An Open Letter to Kingdom Business Coaches, Consultants, Strategists, and Advisors

This is a letter that has been a long time (at least 3 years) in the making.

For those who have been connected to me or my work for a while, you won’t be surprised by any of the words that will follow.

For those who are new to me, I pray you can discern my heart, but if you can’t, you can easily find over a decade’s worth of teaching, writing, mentoring, and transparent storytelling from my own life and business that lends authenticity and sincerity to what I am about to share.

I believe that we’ve reached a point in time that requires a “Come to Jesus” Moment among those who call themselves Kingdom business coaches, consultants, advisors, mentors, and strategists and market to Christian audiences.

(If you don’t specifically market to Christian audiences this is still a relevant message, but this letter is appealing to those who specifically are called to serve the body of Christ)

Social media feeds and email inboxes around the globe are bombarded by marketing and sales copy targeting aspiring and current Kingdom entrepreneurs in a way that cultivates a money-driven atmosphere filled with money-driven behaviors, all in the name of Jesus.

It’s online discipleship that begins in broadcast form and then develops further in online groups/communities, with six, seven, and eight-figure “Kingdom business blueprints” being exalted over relationship and alignment with God in business. It’s the kind of discipleship that is tragically creating a modern-day rich young ruler problem where business owners are trusting more in their wealth and material possessions (to “serve and impact the Kingdom” and show evidence of God’s favor) than trusting the actual King of the kingdom.

Further, marketers are buying their position of “Kingdom influence and authority” through advertising and the use of hyperbole and baseless superlatives, positioning themselves as THE Source (rather than a valuable resource), and creating perceptions in the minds of unsuspecting brothers and sisters in Christ that are not rooted in reality.

It’s a business world’s smoke and mirrors game filled with gimmicks being played in the name of Jesus.

The truth is we don’t impart what we say or who we want to be (and sometimes pretend “by faith” to be) nearly as much as we impart who we currently are. You can’t impart a counter-cultural Kingdom way of life and business by leaning into the ways of the world’s business culture (or even religious traditions). Authentic authority and influence in the Kingdom cannot be purchased.

We need a Come to Jesus moment.

(Take a deep breath)

I’m not judging any individual’s heart or intentions because well-intentioned people do these things too, typically out of ignorance, fear, or an unhealthy performance-based identity.

That said, I have been and continue to be deeply concerned with what I am seeing. I had a dream about this last summer that had me encounter a stench so bad that I woke up out of my sleep to avoid vomiting.

I recognize we are all on our own walks with God, many of us growing in revelation and application of Kingdom living.

However, if we don’t come to Jesus, we risk re-creating in the marketplace a destructive culture filled with the same church hurt and trauma that has been taking place in the local churches.

It doesn’t have to go that far, just to then be exposed, corrected, and restored after leaving a ripple effect of devastation.

By the grace of God, it won’t go that far.

I submit the following for prayerful consideration.

(1) If you’re trying to dominate the “Kingdom business” niche:

The Kingdom of God is not a new marketing niche to dominate. If you’re capitalizing on the body of Christ with that mindset, it’s time to stop doing that, and seek God for an alignment. Humbly yield to God and trust Him as the Source to show you the way and direct you to the right resources, mentorship, and accountability. There’s grace for the process, but it begins with your surrender.

(2) If you have relational equity with a peer who is out of Kingdom alignment with their business practices:

Be courageous and have a conversation. If you don’t know how to approach it, ask God for His heart and mind concerning it so that it’s done respectfully and in a way that maintains relationship. Your colleague may or may not thank you for the conversation, and may or may not immediately change anything, but we are called to sharpen each other. Plant the seed, water it, and allow God to bring the increase.

(3) Encourage your peers who are unapologetically modeling the counter-cultural ways of Kingdom business. Not just talking about it, but being about it.

There’s no competition in the Kingdom of God. Let’s champion goodness so it multiplies.

(4) Be Holy Spirit-led in your partnerships and collaborations.

Don’t be in a rush and force collaboration. Cultivate relationship and follow God’s lead and His pace with intentionality. Collaboration leads to multiplication, but let’s multiply what is aligned with the heart of the Father, the mind of Christ, and the strategies and guidance of Holy Spirit.

We are called to reveal God’s glory, HIS goodness in the marketplace. As someone who helps business owners in the body of Christ start, grow, and/or scale businesses, you’ve been entrusted to help your clients do just that - to not only serve their own families but to advance His Kingdom (His way of being and doing things) through the work they do, serving their customers and impacting their communities and sphere of influence to the glory of God. What an honor and a privilege this is…and a responsibility to steward with care, reverence, and authenticity.

Father, let your Kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

With Love,

Shae Bynes

P.S. Please share this Open Letter publicly and privately as you’re led. A public Facebook version is available at this link.