One doesn’t have to be a worldwide brand to have a positive impact above and beyond monetary goals. If only a small percentage of Christian-operated businesses decided to follow Nike’s model – to give time and attention at the corporate level to positively impacting the communities in which they inhabit – and then followed through on it, we could change the direction of the culture, and touch millions with
the providential grace and love of God.
The impact would be incalculable.
But, alas, the likelihood of that happening is not great, because most Christian businesspeople have bought into the fabrication that all they need to do is attend church on Sundays, and their Christianity is somehow intact. The idea that their businesses could be powerful forces for the Kingdom, impacting the communities and markets in which they operate and touching people beyond their own spheres of
employees, customers, and vendors – that idea has never occurred to them.
Unfortunately, the majority of Christian businesses haven’t even grasped the idea that their business should be run on Christian principles and models of Christian practices. They are decades from harnessing their resources to make an impact in the community.
And that is a shame.
Christian businesses should follow Nike’s example. Go to God in prayer, asking for His direction. Then, convene a team at the highest level, and create some initiatives that will expand the company’s (and Christ’s) influence beyond just its employees and customers. Give those initiatives corporate-level visibility and resources. Then, watch God work through the business to impact the lives of millions.
