CBMC Forums - Frequently Asked Questions

What is a FORUM?
A FORUM is a small group of business leaders meeting monthly to address their business and other issues from a biblical perspective. They operate somewhat like a Christian Board of Advisors.

What is the overall purpose of the FORUMS?
We encourage each FORUM business owner to move through three stages after joining:

• Stage #1 Meeting their felt needs (often helping them grow their business) through training and wise Christian counsel by other Christian business owners who have walked the road before (this usually takes 2 to 3 years).
• Stage #2 Using their businesses as a platform for the Lord (this usually happens after 3 to 5 years).
• Stage #3 Getting the owners sufficiently freed up financially to be able to use 50% or more of their time serving God to complete the plan He has for each of their lives. This happens between 5 and 15 years.

What are the benefits of being in a FORUM?
Godly counsel, mutual support, accountability, prayer and confidentiality are the key benefits. In addition, valuable business training, tools and resources are made available to help make FORUM members’ businesses all that God intends. Please see www.cbmcforums.com for a list of these resources.

How can a FORUM help me?
A FORUM can be most helpful in sorting through difficult business situations and decisions from a biblical perspective. Having the support, accountability and prayer of the other group members is invaluable in following through. Also, personal, family and spiritual issues are addressed. Bottom line, it’s about helping you and your business become all that God intends it to be.

Must each member be a Christian?
Yes, in order for members to be teamed up together with other Christians and to offer Godly counsel, support, prayer and accountability, members must he Christians.

If I sign up, how long is my commitment?
There is no specific time commitment. Members are asked to review their involvement on an annual basis. The key question once a member has been called to a FORUM is, “Am I and my group continuing to receive benefit from my involvement?” Another question may be, “Is God calling me out of my FORUM?”

How many are in a FORUM?
A typical FORUM has 6-8 members. This small group format is designed to help encourage deep, long-term relationships. It also allows for maximum participation during the meeting.

When do FORUMS meet?
A FORUM group meets monthly, like a board, for 5 hours, say 3pm to 8pm, on a fixed date (e.g. the last Tuesday of the month). The group determines the meeting date and time.

What is the agenda for a FORUM meeting?
The agenda is set in advance like a board meeting. Each member, on a rotating basis, has an opportunity to “host” the meeting. The meeting is held at the host’s place of business, and he is allowed the lion’s share (usually 2 hours) of the meeting for his issues. The meeting starts with prayer and a business related devotional. Then, the host issues are discussed. About half way through the meeting, the host provides a meal. Afterwards there is a roundtable during which the moderator reviews notes from the previous meeting related to each of the members’ issues and action steps and discusses any new issues. Each member has about 20 to 30 minutes. After each member presents his issues, another member is asked to pray for that member. The meeting is concluded with administrative business and a closing prayer.

Who leads a FORUM group?
Each group has a moderator who has been trained to facilitate the meeting. He also takes notes and helps the host prepare his upcoming host issues. The moderator is responsible to keep meetings on track and to create an environment that fosters openness and transparency. This guidance allows the members to get the most from their time together.

What are my commitments of being in a FORUM?
Upon joining a FORUM, each member agrees to 1) Honor God in his business and personal life, 2) Be involved in the dialogue and the other members’ lives, 3) Financially support the CBMC FORUM ministry, 4) Attend faithfully and be on time for the meetings and 5) Maintain strict confidentiality.

Is there a cost to be in a FORUM?
One of the features and opportunities of being part of a CBMC FORUM is the financial support of the CBMC ministry.

Although CBMC FORUM does NOT have a set membership fee structure, a recommended monthly gift is recommended to ensure the ongoing support, development and expansion of CBMC FORUMS in your area and the US. This commitment should be over and above any preexisting commitments to the local or national ministry

of CBMC. We recognize some may be able to provide support at a higher or lower level. This is to be worked out with the CBMC staff person and FORUM Moderator. (2 Corinthians 8: 3-5 NIV)

How do you place “match” members in a group?
FORUM candidates are grouped based on several criteria. First, geographic location and proximity are considerations. Business type and size are considered. Having competitors in the same group is avoided. Personal chemistry and, most of all, God’s calling are taken into account. The goal is to put men together in a group with their “peers”.

Does God want me in a FORUM?
Determining God’s calling in this area is vitally important. The scripture is loaded with encouragement to seek Godly counsel, support and accountability. A FORUM is a great way to get the help we need. FORUM candidates are asked to consider prayerfully whether God is calling them to he a part of a group as well as to get the counsel and support of their spouses.

What does the bible say about being in a FORUM?
Here are a few selected scriptures; Godly counsel is a major theme of the book of Proverbs.

9:8,9 A wise man welcomes instruction
10:17 Heed instruction
11:14 No guidance - failure
12:15 A wise man listens to advice
13:18 Poverty if instructions are ignored
15:12 A scoffer will not go to the wise
15:22 Without counsel plans go wrong
16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
19:20 listen to advice - gain wisdom
19:27 Stop listening to instruction, and you will stray
20:18 Plans are established by counsel
24 6 Multiple counsel — safety
24:27 Develop your business first before your house.
27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another
28:26 Trusting oneself is foolish, but those who walk in wisdom are safe

What is the history of FORUMS?
FORUMS started in 1987 in Chicago as part of the CBMC ministry. The first group formed after attending a Larry Burkett authored “Business by the Book Seminar” and were challenged to apply the biblical principles they had learned. Over the next few years, groups developed in several cities. In 1998, CBMC rolled Out FORUMS nationally by providing standardized materials, tool and resources. Today there are more than 600 members in 90 FORUMS in 36 cities across the U.S. There are also FORUMS in Europe, South Africa, Taiwan and India.

How do I join a FORUM?
The first step is to attend a free, no-obligation informational meeting. After hearing the details of how a FORUM works and having an opportunity to have your questions answered, you may complete the FORUM application. You will then be invited to attend an initial meeting of a FORUM to “kick the tires”. After attending the initial meeting, you will be given an opportunity to pray and consider God’s calling to determine if a FORUM is right for you.

Where can I get more information?
First you can attend a free, no-obligation informational meeting. You can also review the FORUM brochure or you can go to our website at www.cbmcforurns.com.

Can I visit a FORUM to see if I like it?
Due to the confidential nature of a FORUM, guests are allowed only if they are prospective members of a group.

Can I get FORUM members to call and get references?
Yes, contacts and testimonials are available upon request.

Are women in the FORUM?
One of the objectives of a FORUM is to give its members the freedom to deal with even the most sensitive issues.Many times FORUMS will deal with very personal issues that may not he appropriate for a mixed group. For that reason, men and women are not allowed in the same FORUM. There are women’s FORUMS as well as men’s FORUMS in different parts of the country.

How can I start a FORUM if there is not one in my area?
Simply contact the CBMC FORUM office via email, website or telephone and you will be provided with information, materials, training and the support you need to get started.