Faith in Business
E.P. Tremblay is a Faith Based Business
In life, in business, Faith matters
E.P. Tremblay is a faith-based business.
For much of my career, Faith was not something I connected with my work. I have believed in Jesus since my high school years. Since then I have worked to mature in my understanding and in the application of being a Christian in my personal life, but I didn’t think it made sense to talk about my faith with clients, vendors or co-workers, or to incorporate Faith in the company.
I think differently now, and would like to share with you how I came to this realization.
FAITH AS A PART OF OUR MISSION
Several years ago, a series of events that I attribute to God’s guidance led me to join a peer advisory group for Christians known as C12 Group. C12’s mission is to equip Christian CEOs and owners to build great businesses for a greater purpose. I was working together with the Managing Chair for C12 Center of New England, Rick Ferris, on discovering my core values. In the process, Faith came up, but I set it aside. Rick expressed surprise that I was leaving out Faith. I explained that while I was a person of faith in my personal life, I did not think it was appropriate or expedient to be so in the marketplace.
Sometime later, while on a spiritual retreat, God helped me to see that there wasn’t much Integrity (one of my stated core values) in leaving Faith out of my work life. That day I decided that I was also going to be a person of Faith in my business life, and incorporate Faith in my core business values.
You might wonder, why does it matter? Good question! What follows is why I think it matters greatly.
First, my study of the Bible and the life of Jesus has led me to the conclusion that God has created everyone and everything that ever was and ever will be – including my business. Therefore, it follows logically that if He created it, it belongs to Him and we merely have temporary possession and responsibility for taking care of it. Call this Stewardship.
Next, if God created it, it must be for a purpose. In terms of my business, it’s my job as the Steward to figure out and direct it toward that Godly purpose. It also is clear from my studies that Jesus’ mission on Earth was to show us how to live according to our divine purpose. Bible stories of Jesus recount his deep love for people and His willingness to serve to the point of giving His life for us. Accordingly, I believe we should follow His example and serve people – including those we serve in our business, which is inextricably integrated with God’s plan. This gets to the heart of why we exist and our mission here on Earth.
Third, Jesus was also clearly a risk taker who was far more devoted to caring for people and speaking truth than gaining the approval of the religious and political authorities of the day. He also demonstrated a deep humility and trust in God the Father to help carry out His mission. His example is what gives us inspiration and courage to be bold, to care for people, to take risks, to stand for truth, and to depend on God to provide all that is needed to fulfill our mission.
Therefore, Faith matters in all aspects of a person’s life, including business.
So, at the end of our days, we can say that it was our Faith in God, mission and people that gave us real purpose and peace to get up every day to love and serve people for the One who created everything and everyone that ever was and ever will be.
Mark L. Tremblay
President
VALUES
Trust – Trust is foundational to relationships – clients want to believe they can trust us and we want to believe we can trust our clients.
Integrity – Dad always said your ‘word is your bond’. We do our best to live and model integrity when it’s easy and when it’s not.
Balance – We don’t live to work, we work to live. We do our best to find a healthy balance while serving our clients the way we would like to be served ourselves.
Teamwork – It takes everyone doing their job to the best of their ability with the help of their co-workers to take care of our clients in an efficient and timely manner.
Faith – At the end of the day, it’s faith in God, each other, our preparation, systems and processes that allows us to rest peacefully.
MARK TREMBLAY
President, E.P Tremblay | Winner of the C12 CNE Group Member of the Year Award.
The C12 CNE Group member of the year has exemplified the following as your peer in your group;
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Engage and speak into issues with truth and love.
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Brings issues of their own before the group in a humble, teachable and vulnerable manner.
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Sets stretch goals and strong To Do’s
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Makes connections with peers outside the group setting.
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Has grown business as a ministry and exemplified building a great business for a greater purpose.
A GREAT RESOURCE FOR CHANGING THE WORLD