Kingdom-minded business owners and professionals find support and fellowship through the Christian Chamber of Commerce (CCC). Believers aiming to provide services or products to the marketplace in an ethical manner and with excellence have enjoyed these benefits through their local CCC.
What CCC Does
The CCC provides an environment where business and faith meet and relationships are formed. Most groups are categorized as 501(c)(6), the type of nonprofit organization that is not tax-exempt and is not allowed to take donations. To join, most potential members go through a review and approval process and sometimes are asked to sign a statement of faith to promote Christian values and ethics in the marketplace.
A Christian Chamber of Commerce operates similarly to the Chamber of Commerce but with many differences. Both groups host networking events, conferences, luncheons, training, workshops and plenty of opportunities to promote their members and businesses.
Unlike the Chamber of Commerce, CCC is not affiliated with a national organization, and each group considers itself a separate entity. Another difference is that CCC speakers are Christians who aim to edify, often by sharing their salvation testimony, relating faith to the marketplace and speaking about their area of business expertise from a kingdom perspective. Additionally, some CCC groups hold Bible studies and worship gatherings free of charge for those who would like to attend.
Why Get Involved
Laurie Hill, CEO of the Christian Chamber of Tampa Bay (C3TB) and author of I Am in Business: Putting the Great I Am in the Workplace, explains why she started a CCC group.
"One of the main reasons I founded the Christian Chamber was to try to help Christians in business and Christian business owners realize that they have a higher calling when they go to work—that they need to include God, not just personally but professionally."
At the C3TB, applicants are required to take a two-hour mandatory membership class to encourage them to apply 12 biblical principles on how to put God into their workplace.
In South Florida, Kent Crook founded the Christian Chamber of Greater Miami (CCOGM) last year. After his experience as chair of a Chamber of Commerce, Crook sought to provide a place for the leaders of the business community to unite through the principles taught by Christ.
His group is a little different than most in that it was formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so the group could take donations to benefit the community. CCOGM "provides business men and women spiritual guidance, encouragement and opportunities to help them draw closer to God and be an effective witness in the marketplace."
A bit further north, Central Florida Christian Chamber President Mark Goldstein says CCC is all about building business by building relationships. Goldstein took a leap of faith in May 2009 when he sensed God's leading to take over his local Christian Chamber—even though he knew he had to regroup and change his course to be in alignment with God's plan for his life. Goldstein, who is of Jewish descent, became a Christian in 1981 through what he calls "a Damascus experience." As a Christian, he is fully committed to the work of CCC. He now facilitates events "designed to develop and nurture trusted relationships that lead to recommendations."
A New Jersey-based CCC group is doing something unusual; it is going national. The Kingdom Chamber of Commerce (KCC) has five chapters, three in New Jersey, one in Philadelphia and one in Washington, D.C., and is looking to expand this year.
Angela Pipersburgh, KCC founder and president, said it is her desire to help believers "not to compartmentalize" their lives, separating business from faith. Her goal is "to create partnership in order to grow with like-minded business owners." Pipersburgh's desire, skill set and love for God's people led her to open the doors to the Kingdom Chamber 12 years ago.
Even though the Christian Chamber of Commerce groups throughout the country are not affiliated with each other or with a national organization, they all use the same model, building relationships with like-minded business owners to build the kingdom of God. CCC gives its members the support they need to shine a light for Christ in the marketplace.
Di-Anne Elise is the marketing and sales coordinator for audience development at Charisma Media and founder of Media Resources Enterprise. She is a business communication author, speaker, coach and trainer in public relations, marketing and social media strategy.
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