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Bevelle Puffer

One Kingdom, One Church

October 11, 2018 By Bevelle Puffer

“We don’t come together for just the good Word, but for the good Work.” Oliver Richmond of Kingdom Partners in Chattanooga, Tennessee is dedicated to seeing the body of Christ come together as One Kingdom – One Church.

Richmond’s vision is to work with churches throughout the community to help build relationships and strategic partnerships that will bridge the cultural divide through mutual acts of service. He has invited pastors from black, white, and Hispanic churches to build cross-cultural relationships and serve the community, bringing reconciliation as barriers are broken down and the Gospel is shared. “The community is suffering. The church needs to be helping the hurting. We have to find a way to touch people and they have to see the value in the relationship.”

Richmond’s desire to serve people in his community started when he had just graduated college and began working at Merrill Lynch in Indiana as a financial planner.  When he realized his own mother needed help with financial planning, he began to understand the deep need for the kind of help he could offer within urban communities.

His financial skills were a huge asset to his church in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where members were well-discipled and had a heart for missions. That urban church started several non-profits to serve the community including a low income credit union, a day care center, and a place for homeless veterans.

When he moved to Chattanooga, Richmond prayed, asking God what He had for him in this new city. He felt God leading him to start Kingdom Partners, but he knew he needed people and resources to come alongside him in this new endeavor. “I prayed for the Lord to give me people who loved the Lord, loved families, and had the ability to execute plans.” God has been gracious as Oliver seeks to serve Him.

Kingdom Partners mission is to “serve as the prime facilitator and capacity building training institute and improve access to resources for church and faith-based organizations.” They provide strategic planning, financial review, discipleship, leadership training and coaching, and stewardship assistance. “Most of the churches we serve have a part time pastor, a part time assistant, a part time musician, a part time janitor. The pastors need support so they can do what God has called them to – teaching, preaching, and leading.” Kingdom Partners comes alongside the Senior Pastor, working to establish a strategic plan to help make the church more effective in its mission and vision

He believes that it is critical for church members to awaken their Kingdom potential by understanding the importance of giving their time, talent, and resources. When a church has a clear mission and vision, the people understand what the church is doing, and discipled members recognize their part in that – becoming intentionally more involved in ministry.

Richmond spends much of his time building relationships throughout the Chattanooga area. He believes there is a great need to transform our urban communities to bring unity across denominational and racial divisions. “When the church is strengthened, the community is transformed. When the community is transformed the city is impacted. When the city is impacted lives are changed for the Kingdom.”

“I believe the Lord is bringing the church together to make the body of Christ work together. We make it really complicated, but it’s really not complicated. We are all part of one Kingdom, one Church.”

To learn more about Kingdom Partners, contact Oliver Richmond at [email protected]

How Faith Influences the President of Southern Champion Tray

August 21, 2018 By Bevelle Puffer

John Zeiser has served as President of Southern Champion Tray since 1993. One of the leading manufacturers of paperboard packaging, the company serves customers throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America and Europe. They employ over 650 people with the aim to be “easy to love and hard to leave.” 

LMW had the opportunity to sit down with John to learn more about his history with Southern Champion Tray and how his faith impacts his leadership.

Zeiser_John pic

 1) Walk us through your vocational journey.

I graduated from Virginia Tech in 1982 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I had no desire to go to work for the family business, having worked there summers and Christmas breaks since I was 15.  I interviewed around the southeast, but I didn’t like the locations where jobs were offered.  As a result, and without a clear sense of what I wanted to do, I accepted the “consolation prize” offer of returning to Chattanooga to work for Southern Champion Tray.  In my mind, it felt like returning to a summer job.

Then, unexpectedly, several months before graduation, my dad called and asked, “how would you feel about moving to Ft. Worth, Texas?” I think I said yes before I heard the rest of the story.  I moved to Ft. Worth following graduation and joined the 7 person operation as Plant Manager.  I was fortunate to learn the business in the setting of a small plant where I had to do a little of everything.  I was mentored by a longtime executive from our Chattanooga office.  We grew slowly but steadily and two years later, we purchased a building in nearby Mansfield, TX and moved the operation there.

In 1989, I began grad school at SMU in the Executive MBA program. I graduated in 1991 a month after the first of our four children was born.  At that time I was given my next assignment as VP of Operations working at the corporate office in Chattanooga.  I’m not sure if the MBA was the real reason for the promotion or if my parents wanted their first grandchild close-by, but it was a good time for a change of role.  By the time we left Mansfield, I had seen the TX plant grow from an unprofitable 7 person operation to a profitable 75 person operation.  It was a wild ride at times, but I loved it.

In 1993, my dad made the decision to move me into the President role and my brother, Bruce, became VP shortly thereafter. I was 33 at the time.  Dad was 57 and in the prime of his career, so it was an unselfish decision on his part.  Bruce and I both benefitted from the opportunity to take on more responsibility while Dad was still available to answer our questions.  He did a great job of letting us lead, never once grabbing the reins, and he was a great encourager and advisor.  Now that I am the age my dad was then, I marvel at his willingness to trust us and to play more of a support role for our benefit.  He felt it was for our good, and the company continued to grow and prosper, probably to the surprise of Bruce and me and many of our associates.  All I can say is, God is good.  Dad was modeling unselfish leadership and a reliance on God to provide.

 

2) What was it like stepping into your role at Southern Champion Tray with the history of your family’s involvement?

Any time you go to work in a multi-generation family business, there’s an awareness that you are carrying the baton for a lap in a longer race and you don’t want to be the guy that drops it. There’s also a natural sense of family pride and desire to maintain the good name that my grandfather and father had built in the marketplace and in the local community.

I’m grateful that I was able to work at a distance from the headquarters and report to a non-family manager. That provided a great education and allowed me to experience some independence while still developing a love for the business.  Most family business experts suggest that children be required to first work outside the family business for a period of time, and I think there is wisdom in that, but for me, spending my first 9½  years with SCT in Texas provided a sense of independence and was a wonderful blessing.  It’s also where I met my wife, so I’m extra thankful for the time in Texas.

During those early years, my long-distance relationship with my Dad was great. He was my #1 encourager/advisor/sounding board, and I learned a lot from him.  Had I been reporting directly to him, I suspect my own pride would have prevented much of the transfer of wisdom that he was seeking.

 

3) How are ways you have seen the Lord work in your vocational journey?

Too many to count. I can summarize it in two words – God Provides.  Not always on my schedule, not always the way I expect or want, but always on time and better than I could have planned.  He has blessed my imperfect attempts to honor him in the business.  I’ve especially seen it in his provision of people to help with the business, whether as employees, managers, advisors, or counselors.  There have been lots of great “God-stories,”  I’ve seen God’s protection of the business through near circumstances that you really can’t explain except that it was God’s provision. As I look back over my 36 years with SCT, most of the growth in the business and the success we’ve had is hard for me to explain apart from God.

The great thing about a family business is the opportunity you have to impact people’s lives. On occasion that may be through a direct relationship, but primarily, I’ve seen it in giving gifted people the opportunity to serve our customers and each other by living out the values we have built the business around.  We have a high trust environment where people who have demonstrated an understanding of the desired culture are pretty free to act for the benefit of our customers and employees.  We’ve also been able to use the profits to support organizations whose work is in keeping with the mission and ministry of Jesus.

 

4) SCT seems to truly care about stewarding God’s creation with the innovative work you all do. Can you speak into why that is so important?

Stewardship is at the core of our approach to business. It’s more than stewarding creation, although I enjoy being part of a business that uses a sustainable, renewable raw material to make products that are recyclable, biodegradable, and provide a necessary function in the supply chain of our customers.  But the real sense of stewardship for me is in the understanding of ownership.  My brother (who serves as our Executive VP) and I were raised from early on to understand that God owns it all.  You can look at a business as an investment that you own, or as an asset that God owns and is allowing you to care for.  We have always understood our role as that of a steward of God’s assets.  We work hard, of course, but it’s comforting to understand that our job is to be faithful and do our best and trust Him for the results.  God is good whether the business prospers or not, but having that perspective has been helpful.  And SCT has prospered, growing from about 100 employees when I joined, to just shy of 700 today.

 

5) SCT’s values are biblically based, how has that been as a leader to faithfully follow and lead a company with Christian morals? Have difficulties ever come because of the values SCT strives to follow?

Our intent is to operate SCT following biblical principles of how to treat people. That applies to customers and employees, but also to suppliers and competitors.   We’ve been fortunate to have a team that embraces the values.

Chuck Zeiser (my father) made the decision in the late 1960’s that he wanted his faith to matter 7 days a week, including through the business. Many of the practices that he started have remained, including a weekly prayer gathering, the presence of a Christian Counselor on staff, and the practice of tithing the profits of the company.  We bring in outside speakers occasionally to address a topic of interest from a Christian perspective.  There has been very little pushback and most people have embraced the culture of SCT, regardless of their personal beliefs.

Every leader has values and every business reflects the values of the leadership. I think most people would rather work in a place where the values that Jesus taught form the basis of how you treat each other.  I guarantee you our suppliers appreciate the way we pay our bills.  The golden rule works in all relationships.  Biblical financial principles work.  Telling the truth is never a bad business decision.

I’m not suggesting that we get it right every time, but we are surrounded by an amazing group of people who have done their best to live out our values. You don’t have to be a believer to find value in doing things God’s way.  It works and it makes for a much healthier company culture. I’d even say that it creates a competitive advantage.  You wouldn’t believe how often customers and visitors comment on the difference in dealing with the people at SCT.  Bruce and I are very fortunate to get to work with the people who make up SCT.  It’s a remarkable team.

I’m thankful we have been spared from too many difficulties related to our values. On the contrary, after decades of simply trying to live them out, we put them in writing about 3 years ago and it was gratifying to see how people not only accepted them, but truly embraced them.  (You can see them on our website at https://www.sctray.com/about).

 

6) What does being a “Christian business leader” mean to you?

I think the question is really, “What does being a Christian mean?”. I don’t think it matters whether you are a CEO or a customer service rep or a nurse or a homemaker or a student or anything else.  If you’re a Christian, you have a relationship with your creator; there is purpose and meaning in everything you do that is done in a way that glorifies God.

 

7) Do we need to cultivate more Christian business leaders, and if so, how do we do that?

C.S. Lewis wrote on the subject of Christian books, “What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects – with their Christianity latent.” I think the same thing applies to Christians in business.  We don’t need more “Christian businesses” (I would argue there is no such thing as a Christian business anyway), but we need more Christians that are serious about representing Jesus and living out Biblical truths wherever they are. The business world is a particularly wonderful place to apply biblical principles.  They work!

How do we cultivate more? Through sharing the gospel, through discipleship, and through churches that teach the word of God from a perspective that God’s word applies in all cultures and all situations at all times.

 

8) If you could say one thing to other Christian business leaders, or the business community as a whole, what would it be?

Can I have two?

I’d say first, spend regular time in the Bible. Read it through annually if you can.  Ultimately, the only things that last are people and the word of God.  There are lots of great business books (I particularly love Good to Great by Jim Collins, and Business by the Book by Larry Burkett), but there is only one book that will change you and guide you through all the situations you encounter in life.  The Bible is the source of true wisdom, for life and business.  Time invested in that book will return better dividends than any business venture can.

Second, remember that all of us in leadership roles are stewards, not owners. God owns your business and He owns you too.  Even the abilities we have that allow us to lead a business are gifts that were given to us.  The issue is whether we acknowledge that and submit to that reality.  We were created to glorify Him. Business is a great platform to carry that out.

How Faith Influences the Founder of a Digital Marketing Agency

July 24, 2018 By Bevelle Puffer

Jason Hill started Papercut Interactive with his wife Jenny seventeen years ago. As a pioneer in web design and digital marketing, he has seen many changes over the years. While the web is constantly changing and evolving, Jason’s faith has remained strong and constant, supporting and inspiring him as a Christian business leader.

 Read Full Interview:

Tell us how you got started in your business.

 

My dad was an entrepreneur. He owned a construction company, so entrepreneurship was in my blood. I graduated college with a degree in graphic design and had a job with some friends of mine for a while. When money got tight with them, I found some freelance clients. One of those was McCallie School, so I started with their website way back then when I was a one-man shop and that’s really what started my company.

 

We started as web design because as much as I love design, when you print 50,000 brochures and you’ve messed up someone’s name, it’s on you to fix that. But on the web, you can just change it! Also, now the web is more of a tool. Over the past 17 years that we’ve been in business it has changed so much. There’s so much you can glean from what people view and how they interact. It’s a lot of fun.

 

Competitors have come and gone, but thankfully we’ve been able to stick around.

 

And what do you think is the key to that?

 

Perseverance is a key part; and being flexible – not being so set in a way you do things that you’re not open to changes. We’ve had to change a lot over the years. When I started, I did everything: designs, programming, all of it. And now I’ve found people who are better than me to do the work.

 

Once upon a time a client asked, “Could we have a website that worked on a blackberry?” That was the first person I ever heard who wanted something that worked on a mobile device. But now, everything has to work on a phone, a tablet, or whatever.

 

How have you seen God at work in your business decisions?

 

As a Christian business owner, it’s different. It’s deeper than just being a business owner. I take seriously my responsibility to my employees. I do a lot of praying, a lot of reading the Bible, a lot of talking to counsel, but it’s helped me get through some pretty rough things. Business in general can really get to you.

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had as a Christian business leader?

 

We had a project several years ago that was the largest project we had ever worked on up to that point. We had one developer at the time, and he quit in the middle of the project. That was pretty rough. I actually thought I was having a heart attack at one point, but it was just anxiety. But now, we’ve had other situations that were as difficult as that one, but we got through them. God got me through them. I’ve talked about that before – just prayer and guidance from others, and my dad – talking to him about some of the experiences he had in business. I’m thankful I haven’t been through some of the hurtful situations he had.

 

Do you have a favorite Bible verse that guides you?

 

I haven’t practiced in a while, but I memorized the whole book of Philippians and there are several verses in there that get to me all the time. Philippians 4 – that whole chapter. I love to go back to that book.

 

How do you integrate faith with your business life and at home?

 

My wife is a partner with me in the business, and that’s been a really great thing. I know some husbands and wives don’t work well together, but it’s really nice that we share that and that we can take it home and share that in front of our children. We have a strong relationship and are both strong in Christ.

 

How do you balance working with your wife and not bringing work home with you?

 

I’m pretty good at leaving work at work. If there’s a rough patch, it’s not so much fun, and I tend to hold that in. We have our roles figured out, and we support each other. We are really good partners and we make decisions together. For many years, we had our desks right together and it was really great. I would miss her if she didn’t work with me.

 

Other things in the community: I’m involved with CBMC (Christian Business Men’s Committee.) Several years ago, I was invited to a CBMC Bible study here in Chattanooga. I learned they have forum groups that are for business leaders, CEO’s or business owners. They get together once a month to talk about business; it’s a place for accountability. I joined one in Knoxville and have since become the facilitator of that group. And we have a CBMC Bible study at my office every Wednesday morning. It’s been a great group.

What are the problems you struggle with most as a business person?

 

I want to be a servant leader and I want our employees to see that. I struggle when it’s not a good fit. As a business owner, I don’t like conflict, so I try to make it work. But sometimes it just doesn’t work. It’s really hard to let someone go – or to have someone leave. In our business culture at Papercut we have great relationships and our employees work really well together.

 

I’ve had to fire a client before and that was pretty rough. But I was trying to support our staff. It was a bad situation. Our employee felt really berated every time they talked to the client.

 

Money and cash flow can be a problem. Honestly, I’ve looked back and wondered, “how in the world did I make it to this point?” That’s God providing at times where I may not have taken a pay check so that employees could get paid. But thankfully, that hasn’t happened in a long time.

 

What’s your advice for other business leaders?

 

I try not to give advice, but I would say seeking wise counsel is huge. When I started out, I thought I could do it on my own and I didn’t need any help, but it would have saved a lot of headache if I had just reached out to someone and found a mentor.  Now I have several groups of older men who have been where I am and have really, really helped.

 

 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

 

It’s not about me. The work you do is for others. No matter what you do, you can do it to the glory of God. I really want our business to be a place of excellence. At Papercut we’ve coined the phrase “super friendly.” And really that’s all about being Christ to others. It’s not about me. It’s not about having a cushy job and lots of money in my pocket. It’s that I am a servant and doing what God’s put me to do. Something that I can do really well and help people.

 

It's clear that Jason has put Philippians 4, one of his favorite portions of scripture, into practice in his life. He’s a gospel worker, a reasonable man of prayer, someone who exemplifies honor and excellence in his business dealings, setting an example for others, doing all things through Christ who strengthens him.

 

 

 

Monday Through Friday Faith – Honoring God in the Workplace

June 21, 2018 By Bevelle Puffer

Business Ethics is a hot topic at business schools across the country.  But for Christians, the best guide to ethics in business is not a class – but The Book. LMW’s newest release, What the Bible Says to the Business Leader, uses God’s Word to advise and encourage people in the workplace to operate using biblical principles.

What the Bible Says to the Business Leader offers practical, scriptural values for conducting business in a 21st century world. It touches on every aspect of business and management, including finances, employees, ambition, integrity, being a faithful community member, and balancing business and family responsibilities. More than 100 topics are addressed using scripture as a guide for action. A topical index allows quick and easy access to biblical wisdom on every subject. Putting godly principles in place in the workplace allows Him to work in every business situation.

“Imagine listening in on the best coach you’ve ever heard. The coach is explaining how business – and more of life – should be managed to honor God in all ways. That’s how this book served me. It is a go-to reference book for any who desire to do life according to The Book.”

Robert C. Andringa, PhD., President Emeritus, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities

What the Bible Says to the Business Leader is perfect for individuals, small group studies, or for planning a sermon series that speaks to topics that working people face every day.

LMW has spent 25+ years developing high quality biblical resources. Our signature work, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible® is a bestselling 44-volume commentary series which can be found in 176 countries and 20 languages. What the Bible Says to the Business Leader is the third book in a series that includes What the Bible Says to the Minister and What the Bible Says to the Believer. LMW’s mission is to equip leaders for gospel-centered ministry worldwide, and every volume sold allows us to distribute biblical resources free to pastors in developing countries.

To purchase What the Bible Says to the Business Leader, please visit lmw.org or call 800-987-8790. The book can also be found at amazon.com.

Pray for Believers in China

May 30, 2018 By Bevelle Puffer

God is being revealed in China. Did you know?
  1. The number of Christians in China has grown by 10% annually for more than 20 years.
  2. It’s anticipated that there will be more Christians in China than any other country in the world by 2030.
  3. There are more Christians in China today than there are members of the Communist Party there.
Praise God for His increase! Yet, we must recognize that the growth of Christianity represents a real threat to those in power in China. Xi Jinping, China’s President, seeks to curb the growth of Christianity, ordering that all Bibles be removed from bookstores and online retailers. Churches are being closely watched and believers are persecuted.
Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in China – that God will sustain and strengthen them as they suffer for Him, and that God will be glorified as His Kingdom in China continues to grow.

How Faith Influences the Owner of A National Furniture Company

February 14, 2018 By Bevelle Puffer

We continue our new series on how faith influences business with William White and his story.  Our goal is to find out how their faith influences their business, the role of Scripture, their role in the Church, and more.

He believes that God was leading him “always and in all ways.”

“William, are you going to do something special? When are you going to find your career?” William White’s grandmother was always after him to make his life count for something special. Many years later, he is President of Gabriella White, a holding company named in her honor, overseeing 350 employees at furniture companies Summer Classics and Gabby.

His career path took many twists and turns, but he believes that God was leading him “always and in all ways.” Growing up, he spent summers working in the warehouse of his father’s fledgling business, Summer Classics, an outdoor furniture company. Loading and unloading trucks in a hot warehouse, he remembers as “rough work in a rough environment.” And it left him with a bad taste in his mouth. He did not want to work for or with his dad at Summer Classics.

But after a stint in banking, and a promising sales job at a chemical manufacturer, White began to reconsider his options. He could stay with the chemical company, which would involve a move, or his father held out a tantalizing prospect: start an indoor furniture company under the Summer Classics label, helping the company avoid the seasonal downturn endemic to the outdoor furniture business.

He took the bait, and launched “Gabby” in January, 2010 – the midst of the recession – with a 1,500 square foot showroom in Atlanta. Today the Gabby line is found in showrooms all over the US, and it has been profitable every year. Gabby and Summer Classics now operate out of a 500,000 square foot warehouse/showroom where 220 employees are housed, with 13 additional retail stores across the USA.

Working with his father as he launched Gabby had challenges, but White believes that “faith is an integral part of how we maintain our close relationship and run the business.” The father and son work successfully together because of their strong faith, and they consider themselves best friends. “The culture at Summer Classics has become better because of the two of us working together – two heads are better than one,” he jokes.

The company’s statement of Core Values is ingrained in everything they do. The statement was derived from a study of scripture, which White relies on for daily guidance leading the business. Every employee is held accountable to those values in their regular performance reviews.

Last year he invited his weekly Bible study leader to come into the office every Friday, to be available as a Chaplain for employees to talk to.

White nurtures his employee relationships and tries to be positive every day, remembering that “if the boss ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.” Relationships are the area where he strives most to model his faith. Last year he invited his weekly Bible study leader to come into the office every Friday, to be available as a Chaplain for employees to talk to. This gives employees a venue other than the Human Resources office where they can share personal issues, problems at home, or other relationship issues. The Chaplain listens, counsels and disciples those who come to him. White says, “I think it’s working well – but it’s really not any of my business. I pray that employees are taking advantage of this opportunity to receive counseling – but it’s all very private.”

White wants the workplace to be “kind of like a club. We work hard to find the right people for every job – those who fit the requirements, want the job, and have the capacity to get the job done. And once you’re in the club, you want to stay there because of the people around you.” When mistakes are made, “we try to model compassion and forgiveness in the workplace,” White says. The company has a “3-strike rule”, giving employees who make mistakes an opportunity at a second, and even third chance.

The companies in the Gabriella White family strive to give back to the communities they serve, helping previously homeless families get into furnished housing, donating to cancer research in honor of a 17-year employee who lost her battle with the disease, and offering physical and logistical support for emergency response when disasters strike.

“Scripture is the most important thing – living in the Word.”

When asked if there were specific books which guide him in his business faith practices, White said, “Scripture is the most important thing – living in the Word.” He has many verses that he goes to as he lives out his faith at work and at home.

From Titus 2:7, “in everything set them an example by doing what is good.” In Proverbs, he cites 3:1-3, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” And from Philippians 2:1-2, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

He is also led by the verses in Proverbs that speak to letting God direct your paths and seeking wise counsel. His favorite parable is The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. He prays that as he honors God in the workplace, God will honor him by saying, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

“well done, good and faithful servant.”

 

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