Excellence Matters

About the Mark

Excellence matters. Not perfection. We’re not trying to win at all costs, and we can’t be working out of selfish ambition. We are working to give our very best for God’s glory rather than just our own. Looking beyond fish symbols, bumper stickers, and being closed on Sundays, what does it take to build a God-honoring business? 

Scripture References | Video Series | Discussion Guides | Putting the Mark in Action | What’s New | In Case You Missed It

1 PETER 2:9

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

COLOSSIANS 3:23–24

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

DANIEL 6:3

“Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”

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Discussion Questions



  • The greatest example of servant leadership is found in the Gospel of John. The disciples are gathered together in an upper room just before Jesus is to be arrested and put to death. Before their last meal together, Jesus does something that still echoes across time…he proceeds to wash the feet of his disciples. Then he tells his disciples that he’s given them an example, and they should do to others what Jesus did to them. If you want to be known as the greatest, the most excellent, you have to be willing to serve. How is your business seeking to serve others? What are tangible ways you can ‘wash their feet’?

    When we think about being excellent, many of us can jump to think about being excellent in product development, marketing strategies, or talent recruitment. But in 2 Corinthians 8 Paul encourages us to excel in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in love, and in the grace of giving. In which of these areas do you feel that you think you may need to grow in excellence?

    In this video, Anthony Tan talks about how a culture of excellence can only be created by staying close to the ground, and developing empathy. How might a greater measure of empathy in your business strategies or priorities create opportunities for empathy?



  • Dr. Ngozi Onyia, Founder of the Paleon Memorial Hospital, decided to treat patients with Covid-19 at the very onset of the pandemic. She chose to provide a higher standard of care, despite the fear and pushback around her. What is preventing you from pursuing a higher level of excellence in your business? Are there fears or opinions that you need to let go of?

    In Colossians 3:23, Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” What does that verse mean to you? How might it change your work or process to work for the Lord rather than for masters?

    We each have an opportunity to foster our partnerships well, whether we’re talking about co-founders, employees, churches, governments, or any others. These remind us that we are people that are better together. Do you view it that way? Are you looking for creative ways to do great work with others?

    Excellence isn’t just about projecting results but presenting our best to God, even in the midst of uncertainty and adversity.



  • Some people are wary of working with Christian businesses because those businesses don’t often have the best service or level of excellence, but Coscharis Group (and many others) proves that idea wrong. Would others describe your business as providing excellent services or products? Why/ why not?

    The marketplace is competitive and cut-throat at times. But in that environment, a commitment to integrity, trustworthiness, and quality can be a witness of God’s character of excellence. When has your excellence been tested? How might you turn those challenges into opportunities to lean into the character of Christ?

    Dr. Cosmas had a vision for a business that would last beyond



  • God creates with excellence. At the end of the first six days of creation, he looked at everything he had created and said it was “very good.” Can you look at your work and say that it is “very good”? Or have you got into the habit of articulating, “that’s good enough?” How might you seek creating “very good” work without getting caught up in being a perfectionist?

    Bryan Engram refers to the idea of the Brazen Altar, where the Israelites would offer the very best of their sacrifices. Do you see your work as an offering to the Lord? Where do you see sacrifice as being a part of your work rhythms?

    What would it look like to pursue excellence from a place of humility, rather than trying to assert superiority over others?

PUTTING THE MARK INTO ACTION

What are some practical ways to put this mark into action? Here are some ideas that can help you develop an even greater understanding of your God-given call to create. 

For Yourself: Horst Schulze, the Founder of Ritz Carlton, wrote the book Excellence Wins: A No-Nonsense Guide to Becoming the Best in a World of Compromise. In it he shares about creating a culture of excellence. You can view the ‘Excellent Leadership’ video series based on the book on RightNow Media. As you consider your business, what are aspects or processes that you have been tempted to compromise excellence in? Perhaps it is in serving your customers, pursuing partnerships, and developing your mission. How can you hold yourself accountable to attaining a higher level of excellence?

For Your Team: Ensuring that you have a healthy, functioning team and providing programs for professional developments allows your organization to create excellent work. Pat Lencioni’s Table Group have online resources and consultants for leaders who would like to learn how to practice organization health, effective teamwork and manage people well. 

For Your Family: As Christ-followers, excellence includes fulfilling our commitment to our priorities and values. If you would like to practically learn how to reorient your attention from the things that don’t matter to the things that do, consider watching Focus: In a World of Bottomless Distractions and Endless Opportunities by New York Times bestselling author and speaker Jon Acuff. Available on RightNow Media.

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