International Connection
by Gary Schwammlein

Volume 14 Issue 2, 2007

The Value Proposition

I recently attended a conference in Germany targeting Christian business leaders. The event’s theme was: “Take the Lead with Values.” This year’s motto was: Creating a Future Based on Values. More than 3,500 leaders from government, corporations, churches, and parachurch organizations were in attendance, being addressed by highly influential leaders in politics and in the market place. More than once, as I listened to the broad range of topics, I thought about how valuable it would be if such a conference were held in many countries, and even more importantly, that church leaders take the content to heart.

The group in Germany that is organizing this event started doing so after observing the erosion of traditional values and seeing them replaced with values based on raw greed and selfishness. Unfortunately, pastors and churches are not immune to abandoning values and to scandals involving pastors, as churches everywhere far too often demonstrate.

Many speakers lamented the trend toward multiculturalism and the lack of interest in moral values, faith, and Christianity as a whole. However, recent information provided by one of the most preeminent market survey institutes in Germany found a growing trend of young people expressing an interest in God, the Christian faith, and Christian principles and values. The question is will the church be able to deal appropriately with these young people and their quest for God?

A study of 63 leading corporate heads by a well-regarded university in Germany showed that instructions in Christian values and beliefs during impressionable childhood years were irreplaceable. The influence of Christian parents, youth groups, and pastors has had greater impact on the leadership qualities of these leaders than any formal studies and management courses. Empirical studies revealed that issuing stock options to senior managers did not have a material impact on the short and long term results of a firm, while operations based on Christian values did improve operational results by about 25 percent.

After seeing and hearing all this data, I sincerely hope and pray that churches take a greater interest in the lives of leaders outside the church and provide support and council when and wherever possible, and that they would pay more attention to the values that guide their behavior and practices.

Gary Schwammlein is the executive vice-president of WCA’s International Ministry

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