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

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 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.