Bennett + Monroe Required Reading Assignment: Sacred Commerce: Business as a Path of Awakening
Bennett & Monroe Required Reading Assignment
Required Reading
Sacred Commerce: Business as a Path of Awakening
Authors: Matthew Engelhart and Terces Engelhart
Why This Book?
At Bennett & Monroe, we believe business is more than transactions—it’s influence, service, integrity, and purpose. Sacred Commerce invites us to build organizations that honor people, community, and the greater good while creating sustainable success. The philosophy shared by Matthew and Terces Engelhart, founders of Café Gratitude, reminds us that gratitude, authenticity, and conscious leadership can transform the way we work and serve others.
Every Bennett & Monroe congregant and brand ambassador is expected to complete this reading assignment. Excellence is cultivated through discipline, continuous learning, and a commitment to living out our values.
1,500-Word Reflection Essay
Title
How Sacred Commerce Shapes the Future of Bennett & Monroe
Word Count Breakdown
Introduction (150 words)
Introduce the central message of Sacred Commerce.
Explain why values-driven business matters in today’s world.
Core Principles (300 words)
Discuss three principles from the book that resonated with you.
Explain why these principles are important for ethical leadership.
Applying the Principles to Bennett & Monroe (450 words)
Describe how Bennett & Monroe can embody the principles of sacred commerce through branding, storytelling, partnerships, customer relationships, and community engagement.
Include practical examples of how a brand ambassador can represent these values every day.
Personal Reflection (300 words)
Explain how the book challenged your perspective on leadership, gratitude, generosity, purpose, or success.
Identify habits you intend to adopt because of this reading.
Conclusion (300 words)
Summarize the book’s most meaningful lessons.
Explain how practicing sacred commerce can strengthen Bennett & Monroe’s mission and create a lasting legacy built on integrity, creativity, gratitude, and service.
Total Required Word Count: 1,500 Words
Reflection Questions
Address the following throughout your essay:
What does “sacred commerce” mean to you?
How can business become an act of service rather than simply a pursuit of profit?
Which chapter had the greatest impact on you, and why?
How does gratitude influence leadership and decision-making?
What responsibilities do entrepreneurs, creators, and brand ambassadors have to the communities they serve?
How can Bennett & Monroe remain purpose-driven while pursuing excellence?
What specific commitments will you make to embody the principles of Sacred Commerce in your daily life?
Group Discussion
After submitting your essay, each congregant and brand ambassador will participate in a guided discussion.
Prepare a 3–5 minute presentation covering:
The lesson from the book that impacted you most.
One memorable quote and why it stood out.
One practical way Bennett & Monroe can apply the teachings of Sacred Commerce.
One personal commitment you will implement over the next 90 days.
The goal is not simply to complete a reading assignment, but to cultivate a community where gratitude, purpose, ethical leadership, and meaningful service shape every decision we make.