My Office Subordinate Is My Pastor: What To Do

 Ray I. Ozolua

Reference Text

_“Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the
welfare of their slaves.” 1Timothy 6:2 (NIV)._

*Preamble*

The pastoral epistle of 1 Timothy is generally believed to have been authored by Apostle Paul as a letter to his spiritual son Timothy circa 50 – 65 AD. Timothy had been sent to Ephesus and the charge by Paul through the letter was to address certain issues that seemed to have arisen among the believers. The epistle contains several instructions meant to strengthen the Christians and make them exemplary. In my view, the epistle addresses issues relating to attitude, character, conduct, and relationships, regardless of status. Our reference text focuses on the relationship between two Christians each of whom is a constituted authority, one in the office (a secular workplace), and the other, in the church. In this brief discourse, we are examining how a superior/boss/master should relate with a subordinate who coincidentally, exercises ecclesiastical authority over him.

*Case Study*

Prof. YZ the Dean of a Faculty, is a member of a university chapel that is under the pastorship of Rev. AB  who is an Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Dean. The Dean operates a rigid adherence to institutional rules. Due to pastoral responsibilities and obedience to other canonical directives, Rev. AB arrives late at work and leaves earlier than other staff. He tells everyone in the office that the Dean is his spiritual son. He leaves huge piles of files on his table. Anytime he arrives, he must first spend about half an hour praying even in the face of an emergency. Via a tête-à-tête, the Dean requests attitudinal change and Rev. AB accepts that he has not been exemplary at work. Some Christians think that the Dean should show understanding and accommodate the level of service that the Pastor can give because they are of the same household of faith. The situation is causing a serious division in the chapel as their wives are no longer on speaking terms. Resigning does not seem feasible because the Pastor needs the salary to augment the stipend that comes from the chapel. What do we do?  

*What/Who Is A Constituted Authority?*

A constituted authority may be defined as a person or group of people backed by law, policy, or regulation to oversee the affairs of others, an office or institution. The authority decides on behalf of and for the good of all. The authority may be inherited (e.g., monarchial), acquired by a democratic process (e.g., President and Governors), bestowed by position or rank (e.g., ecclesiastical) or professional (e.g., law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals). Authority may also be delegated. In the case study above, the Pastor is an authority in his chapel just as the Professor is an authority in his faculty. 

Although the topic focuses on an office scenario, we can extrapolate the concept to other settings. For example, the topic could have been titled, “my office subordinate is my usher/ choirmaster/ Bible superintendent/ etc”. It directs our mind on what the superior should do to ensure mutual respect and exemplary conduct worthy of emulation by others, knowing that they may be the Bible available for others to read. 

*Manifestations Of A Toxic Subordinate*

The Pauline charge to Timothy must have been on account of the laisser-faire attitude of some subordinates to their masters because they belonged to the same Ephesian congregation. Of course, subordinates that adhere to Paul’s admonition are to be commended. The challenge is about those who take their bosses for granted because of their common place of worship. Some of the irritating workplace characteristics of a Christian subordinate staff include the following:

• Insubordination

• Lateness to work

• Trivialization of official issues

• Rumour mongering

• Incompetence

*What To Do?*    

The Bible is replete with pieces of advice on the relationship between a boss and the subordinate. For the subordinate’s responsibilities to the master, we may read in addition to the reference text, Hebrews 13:17; Colossian 3: 22-25; 1 Peter 2:18-20. For the boss’ responsibilities to the subordinate, we may look up Ephesians 6:5-9 and Colossians 4:1. Since today’s topic focuses on what the boss should do, we may consider the following: 

• *Initiate the First (informal) meeting:* This should be done by the boss soon after he has had an official handshake with the subordinate. The essence should be that Christ must be promoted by their attitude to work. 

• *Hold regular prayer sessions:* The two can form a prayer group that others in the office can key into. Praying together promotes harmony in the office. 

• *Seek to understand the circumstances of the subordinate:* Behaviours can be predictors of distress, disaffection and emotional disequilibrium. The boss should be concerned about whatever will not make the staff perform optimally.

• *Assist and show love to the subordinate:* Incentivization, gifts, and open praise can strengthen loyalty with invaluable outcomes. 

• *Do not complain:* Complaining about the subordinate arms non-Christians with bullets of criticism against the church. If the prescribed recommendations do not work, rather than complain bitterly openly, other steps such as quietly seeking the transfer of the staff can be considered.  

Conclusion

Having two believers who are of the same denomination as staff in the same office offers a good opportunity to showcase Christian qualities. This is regardless of one being the boss in the office and the other the boss in the church. Office subordinates are to obey their bosses and perform their tasks as to the Lord and not as unto men (Colossians 3:23). The boss and subordinate should treat each other as they would have loved to be treated if the tables were turned. 

Thank you for listening!