This article is based on a Video Series with J.D. Greear and Henry Kaestner in partnership with RightNow Media and Faith&Co.

— by J.D. Greear (via Amanda Lawson)

Shortly before Jesus went to the cross, He told the disciples—his closest friends—that the world would know they were His disciples by the way they loved one another (John 13:35). It’s interesting that He did just say the world would know their discipleship status if they loved; He told them that the manner in which they loved each other was the key. The same is true of our work. We do the work we are called to do, but more important than simply doing the job is how we do it. JD Greear explained that we have a call to excellence, for the sake of honoring the Lord, not simply getting the job done.

The Christian philosopher Francis Schaefer once said that our opportunity to be heard by the lost world would be directly related to how well we do our work. You know, many people don’t think about the connection between excellent work and our witness. But I can guarantee you that non Christians see it. The apostle Peter said in his letter first, Peter, that we ought to live our lives in such a way that people ask about our motivations. What is it that drives us to such excellence in our work? Such high standards in our in our ethical dealings, even if nobody else is watching? Listen, if your witness was the only reason to pursue your business with excellence, it would be worth it. But here’s the thing. External witness is not the only reason. There’s an even greater reason to pursue excellence in our work. In Colossians 3:23-24, the apostle Paul writes, You know, whatever you do, you should do it from the heart. Something done for the Lord and not just for people knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord himself. Because you don’t just serve your boss. You don’t serve your customers. You serve the Lord Christ. If our work is done for the Lord, then it should be done according to the high standards of excellence. Right. In our work by itself, Paul says, is an offering to God, even if it doesn’t have Bible verses or Christian slogans attached to it. Just think on that. Your work is like an offering that you are going to present at the throne of God. Is the quality of your work befitting of the majesty of God? Would you be embarrassed to lay down your work at God’s feet? Does the excellence of your work point people to the excellence of God? I know a few business people in our community who say that they actually don’t like partnering with Christian businesses because those businesses aren’t reliable. They don’t honor deadlines. As if Christian Grace demands the excusing of sloppiness or a lack of professionalism. I’d just say that is flat out wrong. That is not a Christian approach to work in the business. Christian entrepreneurs ought to be producing something of quality and reliability that points people to the to the goodness and excellence of God. Christian entrepreneurs ought to pursue excellence in their businesses, not simply because they want to increase their bottom line, but because they do what they do as first and foremost an offering to Christ, because we report to a higher authority. We seek to serve him with the highest quality work possible. Think about it. Can’t we safely assume that no wobbly chairs came out of the carpenter shop in Nazareth before Jesus preached the kingdom to the glory of God on a hillside? He made chairs to the glory of God in a carpenter shop. So we’ve got to follow the example of our savior and seek excellence in every aspect of our entrepreneurial journey, knowing that our business endeavors are primarily for God. 

All this is going to add new significance to what we do, especially during that difficult season when you know that God is watching. It changes your approach to those periods and in business or your enterprise when it feels like nobody else is. Whether everyone is praising you for a grand new initiative or you’re struggling to get your first investor, you know this your work first and foremost for Christ. And he’s always the same and he always deserves your best. 

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[ Photo by Giorgio Grani on Unsplash ]

We continue to count down the Top 100 Books for Faith Driven Entrepreneurs with…

Me, Myself and Bob: A True Story about Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables

by Phil Vischer

This is a story of dreaming big and working hard, of spectacular success and breathtaking failure, of shouted questions, and, at long last, whispered answers. With trademark wit and heart, Phil Vischer shares how God can use the death of a dream to point us toward true success.

Phil has delivered what has come to be known as one of our most popular podcasts. Hear Phil Vischer share the emotional side of his entrepreneurial journey on his podcast with FDE.

Click on the book cover to check out the Reviews and Purchase at Amazon

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Episode Transcript

President and CEO | Seaworld Entertainment

Joel Manby is President and Chief Executive Officer of Seaworld Entertainment, Inc., a leading theme park and entertainment company based in Orlando, Florida.

Joel was a valedictorian graduate of Albion College and a Rhodes scholarship finalist. He began his career at General Motors and attended Harvard Business School on a GM scholarship. Upon graduation from Harvard, he was asked to join the start-up team for Saturn Corporation where he was instrumental in launching Saturn’s innovative marketing and distribution strategy. After seven years with Saturn and a two-year term with GM’s International Division, he was promoted to CEO of Saab Automobile USA.

Most recently, Joel served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Herschend Enterprises (HFE), the largest family-owned theme park and entertainment company in the United States. Under Joel’s twelve year leadership, HFE expanded its creative capabilities and demonstrated strong profit expansion through targeted acquisitions and organic growth. His association with HFE dates back to 1998 when he was asked to serve on the HFE Board of Directors. He later became Non-Executive Chairman of the Board and then accepted the role of CEO in 2003.

As a volunteer, Joel serves on the boards of several companies and organizations, including Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Inc, and the National Advisory Board of the Salvation Army. He and his wife, Marki, have four daughters and reside in suburban Orlando.

Joel’s first book is called Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders, (Zondervan, 2012). The book challenges leaders to allow integrity and faith to guide leadership decisions, outlining seven time-proven principles that break down the natural walls within corporate cultures, empowering managers and employees, disarming difficulties, and cultivating an atmosphere that builds long-term success.

LINKS

• LinkedIn

• Book: Love Works

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN ENTREPRENEUR

This article was originally published here by Adkins Talent Solution

— by Kate Adkins

Isn’t it interesting to think about how and when friendships start? A year ago, I did not know my friend, Judy. Yesterday, I sat in her home discussing life and work. My friendship with Judy began after a spin class last spring when she offered me a recommendation for a seamstress. That one recommendation led to 9 months of a growing friendship between two unique and passionate women.

I love being able to be myself around Judy and openly discuss life and work. One topic that we discuss is faith in business. We come from different backgrounds and beliefs. However, we trust each other and value learning from each other.

I’ve told Judy that my faith is the most important thing in my life. I desire to “bring my whole self to work” by not hiding my beliefs when I am working. I want the same thing for my clients because we learn from each other through our differences.

As an entrepreneur, I am currently creating the culture of Adkins Talent Solutions. I have the great responsibility to build a company that will help others develop and grow. I believe that God enables us to continuously grow in self-awareness and become better leaders, spouses, neighbors, and overall human beings.

The London Business School article “Rethinking Bringing Your Whole Self to Work” notes that organizations enable employees and customers to be themselves “by creating a culture of learning rather than compliance, where people are not scared of what they might lose, they become much more open to the possibilities in diversity.”

I am thankful that Judy and I have created a culture of learning in our friendship. Our friendship inspires me to continue to create a company where clients and employees are not scared to be themselves and learn together.

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[Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash ]

— by Shelette Stewart

You have no real competitors.  No, I have not lost my mind. I know this statement runs counter intuitively to everything you and I have been taught to believe, but stay with me. My goal is to help us as God’s ambassadors in the marketplace to transform our mind-set, reorient, reconceptualize, and recontextualize commercial business and take it to a Higher level of excellence. In order to do this, we have to change some of our conventional perspectives, and one of them has to do with the concept of competition.

Competition is generally defined as a state of trying to somehow win or gain something that is either possessed or wanted by others. It’s the idea that we are striving to outdo another for some particular prize or profit. We’ll start the process of tearing down some of our traditional mental models of competition by first considering what the Bible says about the concept of competition. 

Beware of Comparisons

In the Western world, we have been indoctrinated with the idea that we are always competing against someone or some entity for happiness, fame, and fortune. In business, we compete for rewards and prizes that consist of everything from job promotions and executive compensation packages to record-breaking earnings, industry accolades, and market share. This preoccupation with competing against other individuals and entities results from our tendency to constantly compare ourselves with others. 

The Bible cautions us against comparing ourselves with others to the point of provoking one another and becoming conceited and envious of others, because envy is like cancer in our bones (Proverbs 14:30; Galatians 5:26).  It’s important to note that these biblical admonishments against comparisons are applicable to not only comparisons made between individuals but also to comparisons made between enterprises. It doesn’t matter whether we are comparing ourselves with our colleagues or comparing our company with another company. The core issue is that constant comparisons tend to be problematic from a spiritual perspective because they take our focus off God. 

The Bible also warns us against coveting, or longing for, what others possess (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; Ecclesiastes 4:4). In these ways, we should never be jealous of the talents, gifts, abilities, possessions, and success of others. Being overly concerned with other people’s success is counterproductive. What God has for you is truly for you. No one can stop the plans of God (Isaiah 14:27; James 4:2). 

When Jesus Is Your Standard, You Have No Real Competitors?

God grants wisdom to the righteous and protects those who walk in integrity (Proverbs 2:7). As Christian business leaders, we are to examine and evaluate our own individual conduct and work standards (Galatians 6:4), not based on comparisons against others but based on God’s principles and how He made us. 

Jesus teaches us to be free of men and liberated to be who God made us to be as individuals (1 Peter 2:15-16; John 8:26-29).  When our focus is on God and Jesus, there’s no need to compete by comparing ourselves, our lives, and our businesses with others. When your role model, or your ultimate standard, is Jesus, then you have no real competitors. As God’s children, we have no real competitors in the business arena. No one can compete with us and the divine wisdom, guidance, favor, and protection that we have through Him. By adopting this perspective, focusing on God, and following His sovereign plans, we free ourselves from unnecessary stress and strife and ultimately position ourselves to perform at unprecedented levels of kingdom excellence. 

Isn’t Competition Sometimes a Positive Force in Business?

While intellectually we may understand and appreciate biblical warnings against the concept of competition, we may still be grappling with deep-rooted attitudes and ideologies about competition. While some of us perceive competition as a negative or necessary nuisance that we have to deal with in business, many of us may see it as a positive force inspiring us to perform better. Some of us may be thinking: Isn’t competition a good thing, especially when it causes us to strive for excellence? 

It’s certainly acceptable to appreciate the fruitful, kingdom-building works of others. I am not suggesting that we shouldn’t allow the success and blessings of others to inspire and motivate us to achieve our personal best and professional excellence. I believe in striving for self-improvement.  I am simply advocating that the primary way to excel is not by comparing ourselves and competing against others but by following God’s principles for how we should lead our lives and govern our businesses. 

As Christians, our interest must be centered on a lifestyle and a business protocol that glorifies God. We are called to a Higher level of authority and standard of excellence because we serve an excellent God and have a perfect role model in Jesus (Psalm 8:1; Romans 2:18; Philippians 1:10-11). This is why we are encouraged to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). 

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Dr. K. Shelette Stewart is an author, global speaker, consultant, and graduate of Harvard University with over 20 years of leadership experience with prominent organizations including Harvard Business School, The Coca-Cola Company, and BellSouth/AT&T.  She is a Fulbright Foreign Specialist with a Doctorate in Business Administration and the founder and principal of Stewart Consulting, LLC, a strategic planning firm serving companies, non-profits, and higher education institutions.  Dr. Stewart is the author of the award-winning book, Revelations in Business: Connecting Your Business Plan with God’s Purpose and Plan for Your Life© which has been formally endorsed by several industry leaders including Dan Cathy, Chairman and CEO of Chick-fil-A

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[ Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Unsplash ]