Keeping The Faith: NetWorking In Faith-Based Communities

Advertising only through their faith based communities by way of faith based radio networks, study groups, resource guides and bookstores, structured faith based networking organizations are becoming more and more common. These organizations are formed strictly for doing business with those of the same faith.

From flyers to statements of faith, members are invited to once a week meetings, to display their advertisements in faith based publications and display their products and services at meetings, expos, women’s conferences, concerts and other general congregation activities.

Their purpose is very clear – “grow business by referrals” along with growing their faith by building their own businesses and the business of others “one business at a time” within their faith based community.

The best way to find these groups is to connect with the faith based community. Be it a church, a study group, a synagogue, a mosque or a temple, being a part of the community is the first requirement to becoming a part of the networking organization. From there, the networks vary. Some have an on-line component which provides networking online, even social networks and a Faith-Based Facebook, are emerging with online activities.

Once in the networks, like the Christian Based Network, Catholic Based Network and Jewish Based Networks, they way they build business is the same as any other networking organization. There’s an opening, a chance for people to give their quick commercial, a highlight on two to three businesses, time to pass referrals and make recommendations and testimonials, a thoughtful quote or prayer at the end and they're own their way until next week’s meeting.

The key to being successful at “faith based networking” lies in the relationship you already have with the community. If you joined the community for business alone, then you are disconnected from their mission and purpose which makes you seem insincere and almost “predator like”.

For example, if you’re a regular church-goer and attendee then you’ll already start forming social connections and become involved with the purpose and focus of the church. It comes down to using common sense, your best judgment and harnessing your sense of integrity. Working with others in your community is a solid way to provide the opportunity for people to get to know you and see evidence of your character and competence, as long as you remember what their purpose is for being there. And, ask yourself – is that your purpose? Betraying the trust of fellow faith based community members or taking advantage of people and attending faith based services for the ‘sole purpose of building business’, will build only solid negative word of mouth which is seven times more powerful and lasting then positive word of mouth.

Check your heart and your spirit to hear the “why” of wanting to embark upon a faith based networking experience.

Some faith based networking organizations found from research (many have multiple city locations):

• Jewish Business Network
• Catholic Business Network
• Christian Business Network
• International Christian Chamber of Commerce
• BusinessNetwork4Christ
• Christian Networking Association
• Christian Business Women’s Network
• Christian Connect Membership Network
• Christians Networking
• Christian Business Association
• Christian Business Leads Network
• Christian Kingdom Network
• Christian Work A Home Mom Network
• Church of Christ Business Contacts
• Baptist Business Network
• Mormon Business Network
• Mormon Café
• LDS Contact
• Muslim Business Network
• International Muslim Business Network
• First Muslim
• Muslim Business Club
• Hindu Business Network
• Hindu Business Line Ryze Network
• Buddhist Business Network
• Buddhist Network
• Sikh Business Associates
• Jewish Entrepreneurs Network
• Jewish Business League
• Jewish Business Women’s Alliance
• Jewish Community Business Referral Network
• Jewish Business Association
• Jewish Professional Women’s Network

I’m sure there are many more that I missed in my research yet here’s a good starting list if you would like to reach further into your faith based community. Most importantly, keep the FAITH in your faith based networking.

I utilized the following chart to search for the most prevalent religions.

Major Religions of the World

Ranked by Number of Adherents – by adherents.com

(Sizes shown are approximate estimates, and are here mainly for the purpose of ordering the groups, not providing a definitive number. This list is sociological/statistical in perspective.)

1. Christianity: 2.1 billion
2. Islam: 1.5 billion
3. Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion
4. Hinduism: 900 million
5. Chinese traditional religion: 394 million
6. Buddhism: 376 million
7. primal-indigenous: 300 million
8. African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million
9. Sikhism: 23 million
10. Juche: 19 million
11. Spiritism: 15 million
12. Judaism: 14 million
13. Baha'i: 7 million
14. Jainism: 4.2 million
15. Shinto: 4 million
16. Cao Dai: 4 million
17. Zoroastrianism: 2.6 million
18. Tenrikyo: 2 million
19. Neo-Paganism: 1 million
20. Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand
21. Rastafarianism: 600 thousand
22. Scientology: 500 thousand

Your multicultural Champion of Connections Coach– Maria Elena Moral CHUA Duron – signing out for now.

 

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