1. world’…
In 2019, The Edelman Trust Barometer (a survey of over 33,000 people from 28 countries) indicated that only 20% of the interviewees felt that the current economic system was working for them. 76% believed that business leaders should take the lead on change rather than waiting for governments to impose it.
Teaching.
Discussion.
Do you believe the ‘economic system’ needs to change? If so, what do you believe needs to change?
Do you believe that the responsibility to ‘fix the economy lies with business leaders and owners?
Discussion.
Write seven words that you feel describe the prevailing culture of business today in the left-hand column below. Write down the opposite of these words in the right-hand column.
Business culture. Opposite.
Which column best reflects the character of God and His Kingdom? How godly is today’s business culture?
Activity.
The business has forgotten its true role as the creator of collective prosperity through just means. The prevailing culture of business needs to change.
If there was a ‘great move of God’ in the workplace, how might this change the culture of the business?
Abraham
Do you think all Christians in business are called to take a proactive role in this ‘great move of God’?
Do you think Christian entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders have a special role to play?
Which of the four options below best describes what the term ‘Christian company’ means to you?
A Founded by a Christian.
B Led by a Christian.
C Christian ethos.
D Christian workforce.
Can C be achieved without A or r B?
Discussion.
Reflection.
These are some of the world’s leading companies. They cover all sectors of the economy. It may surprise you to know that all of these companies had Christian founders.
The way these Christian entrepreneurs did business changed the culture of the workplace. These godly entrepreneurs achieved a great deal of good in society. They created companies that have prospered their workers for over a century, transformed workers’ rights, built many loved communities, and championed an ethical and sustainable approach to business. Many also contributed much to the mission of the Church.
Long before it was commonplace for companies to have a corporate social responsibility department, they were doing ministry in and through the way they did business. Perhaps most significantly, these companies had a Christian witness that was both bold and bright.
These Christian entrepreneurs did not stand on the sidelines and pass judgment. Instead, they rolled up their sleeves, set up companies, and got stuck into doing business God’s way. There is little doubt that the religious beliefs and business
Teaching
The creeds of these Christian entrepreneurs were aligned. Their founding values created cultures within their companies that lasted long after their founders stood down.
They were not perfect but there is no doubt that theirs is a powerful legacy and a model which should inspire our generation of Christian entrepreneurs. It is a heritage on which today’s saints can build.
Few, if any, of these companies are today led by Christians. Their Christian witness is sadly growing dim. We need a new generation of Christian entrepreneurs to pick up the baton and lead the culture of business again.
What is it about the way these Christian leaders and their companies contributed to the commonwealth that is different from the prevailing way in which business is being done today?
Discussion
Below is a clip from an article in Christianity Today from 2005; just a few years prior to the credit crunch:
‘The trials of high-profile Christian businessmen this year have sent a clear signal: Many believers have little idea how their faith relates to their work. After the July sentencing of World Com CEO Bernard Ebbers for his part in the largest corporate fraud case in American history, commentators had a field day.
They pointed to the disconnect between the professed faith of this ‘good Christian man’ and the way he led his management team in the paths of deception. The convictedEbbers and Kenneth Lay, the Enron executive, and the acquitted HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy are all known as active churchgoing believers.’
It is commendable that these ‘good Christian men’ took on the responsibilities of leadership in a significant company. This is not an easy undertaking. It is disappointing that no one appears to have equipped them to prosper the Kingdom, and ultimately themselves, in and through their significant roles.
In your experience, do Christians in business have a clear connection between their ‘professed faith’ and the way they do business?
Discussion
What do you imagine would be the outcome if Christian business leaders successfully combined business practice with the Christian faith?
For their company.
For the culture of the business.
On a score of 1 to 5, how connected do you feel your business practice is to your faith?
Not at all Fully integrated.
There is no guarantee, just because we are believers and happen to be leaders in the workplace, even successful ones, that we will automatically be effective in playing our part in a great move of God.
Like any other area of Christian discipleship, believers in the workplace need to be equipped to do businessGod’s way.
Do you agree with this statement?
Reflection
Discussion
What is the primary influence on the way you currently do
business?
Do you regularly look to the wisdom of the Bible on business?
If we are to see a great move of God in the workplace, we need to look to God for His vision for the business.
Most of us have read a host of secular books on business but we would have little to say in answer to the questions ‘If Jesus was leading my company, what would Jesus do?’ and ‘What would Jesus not do?’
