Faith Flags: A Tool in Sharing the Gospel
This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of FOCUS.
One of the most challenging parts of sharing the Gospel is knowing who is open to receiving it in any given moment. Over time, we can find ways to bodly share the Gospel, but that is often centred through building trusting relationships.
One important tool available to us in any setting is faith flags. Faith flags are clues we give to one another that we are open to discussing faith. As a healthcare professional, you may find yourself sharing faith flags in many subtle ways. You might have faith-based magazines and periodicals like FOCUS in your waiting room; you might have religous symbols in your office; you might wear a cross. These subtle faith flags can help let your patients know that you’re a safe person to ask questions about spirituality.
You may also find yourself sharing additional faith flags. When a patient or colleague asks social questions about your life, you might find yourself sharing that you went to Church, volunteered with the Vacation Bible School, went on a mission with a Christian mission-sending group, or met with your local CMDA Canada chapter. These are some of the ways that you can let others know that your faith is an integral part of your life and something you feel comfortable discussing.
When you do that, you can create opportunities to engage more deeply during a trying time in your patient or colleague’s life. If your faith shines from you, those experiencing darkness will see how your faith gives you comfort and give you the opportunity ” to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
In addition, your patients may be sharing faith flags with you. They may reference their faith, discuss the support they have from their Church, or directly reference the Scriptures. You can be attentive to these flags and asked nuanced follow up questions about how their faith may be informing their healthcare decision-making.
Faith in Christ is a gift not meant to be guarded jealously, but shared. In Matthew 28:19, we are reminded that our calling is to “make disciples of all nations.” By using faith flags, we can help reach out to patients who have never known the joy of faith in Christ and give patients with that faith a safe place to ask questions.