I am deeply haunted by Jesus’ words as he has just begun his three year ministry, gained his disciples, and was talking with the local community.
Mark 8:34-38
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
This is a model not only for a church and ministry to live by, but businesses and Christians in general. It truly is how I want to conduct myself not only personally, but professionally. And it is the exact opposite way Steve Jobs ran his business and life. I also want this to be a dialogue starter as I know I can only go off the worldview I have with the personal faith and ministry experience I have lived out, so utilize the comments well, but please be respectful.
Discussion
For all of you Apple fanboys that say I am hating on Apple and Steve Jobs, these are facts, not opinions. Plus, I do hate on them from time to time, so I thank you for pointing that out, even if you are wrong this time. 😉
Steve Jobs has a reputation with the public for being the person that had a vision for Apple that made it into who they are today. Within the technology industry, he is known a little differently. He is seen not only has someone that has a vision, but cold-hearted, ruthless, and not very ethical. Here are a couple of situations just to illustrate:
- Secret No-Recruiting Agreement
This now declared illegal agreement between numerous technology agencies ensured that no recruiters were allowed to contact employees of specific technology companies within the partnership. It is so declared illegal because it locks employees into one culture without a free ability to switch jobs to further their career. Therefore, all technology companies can not worry about giving them more benefits, raises, or really respect. - Journalists Were Blacklisted
If you said something Apple didn’t like about their product, you were blacklisted. We are not talking about lies, slander, or fraudulent claims here. Instead it is when opinion pieces about the design or experience of Apple’s tech gets negative that Steve adds them to his list. This makes for an ineffective ability to tell the truth and makes complete distrust. - Illegal/Unethical Labor and Marketing
It is no doubt that Apple has had problems with their labor force using overseas sweatshops, lying about being the inventor of technologies which have been produced for a long time, and knowingly utilizing third-party industries that allow child labor. It gave them maximum profits and a perceived brand superiority. Unfortunately, it hurt so many people.
This has nothing to do with Apple having a superior product, a controlled operating system with the largest mobile application store, or something that “just works.” It has everything to do with what our eternal expectations should be within ministry.
Sadly, many Christian organizations attempt to be the Steve Jobs of their individual markets. I’ve experienced it several times before within a variety of Christian organizations both as a consumer, partner, and “competitor.” I’ve heard so many excuses to justify, minimize, or externalize their actions:
- It’s just good business.
- I need to protect my companies.
- I do it for our customers.
What I don’t see is Jesus being honored in their replies. Sure, their original business was to do business for the Kingdom, but they are willing to lie, cheat, and steal to get to the top. A bit Steve Jobs-ie. And unfortunate.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.
I Have A Higher Standard
My standard is one I learned from my father as a Christian business owner in a secular world who holds to a Biblical standard. His ideals are to give the customer what they deserve, not what they want. So when they ask to buy DVD players from him which cost more and are lower quality, he is willing to sacrifice profits to give them a better product. When they ask for an installation, he doesn’t upsell them but is willing to be direct when he knows their observed solution will not be good. And he is always willing to not only get to know his customers, but pray for and with them when needed. It’s not just a business for him, it’s a ministry. I want to keep with that standard and hold up God’s eternal reward in Heaven as my price, not the $2 I gain otherwise.
1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
How I Choose To Move Forward
I don’t plan to “rat anyone out” or “cause controversy” which is why I have not named a single organization. I also plan to NEVER refer anyone who still lives by these expectations to win within their industry. You may provide a great product, but at the cost of your own soul? No thanks.
That being said, I don’t want to be bitter. I will continue to strive forward. Not as someone who has been hurt and therefore ignores everyone giving advice. I am absolutely open to conversations. If you feel like I am talking directly to you, Direct Message me on Twitter or email me at [email protected] and I’d love to talk! But if you don’t want to talk, I have to keep moving forward for the Gospel and serving the Church with the talents and gifts God has given me.
Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
I feel like this has been a very pointed article that I can finally get off my chest so I can move on.
Thoughts?
[Jobs image via leeleblanc via Compfight cc]
Auggie says
Dude, Steve Jobs was a complete jerk. 100% all out yet people would work 119 hours a week for the guy. He did it all because he demanded excellence but arrogantly said execellence at Apple has never been achieved.
Steve jobs was a master of manipulation. Jesus is the master of loving everyone. Both achieved amazing things. Jesus is the one I choose to emulate in life
Jeremy Smith says
The master manipulator is what scares me because that screams of the devil and yet it is praised within technology. Good comments.
Auggie says
Agreed. It’s one of those things where where do we draw the line. MIcheal Jordan punched teammates gambled crazily and did many other things yet he’s praised as a savior of his sport.
Eric Dye says
I couldn’t agree with you more.
Thank you for “getting this off your chest.” It needed to be said. I cringe a little every time I hear heavy praise of Jobs leadership style, so this kind of pushback resonated with me.
I also think you’ve applied this where it *really* counts. 😉
Jeremy Smith says
It’s our last three years of conversations finally put to published.
Daniel Chambers says
Jeremy (can I call you Jeremy?), I appreciate you tackling this subject. I’m typing this on my Macbook Pro with my iPad to my left and iPhone to my right. I appreciate them so much as tools for my ministry, but not as part of my identity.
But it does appear the article veered a little from “be wary of adopting a Jobsian worldview” to an article where you had certain organizations/people in mind. Or am I off base?
Jeremy Smith says
You can absolutely call me Jeremy. I love that you are an identified Apple man, I actually submitted this article via my MacBook, so I’m right there with you.
Can you let me know where the article veered for you? I actually had three staff on Churchmag go over it to make sure it didn’t feel personal because my articles in the past have come off as such.
This article started after I heard a tech podcast that praised and lavished on Jobs except for one panelist who did not like his ethics. That combined with my father’s own model of Christian business owner formed into an article. I could cite any one of the 15 or 20 organizations I have worked with, for, or in competition with, but this article was not as a result of or inspired from one of them. So that wasnot the intent or expectation.
Daniel Chambers says
Ah! So, you were more concerned that people who you had worked may have thought you were making veiled references to them. And you were trying to make sure that didn’t happen. An excellent idea, the misreading was my own. Which is typically the case! My apologies.
What made me really think in this article was the realization that I am now fully in the Apple ecosystem…but truly do not identify as an “Apple man.” Perhaps I am, though, without even knowing it. If so, how much do Job’s ethics echo into the Apple culture, and unwittingly picked up by those of us who use his system? (You can tell I’ve been reading James K. A. Smith recently!)
I enjoy churchm.ag for many reasons, and appreciate that you are bringing the gospel to bear on the intersection of technology and the church with posts like these. Keep it up!
Jeremy Smith says
I think that Steve’s ethics ring a lot in it. So do Google’s and Microsoft’s. Which should be informed when you purchase their products. I don’t want to buy Apple for the sake of “cool” because they make tons of profit on just cool and my worldview says that being cool is a lie. And that cool is at the cost of child labor, manipulation, and more. But if I buy an iPhone or a Dell or Android for productivity to do better ministry, and am being true to God, then I think I am doing great things.
Greg says
Enjoyed the read and I agree with you on Jobs’ leadership approach/style. While Apple makes some great products and was indeed an innovator in their space, the way Jobs approached decisions and directions was questionable at best and completely unethical at worst. Unfortunately, many of us fall into the trap of justification saying in effect, “but the ends justify the means”. That’s a very short sighted approach, in my opinion. Sacrificing your character and integrity to “help” others isn’t worth it.
Simple, Do what you say, and say what you do.
My dad is a pastor and he had a simple approach to things. What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong. If there’s doubt, put it in the wrong area.
While simplistic it has worked for me for years and occasionally made me the target of derision when I and my family walked alone and stood for what we believed was right.
One of my favorite quotes I try to follow comes from Mark Twain, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
Put another way, “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.”
Jeremy Smith says
Justification, the sin I want to see vanquished on the Internet. And the Internet is one LARGE group.