God's network: How Christian business owners help each other get rich and go to heaven

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Many entrepreneurs start companies to get rich. Some want to be famous. Others just can't work for anyone else. Bart Azzarelli, 57, launched his Florida pipeline-construction company because, he says, God told him to.

Azzarelli's organizational chart shows God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit at the helm of Dallas1 Construction & Development (http://www.d1cd.com), a Tampa-based business that grossed $27 million last year. The title on his business card is ambassador for Christ.

"I decided that if God was instilling in my heart to start a business, then it would be God's business," he says.

To run a thriving business according to Christian principles, as Azzarelli tries to do, is like coaxing the lion to lie down with the lamb. When is it acceptable to lay off workers? How much of a company's profit is a Christian entrepreneur justified in keeping for himself?

In an effort to answer such questions, Azzarelli joined his local chapter of C12 (http://www.c12group.com), a national for-profit company that brings business leaders of mostly private companies to monthly meetings where Bible study blends with business coaching and networking.

[...]

C12's goal is to help members embrace an uncomfortable concept: a Christian entrepreneur doesn't actually own his own business. Instead, God owns the company and places the entrepreneur in charge as a ministry to help others.

From a legal perspective, though, Dallas1 belongs to Azzarelli, not God. So what does it mean, exactly, to say that God owns Dallas1?

For Azzarelli, it means that God actually makes key management decisions at the company. He says God told him in 2000 to launch a new pipeline-construction company in Charlotte. Azzarelli obeyed, but the new venture did not prosper.

[...]

A few years ago, when Dallas1 lost money, Azzarelli borrowed to pay bonuses. The company spends 30% of its annual profits on charities, community organizations, Bible purchases, and the like.

Employees who have trouble paying a bill can ask for help from the Jesus Helping Hands pot, into which employees voluntarily kick in weekly amounts, from $1 up. None of the money has to be repaid.

C12 members say being a steward of a company is their most important duty, even if it means laying off workers during a downturn. Azzarelli had to lay off half of his 35 employees in 1993 -- one of the hardest decisions he's ever made.

Still, he says, "it would not have honored God to keep them on and lose money and then lose the company."

[...]

The members of C12 do not expect to resolve all the conflicts inherent in Christian commerce. But Christianity does bond them together and helps them integrate their values and their work. It's not easy to reconcile the lion and the lamb, but these guys are trying their hardest.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/01/magazines/fsb/c12/

[pax 0]

I kind of feel like AS posted this in jest. But when I read the article...well, maybe I'm feeling a bit Pollyanna-ish just now, but I thought it was actually nice to read about an organization that actually seems to care about running an ethical business that supports its employees. I think it's good that there are business owners who will actually stop to ask themselves if layoffs will truly be a good thing in the long run, if one's business actions are compatible with one's faith life...

Sure, it's easy to poke fun at someone who claims that God owns his business. But, hell, at least he's trying to be an ethical business owner. And 30% is a pretty huge chunk of profit to just give away. I thought it was a thought-provoking story.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Nope, no jest. The company does sound like a company I wouldn't mind working for.

[pax 0]

Okay, cool.

[almaty 19]

sounds interesting....i know some folks in my local town a pumbling and construction outfit , who both have did very well advertising a cross in their yellow page ad...

[pax 0]

I suppose the question of "advertising" one's faith is a little different. I might be suspicious of anyone who seemed to be using his or her faith to drive up business...but, then again, I can also see situations wherein it might be entirely appropriate.

Anyway, the business world could definitely do with some ethical reflection, so again to this dude and his colleagues.

[ace13 0]

I agree I would work with this business.

[almaty 19]

i am from the south orginally and it is used to focused their faith as honest in business..i do not think a business would do as well, if they had the star of david or a moon and star

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Anyway, the business world could definitely do with some ethical reflection, so again to this dude and his colleagues.

AMEN!

[pax 0]

i am from the south orginally and it is used to focused their faith as honest in business..i do not think a business would do as well, if they had the star of david or a moon and star

That might, unfortunately, be true. I guess I'm not thinking so much of, say, a plumber who advertises himself as a "Christian plumber"--I don't think my plumber needs to be Christian, or of any particular faith at all, to fix my leaky pipe. But in certain professions, it might well be appropriate and useful to "advertise" one's faith--I'm thinking of health and educational professions in particular.

[Sister Fracas 5]

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

????

[kc456 0]

Nope, no jest. The company does sound like a company I wouldn't mind working for.

Huh, and have mandatory prayer and bible meetings?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Nope, no jest. The company does sound like a company I wouldn't mind working for.

Huh, and have mandatory prayer and bible meetings?

Sure, whatever.

[rclouse 0]

Bart Azzarelli, 57, launched his Florida pipeline-construction company because, he says, God told him to.

I'm sure God told him he needed a Mercedes S-class and a trophy wife as well.