Management, Theology and the Marketplace

The intersection of Management, Theology and the Marketplace is the place where you as a Christian leader/manager spend most of your vocational time. As such, you experience regularly the dynamics and relationships between them. Very few other people, including most spiritual counselors, really understand the intersection. Listen to what Peter Drucker, the renowned management leader said about that intersection: "I have learned more theology as a practicing management consultant than when I taught religion."

That is an amazing statement!

He goes on to elaborate.

"...because the object of management is a human community held together by the work bond for a common purpose, management always deals with the nature of Man (as all of us with any practical experience have learned), and with Good and Evil, as well."

That illustrates the unique challenges that Christian business leaders face and experience on a daily basis. Because it is a unique intersection, useful resources are difficult to find. Hence the positive advantages of groups of fellow Christian leaders who understand both the challenge of being a CEO/Leader and of committing to do so from a biblical viewpoint. God is a part of the equation, and a community of like-minded individuals can provide guidance and support.

Developing People with a Kingdom Purpose

Do you want to build something that keeps bearing fruit long after you’re gone? Discipleship is the process of pouring ourselves into the lives of others, of modeling wisdom, humility and a walk with God. It’s what we’re commanded to do, and it’s at the heart of our relationship with God.

Encourage your team to participate in things that are close to the heart of Jesus. They'll learn by doing and experience Him in fresh ways. Let’s say you feel God leading you to support of a local abused children’s shelter through your business. If you take a few team member volunteers along as you serve the kids and people running the shelter, the team members will feel good about helping and some will catch a vision that may exceed yours. Acts of love and kindness are contagious.

It’s exciting to develop people who want to live the abundant life and get in on the adventure of building a God-honoring company. The challenges can be big—the rewards are even bigger! We have our marching orders:

“The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age'” (Matthew 28:18-20).

As you consider developing people with a Kingdom purpose, who comes to mind? What’s one thing you could do to help them in their journey?

Recognizing and Eliminating the Isolation Factor

One entrepreneur summed up the feeling of many, “The people who are safe (like my Bible study group) can’t help me grow my business. The people who can help me grow my business (and have mixed motives) aren’t safe.” Most entrepreneurs relate to the saying: “It’s lonely at the top.” We’re responsible for leading the company to short- and long-term success, and for making decisions that will affect people’s ability to provide for their families. We’re typically operating in uncharted waters and wondering how to avoid the next big threat or exploit the next opportunity. There aren’t many people who can relate to what we’re facing.

Isolation breeds fear, insecurity and distrust, which can result in poor decisions, negative thinking and low team morale. Being isolated in business can also result in negative emotions spilling over into our family lives, so they end up paying a high price too. Without a doubt, isolation can derail our lives, our leadership and our businesses.

Many entrepreneurs have discovered developed safe relationships with successful Christian peers, and regularly building into each other’s lives and businesses is an effective way to eliminate isolation. When the isolation in a leader’s life dissipates, they'll have more confidence and a broader base of resources, which results in wiser decisions, better relationships and greater progress toward goals.

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).

2013 CEO Summit

One of the truly unique things about Convene is the power of community.

Whether it’s a Forum Day, team dinner with spouses, or special event, the opportunity to engage and interact with one another brings special value to our relationships. The Convene CEO Summit is community at the highest level!

The theme for 2013 is Unlimiting God! With a power-packed lineup of renowned speakers,informative breakout sessions, and peer interaction, participants are sure to multiply their influence, build more profitable companies, and increase their leadership success — all for God’s Kingdom!

You’ll enjoy time together with peers who share your values, while learning to:

• Discover or refine your dream

• Create a high-performing culture through servant leadership

• Take your vision to the next level, so it better engages your team and improves results

• Use social media to get noticed in a fast-paced world

It’s never too early to mark your calendar! Click here for details

Appointed for Abundance

I have come that they might have life; and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 God has appointed you for abundance as you abide in Him today.

When I feel the weight of the world, burdens of the day and the limits of my abilities, will I believe Jesus’ promise? So many well-meaning believers throughout the years have claimed these verses for their own gain and prosperity that some of us have been left wondering. Life is hard! The reality of loss, pain or opposition often goes right to the heart and leaves us...well...wondering. Why? Because life is hard! Yet, too much wondering will lead to wandering. When you are in those times or seasons, what keeps you going? Do you give up or press on?

No matter what you are facing today, listen to the charge from the writer of Hebrews, let these words sink deep, "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved" (Hebrews 10:39). Will you believe today the promise that God through His son Jesus Christ has come to give you life, and life to the full?

The enemy’s work is to "steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10). That’s his aim, and he’s a good adversary. I've heard it said the enemy doesn’t care anything about you, he just wants to destroy the Word in you. You pose no threat to him. The threat is the power of God through the promise and truth written on your life, "hidden in your heart" (Psalm 119:11). Will you believe today? Let us stand together as the Church, united and full of life today!

Let's look a little deeper biblically to the work of the Father.  Let's turn back to Hebrews for insight and instruction. Discipline, it's hard and painful. It might feel like "steal, kill and destroy," but what it is really? "God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness" (Hebrews 12:10). "It produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those have been trained by it" (verse 11).

Now, let us look at Pruning. Once again, we see the handiwork of the Father as the good gardener. Yet, it doesn't feel very good. "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" (John 15:2). How many of us want more fruit in our life? I’m the first in line. How many of us want to be disciplined and pruned? Well, not so much...is there another way? Not so much! We are being conformed into the image of Christ, justified and walking in a journey of sanctification that will yield the fruit of righteousness, peace and abundance in our life. Let us be wise with regard to God’s discipline and pruning in our lives. Our greatest pain may be our greatest blessing.

Let us be wise and aware of the enemy's tactics to steal, kill and destroy. Let us stand firm under opposition, threat and lies. Let us also hold on to the truth that the Father loves us even when it hurts. There is a pain that will not destroy but ultimately bring life. "I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last" (John 15:16, NIV). In the King James Version it reads, "Fruit that remains." So today, what do you do? "Remain in me, and I will remain in you" (John 15:4).

God has appointed you for abundance as you abide in Him today.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:9-10).