FAQs

C12 is an executive peer advisory group and roundtable organization for Christian CEOs and Business Owners to help each other through best practices, debate, prayer, encouragement, accountability, and general business support. It is a results-oriented group of non-competing Owners/CEOs meeting on a regular schedule (once a month) to help each other with a broad range of business issues from a biblical perspective. Each member of a particular roundtable, or forum, pays an annual membership fee for his/her place at the table.

Our mission is to equip and encourage Christian CEOs to Build Great Businesses for a Greater Purpose. The Great Business part means that solid business counsel with best-in-class practices coupled with peer accountability for results produces more profit, defined processes, healthy culture, etc. The Greater Purpose part is about discovering what God would have a Christian CEO/Owner do in their leadership role by using the business as a platform for ministry. Integrating these two concepts closes the gap for most successful leaders in business!

Both! We are a for-profit business for several reasons. First, we know that we lead and facilitate our business forums better when we are subject to the same success measures as our members. Second, we also know that paying members expect value for their investment. That keeps our execution focused on delivering value. Third, all C12 Chairs derive their livelihood from this endeavor, so our own skin is in the game.

While all this makes for a viable business, C12 is also the model for business-as-a-ministry (BaaM), because the endeavor of a Christian-led enterprise should reflect the Master we serve in how we impact our operations, our people, and our marketplace. Since we encourage members this way, it is important that we model BaaM, too.

C12 is an international organization. We currently have business forums in 35+ states and in 7 countries. C12 corporate is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Our membership exceeds 4,000+ (in 2024) business leaders stewarding business in diverse industries, and we are rapidly expanding in terms of members and cities we operate in. We are the largest global executive peer advisory organization specifically designed for Christians CEOs and Owners.

C12 Northern NJ has been in business for the last decade and has seen steady, sustained growth in members and their Key Players (the direct reports to the CEOs/Owners). We are a NJ registered corporation and an independent franchisee of the C12 Group LLC.

There are a few qualifications that require agreement to maintain unity in a C12 Forum.

1. Since we serve Christians and apply biblical concepts, it only makes sense that a prospective member must be a Christian. Having said that, our members represent many different denominations and faith traditions, and we do not expect any member to be a bible scholar. You will find that members encourage one another to be all that God intends for them to be and the expectation is that you will help model this.
2. We generally serve for-profit companies, both public and private. Occasionally, we also have non-profit organizations represented.
3. We serve established companies. That means that you have serviced your start-up phase and now have an established business. We define “established” to be annual revenues greater than $3M and 10+ employees. (If you feel strongly that you should be involved but fall short of those thresholds, let’s talk!)
4. We help growing-oriented companies. Our curriculum and process focus every month on some aspect of implementation. If you are looking for the benefit of Christian fellowship, we admire this but please understand C12 is geared for organizational leaders looking to scale their business. Our current members are also looking for like-minded peers.
5. We value contributors. Belonging to a group will deliver many benefits to you and your company. In return, we expect a member to contribute their ideas, opinions, questions, and advice to other members.

There are several categories of benefits:

1. Personal Leadership Growth

Each month, you will receive executive education that helps you run your business better. Our material is designed to be practical, application-oriented content that represents the best of the Christian and secular sources. When the leader grows, the entire organization grows.

In addition to the monthly business forums, you will meet with your C12 Chair for a private one-to-one consultation. You get to design this time to fit your needs. It is equivalent to an executive coaching session

2. Organizational Development

Many of the curriculum topics discussed each month are designed to improve your organizational health. We will talk through organizational development, alignment issues, strategic planning, people management, business development, sales/marketing, and many more topics that will help you improve your performance. Furthermore, all of the content developed by C12 is available for you to share within your company. This becomes a training resource for your employees.

3. Annual Business Review Presentation

Every forum agenda includes time for a member to present his/her Core Business Presentation (CBP) at least once a year. This is similar to a board presentation. The member will receive multiple benefits. First, insight will be gained when hearing how other leaders are running their companies. Second, the template used in the CBP will address the foundations of a well-run business: the team, spiritual and economic benefit of the company’s existence and trajectory. Third, the presenting member will gain valuable feedback on questions posed to the forum for their input and perspective. Finally, the presenting member provides an update on takeaways and execution commitments the following month to help promote accountability; in other words, the CBP is meant to produce a bias towards action and results

4. Confidentiality and Camaraderie

This might sound like a touchy-feely benefit of limited value unless you have experience running a company. Most CEOs know the cliché: “it’s lonely at the top”. We offer a safe and confidential environment to be transparent with peers that understand what you are going through. You will find that you do not have to be alone. In due time, our members establish life-long trust and accountability that is truly wonderful!

Most C12 Members usually join because they need business help—not because they are looking for a Bible study, networking group, or guest speaker forum. They are struggling with issues that they have typically faced alone: growth or layoffs, hiring or firing, strategy or execution, ramp-up or succession. They have missed out on learning from others who have been there before. When members join C12, they often see their blind spots for the first time, and in many cases, they find the accountability, benchmarking, and eternal perspective they have been missing.

Our format is designed to offer you a retreat and reflection day every month. We gather in our forums to discuss topics like revenue generation, financial management, operations management, organizational development and ministry expansion (what we call the 5 Point Alignment Matrix). Few of these topics get much attention within a busy workday. However, being out of the office and gathering with peers promotes the discussion and perspective that is essential for today’s business Owner/CEO. It is a time for members to strategically assess their corporate direction and results.

It may sound difficult to take a day “off” each month, but we promise that you will find it useful from the beginning. Later, you will see the day as essential to growing and maintaining a healthy business.

Most businesses that join C12 are private companies without a board of directors. Even those with an existing board find that a Christian peer advisory group offers unique feedback and perspective that is found nowhere else.

Your forum comes to know you and your business well. They know what makes you tick, where you struggle, and the dreams that you have for your work and family. You will find it is a safe place to “let your hair down” and to receive valuable comments from peers dedicated to your success.

Once a year, you will do a Core Business Presentation (CBP). That comprehensive presentation will cover all aspects of your business. During and after the presentation, you will receive verbal and written comments from every member. This is invaluable.

In the months when you are not doing a CBP, you may present issues for the group to discuss. They will help you think through the various dimensions and then give you concrete opinions about what to do next. You will learn as much or more from the issues presented by other members than you do from your own issues.

The CBP is a powerful opportunity for a C12 member.

1. The act of preparing for the CBP is very valuable.

Gathering, organizing, and reflecting on the information that goes into a CBP is incredibly valuable. Many CEOs have no other group or opportunity that requires a comprehensive description of their results and plans. It is not unusual to spot gaps and resolve problems before the presentation to the group occurs.

2. The verbal explanation to the group helps develop your presentation and analytical processing skills.

Something magical seems to happen when someone says aloud what they have been thinking to themselves. The availability of an attentive audience and a prescribed format clarify their thoughts. You will see that the act of expressing important information in a safe atmosphere is powerful.

3. The member comments/questions/feedback are insightful.

During and after the presentation the other members are asking questions, offering ideas, and giving encouragement. For almost any topic, someone in the room has experienced something like every issue raised by the presenter. The members will share lessons-learned, solutions that worked, and confidence about the future. They write their comments and give them to you for follow-up actions.

4. Helping others helps you.

The surprising thing about a CBP is the other eleven months of the year when someone else presents their business. You will see in them some of the same issues that you are facing. As you give them suggestions for their issues, you will begin applying the same suggestions to your business. More importantly, the sense that you are not alone will reassure you. Often members decide to meet outside of our C12 Business Forums to further discuss challenges they face.

The CBP is your opportunity to comprehensively present your business to CEOs and business owners that know you and want to help you succeed.

Our template covers topics like situation analysis, organization development, operational processes, financial management and ministry. We look back at what has happened and forward to what we hope will transpire. The CBP also looks at your personal leadership progress, not just the business metrics. This holistic picture will give you an idea of the presentation’s scope. The CBP is your opportunity to comprehensively present your business to CEOs and business owners that know you and want to help you succeed.

Our template covers topics like situation analysis, organization development, operational processes, financial management and ministry. We look back at what has happened and forward to what we hope will transpire. The CBP also looks at your personal leadership progress, not just the business metrics. This holistic picture will give you an idea of the presentation’s scope.

Every business owner knows the importance of accountability. Great leaders build accountability into their culture to make sure that employees know expectations and can be evaluated accordingly.

Most Owners/CEOs know they need accountability, too. It is not just for business operations. We need someone that cares about us asking hard questions about how we treat our family, our relationship with God, and our spiritual responsibilities as a Christian.

At C12, we will ask this at every meeting. You will find it safe to share your answers honestly with the forum members (and you will hear their answers, too). You will be encouraged where you are struggling. You will hear ideas from your peers describing their approaches. Mostly, you will begin to grow as a person and as a leader.

Each month, you will identify specific SMART goals to accomplish before the next forum meeting. Every member will read their list aloud. At the next forum meeting, you will report on how you accomplish (or not) each item.

The last thread of accountability comes in your one-on-one meeting each month with your C12 Chair. Your Chair will ask you questions about what is important to you. This is a great time for prayer.

Every C12 member has a one-on-one meeting with their C12 Chair each month. These meetings last between 60 and 90 minutes. The agenda is driven by the member. It can include asking for consulting or coaching help. Sometimes the topics are relational issues and the C12 Chair functions as a mentor. Usually, the C12 Chair explores the member’s spiritual status. Often the meeting is used to personalize the lessons from or applications of the content discussed at the last group meeting. We always pray for one another.

The one-on-one meeting deepens the relationship between the member and their chair.

Imagine having focused attention each month of an experienced business and Christian leader dedicated to your success. Typically we look at what happened in the last 30 days and what is expected to happen in the next 30 days. We then identify the gaps or obstacles that need to be addressed. Sometimes, we can have an agenda for a FOCUS60 that needs to be set aside because an urgent matter comes to the surface. In such cases, we will address the urgent matter! The key is that the FOCUS60 is driven by the member for the member’s benefit.

As an example, in one month you might need coaching for a vexing management issue. Another time, you might need counsel with your strategic plan. It is not unusual to need a sounding board so that you can talk through what is happening around you. Maybe you need help to connect to the right resources or other members. Or, you might need someone that will give you a “kick in the pants.” And, sometimes, all of this can happen in one meeting!

We think the idea of BaaM applies to every Christian CEO and business owner. We believe that the Bible explains that what we do in all aspects of our lives, including our businesses, matters to God. And, though it might sound unusual, we believe God is actually the true “owner” of our businesses. If He is the owner, then we are stewards. A “steward” is accountable to the owner for the performance and priorities in the business.

All that means is that we ask questions like, “What would God want me to do?” and “What are God’s purposes?” We understand there are answers to these questions which directly affect what we do as leaders. Probably the simplest statement is to say, “people matter to God.” The implication, then, is to intentionally affect the lives of people that come into contact with our businesses. Turns out, for most businesses, there are thousands of people each year potentially affected by what you and I do.

We go beyond the basic concept. At every forum meeting, we spend time discussing practical things to do. We have, for instance, a book listing 102 ideas for ministry in business. We also talk about building “strategic plans for ministry.” Don’t worry if this sounds overwhelming, we will ease you into the thought process. Our experience is that, over time it will become very clear and very rewarding.

We believe in the power of prayer so it is a part of every meeting. We have times when members are paired-up to pray. There are instances where we pray as a forum. Your C12 Chair will regularly pray for you.

Don’t worry about being put on the spot. We recognize that many folks come to C12 without a public praying habit. That is okay. Just let us pray for you. It is a privilege for us to do so.

Each business forum meets once a month on a specific day (e.g., second Thursday, third Tuesday, etc.).

A meeting lasts seven hours. It usually starts at 9 am and ends at 4 pm with lunch included. The day is packed with content and discussion. There is time built-in for members to talk informally with one another. (And, if a business emergency occurs, we have multiple opportunities during breaks to check in with the office.)

Arrival
We gather around a boardroom table where we can spread out our material and see our friends. We spend a few minutes catching up. After all, a lot can happen in a month!

Devotion
We examine a biblical concept that applies to leaders and discuss its implications for each of us.

Business
We talk through a well-researched business topic that is applicable to every business. We use videos, diagnostic tools, and application guides to make this as relevant as possible for each member.

Business as Ministry
We talk about what it means to run God’s business and the practical importance of the leader’s role in that.

Lunch is for Relationships
The food is always great, but the time together is what is best. This is time to deepen connections, ask questions and relax.

Core Business Presentation
One member presents their business and gets in-depth feedback from their group. It’s very powerful to hear from CEOs that know what it means to run a business.

Advice and Counsel
Open table time to present and solve the pressing problems of business, faith, or life. Any member can identify one or more issues for the group to discuss. It often seems life-saving.

Mutual Accountability
Time for transparency as members report on their promises to change or improve. Encouragement mixed with truth-telling.

Prayer for One Another
Sharing of our struggles, concerns, and praises.

Excellent question! The answer is “yes.” Members form relationships that result in connections throughout the month. Members pray together, solve business problems, study business and spiritual topics together, and care for each other.

Every member agrees to make the monthly meeting a priority on their schedule and agrees to attend at least 10 of 12 meetings each year. We understand that business travel, emergencies, and vacations may occasionally conflict with the member’s C12 business forum. When there is a conflict, the member has the option to attend another C12 Business Forum that month. That’s a great way to get to know more Christian CEOs without missing a month of content.

We have found that most CEOs are not being held accountable for what is important in their lives. So, at every meeting every member “declares” what they intend to accomplish before the next business forum. They announce their list to the group so that the other members know. For example, a member may commit to more time with their spouse (e.g., two date nights), better self-care (e.g., exercising three times a week), time with God (e.g., quiet time every day) or having crucial conversations at work (e.g., discussing performance issues with a key employee).

At the next business forum, the member reads their list from the previous month and reports what they accomplished and what they missed. For every missed item, a fine is assessed to that member. (We collect this money and give it away to a Christian charity at the end of the year.)

Members are open to questions from other members about how well they have kept their commitments. We find this to be a powerful incentive and encouragement.

Absolutely not. The forum is designed to be a safe place for you to be completely transparent without fear of how someone might use your information against you. So, we do not put competitors in the same business forum. Furthermore, all members pledge to keep the group conversations confidential (even if they are in completely different industries).

The Key Players Business Forums are designed to help the CEO or Business Owner develop their leaders in a format identical to the C12 Business Forum experience. Instead of CEOs and Business Owners, the Key Players Business Forum includes senior leaders (e.g., C-level leaders, general managers, VP’s) from multiple companies into their own peer group. The idea is that after the respective C12 and Key Players forums, the CEO and the senior leaders can process the monthly meeting material together after having had equal exposure to it. This has been a powerful way to accelerate change and growth.

The meeting agendas and materials are identical. The only difference is that the core business presentation format is different for the two groups. The C12 format is appropriate for the CEO or owner, while the Key Players format is more appropriate for a senior (non-owner) leader.

Key Players Need Development
Your senior leaders need development as much as you do, since you count on them to move the company forward. They need to be learning and talking to their peers.

It is an Honor and Privilege to Participate
Don’t underestimate the value of investing in your leaders. They typically perceive your investment as an affirmation of their importance to you. They are eager to grow and contribute more.

Increase Your Alignment
After the monthly business forums, both the owner and the Key Players have covered the same material. There are takeaways and next steps for them to decide together what to implement. We often see much greater agreement around strategy and tactics when both parties participate. Having a like minded leader who has digested the same material takes a burden off the CEO.

Although the peer monthly meetings are identical, the Key Players members do not typically have a one-on-one session with the C12 Chair (as does the C12 member).

The short answer is that the information discussed in their respective forums is not shared by the C12 Chair. That means that private opinions, observations, and discussions remain private. We maintain strict confidentiality unless there is a mutual agreement among all parties to discuss a specific topic. It is important that all members feel safe sharing whatever is important to them in their business forums. We ask that the C12 member and the Key Player respect this policy.

We do hope that the C12 member and Key Player discuss the content and applications of the content after their meetings. We have found that working through the material that way makes the experience more valuable for both parties.

Here is a good place to start. Read this list and mentally check each item that is true for you. If none are, then C12 is not for you. If a few or many are true for you, then you have come to the right place.

About your role…

I oversee running the business. Sometimes I feel lonely in this role.
I need a regular time and place to think about and work on my business, rather than in it.

About your expertise…
I must make decisions in areas where I have not been trained or mentored and would benefit from timely advice.
I need more knowledge and skills but have trouble finding highly applicable training for my position.
I enjoy helping others benefit from my experiences.

About your support…
I value feedback and suggestions in a safe environment from people who know what I am going through.
I need a venue to fully present my business to experts who will give high-quality feedback.
I want to improve in many areas of my life and would benefit if someone who cares for me held me accountable.

About your faith…

I wonder what it means to be a Christian leader in business and want some tangible examples of how to do it.
I believe that there might be a greater purpose for my business than just making money.
I would like someone to pray with me and for me.

You have already begun the first step, which is to explore the information on this website.

If you find C12 interesting, you should contact us to arrange for an introduction to a C12 Chair. You can do that by clicking Find Contacts to get the phone number or email of the local C12 Chairs.

The next step is to meet a C12 Chair in person. That gives us a chance to get to know you, answer your questions about C12, and tell you about specific business forums. The C12 Chair will explain where you might fit best and offer to host you at a future forum (no charge, no-obligation).

After you visit a forum, you will have an opinion about C12. The group will also have an opinion about you. If you and the group feel like there is a fit, an invitation to join will be issued by the C12 Chair to you.

If you accept the invitation, the C12 chair will issue an initial invoice to you covering the initiation fee and the next month’s membership fees.

The C12 Chair will receive and deliver your member material to you.

Then get ready for a life-changing experience!

Absolutely. Typically, this happens when you are either invited to attend a C12 Forum as a Guest or come as an invited Attendee to a SonRise Stories breakfast. Both are opportunities to meet with current C12 Members and interact with them directly about their businesses and why they value C12 Membership.

Yes, in fact, you have to visit a forum (no charge, no-obligation) before you can join. You will see for yourself how a business forum is run, the benefits of member interactions, and your fit with the group. The forum members will also be evaluating you for your fit with them. After the meeting, the members communicate with their Chair about whether they want to invite you to join their forum. If they do, the chair extends an invitation to you to join. Then, the ball is in your court to decide.

THE OFFICIAL INVITATION

You will receive an official invitation via email to visit a specific business forum. The invitation will contain all the logistical information that you need, including the location, meeting time/date, and dress.

THE DAY OF THE MEETING

Simply arrive on time for the meeting. All the material that you need for the day will be provided when you arrive. Most forums start promptly at 9 a.m.

**DISTRACTION WARNING**

We take breaks throughout the day, but we avoid taking phone calls, responding to emails, and texting during the meeting. Use lunch and the breaks to catch up with the office if you have an emergency. Otherwise, our day together is meant to be a time for you to draw back from the daily grind and reflect with your peers. Protect this time so that you can focus.

ACT LIKE A MEMBER

We don’t have spectators at our forums. Only those prepared to participate are invited. We won’t embarrass you, but we do want to get to know you. Your contributions, questions, and comments make that possible. Similarly, you will get a sense of the forum members from what they do during the meeting.

MAKE A DECISION

Because you’ve been seeking the Lord’s counsel regarding C12 Membership and decided to participate in a full day meeting with your future peers, it’s expected that you decide (before you leave the meeting) about your membership commitment.  We look for leaders that are humble, willing to change, learn and invest time in themselves and others.  Coming to a C12 Forum is by invitation so it’s important that you come in understanding the purpose of the meeting is to validate your desire to want change now not someday in the future. If you are not able to commit to engaging with the group from a time or financial investment perspective, we ask that you defer your attendance until you are truly ready for change. At the end of the day, you are deciding to engage with others in community as much as the C12 Forum community are making a commitment to engage with you; it’s important to vocalize to the Forum where you stand.

There are three types of investments that a person must make to be a part of C12.

Time
We take charge of our calendars to spend one day a month working “on” rather than “in” our businesses. Members commit to meeting each month together. In the course of a year, we expect attendance at 10 of the 12 business forums. Members have the option of attending other forums in the area when unexpected events prevent them from attending their own forum. This is a great way to expand your circle of Christian peers.

Money

As CEOs and Business Owners, we invest our financial resources where there is a good return on investment. Because we are a fee-for-service business, monthly membership fees are designed to produce value, discourage casual participation, and to be cost competitive with best-in-class executive roundtable organizations on a global scale. Our fee schedule is based on annual revenues for the prior year and subject to increases with 90 days’ notice. Dues are paid the first of every month via ACH. A one-time registration fee of approx. $1,600 for CEOs and about $1,400 for Key Players is also required. If your organization has multiple owners desiring to participate, please let the Principal Chair know this in advance.

Teachable Spirit

A member must bring a teachable spirit to C12. Since we all have things to learn, the willingness to share issues and struggles within our safe environment is essential to the success of the forum and to receiving the greatest value as a member. We are not meeting to impress each other or to show how much we already know. Rather, we are meeting to grow as men and women running companies as good stewards. Along the way, we discover and enhance how we please God in the process. Are you such a person?