This document discusses the concept of Business as Mission (BAM) and leading organizations according to biblical principles. It advocates leading with a God-given vision, humility and love as exemplified by Jesus, listening to others as God listens, considering the broader systemic context, and ultimately leading to glorify God and love others. Key aspects of BAM-aligned leadership discussed include casting an inspiring vision, serving others humbly, mentoring employees, and structuring the organization non-hierarchically so all can fulfill their roles and serve customers effectively.

1. Business as Mission – BAM
…(Worship@Work)
Leading an Organization?
Do it the only way that’s sustainable and
delivers results the right way…
Lead Like Jesus!

2. BAM
● Lead with a Vision
● Lead with Love and Humility
● Lead by Listening
● Lead in Context- God’s context
● As leaders we have an honored position for people and
thus an obligation to God.

3. BAM – Lead with a Vision
● Proverbs 29:18a-
“Where there is no prophecy (vision), the people cast off restraint,”
Prophets were told to cast a God-honored vision and then lead!
● John 10:27-
“My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.”
Jesus – God Himself -- told people where He wanted them to go
(vision) and they followed Him.

4. BAM - Visions
● JFK & NASA- …we will put a man on the moon in 10 years…
● Komatsu- “Encircle Caterpillar”
● Ford- “Quality is Job ‘1’”
● Nike- “Just Do It!”
● Frito-Lay- “Have a salty snack within arm’s reach of every man,
woman, and child on earth”
● Imperial Sugar…

5. BAM – Vision Source
What’s the source of your action?
History Action

6. BAM – Vision Source
What’s the source of your action?
What does action and leadership look like when it
comes from a vision?
History Action Vision

7. BAM – Vision Source
What’s the source of your action?
How about: … “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is
in heaven” Matt. 6:10
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…” Rev. 21
History Action Vision

8. BAM – Lead with Love & Humility
● Proverbs 25:6-7
“Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence, or stand in the
place of the great; for it is better to be told, ‘Come up here,’ than to be
put lower in the presence of a noble.”
● Matthew 23:11-12
“The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt
themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be
exalted.”
● Mark 10:45
“For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give
his life a ransom for many.”
● Galatians 6:2-3
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law
of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they
deceive themselves.”

9. BAM – Lead with Love & Humility
The Creator revealed Himself to us as a humiliated
and suffering man, in death by murder/crucifixion,
forgiving the very people who did so as He died.
Luke 23:34

10. BAM - Mentorship
Imagine your favorite mentor, coach, teacher, or
leader…
What were they like…for you?

11. BAM - Mentorship
Imagine your favorite mentor, coach, or leader…
● cared for you unselfishly
● developed you in your areas of interest
● saw more in you than you did in yourself
● was lovingly ruthless, honest, and challenging
● loved you (whether you knew it or not)
● coached you to do the same for others

12. BAM – Your Leadership
● Are you committed to your people?

13. BAM – Your Leadership
● Are you committed to your people?
● Would “they” say you are?
(how self-aware are you?)
…..mechanics!

14. BAM – Model of Leadership
HUMILITY
Strengths Human frailty
& Gifts & vulnerability
(God-given)

15. BAM – Lead by Listening
…listening for Christ in Everyone
● Hear with His ears and see with His eyes.
● Genesis 1:26-27
God created humankind in His image.
● Proverbs 8:34
“Happy is the one who listens to me” (God’s wisdom)
● Matt. 10:16
“See I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves…”
● Romans 2:14-15
God has already touched people ahead of us.

16. BAM – How do we listen?
Think of someone you lead or work with today…
Can you predict: what they will say?
how they will decide?

17. BAM – How do we listen?
Think of someone you lead or work with today…
Can you predict: what they will say?
how they will decide?
Already listening!

18. BAM – Listening for God/ on His behalf
Listening for possibility
Listening generously
Psalm 94:9
“He who planted the ear, does He not hear?”
God hears everything we say and think, how are
we doing at listening to Him/for Him?
….John

19. BAM – Lead with God’s Context
● God’s context and perspective considers the whole
system.
● Systems thinking and perspective:
● Romans 12:4-8
“For as in one body we have many members, and
not all the members have the same function, so
we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and
individually we are members, one of another.”

20. BAM – Lead with God’s Context
● 1 Corinthians 12:14ff
The body consists of many members and God
has arranged it so that those who need more care
are given it, those who do not provide it. If one
suffers, all suffer.
● Ephesians 2:21
“In Him the whole structure is joined together
and grows into a holy temple in the Lord…”

21. BAM – Lead with God’s Context
● An organization, like our workplaces, is:
“a network of conversations” = relationships.
Now…what does our network look like?

22. BAM – God’s System
Are we hierarchal and pyramidal/ top down?
-Layers are barriers to
communication & relationships.
-How do people see how
they fit?
What does this structure say about how we think about
people?

23. BAM – God’s System?

24. BAM – God’s System!
W. Edwards Deming & Walter Shewhart circa 1950’s

25. BAM – God’s System
Do we give all employees a “line of site” to the customer?
Customer
This a “systems” organization.
Everyone has access and visibility to how their gifts and skills fit in and make a difference. This
organization gives everyone a chance to be engaged.
Management needs to figure out what they do to add value.
…..moments of truth- Bank of Montreal
Suppliers Manufacturing Distribution Sales & Marketing

26. Bam – Leadership: Let’s sum up
As Leaders and Business people we have a God-given privilege
and obligation.
● Lead with a vision : invite your people to see where they’re
going and how they fit in.
● Lead with the love & humility of Christ:
“management’s job is to be worthy of its people” (Mike Walsh)
● Lead by listening : open the full potential of your people –
God’s people.
● Lead with context & perspective: “all in” teamwork and joy at
work.

27. BAM – and…
When people ask you why, tell them…
Because Jesus told us to love God with all we have,
and to love others as ourselves.
Mark 12:28-31
…and remember, regardless of the person, including their
faith, Christ is already there waiting for your leadership!

28. About
Presentation given June 24, 2015 by Duffy Smith at
UNITE’s Faith @ Work Speaker Series at Northeastern
Seminary in Williamsville, NY.
Duffy Smith is a partner at Summer Street Capital, CEO
of Belmont Meat Products and consultant at Duffy
Smith & Associates.
UNITE is a collective impact organization advancing the
cause of Christ. UNITE functions as a chamber of
commerce for Christian leaders. Join us.