job, so have been trying to be very cautious not to act in any way which could raise concerns. I am praying for the volunteers salvation and for wisdom as to what to do but thought I would also seek advice, as I feel if I am going to bring it up with them, I will need to quite soon before too much time passes and it seems odd referring back to the conversation days/weeks later.
Before possible reaching out to them again if I did, I thought perhaps it may be sensible to raise with my Manager first their views on being open about my faith with volunteers, not to enforce my beliefs but just to share them at times it may come up in conversation. I am sure this would be fine however but would, shamefully, find it very uncomfortable to ask, for worry for what they may think, especially as I feel I may have raised concerns that I do not always prioritise well. I can see them feeling this is not something someone in a managerial position should be dwelling on. Although on the whole I feel we get on well, they have communicated to me on a couple of occasions I have annoyed them by things I have done. They also go on leave for a week after tomorrow so tomorrow will be my only opportunity till over a weeks time.
Even so however, what I would say to the volunteer I do not know as communicating to them that I had not been clear in what I had said at the time and that actually they will only see their parents again if they all believe in Jesus, is obviously a very strong thing to say. Even if I aimed to put it in a sensitive way, as it would involve myself directly bringing up my faith rather than it just falling into a conversation, I do feel concerned this could seem unprofessional and forceful. Another idea I had was leaving say John 3:16 somewhere where I hope they would spot it.
I know as Christians we should be willing to face persecution for our faith however and all this is clearly myself just being worried for consequences. I know that I should be willing to do anything to share the Gospel out of love for God and others.
