Business for the Common Good: A Christian Vision for the Marketplace (Christian Worldview Integration Series)
"Does God have a purpose for business? Can the work of business be a part of the world that God so loves? Can we view our work in business as an act of worship--a calling of God? These are just some of the questions addressed in this book. It is an important read for a Christian businessperson seeking to be a 'good and faithful servant.'" (C. William Pollard, chairman, Fairwyn Investment Company, and chairman emeritus, The ServiceMaster Company)"Business and theology are generally far removed from each other. This book, written by experts in these fields, brings them together in fresh and insightful ways. Their treatment is well informed and balanced throughout. And they deal with complex issues with clarity and sophistication. These rare characteristics mean that all readers can expect to be richly rewarded." (Peter Heslam, D.Phil., director, Transforming Business, University of Cambridge)"This is an outstanding book that today, more than ever, belongs on the bookshelf of anybody in the business world. Authors Wong and Rae have captured the challenges we all face in day-to-day business dealings and have illustrated those challenges in thought-provoking prose and interesting case studies.Business for the Common Goodis an excellent tool for all business managers who struggle with applying Christian values in today's business environment." (Jim Harrington, president, O'Leary and Partners Advertising and Public Relations, Newport Beach, California)"The authors ofBusiness for the Common Goodhave masterfully challenged the reader to rethink the 'calling' of business in order to achieve divine purposes in the world through transformational service. They skillfully explain the need for biblically-based ideals and frameworks to provide an inspiring vision for business. In today's global business economy, the reader is brought to the realization that there are two distinct bottom lines: economic and social. A must-read!" (Harold Taber, former president & CEO and current board member, Hansen Beverage Co., and former group president, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Los Angeles)"Kenman Wong and Scott Rae have followed up their best-in-class business ethics textbook,Beyond Integrity,with a superb, comprehensive reflection on work and business within a biblical Christian worldview. They stand on the shoulders of their colleagues and predecessors and take the discussion to a new level. A wonderful guide for business practitioners as well as their academic and pastoral colleagues." (David W. Gill, Ph.D.,  Mockler-Phillips Professor of Workplace Theology and Business Ethics, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary)"Nothing in this book prevents it enriching the lives of Hindus such as myself--or, as far as I can see, those of Buddhists, Muslims, agnostics or atheists! If you want to understand business from a spiritual, ethical or indeed simply humane point of view, this is a great book with which to get a perspective on today's issues, challenges and opportunities." (Professor Prabhu Guptara, member of the board, Institute of Management, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland)"Business for the Common Goodis a must-read for all people of faith that participate in the world of business. Kenman Wong and Scott Rae skillfully tackle the many dilemmas facing business people, offering a fresh faith-perspective on topics such as business as a calling, wealth and ambition, the global economy, marketing, ethics, stewardship and corporate social responsibility. The book is extensively researched and presents a nuanced viewpoint that challenges the reader to rethink preconceived positions. The numerous actual stories and anecdotes that Rae and Wong offer will resonate with the reader and illustrate the complexity of integrating faith in business. The final chapter, with moving examples such as Broetje Orchards, will inspire the reader to embrace a vision for business as a transformational service for the common good. If you read only one book on faith integration and business,Business for the Common Goodshould be it." (Brian Porter, Ph.D., professor of management, Hope College)"I have just finished reading Wong and Rae'sBusiness for the Common Goodand I heartily recommend it. The book is both well-written and well-researched. It features a welcome mix of contemporary research and practice, and biblical ideas that have been helpfully grounded in their historical socioeconomic context. I especially applaud the thoughtful format of the book, as each chapter starts with a real-world problem that engages readers and then respectfully provides differing perspectives on the issue. In this way each chapter compels readers to reflect deeply on how to integrate faith and work. I think the book would be especially well-suited to stimulate meaningful discussion in small group and classroom settings." (Bruno Dyck, Ph.D., professor of management, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba)"Is business a legitimate arena in which Christians might work out their calling? Wong and Rae answer that question clearly, neither simplifying the message of Scripture nor avoiding the messy complexities of the business world. This is a book without answers or checklists. Rather, it asks readers to own the questions at the heart of business, to develop guidelines for action, to create boundaries within which individual and corporate transformation and service can flourish. This is a book to be read by students pondering a call to serve, by pastors tempted to dismiss business as institutionalized greed, and by business men and women seeking to follow Jesus.Business for the Common Goodis informative, challenging and hopeful." (Walter C. Wright Jr., executive director, Max De Pree Center for Leadership)"Christians in secular businesses and students heading in that direction will be better equipped to glorify God by taking to heart this book’s portrayal of business as transformational service for the common good. Christians new to thinking theologically about business will receive a cogent primer on first principles while those who have been pondering faith and business for some time will learn from chapters that tackle more complicated subjects such as marketing and environmental sustainability.  I am especially pleased to see the authors’ biblical support for ideas that challenge conventional evangelical Christian thinking about business--from the idea that business has positive and not just negative effects on spiritual formation to the idea that the need for transformation is both personal and institutional." (Stephen N. Bretsen, Volkman Associate Professor of Business and Law, Wheaton College)"Kenman Wong and Scott Rae have again joined forces to compile a veritable treasure-trove for anyone wishing to make fruitful connections between business and Christianity. They present compelling arguments for a fresh vision of business as transformational service for the common good. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on the shape of a calling, marketing and emerging directions in business." (Dr. Richard Higginson, lecturer in Christian ethics and director of Faith in Business, Ridley Hall Theological College, Cambridge University)