As the founder of Christian Women Business Builders Community and a business coach for Christian Entrepreneurs wanting to harness the power of community in their businesses, I get asked fairly often how other business owners can share their faith in their business without scaring people off. In the article below, I’m going to share a way of identifying what type of business you are and how to optimize that position to share your faith in your business in real and meaningful ways.
Identify Your Business Type
The Lord revealed to me that there are three different types of business models when speaking directly about our role in the Kingdom here on Earth. Identifying and embracing our business type is essential to stepping fully into the role we are supposed to play in inviting others into the Kingdom.
The scripture I was given concerning this topic was Matthew 5:14-16:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
From this scripture I felt the Lord reveal that ALL believers in business play an important role in that city shining on a hill, but it is important to realize that all of the lights in that city do not have the same role nor do they serve the same people. We must discover what type of light we are called to be in order to show up, shine bright, and do our roles effectively!
3 Different Types of Light:
Type 1: The Lamp Post
The first type of light is a Christian in business and who runs their business on Biblical principles, but doesn’t mention their faith directly or target other believers specifically.
This type of light is like a Lamp Post as it is intended to be light for all! No one is excluded from its service and it betters the world by bringing light to dark places. No one questions where its power comes from or who is paying to keep it on, but they appreciate it’s goodness, protection, and visibility it brings to all in its path.
Ways to Maximize Impact:
1) Be consistent– A lamp post that turns off and on or only comes on when it feels like it is not very useful to anyone. As a believer in business, even if you don’t advertise your faith, you must be consistent in your walk with integrity, honesty, and kindness.
2) Shine Brightly– Your light shining brightly is what attracts others to you! Don’t be afraid to do things differently from the rest of the world. The world needs more believers showing up, engaging with the lost, and shining their light into the dark places!
3) Always Give Credit to the Source!– When people ask you what makes you and your company different (and if you’re shining brightly, they WILL ask!), be sure to have an answer ready that points back to the Lord and his good news.
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16
Type 2: The Lighthouse
The second type of light is where a lot of the businesses I work with fall. In this type of business you are a Christian and do not just serve other believers, but you do talk fairly openly about your faith, reference it in your work, and are conscious about shining a bright light for the world.
This type of business is like a Light House. You provide light to all, but you serve as a bright beacon for few. You don’t save your light for only believers, everyone can see you, but you are there to serve as a beacon of hope for others and you offer a safe place for those who need it.
Ways to Maximize Impact:
1) Be clear on who you can serve best– Just as light houses cast their light for all to see, but are specifically designed to serve boats on the sea, you must know who you are specifically designed to serve. None of us can serve everyone! Lean into discovering who you are best designed to serve and get out there and attract them with your bright light!
2) Don’t be afraid to speak about your faith in a way that points to Jesus, his truth, his love, and not your own opinions on hot topics. If a lighthouse didn’t shine brightly it would be useless to everyone! We MUST guard our mouths as believers in the marketplace. The lighthouse leads and guides those who are looking for safety and as such, we must be aware that our words and opinions are being looked to as a safe path for those we serve. Be careful of your words.
3) Be a Beacon for those who need you. Show up consistently, offer hope, offer prayer, be a safe landing place, and lead people home.
Psalm 46:1-“God is our refuge and our strength. A very present help in times of trouble.”
Type 3: The Church Steeple
The third type of light is the role I have been called to fulfill and it is a role that you may be called to serve in at some point in your life/business as well. In this role you are a a believer in business and you serve predominantly other believers (in business or otherwise).
This type of light is a Church Steeple or Sanctuary. You are to be lit up as a beacon of welcome, comfort, and community for others in the faith family. You are open to all, but optimized to serve the body of Christ, to equip others to go out and serve and to invite the lost in to experience the love of Christ in a safe and welcoming environment.
Ways to Maximize Impact:
1) Stand strong– Anytime you publicly announce your beliefs (religious or otherwise) you are making a stand. That opens you up to those who believe differently and as a believer specifically, attacks from the Devil and his forces. Be aware. Be prepared. Stand strong.
2) Be courageous– Fear. A four letter word with a lot of power behind it if we let it. We are commanded over 300 times in scripture to stand firm, to not fear, to be strong and courageous. It is a choice and a discipline that we must mature!
Joshua 1:9-11
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:10-13
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
3) Don’t dim your light. The world needs to see you shine! The world needs to see Christians shining brightly in the marketplace! You have an important role to fill so go and do it well!
To Listen to the Christian Women Business Builders Podcast episode on how you can share your faith in your business, you can check it out HERE.
In wrapping up today I encourage you to take some time to dig deeper into your role in the city on a hill by spending time in prayer and in scripture.
If you are looking for support on your business journey, I invite you to join with a body of believers over 1200 strong in our CWBB FB group and check out ways to go even deeper in our private membership communities.
