Background

Before I disclose the problem, let me tell you how I discovered it. At a Catalyst conference, I had the surprise of hearing a potent message from someone that I had never heard of before. The speaker’s name was Eugene Cho, pastor of Quest Church in Seattle, WA and founder of an incredible organization called One Day’s Wages. You really need to take a look at what this organization does!

The message that Cho gave was very simple, but extremely powerful! He talked about how our nation is one of abundant resources. Our families are extremely wealthy in relation to the rest of the world. We have basic amenities that the rest of the world considers luxuries.

He went on to explain how we have an incredible capacity for ideas and creativity. The problem he sees with all of this is that we are in danger of being more in love with the ideas than with the actions that should result from them!

…we are in danger of being more in love with the ideas than with the actions that should result from them!
-Eugene Cho

Telling vs. Living

Let’s take a closer look at what this means. How is this evident in our daily lives? For an example, think about how social media has exploded with people telling stories to everyone that will listen. Every day, people talk and talk about what is going on around them – sharing the stories with their friends and coworkers.

We all love a good story, whether we are telling it or hearing it! The problem, as Cho put it, is that too many are busy telling the story and not enough people are living a good story!

Look at this picture of an actual sign that reflects this very problem!

I Am Guilty

So, what does this have to do with my problem? I think I have the very problem that Cho described. While I may not have a terminal case of it, I can certainly see symptoms of it in my life.

Too often, I enjoy telling the story about what I am doing in trying to integrate my faith into our business. Too often, I like to learn about new ways to run our business according to our Christian faith. Too often, I am in love with the story of a Christian business.

The problem is that too often, I am not taking action to make it happen!

My Commitment

As a result of this message from Eugene Cho, I am committing to:

(1) Quit just telling the story
(2) Quit just loving the story
(3) Make more effort to be actually living the story!

In my life and in our company, I am going to make more of an effort to address the gaps between ideas and actions! I am going to close these gaps and take more action. I will continue to tell this story on this blog, but I will make more of an effort to describe actions rather than just ideas. I am committed to living the story!

I hope this makes sense to you. If so, I encourage you to do the same.

What are the gaps between your ideas and actions?

Are you comfortable with how you are living your story?

What are you going to do about it?

[Original post date – October 24, 2011]

Recommendations #1 & #2

So far in this series, I have given you two recommendations that I believe are critical in beginning the process of using your business as a platform for Christian ministry. Recommendation #1 was Pray. Recommendation #2 was to Read Proverbs. If you have not read about these recommendations, I strongly suggest you go back and do so now.

Now that we are all caught up, let’s move on to my third recommendation:

Recommendation #3 – Become An Expert

In his Catalyst 2012 session, Eugene Cho talked about how to start something from scratch. As someone who has started his own ministry (while pastoring a church), he knows what he is talking about.

His first point, like mine, was to pray and be sure of the passion that God is planting in your heart. His second recommendation was to become an expert in your field. He suggested that we dig in and learn all we can about the area in which we plan to minister.

If feeding the poor, learn all there is to know about the specific needs of the poor in your area. Learn about their demographics (ages, level of education, health issues, etc) and what types of food will meet their needs. Figure out how much is going to be needed and what that will cost over time. Eliminate any areas of doubt or unknowns. Do not be found short in knowledge.

Same Is True For Us

I think the same is true for our businesses AND for how to use them as ministries. Most likely you are already learning all you can learn about your own industry and how to be successful in your business within that industry.

It is just as likely that you have not achieved that same level of knowledge when it comes to how to use your business as a platform for Christian ministry. Most of us never have time for something like this. We are too busy learning our business. Besides…isn’t seeking to be an expert expecting too hard?

Expert Takes Time

Fortunately, you do not have to become an expert overnight. This is a marathon, not a sprint. All you need to do is recognize the need, layout a simple plan for continuous learning, and then execute that plan! Easy, right?

Actually, it is! In addition to reading Proverbs as a business manual, I can tell you that there is more information online about running a Christian business than you will ever be able to read. Not all of it is perfect or absolutely true for every situation. At the same time, when read with discernment and prayer, there is an almost endless supply of information.

There are also countless books on the subject. I have a list of some of my favorites on my Reading List here on this site.

One Bite At A Time

My suggestion is to carve out a certain amount of time every week for reading. Maybe it is ten minutes every morning as a part of your quiet time with God. It might be something you do while eating lunch by yourself once a week. It could even be what you do to wind down before going to bed at night.

If you will do this, over a period of months and years, you will find yourself an expert in using your business as a platform for Christian ministry. Do not try to make it happen overnight. It is not necessary. Nor is it healthy to approach it this way. Instead, make it a manageable part of your weekly routine. I promise you will see the results in time.

Starter List

In an effort to get you started at being an expert, I have compiled (below) a list of some websites that could help. This is NOT an exhaustive list. You can likely find many more if you will take the time to look. At the same time, this is a great start. Take a look and let me know what you think!

The High Calling

Great Leaders Serve

Susan DiMickele

Christian Business Crossroads

Marketplace Leaders

Jon Gordon

WorkMatters

In His Name HR

To A Higher Level

I get to go to work every day and use my business to try to impact people all around me for eternity! I have the privilege and opportunity to mentor and teach what I believe is Truth to everyone who works in our company. I get to work with people of like mind and overcome the challenges inherent in running a business from a Christian perspective! I really do love what I do, but I have a problem.

Background

Before I disclose the problem, let me tell you how I discovered it. At the Catalyst conference in October, I had the surprise of hearing a potent message from someone that I had never heard of before. The speaker’s name was Eugene Cho, pastor of Quest Church in Seattle, WA and founder of an incredible organization called One Day’s Wages. You really need to take a look at what this organization does!

The message that Cho gave was very simple, but extremely powerful! He talked about how our nation is one of abundant resources. Our families are extremely wealthy in relation to the rest of the world. We have basic amenities that the rest of the world considers luxuries. We have an incredible capacity for ideas and creativity. The problem he sees with all of this is that we are in danger of being more in love with the ideas than with the actions that should result from them!

Did you catch that last statement? Take another look!

…we are in danger of being more in love with the ideas than with the actions that should result from them!

Telling vs. Living

Let’s take a closer look at what this means. How is this evident in our daily lives? For an example, think about how social media has exploded with people telling stories to everyone that will listen. Every day, people talk and talk about what is going on around them – sharing the stories with their friends and coworkers. We all love a good story, whether we are telling it or hearing it! The problem, as Cho put it, is that too many are busy telling the good story and not enough people are living a good story!

Look at this picture of an actual sign that reflects this very problem!

I Am Guilty

So, what does this have to do with my problem? I think I have the very problem that Cho described. While I may not have a terminal case of it, I can certainly see symptoms of it in my life. Too often, I enjoy telling the story about what I am doing in trying to integrate my faith into our business. Too often, I like to learn about new ways to run our business according to our Christian faith. Too often, I am in love with the story of a Christian business. The problem is that too often, I am not taking enough action to make it happen!

As a result of this message from Eugene Cho, I am committing to:

(1) Quit just telling the story
(2) Quit just loving the story
(3) Make more effort to be actually living the story!

In my life and in our company, I am going to make more of an effort to address the gaps between ideas and actions! I am going to close these gaps and take more action. I will continue to tell this story on this blog, but I will be making more of an effort to describe actions rather than just ideas. I hope this makes sense to you. If so, I encourage you to do the same.

What are the gaps between your ideas and actions?

Are you comfortable with them?

What are you going to do about it?

(Originally posted 11/02/11)