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

David Green

First, let me clarify. I have never met David Green and only know what I have read from various articles online. As with any topic you read about online, there is much we do not know.

At the same time, in the articles I have read, there is plenty of meat to chew on! In fact, the more I read about the Hobby Lobby story and David Green’s leadership, the more I want to model our business after his. Hopefully you will learn something from this short series of posts as we dig a little deeper into Green’s story.

Faith And Business Lessons

In reviewing the interview article, I found what I believe to be 15 clear lessons for anyone attempting to integrate faith and business. Though each of us has different situations and challenges, I think you will quickly see that these lessons span across industries and business sizes. Today, I will cover five lessons.

Let’s dig right in!

#1 – Be patient.

Too often we look at someone like David Green and wonder why our business has not taken off like his. Why can’t our business be debt-free and giving away so much money at this point? Then, when we look closer, we realize his did not “take off” either!

Reading the details in the article, I noticed that he borrowed the $600 in 1970 to begin making frames in his garage. The first retail store was not opened for another two years! Look at the patience it must have taken to keep working out of the garage for two years.

We need to have the same patience with our businesses. We need to make sure we are doing the right things, but we should not expect overnight success. God is certainly capable of giving us overnight success, but He is more interested in our development and maturity as His children. Trust His timing.

#2 – Be willing to sacrifice.

Did you notice that David Green’s wife worked for the business for the first five years without getting paid anything? He did not mention what he made, but I imagine it was not more than they needed for their bare necessities. Are you willing to do that if necessary?

Frequently, we are all guilty of thinking that we are entitled to certain luxuries or benefits. We are almost shocked when we realize we may have to give up something we love if we want our God-given dream to continue. We argue that we “deserve” whatever it is and we begin working hard on finding ways to keep it.

God’s goal is not to see how low He can take us in our lifestyles, but He will test our hearts at times to see our reaction. We need to be willing to give up our earthly “treasure” for His will.

#3 – Follow Scripture.

When asked about leadership lessons he had learned, David Green’s first response was to point to Scripture. Aside from that, he did not go into much detail about all of the ways he has applied Scripture in the business.

However, if you pay close attention to what he says about his business principles throughout the article, you can see how closely it is tied to Scripture. From his talk about paying good wages, elimination of debt, and being bold about his faith, it is clear the Bible is his foundation for the way he runs the business.

#4 – Rely on prayer.

Immediately after mentioning Scripture, David Green goes straight to prayer. He talks about how his team relies on daily prayer to determine their path. He goes on to say that God is the only one who knows the future and therefore they seek His leading in everything.

As I have said before, this is the greatest resource we have as Christian business owners and leaders. We need to be committed to a daily discipline of seeking God’s guidance through prayer. This may well be our most important responsibility (that we cannot delegate).

#5 – Trust God’s will.

Just seeking His guidance in prayer is not enough. We must be willing to follow His lead, regardless of the consequences! We must have a core belief that God has our best interests at heart.

David Green mentions that God is always there to help them, even in the problems. They always come back to knowing He is there and wants to help them. If we will KNOW this and act accordingly, there is no limit to what He can do through us.

More To Come

Stay tuned the rest of the week for further lessons from the David Green interview!

Which of these lessons speaks most to you?

Which one is already part of your walk?

What do you need to do next to put these into action?

Criticism

In this post, Barkat described a letter she had received that criticized her writing. Evidently it was aggressively worded, because it elicited strong reactions from her friends when they read it. They encouraged her to ignore the letter. She was tempted to allow it into her heart.

Barkat went on to tell how several examples came to her mind of popular artists and performers that had received similar criticism. She realized that this was not an indication of bad work, but likely the opposite was true. Here is her quote that stole my attention…

Good work doesn’t just find audience; it also finds anti-audience.

I am sorry, but that is just powerful. Think about it…some of the best performers and/or performances are polarizing. In any given “audience,” regardless of the category of performance, there are always people that find some reason to complain about or oppose a good performance.

Human Nature?

I guess it is human nature. I am sure that someone with training in psychology could tell me why this is the case. Regardless of the reason, I know it is true. I have seen it when watching Tiger Woods or Tim Tebow. I am sure you could name your own examples.

What Is The Point?

So, we agree that this is true.

What is the point as it relates to a Christian business?

What should a Christian leader learn from this truth that would strengthen them in their effort to integrate their faith into their business?

Why do I think this quote is so important?

Expect Opposition

My first thought is that it is important for anyone planning to “perform” in front of any sort of public audience to be prepared for criticism. As Christian business owners and leaders, we certainly fit this category! While criticism is never easy to take, it is less painful when you are expecting it. Just as we are more likely to survive a storm when we make preparations, we can better handle rejection when we know it is coming.

Look at this quote from Dave Ramsey in his book EntreLeadership:

You can’t lead, market, and/ or run a company successfully without drawing fire from people who don’t understand. So as you win prepare to be misunderstood and lied about.

What Is “Good” Work?

As true as this is, I have an even bigger thought that is the main point of this whole post. To help me make this point, let’s take following quotes from Jesus. In the first quote, Jesus is referring to Himself and God. In the second, he is relating trees and their fruit to men and the things produced from their hearts. The Greek word translated “good” is the same in both quotes.

“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” He said to him. “There is only One who is good.” – Matthew 19:17

“A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart.” – Luke 6:45

In this context, reconsider the meaning of “good work” in L.L. Barkat’s quote…

Good work doesn’t just find audience; it also finds anti-audience.

When we look at Barkat’s quote from this perspective, it takes on a whole new meaning! Rather than thinking about the criticism drawn by good work in general, consider what it means to a Christian leader producing “good” out of the “good” storeroom of his heart.

Anti-Audience

Does it make sense to you that our “good” work as disciples of Jesus will find an anti-audience? Do you expect it or are you surprised when it happens? Do you prepare for it and deflect it, or are you tempted, as Barkat was, to give it permission to enter your heart and deter you?

Just in case you need some reinforcement, let’s take a look at more of Jesus’ words.

In this world you will have trouble. – John 16:33

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. – John 15:19

There Is An Enemy

Folks, there is an enemy that hates you because of your family name. You are not of this world and therefore the world is going to hate you. This “hate” may not show itself to you on a daily basis, but I submit that it will show itself to you with a frequency that is directly proportionate to the impact you are having on people for eternity!

See, I believe “good” work finds an anti-audience. I believe that the more we do in the name of Jesus, the more resistance we will meet from the world. I believe that you know exactly what I am talking about if you have tried to run your business based on your Christian faith.

Anti-Audience Is Unavoidable

I do not believe this anti-audience is avoidable or I think Jesus would have said, “In this world you might have trouble.” In fact, if you are not experiencing what I am describing, then I would encourage you to look for hard evidence of your faith. I am NOT saying you do not have it. I am simply asking you to do a deep dive and look for any evidence someone could use against you in court if they were accusing you of being a disciple of Jesus.

If you HAVE experienced what I am describing, then I have good news for you! I left out some of Jesus’ words in one of the verses above! Let’s look again at the full quote…

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Good And Faithful Servant

Despite the trouble we are told we are to face, we are also promised peace! We get this peace because Jesus has overcome the very world that is against us! This is great news! It is news that should drive us to do the “good work” that we know we are designed to do. We should do this good work without fear of ultimate loss. If we will do this work, we will hear the words that we should long to hear – including that same Greek word for “good”…

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” – Matthew 25:21, 23

Has your work found anti-audience?

Do you need to step up your good work?

Do you find encouragement in Jesus’ words regarding the anti-audience?