Commentary 41: Be The Lion

How to convert a secular enterprise into a platform for the great commission.

Are you a Christian running a secular enterprise? According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 33,185,550 small businesses in America employ 500 employees or less. It is estimated that at least half of these businesses are operated by individuals who identify as Christian. However, very few of these businesses operate as Christian enterprises; they're secular enterprises. What's the difference? A Christian running a Christian enterprise has the mission of identifying with God, for the glory of God at the heart of every decision made within the business. In contrast, a Christian who runs a secular enterprise will separate religion from the workplace.

Let's consider an example.

The owner of an auto services franchise is a Christian, although he does not publicly make that known through his business. One Sunday at Church, a friend who is also a business owner asks him why he doesn't openly express his faith in his business. The businessman answered by expressing concerns over potential negative impacts if he were to do so:

1.   He worries that it might alienate his customers, suppliers, or partners.

2.   He anticipates objections from some of his employees.

3.   He fears facing nuisance lawsuits.

4.   He is concerned that his business might become a target for activist disruption.

His friend acknowledges all of those points as legitimate concerns. Still, he also highlights potential upsides that could mitigate these concerns.

His friend responded with:

"Initially, you might alienate some of your customers, suppliers, or partners, but the potential upside is that the 2-3 thousand customers who come in annually will see your faith demonstrated, and the Christians among them will pass the word to other Christians replacing if not surpassing any customers who go elsewhere."

He said this about his employees:

"Even if some of your employees object, as long as you're not currently requiring them to participate in faith-based activities, their objections aren't valid. If you treat everyone in your company fairly, any complaints would be outweighed by their fair treatment. This is also a wonderful opportunity to bring these employees to faith."

On nuisance lawsuits, he said:

"Unfortunately, nuisance lawsuits are a common reality for all businesses." Will the public declaration of your faith result in a nuisance lawsuit? Maybe. Most attorneys would advise you not to declare faith publicly because you'd be inviting nuisance lawsuits. But if the fear of lawsuit stops you from claiming your faith, what does that say about your faith?"

And as far as being a target for activists, his friend replied:

"As long as you do not aggressively challenge hot-button issues like abortion, gender, or equality, you will not likely be an attractive target for activists. But, like the fear of nuisance lawsuits, not proclaiming your faith for fear of demonstration perhaps indicates your need to examine your faith. Besides, Jesus said when we suffer for His Name’s sake, our heavenly reward is great."

The businessman now felt like his friend was judging him, even questioning his faith. The businessman responded with:

"So what are you suggesting? I start holding mandatory prayer meetings for all my employees? Do I give a Bible to new hires? Do I fire all my pagan employees? Do I host revivals in my parking lot?"

Sensing he may have struck a chord, the friend responded back with:

"Of course not. Start small. Identify yourself publicly as a Christian. Maybe select your favorite Bible verse, then print a little decal and put it on your entrance door. Don't print the passage's text, just the book, chapter, and verse. Put the verse on your LinkedIn profile and your business card. That's it. Start there."

Grudgingly, the businessman admitted that his friend may be right. While he and his family were active in the Church, his activity was confined to tithing and serving on a few committees. He had heard of the Great Commission but had never thought about using his business as a platform for spreading the word. He went home that night thinking about all the customers he might reach and the various suppliers and partners he might contact. It occurred to him that this was an opportunity to grow his business physically and spiritually rather than being a threat to his business.

The Great Commission is simply a call to make disciples. A business that is a network of employees, customers, suppliers, and partners provides an excellent platform from which to execute the Great Commission. Further, the faith-based enterprise platform can become the center of a network of other faith-based enterprises that come together to trade, guide, and support. Most importantly, the faith-based enterprise serves as a beacon, a guiding light for other faith-based CEOs operating secular enterprises seeking to bring faith to their workplace.

There are many ways a business can engage in the Great Commission. However, introducing faith into his workplace can be daunting for the CEO of a secular enterprise. CBMC’s Trusted Advisor Forums are designed to help guide business owners along the path of converting their secular enterprise into a platform for the Great Commission. Twelve men. Meeting monthly. Iron sharpening iron.