Articles by Ernest F. Parrish

Here are the next two qualities I’ve observed that are present in Christian business owners.

As a corporate chaplain, I’ve walked through numerous businesses over the past 35 years. The foundation I’m coming from is the experience of interacting with business owners, observing how these owners operated their businesses, and involving their employees.

Jesus modeled four things when He lived on the earth that allowed Him to impact other people’s lives. I call them the Four B’s of Transformation.

I would never presume that I have all the answers to life’s toughest issues, even though I see many of them as I walk through businesses every day as a corporate chaplain. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah‬ 55:9‬, New International Version‬‬)

Recently, I became aware of the most remarkable world-changing church! The pastor and staff possess more influence, leadership skills, and far-reaching impact than I thought humanly possible, coming from this small 350-member church in the Midwest.

It was August 1983, right after Penn Square Bank fell in late 1982, and we were in the midst of a full-blown financial depression in Oklahoma. Money was scarce. Banks and savings and loans we’re closing daily. We were experiencing the worst financial collapse in Oklahoma’s history. The oil boom had just gone bust. People’s tithe the year before was now more than their entire income. I witnessed the weekly income of the church we attended drop over 50% in 90 days, and we hadn’t lost a single family.

You love God. You’re active in your local church and frankly touch many, many lives because of the business platform God has placed in your hands. Your desire is to maximize your platform without being too aggressive, resulting in offending those associated with your business.