Christian Ethical Response to Business Management Among Churches in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

A number of academic researchers have been carried out on the
importance of Christian ethics. However, this paper examines the
Christian ethical response to business management among the
churches in Oyo State of Nigeria. In view of the 21st century needs
for integrity in Business Management, in spite of the various
unethical attitudes and corruption, and for which the church cannot
be exonerated due to her overwhelming responsibilities for charity
and infrastructural development. The onus of this paper therefore
is the considerations placed on the business enterprises by the
church, namely the Education Sector; Money Market/Shares,
Business Centres; Guest Houses; Bookstores; Agric Sectors;
Cooperative Society and Aids; and Estate Investment. The method
adopted for this paper is historical; the historical method considers
the history and processes used among the Church’s Business
Enterprises in Oyo State. The finding shows that, over the years, it
has been difficult for churches to meet the needs of their members
owing to lack of adequate funds and the drive for customers and
economic gains. There is need for enlightenment for Church leaders
to improve their financial base without compromising ethical values.
This template would serve as a means of educating and guiding
Church into taking positive steps to investment and management,
and help Churches to generate more income. It would as well guide
churches in upholding Godly fear in their businesses. Conclusively
the church officers (Treasurer/Accounts Staff) including the Pastors
should be given the opportunity to attend Seminars, Workshop and
Conferences in order to be updated on how church ethical business
can be managed. Churches must seek the proper counsel and
guidance of the professionals on any business investment drive they
want to embark on, so as to avoid bad businesses; Churches must 258
Lead City Journal of Religions and Intercultural Communication (ISSN 3043-4416)
The Journal of the Department of Religious and Intercultural Studies, Faculty of Arts, Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria
Volume 2, Number 2, December 2024 see the ethical business drive as biblical and churches must, as
matter of policy, earmark an agreed sum of money in their budget. It is recommended therefore that, Churches should imbibe ethical
values in their business, remembering that Christ’s name must be honoured with ethical principles.