Following months of impassioned debate involving internal stakeholders and external activists, the Boy Scouts of America voted yesterday at its national convention to change its long-standing policy on sexual orientation and allow openly gay scouts while maintaining a ban on gay leaders.

Back in February when a previous attempt by the national staff to change the policy was met with vocal opposition among rank-and-file local scouts, leaders and parents, many saw the move to postpone any decision until the national convention as an indication of a shift toward fuller consideration of viewpoints held by its core constituency of church-based troops and Faith Driven Consumers.

However, yesterday’s vote ultimately pleases neither side.  For the gay activist coalition that won the day, it is a half-victory that will only be resolved when openly gay leaders are also accepted, affirmed and celebrated.  For the majority of scouts, leaders and parents who hold to historic and traditional biblical morals on human sexuality, marriage and family – values reflected in the Scout oath – the policy change is a huge disappointment that begs the question of continuing participation in the organization or leaving to form a more faith-compatible scouting group.

While it’s tempting for Faith Driven Consumers to see yesterday’s vote as a battle limited to the specific context of scouting, it can also be seen as a flashpoint in the broader war over the degree to which a biblical worldview is welcomed  in the culture.  Here, there is much for Faith Driven Consumers to reflect upon in the wake of the Boy Scout vote:

• Did we do all that we could have done to stand up for God’s created intent for human sexuality, family and marriage in the battle for the heart of the Boy Scouts?  Or could we have stood up sooner, stronger, bolder and firmer?
• Are we as God’s ambassadors in the culture ready, willing and able to stand for our biblical worldview in every arena of our lives like the apostles in the Book of Acts and the myriad saints who have gone before us?
• Are we willing to winsomely and effectively engage every arena of the culture to shine the light of God’s truth into an increasingly dark world, or will we choose to retreat into the safety of our holy huddles?

As Faith Driven Consumers, we are called to prayerfully discern where and how God is calling us to stand in the culture and steward the resources entrusted to us in ways that glorify Him.  Like those committed Christians who fought hard in the battle of the Boy Scouts, are you willing to go to the mat for your biblical worldview and values?

Who would have guessed that a family that embodies rural American values and love for hunting and Jesus could be so much fun to watch?

Last summer we wrote about the popular A&E show, “Duck Dynasty,” which follows the daily lives of the Robertson family, a clan of self-proclaimed rednecks whose Duck Commander brand of hunting products has made them rich and famous. 

The 30-minute show has now become a national phenomenon and recently set the record as A&E’s most-watched show after 9.6 million viewers tuned in for the season three series finale on April 24. 

From Yahoo!:

                “Last night’s one-hour episode garnered 5.6 million viewers in adults 25-54, 5.5 million adults 18-49 and 2.6 million adults 18-34 to become the most-watched series telecast in A&E’s history in all demos. That is a 41% rise in 18-49 over last season’s finale and a 47% rise in 25-54.”

In comparison, Fox’s “American Idol” managed to garner only 4.13 million viewers in the 18-49 demographic. “Duck Dynasty” similarly beat “Idol” in the coveted 18-34 demo by an astounding 70 percent.  The success of the first three seasons has producers already gearing up for season four.

“Duck Dynasty” even beat out cultural phenomenon “Downton Abbey” in total viewership for their respective finales.

The popularity of “Duck Dynasty” demonstrates the void in popular culture of faith-friendly products and entertainment.  It also shows that Faith Driven Consumers will flock to support brands that welcome, respect and embrace them. 

As the 11.7 million viewers who tuned in to the March 31 finale of the hit History channel miniseries, “The Bible,” demonstrate, the success of “Duck Dynasty” is not merely an outlier. A significant percentage of Americans want faith-compatible entertainment options.

If you agree, continue to watch “Duck Dynasty” and similar programming and encourage your friends and family to do so as well. 

Despite modest expectations, 42, the faith-driven biopic which follows the rise of Jackie Robinson as the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball, overachieved at the box office on opening weekend by bringing in $27.3 million and topping the charts.

Written and directed by Brian Helgeland (A Knight’s Tale, Robin Hood, Green Zone) and starring Chadwick Boseman as Robinson and Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey, Brooklyn Dodgers president and general manager, 42 is fundamentally a story of Christian faith conquering discrimination and racial bigotry.

The movie begins with Rickey, an outspokenly faith-driven Methodist, informing his staff that he plans to bring an Africa-American player into his organization – an idea deemed unthinkable by most people in an era of entrenched racial segregation.

42 is a compelling and moving tale of courage in the face of persecution as Robinson and Rickey rely on their Christian faith while facing the trials and tribulations that came with breaking the color barrier in baseball, America’s favorite pastime. Both Robinson and Rickey are driven by a higher sense of justice, much of it derived from their biblical worldview and Christian heritage.

Throughout the movie, Rickey repeatedly encourages Robinson to win people over by turning the other cheek and taking the high road. Over the course of Robinson’s first season, we see him begin to win over his teammates, opposing teams and fans as they gain respect for – and eventually rally behind – the future Baseball Hall of Famer.

While 42 necessarily contains difficult scenes depicting the troubling harassment and derogatory language steeped in racial epithets common to the era, 42 is not gratuitous and includes only that which is necessary to properly convey the struggle to overcome racism that Robinson faced as an African-American.

With its entertaining story line and strong faith-based themes, 42 offer a wonderful opportunity for Faith Driven Consumers across America to support a movie that appeals to good and righteous biblical themes while shining the light of Christ into cultural darkness.

Make plans now to take your family and friends to see 42.  As Faith Driven Consumers, we can positively and proactively choose entertainment that aligns with our values and respects the Christian faith held by the vast majority of Americans.

And by stewarding our dollars toward faith-compatible content like 42, we encourage decision makers in Hollywood to produce more wholesome entertainment that has a positive cultural impact.

Whether we realize it or not, each of us makes about 5,000 decisions every day. Some choices are so mundane and automatic that they barely register as blips on our radar. Others have major impact in our lives and reverberate into eternity.

As Faith Driven Consumers, we know from a biblical understanding of stewardship that every choice matters and has consequences. And we know we are called to be good stewards of our time, talent and treasure and are accountable for how well we manage the resources we are entrusted with.

As a powerful new market segment, Faith Driven Consumers are increasingly comfortable making faith-compatible decisions in the economic and voting arenas of American life.  But did you know that good stewardship also compels us to make our collective voices heard in the local school systems we send our children to and support with our tax dollars?

In many places in America today, public schools have been taken over by a worldview and political agenda that is intolerant toward biblical values on important cultural flashpoints like sexuality, gender identity, marriage and family. This is particularly true in schools where events like the Day of Silence are promoted by adult-driven activist groups like the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.

In contrast to the Day of Silence, where students are encouraged to promote homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism by refusing to speak during the day in their classrooms, a positive alternative known as the Day of Dialogue exists for faith-driven Christian students to be salt and light in their schools and share biblical truth on these topics in a loving and respectful way.

The good news for Faith Driven Consumers and our school-aged children is that the courts have ruled that the American constitutional freedom of free speech and religious liberty does not have to be checked at the school house door.

While some Christians call for the removal of their children from classes on the Day of Silence in order to protect them and protest viewpoint discrimination on that day, the opportunity for thousands of Christian students across America to participate in the Day of Dialogue is an idea to be seriously considered.

By encouraging our children to winsomely engage their peers in conversation that encourages true tolerance for differing viewpoints, we as Faith Driven Consumers pour into the next generation the skills they need to effectively participate in the civic process and better steward a biblical worldview in an increasingly contentious culture.

As Faith Driven Consumers, we know at a gut level that pornography harms.  We’ve seen its destructive impact on individual lives, marriages, families and society as it has become increasingly tolerated – even celebrated – in our culture during the last 60 years.

We also know from the Bible that God’s created intent for human sexuality is a glorious picture of male and female coming together as one flesh in complementary design, dignity and beauty – with each bearing the image of God in one-man, one-woman marriage that brings forth new life and forms family units that become the building blocks for communities and society.  

Given that sexuality is a good, wonderful and powerful gift from God, we humans are called upon to steward it well – and encourage others to do so, too.  Here, we know that any expression of sex outside of God’s created intent necessarily degrades and dehumanizes those who participate either directly or indirectly – either as actors or consumers.     

Pornography – like all sin – comes to kill, steal and destroy.  As Faith Driven Consumers, we are called to heed the biblical call to expose the deeds of darkness and do our part to create communities that are safer for us, our neighbors and the generations to come.   

Last week, Morality in Media (MiM) released its “Dirty Dozen” list to expose the leading enablers of pornography in America today.  As a leading national organization dedicated to opposing pornography and indecency through public education and application of the law, MiM is calling on concerned citizens to take action and encourage those listed to change their ways and make America safer for everyone.

Check out the Morality in Media website and learn why each of these companies, organizations or government entities made the “Dirty Dozen” list. And for each one, you can take specifically targeted action to make your voice as a Faith Driven Consumer heard.

Beyond this, make plans now to direct the resources entrusted to you by God to those companies and organizations that offer better, safer and more faith-compatible alternatives.  The Faith Driven Consumer company review guide offers a place to start in researching alternatives that more closely align with your faith and biblical worldview.   

With alluring coffee-based confections that tempt even the most price-conscious taste buds to indulge, Starbucks has taken the world by storm since its founding in 1971 to become a global Fortune 500 icon showcasing American innovation and ingenuity.  

Its 2011 revenues of $11.7 billion, generated by the hard work of more than 149,000 employees in 17,000 stores, make Starbucks a company that can profoundly impact local communities in the 55 countries where it operates.

According to their website, Starbucks seeks to do good and be “a catalyst for positive change”. Its vision is to help customers “thrive” – while “respecting and bringing value” to the communities it serves.

But what if Starbucks – through its corporate actions – shows disrespect for a powerful and rapidly emerging group of consumers? What are the consequences if Starbucks actively invests in public policy initiatives that not only oppose a group’s values and worldview but ultimately undermine its prosperity and freedom?

In recent years this very situation has unfolded with Starbucks’ position toward the 46 million Americans known as Faith Driven Consumers. Although they represent 15 percent of the population, spend $1.75 trillion annually and drink plenty of coffee in their homes, offices and churches, Starbucks has supported state and national political efforts to redefine sexuality, marriage and family away from the natural, organic and biblical model.

Here, Starbucks was one of 203 companies to sign on to a brief encouraging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn California’s Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), both of which define marriage as being between one man and one woman.  

Howard Shultaz, CEO of Starbucks. Picture from The Week

In 2011, under pressure from gay activists, CEO Howard Schultz cancelled at the last minute a contracted keynote speech to Christian leaders sponsored by evangelical megachurch Willow Creek in Illinois. And just last week at its annual shareholder meeting in Seattle, Schultz told a Faith Driven Consumer who questioned the impact of a Christian boycott on corporate performance to “sell your shares and buy stock in another company.”  

He stated that the company’s actions support diversity.  However, many people question how you can have true diversity by including some groups while excluding others, like Faith Driven Consumers, from the rainbow?  While views among Christians about how to respond to Starbucks’ support of political efforts that undermine the sanctity of marriage and family range from boycott and petition to a shrug of the shoulders, others encourage a “buycott” of companies that are more faith-compatible. 

It’s clear that Starbucks has chosen sides in the culture war and communicated to Faith Driven Consumers that their biblical worldview is neither welcomed nor respected.

Just as Starbucks has the freedom to choose which market segments it will pursue, so, too, do Faith Driven Consumers have the right to choose which companies they support based on their faith and values.  And just as God cares about a ten percent tithe, is He not also concerned about how well his people steward the remaining ninety percent entrusted to them?  

This begs the question:  Is it good stewardship to spend money with a company that directs significant proceeds to activities that undermine God’s created intent for sexuality, marriage and family – and ultimately threaten the cherished American religious freedom?

If not, perhaps it’s time for Faith Driven Consumers to take positive steps to choose a more faith-compatible alternative to Starbucks. While the options will vary from one community to the next, some to consider include Caribou Coffee, Dunkin Donuts and coffee produced by groups like Thrive Farmers Coffee.   

Faith Driven Consumers know that every choice matters and has stewardship consequences.  The corporate behavior of Starbucks presents Faith Driven Consumers with a decision point:  Choose this day whom you will serve.

Want to make a positive impact and help others out of poverty – all while doing something you probably do every day?

Let’s face it:  Americans love their coffee.  More than 100 million of us drink it daily – 54% of the population over the age of 18. And some polls show that 63% of Americans drink coffee every day.

Here, Faith Driven Consumers are no different.  Our churches serve up coffee every week before and after worship services and some large mega-churches have annual coffee budgets in excess of $30,000.

In fact, after oil, coffee is the second most valuable commodity in the world.

Given the economic impact of coffee, this recent piece from the New York Times caught our attention. “Coffee’s Economics, Rewritten by Farmers,” highlights a new business model for coffee production launched by Christian entrepreneurial farmer, Kenneth Lander.

As a Faith Driven Consumer and Christian businessman, Lander seeks to glorify God by improving on the idea of “fair trade” for products and commodities produced in poorer areas of the world and empower farmers to “participate in the added value as coffee moves downstream to the consumer.”

To this end, he has established Thrive Farmers Coffee to go beyond the “fair trade” model and teach impoverished Central American farmers that they don’t have to give up control of their coffee and “can see it all the way through the value chain.”

Bottom line:  Lander’s Thrive Farmers Coffee is among a growing number of innovative business models in the coffee industry that allow farmers to increase their ownership and profit margins by selling directly to the consumer rather than to middlemen who process and roast the coffee beans – and in the current system keep the majority of the profits.   

From its humble beginnings in 2011, Thrive sold 328,000 pounds of coffee in 2012 over the Internet, to churches and through specialty stores – at prices that eventually return three to four times what the farmers would have received had they sold their beans through “fair trade” arrangements.  Through this model, the farmers move out of a cycle of impoverishment toward economic thriving for their families, communities and nations.

Scripture teaches us that we as followers of Christ are called to be a blessing to the communities in which God has planted us.  As Faith Driven Consumers, we also know that every choice matters – even from whom we buy our daily cuppa Joe.

Check out Thrive Farmers Coffee and compare how your current coffee is sourced.  Then consider which one allows you and your church to make the greatest difference in the lives of Central American coffee farmers and their communities.

Combining Hollywood and the Holy Book, “The Bible” is a ten-part miniseries airing on the History Channel  beginning on March 3^rd and culminating on Easter Sunday.

Producer Mark Burnett and wife Roma Downey

Created by the producer of such mainstream shows as “Survivor,” “The Apprentice,” “The Voice” and “Shark Tank,” Mark Burnett recruited his wife, Roma Downey – star of “Touched by an Angel” – to portray Jesus’ mother, Mary, in the series. Together, Burnett and Downey took a leap of faith and created “The Bible” to target both Evangelical Christians and the general consumer audience and help “set the record straight.”

Beginning in the Book of Genesis and ending in Revelation, “The Bible” takes viewers through various biblical stories in ways meant to both educate and entertain. In an interview with Simon Carswell of The Irish Times, the couple noted that there are 60 billion copies of the Bible in circulation but most Christians know very little about its contents.

Burnett and Downey see the Bible as an epic love story and expect the series to have an enormous impact. To ensure accuracy and biblical orthodoxy, they recruited more than 40 theologians and academics to advise them on all aspects of the series.

As Faith Driven Consumers, we can positively and proactively choose entertainment – like “The Bible” – that aligns with our values and respects the Christian faith held by the vast majority of Americans.

With each faith-compatible show that is produced, we see an entertainment marketplace that is positively responding to the newly emerging segment of Faith Driven Consumers – who spend $1.75 trillion annually and comprise 46 million Americans.

And just as Burnett and Downey chose to use their God-given talents and treasure to share their faith help declare the precious and timeless truths of the Scriptures, how can you as a Faith Driven Consumer steward your faith in ways that glorify God in your daily activities and spheres of influence?

Starting this Sunday night, March 3rd, tune in to “The Bible” on the History Channel at 8 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Central.  And be sure to tell your family and friends about it as well.

“The Bible” will run for five Sundays throughout March and will conclude Easter Sunday, March 31. 

It’s that time of the year again:  young girls across America are hitting the streets in their brown vests to sell their irresistible Thin Mints and other delights in what is the largest annual fundraiser for the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA).  

For more than a century, this iconic organization has helped millions of girls develop courage, confidence and character for a lifetime – including such leadership skills as goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. 

While buying the celebrated Samoas was once a no-brainer, many concerns have been raised in recent years by Faith Driven Consumers about positions held by the GSUSA and its affiliate organization, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), that are in conflict with a biblical worldview.  

In one example out of many, GSUSA and WAGGGS regularly promote secularized positions on sex, sexuality, marriage, family and abortion – putting Faith Driven Consumers in a difficult spot.

As Faith Driven Consumers, we are called to be good stewards of our time, talent and treasure. Given these policy shifts at GSUSA, Faith Driven Consumers are called to make an informed decision about whether to partake in America’s annual Girl Scout cookie ritual or take a pass based on deeply held faith convictions.

One aspect to making an informed faith-driven decision involves considering appropriate alternatives.  Here are two faith-compatible alternatives to consider:  

• American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered character development program dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God. In 2012, membership totaled more than 20,000 girls with troops in 48 states.
• Frontier Girls focuses on patriotism, traditional values, community service and a love of learning.

Can’t live without that great Tagalong taste? Another option is to make your own version of your favorite Girl Scout cookies with these recipes:

• Thin Mints: http://www.mnn.com/food/recipes/blogs/all-natural-thin-mint-cookies-even-better-than-the-girl-scout-version
• Samoa Bars: http://bakingbites.com/2009/02/homemade-girl-scout-cookies-samoas-bars/
• Do-Si-Dos: http://bakingbites.com/2008/01/homemade-girl-scout-cookies-do-si-dos/
• Tagalongs: http://www.chow.com/food-news/55471/how-to-make-left-behinds/
• Shortbread Cookies: http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/32/English_Shortbread42422.shtml 
• Lemon Coolers: http://bakingbites.com/2010/02/homemade-girl-scout-cookies-lemon-coolers/

Being a Faith Driven Consumer means stewarding to the best degree possible every daily decision – large or small – in a way that brings God glory and honor.  Even something as seemingly insignificant as buying Girl Scout cookies can make a difference in the degree to which an organization pays attention to the legitimate views of a large and economically powerful constituency group like Faith Driven Consumers.

Take the opportunity afforded by the annual Girl Scout cookie sale to research and consider the degree to which the organization reflects your biblical values. For some, supporting an alternative organization might be the best answer. For others, making your own cookies fits the bill. And for yet others, continuing to support the GSUSA because local troops have resisted the national policy shifts may remain a viable option.

St. Valentine

Although some uncertainty surrounds the details of the life and death of the saint whose Latin name was Valentinus, according to one account he was arrested for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians in an era when offering them comfort was forbidden in the Roman Empire.Eventually, Valentine was brought before Emperor Claudius II, who initially liked him. However, when Valentine refused to worship Roman gods and, instead, attempted to convert Claudius to Christ, he was beaten and then beheaded on February 14 outside the Flaminian Gate.

Another account places Valentinus as the former Bishop of Terni, in modern-day central Italy. Here, he shared Christ with a Roman judge and laid hands on his blind daughter’s eyes and restored her sight. This caused the judge to break the pagan idols in his household, release all the Christian inmates under his jurisdiction, and become baptized – along with 40 others.

Valentine continued to share the Gospel and was later arrested and sent to Rome where he refused to recant his faith to Claudius.  For this, he was beaten and beheaded.

The common thread to these accounts is that of a valiant and brave man of faith who was willing to pay the ultimate price for what he knew to be true.  Here, the story of Valentine points us to the sacrificial love of a valiant and brave Jesus, who as the God-man was martyred on our behalf so that all who put their faith in Him might be restored into right relationship with God and live abundantly now and into eternity.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16, New International Version)

As the world rightfully and joyously celebrates love on February 14^th each year, let’s not forget that as Faith Driven Consumers we, too, are called to make daily sacrifices and live out our faith in a consumer arena that tempts us with all manner of idols to worship.

Like Valentine, will we sacrificially refuse to bow down to our culture’s idols and instead seek to glorify Jesus in all that we say and do? The choice is ours.  And it’s a choice based in love.