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PrincipleDesigns™
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Loyal to His Eternal Values:

The Theological Approach to Business and Design Principles*

Material Written by James. C. Farley
© Copyright 2005 PrincipleDesigns™ >> READ ABOUT OUR PRINCIPLES

The vast majority of businesses in America and throughout the world claim to have a high set of business ethics. While some do achieve their standards, sadly most businesses fall greatly short, even by their own weights and measures. Further, and more concerning, though many so-called "Christian" businesses claim high moral principles, too many of these businesses are found wanting. First, the question should be asked, by what code of ethics can all businesses be examined? Are there systematic truths that can be applied in this process, without fail? Finally, is the whole process left to subjective thoughts of men? Our primary hope when doing business, at PrincipleDesigns™, is that pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and Christian businesses will carefully review our services and realize the benefit of working with a company that has true Bible-based principles of operation. We believe that we understand preachers very well. Further, we take a literal, grammatical and contextual approach to the Scriptures. Therefore, The Theological Approach to Business and Design Principles laid out herein, which is the fabric of our business approach, will be very straight-forward and from the Bible itself. Frankly speaking, the foundation in the theological approach to business and design principles is salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Honestly, there is no eternal value running a business in a Biblical way if you don't even know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. The Bible says, in I Corinthians 3:11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." If you don't know Him, I encourage you to turn to Him this day. With Jesus Christ, the Living Word, as our foundation for life, we are then able to live a God-honoring life by the operation of His grace in our hearts and minds and lives. Our motivation in having a theologically sound business and set of design principles is our love for our Saviour. Again, the Bible says in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Our Lord goes on to say, in verse 23, "...If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." What a promise from our Lord! Our next principle, with the foundation and motivation set in place, is separation from worldliness. Our text is found in 1 John 2:15, which says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." It is very evident, upon reading this Bible text, that our third principle, namely based on "love not the world," is in direct contrast with "love me" from John 14. If we love Him, we cannot love the world, neither the things that are in the world! The likely challenge toward us then is, "If you are not to love the world, neither the things that are in the world, why do you design logos, business cards, stationery, and web-sites?? Aren't those of the world? Does an individual Christian, Chrisitan business or church based ministry really need those things?" On the surface this may seem like a reasonable challenge, based on what we have said thus far. The answer is, for some businesses and ministries it may truly be loving the world and the things that are in the world. For others, their motivations may be pure of heart. What is your motivation, as a Christian ministry or business, in having a logo or nice stationery or a web-site? Is your motivation a desire for you to look good? Is your motivation that you have what other churches have? What is your primary motive? If you are an individual believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is your Biblical responsibility to be a member of a local church and to be active in that church, proclaiming the gospel to the lost and dying world. It is your responsibility to edify fellow believers, to encourage them to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to disciple new believers. If you are a church ministry, your whole organization is to be fulfilling The Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19-20) This brings us to our fourth and fifth principles, which are consecration and service toward our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:21 says, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." And, Romans 12:1 & 2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." We believe that a Christian ministry or business, if they have a right heart, will want to present the message of The Saviour in the most godly and sanctified way. This presentation must also be well done. Often, we hinder the cause of Christ when we do things in a slothful, uncareful way. Our presentation must not be worldly or New Age, however, it should be pleasant so that our message is not hindered. PrincipleDesigns™, therefore, will not produce materials or offer services contrary to the Word of God. However, we will seek to produce materials and offer services which are of the highest quality, because we serve The Risen Saviour, The King. We also believe that a Christian ministry or business, if they have a right heart, will want to extend the truth to all, with whom they come in contact. Believers should have the desire, put within by the Holy Spirit, to "preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) PrincipleDesigns™ will unashamedly declare the gospel to everyone with whom we come in contact, whether directly or via our web-site. Only with these five principles in mind, a ministry is prepared to seek a godly logo, business card, stationery, and web-site. Is modern media right for every ministry? The answer, quite honestly, is no. When a ministry, which does not have a right heart, seeks to use modern media, they often do so in a worldly way and they dishonor the Lord Jesus Christ, Who bought them with His own precious blood. Conversely, however, a ministry whose only desire is, "He must increase, but I must decrease," (John 3:30) will seek out a godly Christ-honoring design company for their media needs. The question is, will they find it?