Based on extensive research and experience, Phil Clements believes that Christianity laid the foundations for the commercial world. He also thinks current global trends are taking us away from this solid foundation, to our peril.
Phil knows what he’s talking about. He’s the Distinguished Visiting Professor of Business at The King’s College, New York City, an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University, and a guest lecturer at Wheaton College on accounting and business in the real world. His impressive CV includes degrees in law and theology as well as senior executive positions in global companies like Standard & Poor’s, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Coopers & Lybrand.
Phil has more than 20 years’ experience advising companies on everything from operating and financial strategies to capitalization and restructuring. At present he’s Managing Director at Cathedral Consulting Group, Calyx Capital Advisors, and the Center for Christian Business Ethics Today (https://www.cfcbe.com).
The Center’s research shows that Christianity, as found in the Westminster Confession of Faith, laid the foundations for the commercial world, as we know it today. The current movement of society across the world risks the abandonment of these business practices. To reinvigorate the study of founding business principles, the Center challenges those sharing God’s calling to business, to use God’s Word and His principles to shape their engagement in business.
Phil finds a strong ally in Pinnacle Forum when it comes to applying Christian principles in the marketplace. “I’m a big fan of Pinnacle Forum,” he says. “I love the way they connect businesspeople to the needs of their surrounding communities.
“Pinnacle Forum emphasizes the right order of priorities,” Phil explains. “The first task is to be faithful to our calling as Christians. We are to be witnesses by doing our jobs well. Then we should look around for those who are in trouble. I think of the story of the Good Samaritan. With their emphasis on social responsibility, Pinnacle Forum helps busy travelers like me broaden our vision and notice those lying on the side of the road who need our help.”
Phil walks the talk. Community service plays an important role in his life. He was for 16 years the High School Sunday School teacher, an elder, and part of the praise and worship team at his local church. He’s also the Chairman Emeritus of the Board of the National Bible Association and is the Chairman of HOPE Bible Mission Board.
“My extensive travel keeps me from regularly attending a Forum group,” Phil says, “but I visit them whenever I can. It’s always a great time of fellowship. I did make it to the National Conference in Phoenix this year. I was encouraged and recharged by the people and the messages.”
You can check out the resources created for Pinnacle Forum by The Center for Christian Business Ethics by going to https://pinnacleforum.com/engage/.
