Resurgence of Interest in Politics (2) Public Service

A second way for Christians to have an influence in the government sphere is to get employment in the Public Service. The staff of government departs have a big impact on policy development. Based on my thirty year’s experience working in a government department, I have the following observations.

• To gain influence in a policy agency, a Christian will need to be smart, because some very clever people work in government departments. They have often been studying issues for many years, and have a good understanding of the various approaches to a problem. To get their ideas heard, a Christian will need to be able to match the other clever people. In my experience, many Christians get side-lined in government agencies, because their contribution is mediocre.

• To have influence in a policy agency, a Christian will need a good degree in economics, social policy, or other relevant discipline. Even if they have the wisdom of God, they will need to be able to communicate in the categories and concepts that are used in the policy development process.

• To get sufficient promotions to have influence, a Christian will need to really work hard for the benefit of their organisation. I have noticed that many Christians are too busy on their other commitments, often very good ones, to get promoted to a position of influence. It often appears that they are using their role to gain sufficient income to support the other activities that they are committed to. That is fine, if that is their objective, but it places a limit on the influence that they will have on the government.

• Innovative ideas do not always translate into influence. The leaders of Public Service are often opposed to change. They are often more concerned about their career, and what they need to do to get ahead, than they are about good policy. They will sometimes reject an idea that they have not come up with and oppose it because someone they see as a threat has supported it first. To get their ideas heard, Christians will need to understand how the system works and use it for their benefit. They cannot just assume that good ideas will rise to the top.

• Christians will often be up against shrewd operators who have learned how to work the system to get ahead. Being diligent and honest may not be sufficient to get a person ahead of them. However, if they stoop to political games to get ahead in the organisation, Christians will undermine their credibility and integrity. This is a catch 22 situation, which has no easy solutions.

• Bringing change from within the political system is far more difficult than most Christians realise, and getting harder. To gain influence in the public service, a Christian will have to submit to those with authority in the department that they choose to work in. If those people are not followers of Jesus, the Christian will be placing themselves under the influence of the government-spirits that control their managers. The Christian will have to use their wisdom to support their leader’s vision, even if they do not support it. This can be frustrating.

• When a Christian begins working in a government department, they have to sign up to the public service code of conduct. They have to agree to carry out the functions of the organisation without being affected by their personal beliefs and they agree to respect the authority of the government of the day. They are expected to ensure that their actions are not affected by their personal interests or relationships and they must avoid any activities, work or non-work, that may harm the reputation of their organisation or of the State Services.

A Christian employed by the government will not always be free to speak what they think. Some things can only be spoken from the outside.