Christian Ethical Response to Business Management Among Churches in Oyo State, Nigeria
Summary
A number of academic researchers have been carried out on theimportance of Christian ethics. However, this paper examines theChristian ethical response to business management among thechurches in Oyo State of Nigeria. In view of the 21st century needsfor integrity in Business Management, in spite of the variousunethical attitudes and corruption, and for which the church cannotbe exonerated due to her overwhelming responsibilities for charityand infrastructural development. The onus of this paper thereforeis the considerations placed on the business enterprises by thechurch, namely the Education Sector; Money Market/Shares,Business Centres; Guest Houses; Bookstores; Agric Sectors;Cooperative Society and Aids; and Estate Investment. The methodadopted for this paper is historical; the historical method considersthe history and processes used among the Church’s BusinessEnterprises in Oyo State. The finding shows that, over the years, ithas been difficult for churches to meet the needs of their membersowing to lack of adequate funds and the drive for customers andeconomic gains. There is need for enlightenment for Church leadersto improve their financial base without compromising ethical values.This template would serve as a means of educating and guidingChurch into taking positive steps to investment and management,and help Churches to generate more income. It would as well guidechurches in upholding Godly fear in their businesses. Conclusivelythe church officers (Treasurer/Accounts Staff) including the Pastorsshould be given the opportunity to attend Seminars, Workshop andConferences in order to be updated on how church ethical businesscan be managed. Churches must seek the proper counsel andguidance of the professionals on any business investment drive theywant to embark on, so as to avoid bad businesses; Churches must 258Lead 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, NigeriaVolume 2, Number 2, December 2024 see the ethical business drive as biblical and churches must, asmatter of policy, earmark an agreed sum of money in their budget. It is recommended therefore that, Churches should imbibe ethicalvalues in their business, remembering that Christ’s name must be honoured with ethical principles.