¹⁷ Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” ¹⁸ I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. ¹⁹ But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?” ²⁰ I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.” (Nehemiah 2:17-20)

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thanks for tuning in to GLOBAL REACHOUT. I am Sister Angelie, and starting from November, we have launched the program called the "Kingdom Business Culture". This program is based on the workplace training course by GLOBAL JIREH entitled, "Christ-centred Entrepreneurship". This course was compiled by Pastor Tony TAY Meng Hiang to help brothers and sisters live out Christ in the workplace.

We encourage brothers and sisters to sign up for this course, so that they will not only have the opportunity to communicate directly with the instructors, but also establish long-term and close contacts with the kingdom business operators in the group, learn from each other and encourage one another, and put the theory into practice. Living out Christ in the workplace. For those who are interested, you can refer to the end of the manuscript and register by email.

Today we are going to discuss "Crisis and Problems Faced by Enterprises". Let's start by looking at the crises that businesses may face.

The challenges faced by enterprises can be divided into three major areas: mission strategy, vision positioning, and relationship genes. A shrewd mission strategy helps companies solve responsibility crises, clear vision positioning ensures that companies stay away from identity crises, and good relationship genes allow companies to avoid authority crises. By correctly responding to these three challenges, companies will be able to coordinate with the time, make good use of the location, and create harmony.

How to do the right thing at the right time by coordinating the mission and strategy, so as to solve the responsibility crisis?

We need the strategic ability of kings to respond flexibly to a rapidly changing world. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to give us the strategy and ability to use the right marketing strategy to build our corporate brand. In the process of thinking about the mission strategy, the six elements of the acronym "LIGHTS" can be used as a guide for us to think about the mission strategy: 1. Provide a platform for a specific lifestyle (Lifestyle platform); 2. Inspirational perspective; 3. Genuine spirit of giving; 4. Highly effective in continuous innovation; 5. To be relevant & related; 6. Serve to leave a legacy.

How to make good use of the location in vision positioning and do the right thing in the right place, so as to avoid the identity crisis?

To do this, we need the creative wisdom of prophets. Proverbs 8:12 says: I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. We need to discern our calling wisely and find our position according to the calling. When we are in the right position, we can have smart thinking and generate creative ideas. This is why Proverbs 4:8 commands us to exalt and embrace wisdom, and wisdom will exalt us to honor. Those who know how to make good use of their location are those who wisely choose to respond to the vision and position accordingly.

How to get right people and do the right thing in relational genes, so that the enterprise can avoid the crisis of authority?

To accomplish this, we need a priestly relationship of character. Proverbs 9:10 says: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. We are wise because we fear the Lord. Wisdom enables us to distinguish the true and false of knowledge. To be able to know the Holy One through knowledge is the manifestation of wisdom. When building a relationship, knowing your peers through knowledge is a sign of intelligence. We should choose to work with God-fearing people so that we work with our partners in the truth. Only with a group of people with righteous character can work together to build a team that walks with one heart, and adhere scrupulously to the true way of common belief.

In addition to choosing the right people, we should also cultivate the right people, so that there are more and more people in the company with Christ's genes. These people fear God and choose to live out the image and likeness of God because they know God. If a business is filled with people with the gene of Christ, the business must be full of vitality.

Therefore, those who can create "human harmony" are those who gain knowledge from the fear of God, and use this knowledge to identify and cultivate the believers.

～～～

After overcoming its own crisis, the company will then be able to participate in solving social problems. First, national entrepreneurs should, according to their respective callings, identify the market gap and try to minimize it. These gaps can range from social crises to improvements in less efficient service models. The problem-solving process is dynamic, as we continually address emerging, multifaceted problems. Kingdom entrepreneurs can refer to the following four solutions:

       1. Clearly define the problem, formulate a problem-solving plan accordingly, and prepare with a prayerful heart, actively push forward, and persist to the end; solve problems step by step, avoid being zealous without knowledge, and going astray (Proverbs 19:2).

        2. Mind renewal. In the process of solving problems, we need to constantly analyze, constantly ask "why", "what" and "how", dive deep into the core of the problem, and adjust the macro strategic layout accordingly.

        3. Let team members take part in the mission. Only by participating in problem solving can people have a sense of accomplishment; when they enjoy specific decision-making power, they can have a sense of responsibility; when they have a share in the relevant work, they will have a sense of belonging. Just as Nehemiah let the people participate in the building, and regarded them as a part, a right, and a name in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:17-20).

        4. Rotate around the central axis. In dealing with everything, we cannot leave the Lord’s will. Just like a sailboat on the sea, it is the pivotal role played by the stationary mast that enables the canvas to flexibly respond to the wind direction. The purpose of enterprise management cannot be changed, and the coping strategy should be constantly innovated.

To sum up the above information: The three major crises faced by enterprises are responsibility crisis, identity crisis and authority crisis. To cope with the responsibility crisis, we need to provide a platform for a specific way of lifestyle, propose innovative ideas that can inspire people, be willing to contribute, continue to innovate, respond to the actual needs of society, and focus on long-term results. To cope with the identity crisis, we should choose to respond to the vision and find our own position according to the calling. In order to avoid the crisis of authority, we should fear God and identify and cultivate same-minded people with true knowledge. When serving the society and solving problems for the society, kingdom enterprises should examine the problems they are called to solve. After the problem is clearly defined, it is necessary to continuously renew the mind to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of the problem; at the same time, let the participants participate in the mission, and keep updating the methods and strategies by adhering to the Lord’s purpose. I hope today's sharing can bring you some inspiration and reminders.

Dear friends, this is where we end today's episode. I hope to see you again on the next episode of Kingdom Business Culture!

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Discussion 

1. Have you personally experienced a crisis of responsibility, identity or authority? How are you coping?

2. Has your company ever experienced a responsibility crisis, an identity crisis or a authority crisis? How was it handled at the time?

3. What is the biggest "loophole" in your environment? Does your business do anything practical to address these deficiencies?