Searching For God and Guinness
Fairly recently I heard a story about the founder of the Guinness brewing company being an evangelical Christian. I was not sure what to make of it, so when I encountered Stephen Mansfield’s Searching For God and Guinness, I had to read this book.
One of the things that I appreciated about the book was that the author did not rely on the myth, even if it was a heart-warming myth. The author has done his research and presents to us an interesting and inspiring story of a family that tried to make a difference.
The story begins with Arthur Guinness, who eventually gets his own brewery. The story is not about the beer he brewed but about the ways he treated his employees. His evangelical faith shaped everything he did and it definitely showed in the culture of his company. He took care of his employees in a way that would shock many people today.
The book continues with Arthur’s successors, as they faced changing times while trying to be faithful to the original vision of the company. There basically were two lines of Arthur’s descendants, those who went into the brewing industry and those who went into Christian ministry. Still, the author is quick to point out that some of those who went the brewing route, were just as active in Christian ministry as they used their influence and wealth to help those in need and to promote the cause of Christ.
In some ways, the title of this book is misleading. Yes, God and faith pop up throughout the book, but really the book is about the Guinness family, their brewing adventures and their attempts to promote a generous lifestyle.
After reading the book, it almost seems as if the title of Searching For God and Guinness was intended to draw Christian readers into getting a book about beer that they might not normally read. It worked for me so it was perhaps not a bad idea.
Still, this was a very good book. It presents a family that struggled with what Christian faith looked like in the business world and what it means to be responsible with the gifts and wealth that come our way.
While an interesting story, this book has much in terms of leadership principles. The Guinness company was successful for so long that when the world changed, it required some radical thinking to make sudden changes. Also, the lessons on how to treat employees are invaluable. There is so much to learn from this book, both inside and outside the church. Whether or not you are a beer drinker, I recommend this book.
