Chick-Fil-A & Hobby Lobby

Since I am going into business after college, I always thought it was interesting to hear how people bring their faith into the workplace. A lot of companies have core values that corelate to Christianity but not all are Christian. However, it is very neat to hear how Christian companies do demonstrate their Christian morals outside of their core values. Christian companies usually focus on serving others and supporting faithful causes. Some examples of companies that do this are Chick-Fil-A, Hobby Lobby, Tyson Foods, Curves, Wendys, and TOMS Shoes. Each of these companies want to make a positive impact on the world and share the Word and love of God.

Chick-Fil-A

Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby I feel like a lot of people already know pretty well and understand how they have a “kingdom impact” already. I also have a personal connection to both because I like to eat at Chick-Fil-A a lot and also love going into Hobby Lobby.  Chick-Fil-A obviously is closed on Sundays so that the employees have a day of rest and can go worship and or spend time with their families. This also has to do with the founder S. Truett Cathy’s beliefs. This business also demonstrates their faith in their culture. For instance, their customer service is spectacular. They make sure they treat their customers and employees with the utmost respect and kindness. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love it and it makes my day when the employees give you your food and send you on your way with a ‘my pleasure’. The way they treat people correlate with the bible and how God wants us to treat others. Chick-Fil-A also makes sure to be engaged in the community. They are all for giving back and helping others. For instance, they have a Chick-Fil-A foundation that focuses on developing young individuals in education, leadership, and character. All of these things that Chick-Fil-A put in place show its reputation as a Christian business that spreads God’s love, kindness, and thoughtfulness.

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby stands on very similar principles to Chick-Fil-A. It was founded by David Green who was a devout Christian. Both companies state that they conduct their business in line with biblical principles and live their life in the same way. They are closed on Sundays as well due to the same reasons. Like Chick-Fil-A they want to honor the Sabbath. Hobby Lobby wants to make sure they operate their company in a way that it creates a culture to honor the Lord. This company and the founding family also love to give back to Christian organizations and causes around the world. For example, they donate to One Hope which is a nonprofit organization that spreads the Word of God to youth and children. Additionally, one thing that I found to be very interesting about them is that they fight legal battles for religious freedom. In 2014 they fought a case against Burwell about the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate. Hobby Lobby confronted this mandate due to religious freedom. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby. I feel that companies rather like to stay out politics and other things of the sort because they don’t want to offend others or lose business. I find it very impressive that they stick to their guns, and they aren’t scared of that.

Thoughts & Relation

I really love how both of these companies operate in similar ways but also are different. However, they both are displaying their faith and aren’t ashamed by it. They take a stance and don’t shy away. They want people to know they are Christian companies and want to spread the Word and God’s love to others. But by doing so, they aren’t pushing it down people’s throats. They do it in a way that is polite and acceptable.  When I enter into the business world I want to operate in a similar manner. I love the Sundays off concept to keep the sabbath and be able to go to church and spend that time to rest. I also have a passion to give to other Christian organizations and causes. Its important to give in any way possible to help others. It connects and touches people in a way we can’t always describe and understand. It helps open the door for God to come into their lives and for them to come to Him. God uses us to do His work here on earth. A great way to do His work and touch others is through entrepreneurship and doing business. We connect to people, and we have an impact on others by being involved in business. Why not connect the two and do it to glorify God? I think that is the best type of business in my opinion. How incredible it is to have the opportunity to do such a thing.