Doctrines & Personal Preferences

Christians have major doctrines, minor doctrines and personal preferences. So do successful entrepreneurs and business owners.

More often than they should, both groups dwell on personal preferences more than major and minor doctrines. 

A growing number of 21st century Christians have made personal preferences more important in their life style than major doctrines. As a result, this backwards approach to priorities has made the church weaker in its impact and influence on society.

Major Christian Doctrines                            

1. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
2. The sinless life of Jesus Christ
3. Jesus Christ is the only way to God

Minor Christian Doctrines

1. How often to hold communion
2. Church leadership structure
3. Pre-trib or Post-trib belief

Personal Preferences

1. How to dress for church
2. Style of music
3. Church start-time

Serving as a director of a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), I have counseled hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners in the past five years. Similar to the previous Christian example, I see a growing number of people in the business community that make personal preferences more important than major and minor business doctrines.

Major Business Doctrines

1. Positive cash-flow, both planned and actual
2. Resilience powered by a meaningful Why (vision/mission)
3. Trust that employees, customers, suppliers, investors and lenders can believe 

Minor Business Doctrines

1. Have a niche, be unique not cheap
2. Have a written marketing plan
3. Have a board of advisors and/or mentor 

Personal Business Preferences

1. Name of the business
2. Tax-type of business, e.g., sole propritor, LLC, S-Corp, etc.
3. Home-based or brick & mortar

The success or failure of a new or existing business is not determined by it's name or tax-type. Instead, successful and sustainable businesses have leaders with resilience, cash-flow acumen and knowledge of the Speed of Trust.

Do you agree of disagree?

What would you add, edit or delete?

Do you have a different example of doctrines and personal prferences?