Jim Stadler, Christian Businessman
Click here (movie link) to see and hear Jim

 

Jim's son, Rich, runs the shop
 

Jim and his long-time friend and employee, Mao Lee.  Mao was Jim's first employee and has been with him since 1987. While Mao is not yet a believer in Jesus Christ, he and Jim both share a mutual brotherly love and respect for each other.

by Joe Romanowski
Chairman & CEO

While many businessmen are Christians Jim Stadler is a Christian businessman. Jim sees no value in separating his spirituality from his business.  In 1986, Jim was searching for direction in his business career.  He had started a part-time machining business and began praying for God’s guidance.  The answer came when Jim lost his full time job.  His part time business quickly became J. Stadler Machine, Inc.  There is a lesson here for all of us… if we take the time to ask God, we will receive an answer.  Our challenge is to listen quietly and don’t reject the answer (like losing a job). It may not be immediately obvious, but His plan for us will always be better.

Jim describes himself as someone who knows how to make machined parts, and joked that he is good at borrowing money.  He believes that God uses the weak to accomplish His objectives on earth.  Jim may claim to lack strong business skills, but I see him as anything but weak!

Jim believes that God is in the process of conforming him into the image of Jesus Christ.  He is motivated to look more like Jesus everyday, although, he admits that he’s “a billion miles away from being there.”  Jim feels that God is in the process of doing this with every one who has put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Unfortunately, many believers resist what God is wanting to do in them.  Jim's question to Christians is, "Why Fight it? Why not cooperate with God's efforts?"

Jim relies on the Holy Spirit to guide him.  Jim’s employees and customers are well aware that he is a Christian.  In fact, he tells all new applicants that he is a Christian and that he runs his business on Christian principles.  Jim doesn’t tolerate dirty jokes or gestures, swearing and pin-ups.  He regards people as the most important thing in the world.  He doesn’t force his people to work overtime and he never works himself or his plant on Sunday.  If an employee has a family issue, Jim will give them as much time off they need to take care of their problem.  He believes that families are very important. When employees come to Jim to pour out their soul about a particular problem and looking for advice, he directs them to the foot of the cross, Jesus Christ.

Jim’s favorite hymn is “And Can it Be?” As Jim read it to us, I realized that this hymn is the inspiration for his life.  There is no doubt with Jim that his sins nailed Jesus to the cross.  The hymn states that Jesus Christ came to this world to save sinners of whom he/we are the worst by dying for all of us.  Jim is saddened that most people just don’t see their sinfulness, particularly as they get older.  He feels many older people have been hardened to Christ.

Not every one of Jim’s employees is a Christian.  The employees know and understand that even though they might not be a Christian he still has high regard for them whatever their belief.  Even though Jim tries very hard to honor God in his business, he’s very careful because he doesn’t want people to feel that he is pushing his faith down their throat.  Jim is very aware that because he wears his spirituality so openly that he is vulnerable to criticism.  He works very hard to walk the talk as a Christian believer.

How does he handle his Christianity with his customers?  While Jim doesn’t aggressively pursue his customers with his Christian beliefs he is always alert for opportunities to do so.  As an example, if he believes someone is struggling with a particular problem, he may approach them with something like, “Life can certainly be cruel, don’t you think?  Ever wonder why life is so hard?” and see if that can lead into a discussion about God and Jesus Christ.

Jim’s open spirituality certainly has not hurt J. Stadler Machine with their largest customer. Recently they were recognized one of only eight out of 30,000 John Deere suppliers, and installed into the John Deere Five Year Hall of Fame.

I would like to challenge all of us to use Jim as our role model as we look for ways to witness and promote our own spirituality, whatever it is.  I think most people would love to know they are dealing with a person of spiritual principles.  It makes it easier to trust.  Jim is proof that it can be done and not hurt business.

J. Stadler Machine, Inc. is located in Oshkosh, WI.  You can reach Jim at (920) 235-2907.