Your Extraordinary Value Proposition as a Marketplace Ministry

A Marketplace Ministry is a Ministry in Business. When Christian business professionals and workers accomplish their business and career goals while honoring God and faith, that’s ministry. You strive to be an example in the community and operate with integrity and authentic care for people. Marketplace Ministry brings so much to the table that people respect you even when they don’t have the same beliefs. They see your success and feel inspired. They love being around you, even when they don’t embrace your faith. You bring peace, authenticity, genuine care and an offer that leads to destiny and purpose. That’s your extraordinary value proposition as a Marketplace Ministry!

How many times have you heard the response to an unfair business decision, “It’s just business?” It makes you think, “No, that’s not right.” With a Marketplace Ministry, it’s more than “just business.” It’s God’s business! When your business honors God in how you treat people, you open the door for God to bless you, your business and others.

Yes! Grow your business and make money. But Marketplace Ministry is not just about money. It’s about purpose, influence and loving what you do. In your business and career, layoffs happen, people get fired and unwanted changes occur. When a tough decision comes (like a layoff), think about your purpose and ministry and care about how it’s done. The goal is to always leave a person encouraged about the future, even if it’s with another organization. Normally, it’s impossible to give everyone what they want. It’s not about trying to satisfy all the people with your decisions. It’s about making sure you act according to God’s Word, even in your business. Ask yourself, “If Jesus was in the room, would I make this decision?”

When you know your value, you can make a tough decision with no regrets. But your decisions should agree with your Statement of Faith. These are your non-negotiable commitments that define who you are and how you stand high above the competition.

As a person committed to bringing biblical principles into your business, you are charged with treating people with honesty and care.

Check out a few Scriptures that, when applied, demonstrate your extraordinary value:

Philippians 2:3  – “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

Philippians 2:4  – “Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”

1 Cor. 10:22 – “Even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.”

Matthew 5:44 – “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Ephesians 4:31 – “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

Want more ways to show your extraordinary value proposition as a Marketplace Ministry? Check out these Ministry in Business key strategies.

1. Show care for the community surrounding your business. Reach beyond your doors and donate to non-profits, schools, sports programs and local organizations. Buy cookies, ads and other supportive items. It’s not just about profit and how to close the next deal. Your community matters and needs to see that you care.
2. Be thoughtful when you have a layoff. Consider how you influence people personally when you let them go. Try to give a severance package and a recommendation for alternative employment. Offer thoughtful words so they can move forward positively.
3. Tell the truth when you hire someone. If you only need them for a short while, hire them for temporary contract services. If you can’t keep anyone in the position because there’s an aspect of the job that’s very difficult, tell them the truth.
4. Care for the personal struggles of your team. Genuine care is a part of your value proposition. Your team needs to know that you care about them beyond their ability to help your business or career. Some people who work with you are going through tough situations and carrying a heavy load, yet still coming to work and trying to do their assigned tasks. Many people are depressed, taking medication and trying to hold their personal life together. Look for ways to go beyond everyday business by letting people know you care about them personally. Send cards, give gifts, and show up at their family events.
5. Pay fairly and equally. This is a major concern, especially for women in the workplace. Don’t pay people more because you like them. Develop a salary system based on skill that does not discriminate.
6. Provide excellent customer service. This is the way you tell your customer, “You matter.” Excellent customer service is a must for every Marketplace Ministry.
7. Be honest and respect the customer’s interest. When assisting a customer, or selling a product, tell the truth, even if the commission is lower. Your reward will come in another form. I recall providing life insurance assistance to a beautiful lady in her late 70s. She wanted to revamp her insurance and retirement plans to reduce her overall budget. After I reviewed her accounts, it was better financially to make the reduction using the plans she already had. I would have made a nice commission if I transferred her accounts to my business, but it wasn’t the right decision. As people in Marketplace Ministry, our integrity and honesty matters more than money. Based on my recommendation, she stayed with her current company and gave me several referrals.
8. Treat everyone at every level with respect. Managers have a higher position in the company, but they do not have a higher position with God. Yes, top management makes more money, but that does not mean they are better than everyone else. It just means their position pays more and has a higher level of responsibility. Kindly greet everyone, show value and respect no matter what position they hold. Your business is the example of how a company can be successful without compromising biblical values. Encourage everyone on your staff or team to grow, learn and get better with whatever they are doing.
9. Aim for success and allow your team to grow. The primary goal is to treat people well, at every level. The day your business stops growing is the day it starts dying. Your business and career growth must include people around you growing because of you.

Allow yourself to shine in your business or career and be a light so everyone can see that God is in business too.

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