Our Mission

To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men and to develop Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission. 

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.” 2 Peter 1:10-11 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/2pe.1.11.CSB 

So many believers in America. Almost 70% say they believe in the Christian God, but so few disciples, the goal of our repentance and faith in Jesus. The devil believes and will be condemned for his disobedience. Peter encourages the church to confirm their calling and election, their belief or salvation in Christ. By confirming their salvation before God and men on earth, they will guarantee before God and men their life eternal in the kingdom of God. What would confirmation look like? Three things internally and five externally will make our confirmation sure to God and men. 

Internally, we must saturate our hearts and minds daily with God’s word to know Him and His ways and obey them. Then we must pray this word into existence, for it is the will of God for us and His world. Finally, we must meet with others doing the same to confess our sins and encourage and build up one another in perseverance and good works until Jesus returns or we return to Him. Externally, we must identify ourselves with Jesus. A bracelet, a chain, a picture in our office, something that reveals our faith in Jesus. This will encourage the saved, cause the seeker to inquire, and disclose the hater of God who will persecute us for righteousness sake, increasing our eternal reward. 

We must pray for people to know Jesus. Our prayers will increase our witness to them and open them to the Spirit of God for salvation. We must connect to these people through love, service, and good deeds. There is no impact without contact. Jesus is in the people business, so His people must duplicate His life of seeking and saving the lost. In this relationship, we must share the gospel. Faith comes by hearing the word of God, for the gospel is the power of salvation for everyone who believes. We must tell others about Jesus. We must disciple those who receive this message by teaching obedience to everything Jesus has commanded. 

This is the purpose of our lives and why the church is on earth: to make disciples by teaching obedience to everything Jesus commanded us. If we do these things repeatedly and daily, we will confirm our salvation before God and men and receive a servant’s welcome into the kingdom of God. 

Our Opportunities 

1. CBMC National Men's Conference October 3-5 in St. Louis, MO. Plan to join and meet new brothers who love the Lord and serve Him in the marketplace across America. Mark your calendar busy for those dates, and then register here. Also, plan to join the bus from Michigan to attend this event. For an additional $200, we will ride in comfort with the men from Michigan to St. Louis. A great adventure awaits. I hope you will join us.
2. Join CBMC men for prayer and Bible study every Friday morning 8-9am at Panera Frandor 

CBMC Central Michigan 4407 W. St. Joe Hwy. Lansing 48917 / 517 481 5996 www.lansing.cbmc.com 

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

August 12, 2024

The Art Of Unconventional Leadership 

By Rick Boxx 

Leadership. There are many perspectives on what a conventional leader looks like, but years of experience have taught me that if we are serious about living out our faith in today’s marketplace, what is required is unconventional leadership. Here are some examples: 

1)      Unconventional priorities. A boss once asked me to sign off on certain legal documents that were illegally modified so our company could collect more money from a customer. For a moment, out of fear of losing my job, I begrudgingly accepted my boss’ demand. But then, God’s Spirit reminded me that He sees everything, and my loyalty should be to God first.  

Even at the risk of losing my job, I told my boss I would not honor his request. He was not happy but respected my stand and never asked me to do anything unethical again. 

An Unconventional Leader learns and believes that loyalty to God first, can result in God’s favor and wisdom. Proverbs 21:21 teaches, “One who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness, and honor.”  

2)      Unconventional respect. In the workplace conflict is inevitable. I have worked in places where leaders raged in anger at others to handle conflict, while others became passive aggressive, never sharing their feelings truthfully. But I have also experienced leaders who have handled conflict well. It usually begins with their mindset and humble heart.  

These talented leaders begin with the desire to value, appreciate, and respect the other parties involved, first. Then, these leaders determine what truths need to be shared. Finally, they consider how to deliver that truth clearly, but in love.  

An Unconventional Leader believes appreciating and respecting others in truth and love delivers a greater impact. In Ephesians 4:15, the apostle Paul wrote, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”   

3) Unconventional purpose. When you ask entrepreneurs why they started their businesses, most will say it was to make money. That’s not why Ryan Fee started Camel Culture. While volunteering at a refugee settlement, he and his wife learned what Somali refugees miss the most about their homeland are their camels and their camel’s milk. Out of compassion for these refugees, the Fees started a business of selling camel’s milk to them. The Fees were surprised by the great demand for their product. 

An Unconventional Leader believes that approaching business with a higher purpose in mind results in far more than just profits. Jesus Christ taught, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). 

There are other examples I could cite, including people who have endured great opposition due to their spiritual convictions. These Unconventional Leaders believe resolve, courage, and a high view of ethics are required to stand against a corrupt and immoral world. They understand what Proverbs 10:9 teaches: “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked with be found out.” 

Copyright 2024, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments.” Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community. 

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

August 12, 2024

Reflection/Discussion Questions 

1. If you were to describe the most common approach to business leadership that you have observed, what would that be?
2. From your understanding, is there a significant difference between how the Bible presents leadership and how leadership is typically practiced in the everyday workplace? Explain your answer.
3. What are some of the challenges in attempting to live out biblical principles of leadership in the 21st century workplace?
4. From a practical perspective, what does it mean to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”?
5. In the next part of that verse, Jesus Christ said, “and all these things will be added to you.” Does this mean if we hold unwavering to biblical principles, success is guaranteed? Why or why not? 

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:Daniel 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Colossians 3;23-24; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

Challenge for This Week 

This week might be a good time for some personal soul-searching. Can you think of a time – or times – when you took a stand for what you knew was right, even knowing you might face negative ramifications as a result? It is said it is best to determine in advance how to respond when confronted with a compromising situation, rather than waiting until a crisis arises and then deciding what to do. Set aside some time this week to meet and pray with a trusted friend (or friends) for the courage to remain true to your faith and biblical principles when difficult circumstances arise. 

CBMC Central Michigan 4407 W. St. Joe Hwy. Lansing 48917 / 517 481 5996  lansing.cbmc.com