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The Mountains of Influence

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When I think about the C3 October theme, “The Power of Influence” I am reminded about the popular teaching of the seven mountains of influence. The seven mountains of cultural influence include family, education, government, religion, business, arts and entertainment, and media. Some mountains seem to be growing in their influence on the culture, while others seem to be lessening in their influence.

In my opinion, the elevation of the importance of one mountain of influence over another has caused much of the cultural decline we observe today. The result can be an increasing gap in the secular sacred divide and a deterioration of influence in other mountains of influence. The Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” So whatever mountains we operate, we are to work at it with all of our heart to positively influence our culture.

The reality is we operate on multiple mountains such as family, religion, business, etc. and each of the seven mountains have the potential to positively or negatively influence our culture. When we understand the source and importance of each of the mountains of influence, then we can be intentional in our own lives to use our influence wisely.

The Kingdom of God Mountain

Since I first heard the teaching on the seven mountains of influence, I would draw one mountain over the seven mountains, which is the Kingdom of God mountain. This allows me to visualize that all mountains of influence are under the Kingdom of God, and one is not more important than the others.

We tend to use the measures of wealth, position, power, etc. to determine our level of influence and importance. However, Jesus gave us a different standard found in the Gospel of Mark 12:41-44, “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.””

The parable of the widow helps us to see that our influence is also a stewardship issue, and we should be good stewards of the influence we have. Whether you are a stay at home parent, or the CEO of a Fortune 50 company, each will be held accountable for how they steward the resources they have been provided, including influence. Each of us have been given varying gifts, talents, and resources that we should steward well, and we will also be accountable for them.

Stewardship and Accountability

It is easy to look at others that have an abundance of wealth or talent and think that I too could be successful if I had what they have, but God does not call us to compare ourselves to others. He calls us to apply the gifts, talents, and resources He has provided each of us to be our best. The Gospel of Matthew provides a great example of stewardship and accountability in the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. Each of the three servants were given varying resources and the two that doubled the amount given were provided with the “well done my good and faithful servant.” The servant that buried what he was given was called evil, what he was given was taken away, and it was given to the one that had the most.

Stewardship and accountability apply to all we are given, whether we are talking about tangible assets, influence, relationships, etc. We all desire to hear the “well done my good and faithful servant” as we seek to positively influence those in our circle of influence.

To get more information and join the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce (SC-C3) movement, go to www.sc-c3.org and become a member today!

Jamie Jordan is the State Director for the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce (SC-C3). His passion is to see unity and excellence exhibited within the Christian community. Jamie can be reached at jjordan@stravicom.com.

Super Influence

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When someone thinks of what has influenced or impacted them, they will often think of a person in their life. Perhaps it’s a parent, grandparent, or a child. It could even be a celebrity, someone they have never met, but has influenced them all the same. Throughout social media, there are tons of celebrities known as “influencers.” They usually endorse a certain product or location in exchange for free products and payment, simply because of the number of followers they have. It’s just like seeing Jennifer Aniston in the Aveeno television ads, or Sam. L. Jackson in the Capital One television ads. We look at these advertisements, whether on social media or TV, and think “I want that because they use it. I can be as beautiful as Jen, if only I use that Aveeno lotion.” This is evidence that the power of influence is stronger and more proliferating than ever. Are we allowing the right things to influence and shape us?

A Super Influence

Over the last 7 years, I have discovered that one can experience that same power of influence from a fictional character. That character for me is Superman. His essence and character, among the other things around me, pulled me from heading in the wrong direction in middle school. I got my first pair of glasses in eighth grade, and that’s when people around me started calling me “Clark Kent.” At the time, I did not care about Superman, and even thought he was “stupid and outdated.” It wasn’t until after 2013’s Man of Steel film that my opinion of Superman shifted. I saw what he truly stood for; I saw who he was. Honestly, knowing he was adopted like I am sealed the deal.

Ironically, most Superman fans at the time were not very appreciative of Man of Steel, as it took a gritty and more realistic approach to the character. However, I believe without this rendition, I would be in a much worse place today. This movie sparked a fire that turned into a true obsession. I went back and watched the old movies and shows and read the comics. I saw the Biblical parallels, like being sent down by his father to save Earth, and this resulted in bringing me closer to God. As if the circumstances were a Rube-Goldberg machine, or a complex row of dominoes, my inability to see clearly in the physical realm led to more clarity in the spiritual. This could only have been through God Himself. As my Superman obsession and relationship with God grew, my personal values became more defined. I wished to reflect these Christ-like qualities that Superman/Clark Kent portrayed. This desire has not changed over the years, and I don’t believe it ever will.

God’s Plan

In Jeremiah 29:11-13, it is stated “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Through these verses, I believe that it was always God’s plan for me to become the Superman obsessed person I am today. Superman is not portrayed as perfect, but I believe he embodies the Fruit of the Spirit well. The influence he carried changed my life, and it was changed for the better. Perhaps you have also been changed by a fictional character. There is nothing wrong with that; embrace it! I pray you may be open to God’s influence, even if it is found in the most unlikely of places.

To get more information and join the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce (SC-C3) movement, go to www.sc-c3.org and become a member today!

Cameron Jordan is a third-year mechanical engineering student at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. Cameron can be reached at camjordan1025@gmail.com.

Four Unmistakable Elements to Influence Others

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Specific individuals have that irresistible and flaming influence. They bring out the best in others. They know how to get the extra effort from the people they are around. They possess a knack for inspiring people. They can foster hope in discouraging times. They rally discouraged people to achieve specific goals amid overwhelming odds.

Their influence is like a fire on a cold, lifeless piece of iron.  While many attempts have been made to break the metal, all have failed. But the small, soft flame curls around the iron, embracing it, and never leaving the iron until it melts under the flame’s irresistible influence.

History reminds us of influencing people. Napoleon, when on the battlefield, was, in balance, according to Wellington, the equivalent of fighting against another 40,000 men. England and perhaps the whole Western world owes its existence to the ability of Winston Churchill to breathe hope into a sad and frightened nation. He rallied her citizens to stand firm and courageous against the onslaught of the dreaded Nazi fighting machine.

What is it about these influencing people that we can learn from that will enable us to have the same kind of influence? 

Influencing individuals have an undeniable dream. 

All influencing individuals know where they are going.  They have a clear sense of direction.  A reason for living.  A clearly defined purpose for life. Victor Hugo, the French poet, wrote, “There is nothing like a dream to create the future.”

Influencing people see as secondary the climbing a ladder of status or chasing a gold mine of wealth, those things will not last beyond the grave. Instead, they dream of impacting people for eternity. They give themselves to the attainment of that pursuit. And, as William James once stated, “The best use of your life is to invest it in something that will outlast it.”

Influencing individuals have an unflappable tenacity.

Persons of tenacity refuse to quit.  Nothing will discourage them. They attack life with determination. They possess remarkable staying power. They refuse to quit. They know that life cannot deny itself to the person who gives life his all. When faced with a mountain, they do not stop. They keep on striving until they climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath, or turn the mountain into a gold mine.

Influencing individuals have a fearless faith.

Courageous faith is committed to high ideals.  People of faith will not allow their principles to be compromised. Courageous faith is revealed in adverse conditions.  People of faith are never victims of circumstances, but victors over circumstances. Bold faith is optimistic about tomorrow.  People of faith know that when one door is shut another door that is bigger and wider a little farther down the road will be opened. Courageous faith is persisting when we don’t feel like it. People of faith know that feelings are like a caboose on a train, present but not essential to the ultimate arrival of the objective.

Influencing individuals have unyielding compassion.

Influencing individuals demonstrate care and compassion for the people they are around. This love propels them to make a difference.

Love keeps the flame of influence burning brightly. Teilhard de Chardin said it this way: “The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides, and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire.”

One person has the power to make a difference: A difference in one’s marriage, one’s family, one’s home, one’s work, one’s school, one’s church, one’s community, one’s nation, and one’s world.

To get more information and join the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce (SC-C3) movement, go to www.sc-c3.org and become a member today!

Rick Ezell is the Managing Partner of Employee Care of America, which provides care, chaplaincy, coaching, and crisis management to the workplace (www.employeecareofamerica.com). Read more of his writings at www.rickezell.com.

The Power of Influence

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October C3 theme is “The Power of Influence.” We must understand influence and its power if we are to positively impact our world. When I ponder the power of influence, the scripture in Matthew 5:14-16 comes to mind. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Influence Defined

Many think their level of influence is based on money, power, or prestige. However, when we look at the definition of influence we do not see a reference to these attributes.  The Google definition of influence is, “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.”. When we examine this definition, we notice a couple of things. First influence has the capacity to effect and secondly, influence can have a positive or negative effect on our character, development, or behavior.

From this definition of influence, we quickly see the wisdom that the Apostle Paul provides in that famous verse found in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This reflects the importance of what we allow to enter our minds to realize a transformed life.

Investment Required

I have always enjoyed the saying, “you can’t give away what you do not have.” This is certainly true and highlights the need to invest in ourselves if we desire to be a person of influence. When we invest in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, study the Word of God, and pursue excellence in our skills and relationships, we can invest in others because we have first invested in ourselves and have something to share with others.

Jesus is our perfect example as He invested in His relationship with His Heavenly Father first, so He could be prepared to influence the many. The following scriptures in Mark 1:35-39 reflect this investment, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”, Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.”

Intentional Influence

Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world, which is his plan to dispel the darkness and we can do this through intentional influence. When we understand the definition and importance of influence and the required investment we are to make, we begin to sense the importance of intentional influence.

Each of us has influence. The world is hungry for the fruit of the Spirit to be manifest in our everyday lives from the kind word to the cashier we encounter to being engaged in our workplace, church, and community.

Well Done

The familiar parable of the talents found in Matthew 25 paints a picture of the good steward who took the talents he was given and invested them intentionally to produce a good return for his master. When his master returned he got the “well done my good and faithful servant, enter in my kingdom. “These are the words I desire to hear when I see Jesus face to face, and this does not happen without intentional, focused effort and a relationship with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Join me as we work to be influential disciples that desire to change our communities through the finished work of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit!

To get more information and join the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce (SC-C3) movement, go to www.sc-c3.org and become a member today!

Jamie Jordan is the State Director for the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce (SC-C3). His passion is to see unity and excellence exhibited within the Christian community. Jamie can be reached at jjordan@stravicom.com.

The Danger of Disconnecting

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Legendary college football coach Woody Hayes was often quoted as saying, “When you pass the football, three things can happen, and two of them are bad.” It could be caught by the intended receiver, but it could also fall incomplete or, worse, be intercepted by the opposing team. He loved running the football, knowing that once the football was disconnected from the hands of one of his players, anything could happen, and he disliked the odds.

            Consider, then, the risks of disconnecting oneself from the community of believers in the one true God. Several things can happen as a result and all of them lead to undesirable situations and consequences:

  • Disconnected, we’re on our own.
  • Disconnected, we’re out of touch.
  • Disconnected, we’re an easy target.
  • Disconnected, we’re easily disordered.

On our own

            The image of the Marlboro Man, a lone cowboy on a horse in the middle of nowhere, sent a message of self-sufficiency so attractive to so many that the marketing campaign lasted for years and sold a lot of cigarettes. We flirt with the notion that we need no one, that we are self-made men and women. Leave me alone, we may think, and I’ll take care of myself.

            Nothing could be further from God’s truth. We know that we can do nothing without God. We can act against His will, certainly, but God and only God is sovereign and has the last word when it comes to what happens in the world. Fortunately, He loves us and wants us to be in union with Him. He rejoices when we seek Him and pursues us relentlessly when we stray from the fold.

Out of touch

            When we focus on life outside of the community of believers, we’re apt to lose out on the real-life stories of God’s saving grace, love and mercy. If we turn our attention to media and the world’s information outlets, the content can scare us, painting a picture of a cruel, dangerous and hopelessly evil world. To illustrate, pick up a local newspaper and look for the silver and golden wedding anniversary notices. You certainly won’t find them on the front page, if at all. The world simply doesn’t deem longstanding love, commitment and devotion between husband and wife newsworthy.

            Contrast this with a small group study, meeting weekly and praying for those in need of physical healing, for recovery for the victims of a natural disaster, for each other and for their families to live under God’s protection and provision. In that setting, a single verse from God’s Word can still change perspective, attitude and even a life.

An easy target

            When we disconnect from close friends and the community of faith to pursue our personal goals and dreams, we put ourselves directly in harm’s way. That’s because as individuals we’re sitting ducks for the enemy’s attacks. This is where Satan does some of his best work. Disconnected, we’re out of touch with those who love us and can help us grow in the Spirit and we’re simultaneously in the crosshairs of the “thief (who) comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:10)

            This is not to say that time alone is all bad. Our quiet time spent in communion with God is most precious and can keep us on the right track in this life. In fact, for many people it’s the single most enriching part of their spiritual life. Isolation without God close by in our thoughts, prayers and actions, however, is simply a dangerous way to live. It also prevents us from obeying the two great commandments- to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Easily disordered

            If you agree with the disciplined thinking that everything counts, either helping us move closer to God or further away, you begin to look at how you use God’s gifts of time, talent and treasure in a way different from much of the world. If you can’t wait to get home from work and binge watch your favorite drama or comedy until the wee hours of the morning, you might be forsaking a good night’s sleep, time in prayer and activities invested in staying strong and healthy physically and mentally. The key question: Is what I’m doing right now moving me into a closer relationship with God or further away? By allowing for middle ground and considering that such activities simply don’t count, we can rationalize our very lives away.

            By contrast, when we put God first in our earthly existence, we can more easily find His wisdom, acting prudently and consistently with His will, and, as Henry Blackaby says, join Him in His work. The Kingdom work we do alongside others in the community of faith pulls us closer to God. That’s when we are most likely to order our time, talent and treasures properly, in divine priority.

To get more information and join the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce (SC-C3) movement, go to www.sc-c3.org and become a member today!

John Carroll is a strategist and growth consultant based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He is a board member of LifeWorks Charleston and the founding board chair of Camp Rise Above. You can find him online at www.JohnCarroll.com, via e-mail at John@JohnCarroll.com and by voice and text at 843-224-8815.