blendedChristians in the Marketplace

What should the primary role of a Christian be?  We wear many different roles in our lives such as, mom, dad, son, daughter, employee, church member, etc… But the major question for the Christian is: at the end of the day, how should we be living in light of all Christ has done for us?

Jesus stated that Christians should be “salt and light” within the world, meaning wherever they end up or move to (In our case as business people, this means the marketplace) they should reflect His morals, His values and His concerns to the world. Jesus’ eternal kingdom as described in scripture is “Now but not yet” and as Christians, we are commanded to work and live in such a way to demonstrate the hope and claims of Christ. Whatever our niche market, service, or product is, can we be business people AND Christians while hoping to accomplish our financial goals? Or must we avoid certain aspects of business for fear of “mixing” too closely with the world?

Allow me jump ahead and answer this question with a resounding YES! Yes we can be marketers, business people, and still be Christians!  But, throughout history, some Christian leaders have lost their way and viewed some careers as kind of “dirty” and not particularly redeemable (marketing?).  They then passed that mindset down and in due time it began to take hold among the “work-a-day” Christians.

Well, let’s be honest here…that view is a very short sided and narrow understanding of what it means for Christians to be “salt and light” in the marketplace.  In fact, if one’s goal is to be solely and totally unscathed by the world, perhaps that mindset would make sense, but that thinking isn’t Biblical.  Being completely unscathed would require locking yourself in a padded room and having meals sent to you through a small opening in the door!  Practically this would mean Christians couldn’t/wouldn’t participate in most of the business marketplace around us, which leaves gaps in our “Christian witness” that were never intended.

Thankfully, most Christians have ignored that mentality and it has faded significantly.  The true approach in being “salt and light” is for Christians to understand they are “salt and light” in wherever God may place them. With this mindset, Christian business people have a great opportunity before them to impact their culture and marketplace by demonstrating Biblical ethics, morals and values that supersede the norm.  In so doing, business and marketing becomes both a witness and a vast revenue stream.

Suggestions for Christian Marketers

  • Maximize both your walks with Christ and your marketing acumen in order to share your strengths to the benefit of others.
  • Market your products with vigor but keep in mind that Biblical based integrity should be at the base of all you do.
  • While you are not limited to just the Christian consumer, realize that a huge market does exist for Christians to market to other Christians because it puts Christians more at ease.  Choose to look differently than the picture in their heads that most people have of marketers.
  • Like any definable market, the Christian consumer market is unique. To understand the Christian consumer, you must first start with an understanding of the core beliefs that motivate that consumer.
  • We are ambassadors for Christ – to each other and the world looking on. Understand that we have the privilege of a relationship that when built properly will both scale our profits and be of service to another.  Build it with genuine care and authenticity.
  • Be fair with your prices – yet don’t be shy about making a healthy profit.
  • Pursue moral and ethical character per Bible-based definitions, acknowledging your own imperfections and inconsistencies while extending grace to your market – to the best of our ability.

At the end of the day, whether your market is directly Christian or secular, connect with the consumer in such a way that their experience is one they’ll remember with fondness.  Market to transform your buyers through your services and products; treating people as people – materially, intellectually and spiritually; all the while instilling a buying experience based on Biblical principles, values and goals that is second to none.

Blessings,

Prof Mark