Every Sunday we walk into church surrounded by familiar faces. We worship together, say hello in the hallway, serve alongside one another, and spend time with people we've known for years.
But like most communities, there are a smaller number of people we actually have longer conversations with. They're the ones who probably know where we work, what we do, and maybe even know about the business we've built.
For everyone else, they may know your name and recognize your face. They might even have a general idea of what you do. But would they know that you own a business and that the service they're looking for is something you provide?
Someone sitting across the sanctuary could need exactly what your business offers next week and never think to call you. Not because they wouldn't want to support you, but simply because they didn't know.
And what's the alternative? Walking around church introducing yourself by your business name or turning conversations into sales pitches? That's probably uncomfortable for you and everyone else.
You shouldn't have to sell to your church just to make your business known to the Church.
Church Isn't a Sales Floor
Now, I'm certainly not suggesting we start passing out business cards between Sunday school and worship.
Church isn't a sales floor, and our relationships with one another shouldn't depend on whether somebody might become a customer.
But there's a big difference between trying to sell something to everyone at church and simply letting people know what you do.
If you've spent years developing a skill or building a business that meets a real need, there's nothing wrong with letting your community know you're there when they need you.
Think about how often we already do this naturally. Someone mentions that they need some work done on their car and somebody says, "You should call this person. He does that." We recommend people we know because there's already a relationship there. We go to church with them. We trust them.
Of course, our community shouldn’t stop with the people sitting next to us in the pew on Sunday morning.
Our Christian family is throughout our communities. We may attend different churches and never meet one another, but we're still called to be a light in the world around us and to make a difference through the way we live, work, and treat people.
Our businesses can be part of that.
A Christian electrician is still there to fix an electrical problem. An accountant still has taxes to prepare. But the way we conduct that work—the honesty we bring to it, the way we treat people, and the responsibility we take for what we do—can reflect what we believe.
And from the other side, sometimes you simply want to know there's a Christian business in your community you can call. Someone who openly shares your faith, understands the values that matter to you, and runs a company you feel you can trust.
The trouble is finding them.
You may have a Christian accountant three miles away and never know it. The same could be true of the plumber, contractor, insurance agent, hairstylist, or business you need next week.
We can't support one another if we don't know each other is there.
There's something else about putting your faith out there alongside your business name: people know what you stand for.
Calling yourself a Christian business doesn't mean you're claiming to be perfect. You're going to make mistakes. Every business does.
But you're willing to say that your faith matters in your work and that the way you conduct your business should reflect it.That you can be trusted.
No Christians should only do business with other Christians, but there's value in supporting the people within our own communities when we have the opportunity. People feel safe looking for a business they know are Christian because they know they have the same morals.
Making the Connection a Little Easier
Your own congregation might know your face and, hopefully after reading this, they'll know what you do too. But what about the Christian family across town? They don't know your face. They may not even know your church.
Being visible within the Christian community simply makes it easier for others to know you're there when they need what you provide. At the same time, it gives Christians a place to find those businesses when the need comes up.
That's good for the business owner, but it's also good for the person searching.
Your church may know your face. Let them know how you can serve them, too.
And don't forget that your church is bigger than the building you walk into every Sunday. We have brothers and sisters throughout our community who may be looking for exactly what you provide.
Making yourself known isn't just about finding another customer. Sometimes it's simply about making sure that when someone needs what you do, they know they have someone to call.
