A recent nationwide study by the HCU Center for Christianity in Business revealed that most Christian business leaders are serious about integrating their faith in their businesses and their daily lives. The study interviewed over 500 faith-driven business leaders, of which Christians accounted for almost nine out of ten respondents, who represented a random sample of firms from all parts of the United States.
What Christian Business Leaders聽Believe
One of the most聽striking discoveries from the survey was that聽the overwhelming majority of聽Christian business leaders are purpose-driven and see business as part of their spiritual assignment.聽It was聽very clear聽that these business leaders viewed their businesses as a calling, not just a vehicle for income.Sixty-three percent (63%) of the Christian聽business leaders聽stated聽that their businesses should reflect God鈥檚 character in creativity, excellence, and love.The majority聽went on to state that the purpose of their business was to fulfill a sense of calling or higher purpose inspired by faith, beliefs, or guiding values.Eighty-three聽percent (86%)聽said聽that to them聽hard work聽was a spiritual discipline.
In his book,聽叠耻蝉颈苍别蝉蝉听补蝉听惭颈蝉蝉颈辞苍, author Michael Baer聽talks about the seamless integration of business and mission.聽He聽states聽that 鈥淭o聽pursue this seamless integration, we must reject the聽unbiblical聽thinking that our lives can be compartmentalized into the sacred and secular or that business and ministry are聽by definition separate聽activities. Scripture teaches us聽rather to聽embrace the truth that all Christ鈥檚 servants have callings that are high and holy聽and equally pleasing to the Lord.鈥�1聽This integration was clearly evident among the Christian business leaders surveyed.
A prominent way that this integration was observed was in the values and ethics of these business leaders. Not only did they connect their work ethic to their spiritual life, but eighty-six percent (86%) stated that business leadership is about service and upholding moral and ethical values. Seventy percent (70%) emphasized that making ethical decisions according to their faith was imperative. The majority acknowledged that when culture conflicts with their Christian values they were intent on standing firm. These Christian-led companies are clearly shaped by a worldview where ethical consistency, diligence, and excellence are non-negotiable.
The Christian ethic聽was explicit in that these leaders overwhelmingly connected聽business to the 鈥渃ommon good.鈥澛燭he聽belief that these business leaders were stewards of God鈥檚聽blessings was聽evident聽in that the majority prioritized聽the common good, service, and servant leadership.Sixty-eight聽percent (68%) believed that wealth should be reinvested for long-term ethical impact. These聽Christian business leaders see themselves not聽merely as profit creators but as community stewards with responsibility for聽societal flourishing.
One of the most powerful ways that聽these owners integrated their faith was in their relationships. “Sixty-two percent (62%) of those surveyed expressed the importance of treating co-workers and employees as family. ” A strong majority related success to having a positive impact on stakeholders, serving the community, and offering innovative solutions to society鈥檚 needs. They also stressed the importance of company policies that would enable a proper work-life balance. “Sixty percent (60%) said that mentoring others in faith is central to their business life.”聽These business leaders were intentional about integrating faith into their hiring, talent development, and their strategic priorities.
It is interesting to note that Christian business leaders hold a positive moral view of capitalism and free enterprise. “Seventy-seven percent (77%) said that free enterprise is morally good.” Christian leaders generally support capitalism, entrepreneurship, and limited regulation, seeing these systems as compatible with biblical values when practiced ethically.
This aligns with the perspective expressed by theologian Wayne Grudem in his book,聽Business for the Glory of God.聽Grudem argues聽that the various聽aspects and disciplines of commerce and business聽are not inherently evil. Nor are they morally neutral.聽He聽contends that聽they are actually morally good.聽However,聽he also acknowledges that they can be tainted by聽sin such as dishonestly,聽greed, etc.
Grudem聽believes that the components of business聽provide聽unique opportunities for glorifying God. He聽states, 鈥淲e will find that in every aspect of business there are multiple layers聽of opportunities to give glory to God,聽as well as multiple temptations to sin.鈥�2
From the research at hand, we see that Christian business leaders are aligned around a historically rooted, biblically grounded model of work 鈥� one that emphasizes discipline, service, generosity, Christian charity, and moral clarity.
Now that we have gained some insight into the beliefs and values of Christian business leaders, let us turn our attention to what these Christian leaders want as they pursue their vision and calling.
What Christian Business Leaders聽Want
Across multiple聽questions in this聽survey聽business leaders聽acknowledged significant difficulty navigating cultural shifts, ethical challenges, and faith expression in today鈥檚 workplace.聽Christian business leaders feel the tension of leading faithfully in secular environments and聽want more resources to navigate moral gray areas.聽These owners聽are聽also聽hungry for spiritual聽mentoring聽on work-life balance and healthier rhythms聽in their personal lives.
“The research revealed that sixty-one percent (61%) of Christian leaders聽feel that their faith expression is at risk from moral conflicts. Sixty percent (60%)聽indicated聽that they were challenged by moral and ethical dilemmas.”聽And while seventy-two percent (72%)聽believe that their church does聽a good job聽in teaching faith integration, seventy percent (70%)聽expressed a need for聽additional聽鈥�off-church鈥� equipping.”
Darren Shearer, in his book The Christ-Centered Company, states, A culture war is waging in the world today, and for-profit companies are at the center of it.3The responses in this research support that perspective.
Shearer goes on to state, Considering more than eighty-five percent (85%) of working-age people spend around sixty-five percent (65%) of their waking hours working in a for-profit company, it鈥檚 clear that the marketplace is the central battleground for competing narratives and ideologies that seek to steer a culture in a particular direction.4
The Christian business leaders in this survey clearly feel the responsibility and calling to be salt and light in a dark world. They are convinced that how they lead their companies has eternal significance, but the challenge is often intense. They want more resources and guidance as they seek to live out their calling in the marketplace.
Another desire of Christian business leaders was related to public policy. The majority stated that current laws and regulations posed a challenge to their businesses and their mission. “Seventy-eight percent (78%) indicated that lower taxes and less regulation would clearly benefit business, and eighty-two percent (82%) support lower national debt as a moral and economic priority. ” Additionally, the majority also indicated that they desired policies that supported religious freedom and faith expression in the workplace. Christian business leaders want an environment where expressing biblical values is protected, not penalized.
Overall, the survey data paints a clear picture that Christian business leaders view their businesses as a spiritual calling, and they let their faith shape their ethical framework as well as their business practices. The data also shows that Christian business leaders desire stronger spiritual formation and peer support, as well as public policy to protect religious liberty. So, what can these business leaders do to help themselves?
What Christian Business Leaders Can Do
“The research indicated that seventy-four percent (74%) of these business leaders relied on spiritual practice and reflection when making leadership decisions. Sixty-three percent (63%) stated that they specifically seek guidance from God鈥檚 Word as they lead their companies.”
That said, one obvious action that Christian business leaders can take is to consistently and systematically study the Bible. This is the believer鈥檚 source for truth and wisdom. When facing the trials and challenges of business leadership, God gives specific instruction stating, 鈥淚f any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him鈥� (James 1:5 ESV.)
Christian business owners would find an excellent online source of training in faith-integration in CCB鈥檚 鈥淭he Habits of a Christ-Centered Company鈥� curriculum (). Other helpful sources include Business for the Glory of God by Dr. Wayne Grudem, and Business as Mission by Michael Baer (just to name a few.) Many find Christian podcasts such as 鈥淭he Christian Business Leader Podcast鈥� (/center-for-christianity-in-business/podcast/) are very helpful.
Another excellent resource for Christian business leaders is national peer advisory groups such as C-12 and Convene, as well as various local Christian business groups and ministries. Many Christian business leaders find the encouragement, biblical training, and accountability of a peer group to be life-changing.
Finally, many business leaders have found that having a Christian business or executive coach is transformational. The business coach who is also capable of spiritual mentoring may be the most powerful resource for navigating the moral and ethical complexities of business in a God-honoring way. This type of one-on-one mentoring and coaching offers personalized guidance and accountability when integrating faith and business.
For more information about this ongoing research or resources to help business leaders, contact the Center for Christianity in Business at 91修车厂 at ccb@hc.edu
Contributed by Glenn Smith on behalf of HCU CCB
Notes
1Michael R. Baer, Business as Mission: The Power of Business in the Kingdom of God聽(Seattle, WA: YWAM Publishing, 2006),聽12.
2Wayne Grudem, Business for the Glory of God: The Bible鈥檚 Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2003), 17.
3Darren Shearer, The Christ-Centered Company: 37 Biblical Business Habits to Build a Thriving Company that Honors God and Blesses the World (Houston, TX: High Bridge Books, 2023), 1.
4Ibid
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