There are so many ways that people describe themselves. So many of those descriptions are part of who people are, not just an interchangeable label that comes on and off depending on the situation or environment. Father, mother, college graduate, award winner, left-handed, kind-hearted, mentor… but what about your faith? How exactly does being a Christian fit into your business? Should you leave it at the door, where you hang your coat?
There are many business owners who describe their faith as something that is engrained in the very fabric of their being. To be separate from their faith is to be separated from understanding life itself. It is the lens used to interpret the world around them and a guide for conducting honest, fair, and valuable customer experiences. It is even used to guide conflict resolution and personal accountability.
Let me be clear. This is NOT about picking and choosing customers and clients to serve based on their life path and/or worldview. NO, this is about not losing yourself in the process. It’s about being CLEAR and CONFIDENT in the way you serve people. Advertising accordingly and providing great care to everyone you encounter.
So if your faith is used in the above mentioned positive ways, should it be left behind? There is a fear that some people of faith have surrounding bringing their faith with them into business. They fear that someone might have had a negative experience with other Christians and it might jeopardize their ability to get clients. Sometimes there is just a fear of being singled out and scrutinized more than others in their field. Sometimes there is a fear that it might be viewed as unethical.
Believe me, I have been there. I was told that seeking out counselors to provide a faith based service in my practice was unethical. The person harassed me to the point that I directed them to the licensing board for further info and had to notify the moderator of the mailing list I was on. In another instance, I was randomly told that Christmas was a pagan holiday and all my beliefs were founded in pagan religions. I have also been questioned, above what others have received, about offering my services with an integration of my Christian faith. While quite disappointing to encounter, these examples did NOT represent the majority of responses received from colleagues. You cannot allow fear to be your guide here.
Instead, what should guide you is how to ethically brand your business and specializations. People specialize in a variety of areas, based on: Age, Culture, Gender, Sexuality, and Faith just to name a few.
I have served clients that have varying degrees of difference in the way they journey through this life and the way I journey through this life. Matter of fact, I have had quite a few want to work with me despite having read my profile description on my website and/or insurance panel description and seeing my faith. It is important that they accept me and understand what I can offer them. You don’t have to put your faith on the shelf in order to help people through your profession. It’s sad to think that people might feel they have to. You just have to be concise and ethical in describing your offerings, just like anyone else who serves people with the integration of some value set, that is an integral part of their life.
In-N-Out Burger prints several bible references on its cups, containers and wrappers. Some of the scriptural references include John 3:16 and Proverbs 24:16.
CEO Tom Chappell, of Tom’s of Maine, received a master’s degree at Harvard Divinity School and nearly left his company in order to pursue full-time ministry. Instead, Chappell has decided to run his business as a ministry and has since brought in spiritual leaders to guide him and his employees. Tom’s of Maine was acquired by the Colgate-Palmolive Company, but the Chappells retain a minority ownership in the company.
Timblerland CEO Jeff Swartz is well-known for his commitment to promoting corporate social responsibility. Stating, “I can’t show you the scripture that relates to the rights of a worker, but I can show you text that insists upon treating others with dignity,” he said. “It says in the Hebrew Bible one time that you should love your neighbor as yourself, but it says dozens of times that you shall treat the stranger with dignity.”