Should I Shut Up About Jesus?
Some time ago, I wrote a blog post about the true secret of my success in business – Jesus Christ. It’s one of the most popular posts on my blog. In that post, I explained that I would no longer separate my business life from my faith life.
I wrote another post about the 7 Mountains of Culture. It’s about how followers of Jesus should aspire to places of influence in those areas. Again, this is one of the most visited posts on my blog.
I feared that my blog and business would suffer as a result of this “mixing” of the sacred and the “secular”. That was not the case – the opposite was true. Those who did not want to hear about God went their way – they didn’t stick around.
But recently, my blog has grown in readership, and my podcast audience has blossomed. And a new wave of criticism against me has arisen. The basic message: “Ray, shut up about Jesus, and stick to writing about marketing and business.”
Sometimes these criticisms are “colorful”, and emotional. Even hateful. One person called me “an old, white, Jesus-y man in a suit”.
A “friend” in the online business world wrote about me, and called me “one of the prosperity gospel a—holes.” Attacks like this never cause me to reconsider my position. They are not based on reason, but rather on anger and bitterness. These people I pray for and immediately forgive.
Some of my critics are more reasonable. Their logic makes a certain amount of sense. These I consider. I have learned enough humility to be open to the possibility that my critics are right. I can learn from constructive criticism. Here are a couple of examples:
What about these criticisms (and others like them)? What about Christian brothers and sisters who have criticism for me? Some suggest that I could reach more people for Christ if I were more “covert” in my “ministry”. Are they right?
I don’t think so.
After careful consideration, I have decided to stick with my “faith forward” approach. Here are 3 reasons I do not hide my faith:
- The Lord himself gave me this assignment. I’ve told my story elsewhere, so I won’t recount it here. I heard from God that he has enough “pastors in pulpits”. What he needs are more “ministers in the marketplace”. I’m assigned to empower believers and teach them to prosper with purpose. That mission has not changed.
- My mission is not the mission of all Christian business people. There is a place for business people who are less “faith forward” or even “covert” believers. I don’t believe most believers should have the same kind of ministry as me. A friend once described what I do as “a ministry disguised as a business”. It may be more accurate to say I have a ministry that functions through the vehicle of my business.
- My blog, podcast, and teachings appeal to nonbelievers, not just Christians. I believe this is because I don’t exclude anyone. I don’t mandate that my readers and listeners share my beliefs. I don’t try to change their minds. I am open about what I believe, and how it plays out in my business – but I don’t condemn those with other beliefs who come under my tent. I love people, whether they are Christians or not. I don’t judge people who are different from me – even those who are on the opposite end of the belief spectrum. I want to help people with their businesses, regardless of their beliefs.
If you’re a Christian and an entrepreneur, I don’t assume you should take the same approach as me. You should do what God is leading you to do.
[clickToTweet tweet=”God has enough ‘pastors in pulpits’. He’s looking for ministers in the marketplace.” quote=”God has enough ‘pastors in pulpits’. He’s looking for ministers in the marketplace.”]
So, if you’re hoping I’ll be less “Jesus-y”, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. That’s okay. Maybe I’m just not your “cup of tea”.
[reminder]Now that you’ve heard my rationale, what do you think? Have I reached the right conclusion? Or do you think I should shut up about Jesus?[/reminder]
I think it’s hilarious when people say you should be discrete or covert about your faith just so you don’t offend anyone or so that you get more sales. Really, they think you’re primarily worried about getting more sales? I, like you, prefer to keep my overall focus on the real endgame—the afterlife. Everything else comes after that, including business and even family.
A major reason why I continue to follow your work is the fact that you unabashedly present your material from a Biblical worldview. I too am a Christian who had concluded that Jesus is Lord of ALL of life and nothing is therefore off base. I trust you will continue to share in your own winsome way the good news with everyone who is interested to listen/watch you. I am a firm believer in the sovereignty of God and that he will/has drawn people into your sphere to here the good news who otherwise would not. Keep it up.
Your message was revealing and inspiring. I’m writing a book on Anger for mid- 20 to mid- 30 year old’s and I keep feeling the Holy Spirit prompt me to write it with Biblical passages. I keep fighting that urge telling myself that the people who really need this info will not read it if they think it is Spiritual. It is a dilemma and holding me up. I want to send it to jails to pass out for free but I have heard they won’t accept the books if you have certain words in them like “Jesus”. I really felt that inmates who have time on their hands would learn alot about why they are in jail and how to stay out of trouble while there if they could learn how to control their anger which probably help put them there. I just don’t know how to introduce them to Jesus. Perhaps at a slow pace somewhere in chapter 3.
I loved the blog and think that you are right on. Jesus told us to let our light shine and as you share your faith as well as your business, you’ll teach a culture how to take Christ into their business and thrive.
Keep on spreading ‘The Good News’, you are spot on doing what you feel the Lord has given you as a ministry and platform.
It is refreshing whenever I come across another Christian in the business/professional fields. My doctor of several years ago brought this out to me. Before my examination, he asked if it would be alright to pray for God’s guidance as he did the examination and the tests that would be given. Wow, a medical doctor! I have since made it a point to pray on each of the trips I direct (I direct motor coach tours). I have never had a negative comment. Keeping our faith in front of people keeps us on our toes to make sure the rest of our life reflects that relationship in everything we do. Keep up the good work
Ray, I love that you share your faith. I have been writing and speaking for 16 years, and am in the process of starting a new venture coaching singles. (I didn’t marry until I was 46.) I have struggled with mixing my faith into this new platform, but I listened to your podcast for the first time today and I was refreshed and inspired and motivated that I CAN have a business and be a Christian at the same time. THANK YOU. There needs to be more people in the marketplace sharing their faith.
I will say you should be who you are in the Lord and stay steady in your convictions. You stated in your Blog post on the 7 mountains that you learned through experience that He is the source of life and all things in it so to do less than He has called you to do would be to limit Him in how He can provide and take care of you, and to limit his impact in the lives of others. We are are given a different measure of faith. Most of us need to grow into that measure, and because of those with great faith to draw from, the Lord will use this to increase our faith. I know I was blessed by reading your posts!
As a fellow brother in Christ, If you had not shared your faith then I would not have found your blog this morning. Your words have come as an encouragement to my spirit which I needed to hear as I was starting to doubt a path I was on.
You are also modeling a great example of what anyone of faith who has any degree of influence or voice to share their light in places where there is none. I think there is a real shortage of this.
Apart from you, Terry Ryan is the only other Christian entrepreneur who I have come across in my journey who also openly shares his faith. If anyone knows any others they recommend, please share them.
I hope I have been an encouragement for you as well. Thanks for sharing and may God continue to bless you and encourage you to continue to run the race.
I am interested in the entrepreneurial info but the repeated reference to some imaginary being is off-putting. Preaching it is but I do recognize that as Yuval Harari (author of Sapiens which should be essential reading for all) notes, times change and many groups of fundamentalists become more vocal as they are over-whelmed by the changes. Many religious tribes around the world in the past and including Muslims and Christians in our time, will disappear in due course when their philosophies become so outdated that their religious beliefs become irrelevant. Bring on more entrepreneurial insights and leave the imaginary being stuff to your Sundays.
Excellent Ray!! Keep up the good work. Your are a voice of the King of kings!
I think you missed the point. I do NOT believe He promises us an easy life. To the contrary, I have had serious struggles all my life. Six years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Does that sound easy? (it’s not – far from it). But I believe prosperity and success are to be defined using God’s criteria – and by His standards, I am rich beyond my wildest dreams. I could quote a THOUSAND Christian leaders who, not that long ago, argued passionately that slavery was just and permissible. Did the number of people in error make the error somehow correct? I don’t feel the poor are less Christian than me. Money won’t make you rich – but poverty won’t make you holy, either. To be clear, I never suggest “worldly success automatically means divine virtue.” I do maintain that the secret to any success I have been privileged to enjoy is through the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ.
Please don’t shut up about Jesus, Ray. It took me almost losing everything to get back to what God told me to do, and “shouting up” about Jesus was one of them. God didn’t tell me to ram Jesus down people’s throats, but I am where I am now because of His Grace. And you’re right, God doesn’t need more preachers in the pulpit, He needs more minsters in the marketplace and I know that message came to you from God just like it did me and other ministers in the marketplace that I know of. People only hate because they don’t see Jesus how we see Jesus – all loving, kind, wanting the best for us, wooing us, cheering us to rise up when we fall. That’s the Jesus I’m not afraid to present to the marketplace and I’m grateful for people like you who won’t be coerced into going against what you feel is right and most importantly, what comes natural to you. That’s the part that some folk just won’t get … we can’t shut up about Jesus online or offline … cos we’s in love with The Man. God bless you Ray.
Ray, I wish you would not mention god, but if you are not going to change, so be it. Whatever floats your boat.
However, try to remember that “a god” takes on different forms, according to one’s religion and many of us just don’t subscribe to religion. It’s all unproven hocum, based off a centuries-old book … actually approximately 13 different variations of a book … so which one is “correct”?
I’m an atheist, but not a radical one. I just think religion is for the weak. When I am browsing in bookstores, I flick through and if I see any references to god, I put the book down. However, I do have your book and I listen to your podcasts. I just filter out any references you make about your god.
I’m glad you’ve brought your faith into the conversation. It helps me understand the values you are working from. And it sets you apart from the other marketers on the Internet. That might be the most important part. I look forward to learning more about you and your approach to marketing.
I’m impressed Ray. You’ve chosen to be public about a polarizing position. No surprise that haters will pour out, but so will supporters.
For me, you’re an inspiration.
I struggle to be open about my faith and generally don’t want to take sides on polarizing topics. I’m sometimes lukewarm, middle of the road, milk-toast.
As a businessman, I really respect your willingness to stand for what you believe in. As a Christian, I respect your unabashed, public yet not fire-and-brimstone, faith.
Looking forward to learning more from you, keep up the good work.
So glad I found this. I have these same questions with being a marketer and a christian. Thanks so much for your example!