This blog is the final part of a series of four which link Olympic themes to that of a BAM startup. I apologize for those who are not sports fans and appreciate your tolerance for these four weeks.
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The idea of fairness, justice, integrity, and fair play is as old as created man, and the opposites have been around since the fall of man and sin entered the world.
When the Olympics began, we had a stark reminder that man is determined to cheat, abuse others, and play unfair – and it happened to my own countrymen. Who would have thought that the coaches of Canada’s women’s soccer team would use a drone to steal secrets from an opponent; and they are no less than the women’s gold medalist winner of the 2020 games? What an embarrassing dark cloud in Canada’s soccer program.
The Olympic Oath states in part that participation includes, “…respecting and abiding by the rules in the spirit of fair play, inclusion and equality…and committing to sport without doping, without cheating and…” However, cheating seems to have no limits. Does the oath have to list every possible cheat – like this year’s use of a drone, or this year’s abuse of a horse, or any other aberration invented to cheat at the games? It all has me thinking about integrity in Business as Mission.
I am unaware of any oath administered to BAM owners and managers, but there are plenty of standards, guidelines, and principles developed over the years by BAMGlobal and other BAM leaders. One helpful document written by Jo Plummer can be read here.
Here is Item #2 and #8 of this list of principles:
#2 While it is possible for a disreputable business to make money by cutting corners, this is not a viable long-term business strategy. People eventually wise up, bad reputation spreads, and the company eventually goes out of business. Long-term viability and success requires an unflinching commitment to excellence, and a reputation for hard work, honesty, and fairness. This is a basic law of economics, and it holds true regardless of whether the company is owned by a Christian. There are standard business practices and benchmarks of excellence that no business, including a Kingdom business, can afford to neglect. Furthermore, companies that are committed to doing business with excellence are transparent, and encourage criticism, feedback, and accountability from employees and the local community.
#8 Kingdom businesses operate on the moral and ethical principles of the Bible. These can be followed by all businesspeople to their benefit. Kingdom businesses are enterprises whose purpose is to produce goods and to perform services that accomplish God’s will on earth as revealed and proclaimed in the Bible. They intentionally apply Christ’s teaching to their business life and practice. They ensure accountability systems that address areas of ethics and Christlikeness. They carefully evaluate their goods and services to ensure they do not conflict with the message of the gospel.
Sports demand integrity of the coaches and is validated by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2:5 – “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” There are plenty of cases where the medal (“crown”) was taken back when cheating was discovered – all in an effort to keep the integrity of the games.
There are plenty of opportunities to cheat in business; to be unfair; or to break the rules (law). It is incumbent that all BAM owners and managers know the law, follow the law, and obey Biblical standards such as the Golden Rule, Second Great Commandment, and the Ten Commandments. Things happen – sure; but be proactive and watch out that sin does not get a foothold. Keep yourself accountable for integrity, fairness, justice, and rightness in every aspect of business life.
The “BAM Manifesto” of 2004 https://bamglobal.org/lop-manifesto/ is an important document of affirmations which guide the integrity of the BAM movement.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com