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Four Dallas Business Leaders Discuss Surviving a Financial Tsunami
"Just because you might fail in business, you are not a failure.
As Christians, we are not defined by our business success
or our material possessions
but by our relationship with Christ."
Over 100 people gathered to glean wisdom from a panel of seasoned business leaders who have at least two things in common: 1) They all experienced the white-knuckle economy of the late 1980s; and 2) They all know it was God who brought them through those tough times.
The panel at this Park Cities Presbyterian event included Clyde Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Wynne/Jackson; Fred Ball, Senior Executive Chairman of Bank of Texas; Butch McCaslin, Co-chairman and Founding Partner of McCaslin Development; and Tracy Taylor, President of Watson & Taylor, and Chairman of the National Self Storage Association Board of Directors.
The audience listened with rapt attention as these prominent businessmen discussed what God had taught them about weathering financial storms. One common lesson they all had learned: Business has a lot more to do with faith than they originally thought.
Difficult financial times didn't destroy these men. Instead, it shaped their character and relationship with God in positive ways.
When asked about personal habits that kept them afloat in past storms, they emphasized five important practices:
- Prayer
- Studying God's Word regularly
- Meeting consistently with a small group of other Christians
- Continuing to work at whatever ministry God has called you to
- Making sure you get out and exercise
Other Noteworthy Comments
Clyde Jackson stressed how important it is to begin the day with the Lord by reading Scripture so you can think about the truth all day long. He also takes time every day to pray for his employees and colleagues by name.
Fred Ball reminded attendees that even though it might not feel true at the time, "the Lord is in the tough spots." He said that he would pray and then consciously watch for God at work, taking Philippians 4:6 to heart: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Butch McCaslin advised: "As smart as you may be, there's no way to avoid risk and difficulties in business. Financial problems are painful, but it's in these experiences that we find out if our faith is real." Butch said Psalms 27:13 got him through many dark days: "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."
Tracy Taylor reminded the audience: "You will make it through this!" He also underscored a critical truth: "Just because you might fail in business, you are not a failure. As Christians, we are not defined by our business success or our material possessions but by our relationship with Christ." Tracy encouraged those who are married to work on their marriages. "An understanding spouse is a wonderful asset in a recession."
What's on Your Balance Sheet?
Butch McCaslin shared an image to which many could relate: "In the late 1980s I felt as if someone had torn out the asset page of my balance sheet, leaving me with only liabilities." He and the other panelists reminded the group that as Christians we each have "hidden" assets to draw upon. Here are some of those assets that can never be taken away from us:
- Scripture to remind us of the truth
- Prayer to call out to God and ask for help
- Abilities given by God to accomplish His purposes
- A God who cares about our work and is personally present
- Other Christians to encourage us
- The Holy Spirit to remind us of the truth when we forget it
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