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DOING BUSINESS GOD’S WAY

Men of Grace Spiritual Growth Point

MAY2010

DISCUSSION: The C12 group is about leading profitable Christian companies.  Our vocational calling takes up most of our waking hours.  Thus, how we conduct our business defines much of who we are and our impact on those around us.  If you are a Christian but find yourself torn between your business and your faith, if you sense a shift in your behavior from Sunday to Monday, if you are hoping to serve the Lord within your vocational talent and if you desire a life-work balance that reflects Biblical priorities, then, you may want to look into the C12 group.

The C12 group is a leading resource for Christian business owners and CEOs.  Buck Jacobs founded the C12 group in 1992.  Mr. Jacobs, a long-time senior business executive spent the previous decade pursuing the Lord’s purpose in the marketplace.  C12 began as three groups of 12 Christian business CEOs/Owners meeting once per month in central Florida with its primary focus in the Tampa Bay metro area.  In the following years, favorably impressed C12 friends and alumni helped to extend C12’s reach via ‘word of mouth’, sharing of the discernable positive impact that accompanies C12 membership.  As other members bought or sold businesses, or relocated to other areas of the country, other business leaders began to inquire about C12.

Today, C12 exists in numerous markets across America and has been a source of blessing and life-enhancement to several hundred CEOs/Owners and thousands of employees, customers and suppliers, many of whom have come to the Lord after having been touched by C12 member companies in ways which share a bit of God’s provision and purpose.  These companies range from small-to-midsized family businesses to large publicly traded corporations. 

The three main aspects of the C12 group that contribute to its success appear to be:

1)     A trusted peer board that you as a Christian business owner join.  This enables you to benefit from the wisdom and insight of other Christian business owners who help “keep you focused and accountable to the principles and core values that guide your life.”

2)     A structured business curriculum that guides monthly meetings where members discuss best-practice business topics through a “Bible-centered lens.” While the primary C12 meeting is limited to Christian business owners and CEOs, you can mentor your own staff using C12 materials and involve your upper management in the C12 process to an extent that fits your company.

3)     One-on-one coaching sessions with the C12 Area Chair that allows you to “press into specific issues in life and business.”

How successful are C12 led companies?  When compared to American Blue Chip Companies over the period 1995-2005 (350 companies), long-term C12 members (16 who had been in C12 starting in 1992 for10 years or more), there is evidence that leading business according to biblical principles “…is quite compatible with achieving topnotch performance according to the world’s pure business metrics!”  During the comparative period, the Blue Chip companies experienced a revenue growth of 4.2% and a profit growth of 8.5%.  Meanwhile, C12 member lead companies achieved a revenue growth of 15.2% and an impressive profit growth of 22.1%.

According to Mr. Jacobs, “C12 hopes to serve those the Lord has already called to lead their life, including their Christian businesses, for His purposes.  We are not attempting to ‘sell’ you anything; rather we hope to come alongside those that the Holy Spirit has already prepared to pursue Christian business leadership development which integrates excellence and Kingdom impact.” 

A recent (early April) visit to the C12 group website revealed that the closest C12 Area groups could be found in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Roanoke, Virginia.  Unfortunately, there were no Maryland listings.  Then again, that may serve as motivation for involvement by COG members!

SPIRITUAL GROWTH POINT:  What does the Bible say about this topic?

“Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.”  Proverbs 20:18

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”  Proverbs 27:17

“But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business?”  Matthew 22:5

“…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say”  Luke 12:12

“Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:2

What do you think about this topic?  Please send your thoughts to the Men of Grace at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This Spiritual Growth Point is brought to you by the Men of Grace and was compiled and reviewed by the Spiritual Growth Committee consisting of Jim Beachley, Brian Repp, Paul Tucker and Eric Rosenlof.