Big Idea
We have options for who we work with as a church or ministry—and who we choose matters.
In God’s providence, we are given a variety of choices for everything from where we buy our cleaning supplies to the people we call when the furnace goes out.
So as we seek to exercise God-honoring discernment with our day-to-day choices, what should we consider?
“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” Amos 3:3
Being Like-Minded Matters
Aligning with fellow Christian vendors isn’t just a savvy business move; it’s a strategic maneuver that reinforces shared values, builds trust, and ensures mission alignment. When we say “shared values,” we’re talking about more than just business ethics. We’re talking about a deep-rooted commitment to living out our faith in every transaction, every partnership.
Partnering with vendors who share your faith isn’t merely about avoiding conflicts with the world; it’s about actively promoting a culture of integrity and righteousness. Paul repeats the common refrain of his day in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” When we engage with like-minded vendors, we create an ecosystem where Christian principles are not only upheld but celebrated and propagated.
As an added bonus, there’s a profound understanding that comes from shared faith. Like-minded vendors inherently grasp your unique needs and priorities, making collaborations smoother and more effective. Efficiency is good business, and when you speak the same “language” of values as your vendor, you spend less time explaining and more time getting the job done.
Gospel Opportunity Abounds
And yet even with all of the above in view, sometimes our vendors are just that: vendors of a product or service. Their like-mindedness to us is not mission-critical and we must see that for what it is.
After all, expecting the delivery company shipping our books to have “Christ is Lord” on their website would leave us with zero options for postal service.
Instead, believers must use opportunities like this to proclaim God’s goodness on an individual level. As a staff at BCP, we have prayed with FedEx workers who come into our office. We interact regularly with our storage renters regarding their needs, and we have told them that we are praying for them.
Regardless of who we work with, the gospel must always remain an intentional point of contact.
When it Matters
To put a bow on this topic—when we choose to work with fellow Christian vendors it ought not to be because of some prejudice against the world.
We must still engage with the world.
A healthy posture in decision-making could be summed up like this:
- We would do well to remember to do good, especially to those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10) when the relationship has a direct impact on our missional vision.
- We should not neglect opportunities to be the aroma of Christ to those who are saved and to those who are perishing (2 Cor. 2:15) in every interaction.
Truth to remember: We have an opportunity to do good when choosing who to work with.
Baptist Church Planters exists to help church leaders build healthy disciple-making churches. If you or your church need support or resources to love God and love others, please reach out to us today. We’d love to help.
