The philosophical underpinnings of C12 are described in A Light Shines Bright in Babylon, a 57-page handbook written by founder Lester "Buck" Jacobs. In Jacobs' metaphor, "Babylon" is the business marketplace, and Christian companies are the "light" that shines on it. Excerpts from the book:
By SCOTT BARANCIK
Published December 14, 2003
"Your company is not a church, but its purpose is the same."
"If you are called by God to run His company, your calling is as holy as any pastor, priest or missionary."
"Many have mistakenly thought that once an owner realizes that his business really belongs to God and dedicates it to Him, that it will automatically become very profitable. They are very often disappointed."
"God's business plan is the best plan."
"Sin is sin wherever you are . . . There is no special exception that allows Christians to do things in business that they could not do in church."
"The truth is that most companies see their customers not as people, but as objects to be manipulated for profit or personal gain."
"The stereotype of the driven CEO who works 80 to 100 hours a week, is a stranger to his family, a ghost in church, has no time for recreation or relaxation, is a satanic cultural reality. But it is not a Biblical model."
"Is wealth bad? No! . . . God may want you to have the profits to raise your lifestyle. But if He does, it will only be to use you to build His kingdom in a difference place or lifestyle. God wants His people in every strata of society."
"Our doctrine is simple: Jesus Christ is Lord, the whole Bible is wholly true, God has an eternal plan for each believer's life, and that plan includes their business."
