C12 is an executive peer advisory group and roundtable organization for Christian CEOs, Business Owners, Founders, Presidents, and General Managers to help each other through best practices, challenge, prayer, encouragement, accountability, and general business support. It is a results-oriented group of non-competing Owners/CEOs who meet regularly (once a month) to help each other with a broad range of business issues from a biblical perspective. Members also benefit from one-on-one coaching meetings with their Chair for personalized guidance, prayer, and accountability. 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. A “Great Business” involves applying solid business counsel, best-in-class practices, and peer accountability to achieve measurable results such as increased profit, defined processes, and a healthy culture. A “Greater Purpose” means discovering how God calls Christian CEOs and Owners to use their businesses as platforms for ministry. By integrating these two concepts, C12 helps close the gap many successful leaders experience between business excellence and eternal impact.

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 Central Texas has dozens of Forums throughout our region.

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 $2M and 7+ 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 members to present their Core Business Presentation (CBP) at least once a year. Similar to a board presentation, this presentation provides multiple benefits for the presenting member and the forum.

Members gain valuable insights by learning how other leaders run their companies. The CBP template also addresses the key foundations of a well-run business, including team dynamics, the spiritual and economic benefits of the company’s existence, and its overall trajectory.

The presenting member receives feedback on specific questions posed to the forum, gaining fresh perspectives and actionable recommendations. To ensure accountability, the member provides an update the following month on takeaways and execution commitments, fostering a bias toward action and measurable results.

With the new CBP format, 360-degree interviews are conducted with key members of the owner’s business. These interviews provide confidential feedback on what is working well and what could be improved in the company and the owner’s leadership. In some cases, a spouse interview is also conducted to offer insights into the leader’s marriage relationship and work-life balance.

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!

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.

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

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.

One surprising benefit of the CBP is what happens during the other eleven months of the year when someone else presents their business. As you listen, you’ll often recognize similar challenges in your own business. Offering suggestions not only helps them but also inspires you to apply those same insights to your own leadership.

The CBP process also includes 360-degree interviews with key leaders and, in some cases, a spouse interview. These elements provide valuable, confidential feedback, enrich the experience, and offer new perspectives for personal and professional growth.

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.

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.

No. 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 core business presentation format is designed for the CEO or business owner, where the Key Player Peer Workshop is designed for leadership development. The C12 format is appropriate for the CEO or owner, while the Key Players format is more appropriate for a key (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.

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.

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. We will discuss monthly and registration fees during the membership orientation process.

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?