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

Managing as if Faith Mattered

by Helen Alford and Michael Naughton

Managing As If Faith Mattered studies the very best of what the Catholic social tradition has to offer in response to the pressing issues and problems of our times. Challenging the often-held double standard of private and public moralities, authors Helen Alford and Michael Naughton bridge the fault line between work and faith by engaging current management issues with that tradition.

They consider the practical realities of managers within their economic and human resource environments, and discuss such concrete management issues as job design, just wages, corporate ownership structures, marketing communication, and product development. Undergraduate and graduate students and faculty in management, business, theology, and ethics will find it an excellent text, and real-life managers will benefit from the practical wisdom it contains.

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

This content was originally published here on Friday, April 12, 2019, at Cedarville News.

— by Gabe Chester

Dick Blanc, former managing partner with Accenture, LLP, and advisor to multiple Fortune Global 500 and startup companies, will speak April 16 at 7 p.m. at Cedarville University in the Dixon Ministry Center. This free event is open to the public.

Blanc’s talk, which is free and open to the public, will challenge faith-based entrepreneurs to lead thought and culture.

Blanc, a 1982 graduate of Cedarville University, is also an active seed-stage investor and advisor to founders of several startup companies. Blanc also serves as director of the Cedarville University Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program.

“We need to dream and we need to dream big,” said Haymond. “Too many people are unwilling to fail today; failure is the path to success. Fail early. Fail often. Succeed. That’s what we should be doing.”

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its mba in innovation and entrepreneurship program, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.

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[Special thanks to Cedarville News for the cover photo]

This content was originally published here at Convene, a place to connect, equip and inspire Christian CEOs and business owners.

— by Greg Leith

How do you grow as a leader? Read books, meet over coffee with like-minded friends, listen to God, get a life coach? Each of those in and of themselves are good but none of them alone is likely enough.

I’ve done a lot of thinking about this over the past year and it’s clear there are many ways leaders grow. Problem is, sometimes we only participate in one part of a multi-part ecosystem.

Some people learn from their participation in a peer group in which they learn from each other, dive into case studies, advise each other on business issues and more. Some people love their books (I’m guilty!) and can’t wait for the next self-help book or podcast to download. They are lifelong learners. Some of you have a coach and some of you have a mentor. Some of you have your DiSC or Myers–Briggs or 5 StrengthsFinder strengths posted on your office door.

Here’s the breaking news: none of these things by themselves are enough to help leaders grow holistically. You can always mislead your coach about how others view your leadership. Too many books puff you up with head knowledge if you’re not careful. Too much conflicting advice from peers can be confusing if God is not your ultimate source of direction.

I do know one thing – real learning happens over time in community. That’s why Jesus spent time with his closest followers. It’s why Jesus was full of wisdom as a young boy before he got to the church leaders; he was studying regularly. That’s why we often need an outside coach to help us get unstuck from our paradigm ruts. That’s why an outside consultant is helpful for what we don’t know how to fix alone.

“Real learning happens over time in community.”

One thing is also true: we all experience spiritually poverty. Are you honest enough with yourself to admit that because of man’s fall in the garden, you might experience weakness, unfulfilled needs, emotional injuries and pain at the hands of others, or your own immaturities and sins? We cannot always repair in our own strength. When we realize we need each other, it helps us get closer to God and to live in community.

At Convene, we have all these leadership learning modes in play with our members. Check us out and see how you might learn from a thought-provoking faith work article or engaging podcast. Maybe it’s time to join a peer to peer group of leaders, to journey with an executive coach that will help you get unstuck, or to hire a consultant to help you peer into the future. At Convene, we exist to help you in all these areas because we exist to help you grow as a leader.

Let’s do this together!

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[Special thanks to Markus Spiske for the cover photo]

This review was originally published here at Coram Deo, the official blog of Bill Pence

— by Bill Pence

Work: It’s Purpose, Dignity, and Transformation by Daniel M. Doriani. P&R Publishing. 248 pages. 2019.

I have read a few dozen books on work, integrating faith and work, taking our faith to work, etc. This new book by Dan Doriani, a respected seminary professor (who I enjoyed two classes with at Covenant Seminary), pastor and theologian, may be the best yet. It is comprehensive, grounded in Scripture, and at times, challenging. (See my article about some of those challenges.)  It covers some aspects of work that I have not found in others’ books in the genre.

The author, who told me that the book has been 18 years in the making, has interviewed hundreds of people about their work over the years, either while working on this book, or as the pastor of a local church. His aim in the book is to engage all who want to practice love and justice in their work. He states that he especially writes for two kinds of people. The first kind doubts the value of their labor. The second kind of person is one who yearns to do significant work, and dares to think their work can change their corner of the world.
The author grounds all work in the person and work of the triune God. He also has twelve principles that guide the book, with one principle standing behind them all. He writes that a biblical theology of work begins with the character of God.

Read more of Bill’s review here!

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[Special thanks to The Gospel Coalition for the cover photo]

At the end of every podcast, we like to ask our guests to share what God has been teaching them in this season of life. This week’s guest is Glen Jackson co-founded Jackson Spalding in 1995. He provides leadership for the agency, many of its clients and also serves as a speaker for organizations looking for inspiration.

Psalm 112:2

Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.

One of my favorite psalms, and I think it’s a great song for business. And I read it almost every day is Psalm 112. It’s really for the person who wants to strive to finish well and lead a life of integrity. And I was reading this morning from Eugene Peterson’s message, Psalm 112. And it really struck me, if you don’t mind, I’ll read a few verses from it.

It says a blessed man, blessed woman who fears God to cherish and relish his commandments. Their children will be robust on the earth and their homes on the uprise, how blessed their house is with wealth and a generosity that never runs dry. Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people. God’s grace and mercy and justice. The good person is generous and lends lavishly. No shuffling or stumbling around for this one. But I love this phrase, but a sterling and solid and lasting reputation, unfazed by rumor, heart ready, trusting and God, spirit, firm, unperturbed, ever blessed, relaxed among their enemies. They lavish gifts on the poor. A generosity that goes on and on and on and honored life. A beautiful life.

I pray that your listeners will have an honored and beautiful life and their generosity will go on and on and their spirit will be firm and unperturbed, and they will, as they build their business, have a sterling and solid and lasting reputation. Heart ready, trusting in God.

Too often in business circles, the word Christian can be an adjective for “subpar.” One of the Marks of a Faith Driven Entrepreneur is a realization that excellence matters and it earns us a right to be heard in our industry and the world around us.

Today’s guest is Glen Jackson, author of Preeminence—a book based on 30+ years of working with brands like Chick-fil-a, Delta, Coca-Cola, Interstate, Toyota, Lexus, and others. He uses his experience to share what it means to be the preeminent brand that others look to emulate.

In this episode, we’ll look at what preeminence means, how to get there, and why this matters to Faith Driven Entrepreneurs looking to impact the world around them.

Useful Links:

Preeminence: What It Means and How to Sustain It

Control Your Destiny or Someone Else Will