Luke Denmon, a young commercial real estate broker in Phoenix, used to struggle with networking events. "Happy Hour" mixers are a great way to meet new colleagues, but businessmen who want to mingle without the help of a highball face a conundrum.

"It's essential to attend these functions to exchange news and mingle with other players in your industry," Denmon said. "As a Christian, navigating the open bar and the expectation to drink throughout the evening is a challenge."

Denmon wanted to live out his faith at home and at work, and like an increasing number of young professionals, he realized he needed help from other men trying to do the same.

Fueled by men's desire to find meaning and purpose on the job, business societies that merge biblical principles with boardroom policies are exploding across the nation.Wanting to avoid the marital and societal train-wreck of their fathers and grandfathers, young men are looking for direction and guidance from older Christian men who can serve as role models and mentors.

"Things were turned upside down by the recession, and Wall Street isn't as sexy as it used to be" said Calvin Chin, adjunct professor at The King's College and director of the Entrepreneurship Initiative at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. The nation's economic crisis caused men to think differently about significance, impact and legacy at work, Chin said.

Some want job-hunting assistance, others a lifelong friendship, but all are looking for guidance in a world that feels uncertain and chaotic, Chin said. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder like most people did 30 years ago, many men are starting new ventures and creating new companies, wondering how to apply biblical mandates in the business world.

Denmon found practical solutions for his "happy hour" dilemma, and other workday issues, at the Camelback Society, a group of young Phoenix businessmen who meet weekly to encourage one another to live biblical lives. The members of the group understand Denmon's professional challenges in a way his church family does not, he said.

"In a lot of ways, non-business people in the church see business as the problem. In their view, being a pastor is your highest calling. It's super frustrating and counterproductive when you're looking for counsel." Denmon said.

He doesn't have to deal with that attitude from the other businessmen: "The CBS guys get it. They know you have unique gifts and talents and understand the world you live in."

Founded in 2010 by Arizona entrepreneur Aaron Klusman, the Camelback Society defines itself as a group of men called to the marketplace who intend to live out their faith in all aspects of their lives. An advisory board of experienced businessmen who are committed to mentoring the next generation of business leaders oversees the group.

"I really want to help these young guys understand that gifts and callings are there for our enjoyment and God's glory," board member Don Cardon said. "There is no separation between sacred and secular. Our work and the things we're called to do in our work is our ministry."

The Camelback Society formalizes this philosophy by asking each member to craft a vision for specific areas of life - God, marriage, family, friends, attitude, health, work, ministry and finances. They set goals for each area and share them with fellow members. Once a month, each man grades his performance according to "hits, misses, and fixes."

"We believe it's important to set a direction and make the intentions of your heart known," Bret Edson, one of the group's advisory members, said. "Leaders need to know who they are, know their strengths, know their weaknesses, and what God has called them to do in the world."

Participation in Camelback's parent organization, the New Canaan Society, helped Eric Metaxas, a nationally acclaimed author, humorist, and speaker, clarify God's calling in his life and develop his talents.

"I wouldn't be me without NCS," the former Veggie Tales writer said. "The level of kidding around and fun is just off the charts. We take God deeply seriously, which means we don't fool around with religiosity. We are honest about ourselves and our need for God."

Mike Hansen, Executive Pastor of Calvary Church in St. Peters, Missouri, tells men that surrounding themselves with a community of other men and making themselves accountable to each other follows a biblical model, based on Proverbs 13:20 - "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." (ESV)

During a 22-year career with Ralston Purina and Nestle, Hansen founded the Purina Servant Leadership Development Process. He continues developing leaders as an executive pastor and the director of development for Ministries@Work, a non-denominational Christian organization that helps people apply scriptural principles in their professions.

Brandon Mann, former senior vice president at Cassidy Turley, founded Ministries@Work in 2009 when he started an office Bible study and noticed a void between the technical aspects of work and how to do it as a Christian. To bridge the chasm, Mann organized a study guide based on David Steward's "Doing Business by the Good Book."

"God gave us a scalable, sustainable formula for studying His Word in the context of work," Mann said. "So we kept going and God began growing new groups." Biblical Business Training groups that use the Ministries@Work model now meet in Kansas City, Denver, Nashville, Indianapolis, California, North Carolina, and South Africa -exploding from 3 to 45 groups in one year.

The organization now plans to focus on training future business leaders on college campuses to ground their lives and business decisions in scriptural truth. PROclaim on Campus, an events-based program that brings Christian business leaders to the university, founded its first chapter this month at the University of Missouri, Columbia. The group's first event drew 500 students and a welcoming introduction from Dr. Mary Beth Marrs, Undergraduate Dean of the Trulaske College of Business.

Mann and Hansen hope to help future businessmen realize early on how much they needeach other.

"A lot of men spend time in a social circle, discussing the weather, sports, or golf, but few examine their own life and ask themselves what they can do to be a better husband, father, and friend," Hansen said. "If a guy can get in a circle of other guys, it produces an equilibrium where friendships naturally and organically develop."