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.

“For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve came to me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar, and God has graciously granted you the safety of all who are sailing with you.’ Therefore keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be just as I have been told.” Acts 27:23-25 NET https://bible.com/bible/107/act.27.23-25.NET

Paul identified himself as a servant of God, a possession of the One True God. In an age of identity confusion, Christians identifying themselves as the property of Jesus to do His will would change the world as Paul changed his world. We are very self-centered in our culture. Everyone is encouraged to do what is right in their own eyes. Jesus says His disciples must deny themselves, die to themselves, and do His will.

Paul later clarifies that the blood of Jesus was His payment for our lives so that we might live forever with God in His eternal kingdom, justified from all the disobedience we have ever done. Christians are not their own. They belong to Jesus. We fear making this identity statement in our hostile marketplace. We love money more than God, for we are not willing to risk our jobs to make known our Christian values or the Christ we serve.

We fear men more than God. The result is a culture increasingly hostile to Jesus and His ways. Our cowardice doesn’t make us better but weaker. We need courage, courage to believe that God’s word is accurate. He will prevail and be present with us despite what evil men do to us when we identify with Him and seek His will. Today the worst that can happen to an American Christian is losing their job.

Tomorrow could be our lives unless we rise up, share the gospel, and disciple to obedience the saved until we all are no longer ashamed of Jesus, walking instead in obedience to everything He has commanded.

Our Opportunities 

1. Final Special Luncheon is scheduled for October 3. This is your easiest opportunity to share the gospel with men in your sphere of influence. Commit to attending by purchasing your tickets today, then pray for men and invite them to attend with you to discover why a successful businessman believes in and follows Jesus. Go here for more information and to register.
   
   
2. Business Owners, don't miss your opportunity to learn more about how CBMC helps you through our Trusted Advisor Forums. These closed, monthly meetings help Christian business leaders craft strategies to handle tough issues with employees, customers, vendors, and competitors that incorporate best-in-business principles integrated with a Christian worldview. An informational meeting will be held on August 23rd from 8-9 am at Taste Coffee in Okemos. Email me if you are interested in attending this event. 

1. 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 14, 2023 

Your ‘Brand’ Is A Reflection Of Who You Are

By Robert J. Tamasy 

Perhaps more than ever before, businesses face great pressure to establish their “brands.” We hear much about “brand identity” and product recognition, the importance of creating ever-increasing visibility for products and services, all with the goals of increasing sales and strengthening market share. 

It can be a tricky challenge, especially when consumers are presented with a wide variety of choices. Whether it is selling automobiles and trucks, athletic shoes, canned foods, household goods, personal hygiene items or restaurants, the question is how to make our products or services stand out as the best option? 

We can utilize slick websites, strong social media presence, business cards, email, and regular mail brochures to increase awareness. Distinctive logos and trademarks can help, but the question remains: How do we separate ourselves, in a positive way, from our competitors? 

Jay Danzie, an author and brand strategist, made an intriguing observation. In a social media post he wrote, “Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after an experience with you is your trademark, and whether others aspire to be like you is your brand.” 

Isn’t that interesting? He was saying that more than a well-designed, instantly recognizable company or product logo, a better logo is “your smile.” Business cards can be informative, but one’s personality tells the prospective customer much more. Have you ever thought of a trademark as simply the impact you have made when interacting with someone? And we can think of many popular brands, but there is no better “brand” than for others to aspire to be like us. Interestingly, the Bible speaks to each of these: 

A smile can do wonders. Have you ever thought how difficult it is to be friendly or to offer kind, encouraging words without smiling. In a world when there is no shortage of reasons for frowning, our smile – our “logo” – can make a powerful impression. “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” (Proverbs 12:25). 

The power of a positive personality. One’s personality is more than whether they are outgoing or shy, talkative, or reserved. It also involves genuine care for and interest in other people. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). 

Interactions leave lasting impacts. It is said that a “satisfied customer” is the best referral, someone who speaks favorably about a product or service and makes others want to consider it. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). 

Becoming someone worthy of other’s aspirations. One of the greatest endorsements we could ever receive is hearing someone say, “I want to be able to do business the way you do” or, “I wish I knew more people like you.” Do people aspire to be like you? “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). 

© 2023. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. 

.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

August 14, 2023

Reflection/Discussion Questions 

1. If someone were to ask you to describe your company’s brand, or your own personal brand for that matter, how would you respond?
2. What are some of the challenges businesses and individuals in the marketplace face today in creating and establishing brand identity?
3. Do you agree with the assertion that personal qualities like a pleasant, caring smile and effective personal interactions are as much a part of a brand or trademark as the graphic symbols we use to represent ourselves or our companies? Why or why not?
4. Shifting gears to considering our “brand” as followers of Jesus Christ, how are these characteristics important if we are to be effective and fruitful in our service to Him and to others? 

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 15:30, 16:13,24, 18:20, 22:11; Mark 10:42-45; Ephesians 6:5-9 

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