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.

Matthew 4.4,17,19 describes, He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God….’From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand….” And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. LSB. 

This chapter contains a simple summary of the practical Christian life. In all things, we are to mimic Jesus and obey His teachings. From this chapter, we discover first that the Word of God is to be more precious to us than life-sustaining food. Is that true of our lives? Do we have a ‘no bible, no breakfast’ discipline for our lives? Are we spending ample time with God through reading and studying Scripture?

As we understand God and what He requires of us, we should be characterized by personal repentance and humility. God’s ways are not our ways. We need to become more like Jesus in thought, word, and deed. I can’t make it an hour without repenting of my sins. This should not burden us, but it should sober us to our need for a Savior and the complete holiness of God.

Finally, our purpose on earth until the Lord returns or He takes us home is to help people come to know Jesus as Savior. Our mission is the Great Commission, and we must engage it if we would be faithful servants of God. God desires all men saved, and we are His means for accomplishing that purpose through testifying from our own lives of God’s love, wisdom, and future for all who love Him.

Read the Bible, do what it says, share it with others. These things will make us holy and fruitful as children of God, causing Him to be well pleased with us upon our arrival before Him when He rewards all those who obeyed Him.

Our Opportunities

Meet other Christian businessmen in Lansing on October 11th to be encouraged in living out our faith in the marketplace. We meet from 7.30-8.30am at Alaiedon Collective. Register here, the event is FREE. 

Share the gospel with the men in your marketplace at the CBMC luncheon November 2nd. Learn more and register here 

Under 40? Join CBMC to learn more about being a Christian businessman with other young men on November 2nd. More information and registration here 

This election pits life against death. Don’t be ignorant of the issue. Check out more information on Proposal 3here. If the party supporting this proposal takes over our state government, then defeating it will still result in its implementation. 

You can partner with us here: https://give.idonate.com/cbmc-inc/lansing

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

October 10, 2022

Consider Using The Phrase, So That….

by Jim Langley 

Recently, I met with a small group of local writers and was introduced to a phrase that seems worthy of using in many settings. Imagine carrying on a conversation with someone who has just expressed their mission statement and you simply respond with, “so that…?” Then, patiently wait for them to give a much deeper explanation of the motives behind their stated mission and purpose.

Writer Russell Bishop has used this technique for the past 40 years. He has mentored and coached countless people with this salient question to challenge them to consider how they can better run their business enterprises. Bishop is known internationally for his work with corporate and group clients, and I regard him one of the wisest and kindest individuals I have met. 

I would like to challenge you to consider this phrase, “so that,” for your own personal growth, as well as your interactions with others. 

Whether you are a businessowner or just want to improve your awareness of how you can help in making this world a better place, I believe this short phrase can be pivotal for your life. I am amazed at how often the phrase “so that” has conveniently come to my mind since being introduced to this concept. Here are some examples: 

Playing golf ‘so that….’ Golf has been one of my favorite pastimes for nearly 60 years. There was a time when I was pretty good at the game, but these days I can easily become disappointed with my overall game. Now I am planning to increase my workouts and occasionally even practice – “so that” I can enjoy the game even more. Also, I plan to lower my expectations – “so that” I can be more relaxed and at ease on the golf course. These days I intend for my golf outings to be a nice walk in the park. 

Going to work ‘so that….’ For the past 39 years I have diligently worked in the financial services industry with the same major company. There have been many challenging times, yet I remain committed to my clients. Why? “So that” they will be served in a proper way to protect them and their loved ones in the future. I have known this for years, but it is good to verbalize why we do what we do, to better understand our underlying motives in our work. For me, a specific Bible verse relates to this directly. In Colossians 3:17, the apostle Paul exhorted his readers, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 

Serving others ‘so that….’I have concluded the best way to demonstrate my love for the Lord is through my relationship with others. In other words, I need to serve the needs of my clients so that my Heavenly Father will be pleased as I place others before my own needs and desires. Pleasing God is now the most important goal in my life. Consider these words Paul declares in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” He was sold out to Jesus Christ – he focused everything he did “so that” he would honor the Lord. 

Let me close with this thought: Two thousand years ago, God sent His only Son to earth. Jesus Christ, the God Man, spent approximately 33 years on this earth for the singular purpose of dying on a cross for our sins, then to be buried and resurrected so that we might be able to be brought into fellowship with God and experience eternal life! Receiving Christ into our lives, as John 1:12 describes it, amounts to a simple transaction of faith. But once we have done this, it can revolutionize every time we think about whatever we are doing and then consider why – “so that…?” 

© 2022, all rights reserved. Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his relationship with God. His goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. A long-time member of CBMC, he started writing “Fourth Quarter Strategies” in 2014.

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

MONDAY MANNA

A service to the business community

A Publication of CBMC International

October 10, 2022 

Reflection/Discussion Questions 

  1. Have you ever considered stating exactly what you believe is your personal or vocational mission statement (or purpose statement)? If not, this would be a very beneficial exercise. Why do you do what you do? 
  1. Once you have articulated a mission statement, how would you expand upon it by responding to the phrase, “so that…”? 
  1. Consider your favorite pastime, a hobby or activity you enjoy. Other than consuming some of your free time, you do it “so that” what? 
  1. Do you think applying the phrase, “so that,” to plans, goals and aspirations is excessive? Should we be able to express why we determine to do things, the motives behind what we are doing? Why or why not? 

NOTE: For more about what the Bible says about this topic, consider the following passages: Job 42:1-5; Isaiah 55:10-11; John 1:12; Ephesians 1:7-10; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 3:23-25 

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

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