From: Mike McLoughlin
Email1: mailto:%20scruples@csi.com
Date: 4/9/99
Time: 2:47:40 PM
Remote Name: 24.65.9.174
Here are my top 18 reasons why Christian Missionaries SHOULD be in business. Please feel free to post your own reasons in response.
1 Business IS Mission · Integrated world view, Business is a CALLING as much as Christian Service Work is a CALLING. It is God's calling for them to be in business and to do business to his glory · Luther & Calvin taught this as part of the Reformation ¨ Challenge: Business is Business - No thought to intentional witness other than the witness of an honest hardworking quality business person.
2. Business AS Mission · The Type of business is directly related to Christian Service Work. · E.g. YWAM Publishing is a Mission/Business that provides Christian & Mission Literature. ¨ Challenge: Business side dominates the organization and undermines the Christian Service Vision. I.e. Christian book shops that alienate suppliers and customers by their "sharp" business practices that generate more profits.
3. Business as a Mission Field · The Marketplace is at the "crossroads" of life and is a place to witness to and share the love of Christ . · E.g. Stanley Tam, Author of "God owns my Business" ¨ Challenge: Business is Secondary - Christian Employees spend time evangelizing other employees when they should be working.
4. Business as a Foundation for the Kingdom and Pre Evangelism tool. · Christian Business operating in Integrity and honest dealing models the Kingdom of God and introduces people to a different worldview. · E.g. Craft, Import/Export Business set up in Creative Access Country operates differently than other Western and local businesses by paying fair wages and caring for employees and customers. ¨ Challenge: Refusing to bribe government officials and paying fair share of taxes threatens other businesses with exposure of corrupt practices and may bring persecution.
5. Business as a Platform for Mission · Business enables them to be in that country as a missionary. Intentional Effort to establish a business with the purpose of blessing a country and planting a Christian Witness in that country. · E.g. Galtronics in Israel is a Great Commission company ¨ Challenge: Mission Activity brings Persecution. Anti- Christian government, Labour Unions or other groups target "Great Commission business" and cause problems for employees
6. Business as a Strategic Tool to reach a Specific People Group · The Type of Business attracts special customers or the business is located in a place where unreached people live and employs these people. · E.g. Computer Training Business targets high Caste Hindu's in India · E.g. Manufacturing Business located in a section of a city which has a high concentration of an unreached people group. ¨ Challenge: Christian Witness in the business alienates the people it seeks to reach.
7. Business as a Partner for Mission · Mission Agencies allow Missionaries to be seconded to the Business as employees so as to give them access to the people, learn the language and be oriented to the culture. · Partnership Agreements with Mission agencies formalize arrangements ¨ Challenge: Regular Mission Volunteers on faith support are a "poor second cousin" to "rich" Company employees who are paid market rates for their work. Tension develops between those working in the Company and those in full time Christian Service Work.
8. Business as a Shelter for Christians in a hostile religious environment · In some countries Christians are denied employment and economic opportunity simply on religious grounds. ¨ Challenge: Unless the business is well funded and well supported by other authorities (e.g. Government) than it will be targeted by anti Christian elements that will undermine it and deny it ability to operate and support local Christians.
9. Business as Spiritual Warfare for Missions · Businesses can promote righteousness through honest business activity. · Business products especially Christian Music can counter idolatry and pagan activity. · E.g. A Pastor in India has started a company that distributes Christian Music. The people are very attracted to the modern worship music. He sells it in regular music stores. This music acts as a counter to other music used to worship spirits or idols. ¨ Challenge: Satan fell from heaven through dishonest trade therefore he is a master at tempting Christians to unrighteousness trade. The marketplace is his domain. But greater is He (Jesus) that is in us than he in the world. (1 John 4). Prayer and Intercession and having a Prayer cover for the Business and Missions activity is a MUST if you want to win the spiritual battle.
10. Business as Provision for Mission · Profits from the Business are dedicated to Missionary Support. · E.g. Set up a Foundation to receive Profits and to disburse donations. · E.g. "Tentmaking" Paul worked to supply his needs while he also ministered the gospel. ¨ Challenge: Business exists only as a source of money. Concern for quality, customer service etc. lacking. Portion of Profits not reinvested to replace equipment and build business. Business eventually wears out and dies due to neglect. (Killed the Golden Goose.)
11. Business as a Resource of Skills and Abilities for Mission · Christian Service Workers need business like approaches to raising support; organizing the mission work and managing the people on the field. ¨ Challenge: Mission becomes a business and operates according to Business Values instead of keeping its focus on the original Christian Service Work Vision.
12. Business as a Service/Product to Missions · Some types of business facilitate Christian Service Work · E.g. Christian travel Agency that provides cheap flights for missionaries · E.g. Water Purification Business that supplies Missionaries with good drinking water while on the Mission field. ¨ Challenge: Business suffers because Christian Missionaries want a "Christian" discount and are not willing to pay fair market value for the product or service.
13. Business as a Sending Agency for Missions · Companies are always looking for opportunities overseas in the Global economy. Establishing a branch plant or office in a creative access nation can provide a way in for Missions people who can work for the company and help plant churches at the same time. ¨ Challenge: Businesses must be well established in the sending nation with a profitable track record before attempting to set up in another nation. There must be no deception. It is not appropriate to set up a shell company just to give the appearance so as to get a visa and access as a business person.
14. Business as a Cross Cultural Bridge · To operate a Business effectively one must learn the customs and sensitivities of the new culture. On the other hand, nationals in the business can be introduced to a business culture that encourages thrift and productivity. ¨ Challenge: Cultural tensions between nationals and expatriates working together in the business hinder the mission as well as the business activity.
15. Business as a Network of Relationships · To establish a business in another country one must develop a network of Government officials and local business leaders that provide opportunity for acceptance of Christian Service Workers. ¨ Challenge: Business and economic benefits from it are tempting targets for politicians eager to please constituencies. The business gets caught up in the national political scene.
16. Business as Mercy Mission -- Community Development & Economic Transformation. · Small loans provide working capital for starting a small business to provide income for the Poorest of the Poor. · E.g. The Christian Enterprise Trust of Zambia has 40 Trust Bank Groups of 25 to 40 members each that represent 1,100 clients, mostly women. ¨ Challenge: Loan Recipients don't feel an obligation to pay back loans because the money comes from Donor source. Encourages "rice" Christians whose only interest is the money and not the gospel.
17. Business as an Economic Blessing · New Technology or New Product/Crop provides significant economic benefit to host country. · E.g. Basel Trading Company introducing Cocoa to Ghana that soon became the country's largest cash crop. · E.g. Galtronics providing employment to Russian Immigrants to Israel and introducing new technologies to the country. ¨ Challenge: Government nationalizes the Business to take control of the economic benefit.
18. Business as a Discipler of Nations · Honest Business Practice and just Labour Policies set a standard for national industries and encourage local companies to implement similar policies. ¨ Challenge: "Western" business practice is not sensitive to local culture and establishes policies that undermine cultural and family traditions.
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