What Exactly is a Kingdom Business?

           The term ‘Kingdom business’ conjures up all kinds of ideas. Some imagine businesses that put gospel tracks with their invoices and checks. Others think of the original “business as mission” idea of businesses which are just really disguised mission efforts. Still others imagine the owners as overly pious people who are out of step with the real world.

           While we may all know of businesses which can be described by the concepts mentioned above, these are on the margins of the idea. A contemporary Kingdom business is something significantly different.  Here’s a definition:

           A Kingdom business is one in which the owners and leaders are mindful of God’s ownership of the business, who seeks to be guided by the Holy Spirit, attempt to live by Christian principles, and manifest Christian business practices. Let’s look at each part of this definition.

           Owners — The owners are ultimately responsible for the culture and success of the business and it is up to them to build the principals, practices and culture of a Kingdom business. It starts at the top. I have, however, come across some Kingdom businesses in which the owners remained distant, and the executive leaders were committed to building a Kingdom business.

           Mindful of God’s ownership of the business — A fundamental tenet of Christianity is that God owns everything, and we are stewards of the resources, gifts, the finances, customers and relationships he has leant to us.  This idea impacts everything as every decision is a reaction to this question, “What does God want us to do in this situation?”

           Seeks to be guided by the Holy Spirit — A kingdom business seeks the Holy Spirit’s guiding in the big as well as the day-to-day practices and transactions which occupy the business.

           Attempts to live by Christian principles — The leaders in a Kingdom company seek to gain an ever-growing understanding of Christian principles like integrity, fairness, honesty, etc. and build a culture within the business which is guided by them.

           Characterized by Christian business practices. — It is not enough to be committed to Christian business principles. Kingdom businesses proactively attempt to build Christian business practices into their routines.  Practices such as committed prayer, institutional Bible study, etc.  become a part of the routines of the business.

           Finally, the movers and shakers in a Kingdom business understand that, like the spiritual journey of an individual, every Kingdom business is on a journey to more fully exemplify Christ’s presence in the marketplace.  It seeks excellence in the marketplace and growing influence for the Kingdom and understands that there is always more growth ahead.

           Consider our Kingdom Business Self-Assessment, a Free download that guides you through a short examination of the ranking of your business on Kingdom business spectrum.  Click here