 Government Department Christian Network & Christians in Government UK
July 2008
Would you like to tell us your name and where you work?
My name is Sonia, and I work for the civil service.
What Christian group are you part of?
I’m part of a government department network
Our network also is part of a wider network of Christians across the civil service called Christians in Government UK (CiGUK). Membership is made up of Christian networks within a number of government departments in and around Whitehall
How many people are in the CiGUK Network?
I’m not sure of the exact figure but most departments have a Christian group. My department has around 45 people on the membership, but not everyone comes along to the meetings but we keep them all up to date with what’s going on.
How long had you been working in the Civil Service before you found out about the Christian group?
I was working in the department for about 8 years and to be honest it’s only about just under 3 years ago that I became a member of the network here.
Why did you choose to become a member, did you know about it before?
Yes I had known about it but I got involved after bumping into another Christian member of this office network and she mentioned it to me, and asked if I go to meetings, and I said no. However, I volunteered to help her set up a Christian course and have been involved ever since. I’m currently organising CIGUK annual Conference.
What sort of activities have you done in the past with the group?
Well actually we are pioneers here. We were the first government department to arrange an all staff Christianity Awareness event during lunchtime, here in this department. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of the contribution of Christianity and its role in helping to shape our culture, values, legislation and bring about social reform. It went down so well, we had over 70 people attend. This event has inspired other networks to run similar events in their own departments. Doing this has been a real privilege. CIGUK also organises our Annual Whitehall Carol service, (mainly for civil servants). We normally have over 2000 attendees. And it has become one of the highlights of the year for Christians and non-Christians. This year we held a week of prayer during lunchtimes - it was really great to meet with others as a corporate body of Christians.
If there were somebody sat next to you and they were thinking of starting a group in the workplace, what would you say to them?
I’d say definitely go ahead with it. As Christians our working life is part of our Christian walk with God and we shouldn’t separate our faith from our everyday lives. As Christians in the workplace, we should be a reflection of Christ and that should be demonstrated in every area whether we are at home or in church, or at work. We should be making an impact. There should not be a divide in our lives. Christ living in us has to flow through every part of our lives.
What does the future hold – what’s the vision for CiGUK?
The vision really is to allow and enable Christians across the whole of the civil service to rise up and take their place and make a stand for Christian values. Obviously we have to do that in wisdom and love but we are representing Christ in our workplace and across the whole of government. Christianity is alive, it’s a way of life that brings joy and peace, obviously we’re not perfect, but we have to be an example of Christ in our workplaces. As Christian networks come together across the various departments we can encourage one another. I think we’re going to get bigger and we’re going to get better.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Yes, I’d just encourage people, if you don’t have a network in your own department they should consider starting one up. Or if there is one in their department they should join in and make a contribution to it because that’s what we’re here for. Our lives should be a magnet and an example to our colleagues and the people that we work with. Now is the time to make a difference as a Christian.
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