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Business & Missions Bulletin

September 1998

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Current Headlines:

    1.CAN BUSINESS MISSIONARIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN DISCIPLING NATIONS? A TRUE STORY!
    2. TO BRIBE OR NOT TO BRIBE DILEMMA SOLVED AT SCRUPLES FORUM.
    3. CEED SEMINAR IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO FEATURE VETERAN TENTMAKERS.
    4. ADD VENTERPRISE LAUNCHED AT SPRING HARVEST CONFERENCE IN UK
    5. FINISHERS FORUM TO CHALLENGE 600 PLUS BABY BOOMERS TO MISSIONS
    6. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 1999 TENTMAKING INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS.
    7. MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS SEMINAR TO BE CONDUCTED BY CAREER DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE.
    8. LIGHT TO THE NATIONS TENTMAKING SEMINAR TO GO IN CALIFORNIA.
    9. BUSINESS AND FAITH ACROSS BORDERS THEME OF NOVEMBER 12-15 MEDA CONVENTION IN DALLAS  
    10. SCHOOL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP WILL COMBINE CHRISTIAN STUDIES WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.
    11.SHOULD CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES BE IN BUSINESS? SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR ADDRESSES ISSUES.
    12. YWAM SMALL BUSINESS AND MISSIONS 1998/99 SEMINAR SCHEDULE.
    13. THIS BULLETIN BROUGHT TO YOU BY YWAM MARKETPLACE MINISTRIES.

    1. CAN BUSINESS MISSIONARIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN DISCIPLING NATIONS? A TRUE STORY!
    Five years ago a Business Missionary traveled with his family to Zambia, Africa for two-year missions outreach to teach Christian entrepreneurs small business skills. During this period he helped form a local Venture Capital Company with local Christian Entrepreneurs that would provide small start up loans for Christians in business. Recently, it was reported that this company received a grant of 3 Million US dollars to launch a Micro Credit program in Zambia. A staff of 12 is being recruited. 200 Clients are currently being assisted, 600 hundred are on the waiting list. By next year 1,500 clients will be serviced and over a 5-year period they expect to service 10,000 Micro Credit applicants in the process creating hundreds of thousands of jobs to the glory of God! The name of the company is the Christian Enterprise Trust of Zambia. You can find out more about CETZAM by visiting their web page at Scruples – <http://www.scruples.org/web/entrust/cetzam.htm>

    Do you have a story you can share with the business and Missions audience that will inspire others to have a national impact for Christ through business and missions? Please e-mail me with your story so we can share it with others. -- <scruples@csi.com>

    2. TO BRIBE OR NOT TO BRIBE! THE DILEMMA IS SOLVED AT SCRUPLES FORUM.
    In a recent issue of the International Journal of Mission Frontiers one author makes the statement "Many seasoned veterans of cross-cultural living distinguish between extortion (demanding bribes) and bribery (paying them). The Bible appears to make the same distinction, uniformly condemning the practice of demanding bribes but virtually silent about paying them, except in the desire to get what one does not deserve." The writer goes on to tacitly accept the practice of local Christians paying bribes to ensure "promptness"
    We asked you what your thoughts were and we had a great response, thank you! We have posted 17 messages at the Scruples Business and Missions Forum – <http://www.scruples.org/web/forums/forums.htm Please drop by and add your own comments to the ongoing debate on bribery. If you do not have access to the Internet you can send us an e-mail with the words "Bribery Debate" in the subject field and we will automatically post to you a text file of the responses (37 K).

3. CEED SEMINAR IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO FEATURE VETERAN TENTMAKERS

The Centre for Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (C.E.E.D.) in conjunction with the YWAM University of the Nations presents a Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, November 2nd - 14th, 1998 in Singapore. Please visit the CEED Seminar Page <http://www.scruples.org/web/ceed/ceed.htm>. The Keynote speaker will be Landa Cope of the University of the Nations. Some of the featured speakers will include Tom Jennings, Kalyan Das (head of Oxford Centre for Mission Studies new MBA program as well as a successful entrepreneur and trainer himself, Dr. Bill Rigden, of Bright Arrows, and then Dwight Nordstrom, of President of Pacific Resources, Inc. and Tentmaking Franchises International. The cost of the seminar is  $680 US Dollars AND INCLUDES tuition, room and board, and materials. Registration fee: $30 US dollars or $50 Singapore dollars. For more information or contact <CEED_UofN@compuserve.com>

4. ADDVENTOR & ADDVENTERPRISE LAUNCHED AT SPRING HARVEST CONFERENCE IN UK

Have you ever wondered how you could be more effective in communicating your faith at work? Addventer offers a practical solution through 'prayer evangelism'. Addventer's primary goal is to train workplace 'missionaries'. This involves developing personal mission statements that cause us to live what we believe and to act with compassion towards colleagues and customers. Addventerprise aims to proactively promote the establishment of Biblically based business enterprise in support of the extension of the kingdom of God through supporting Christian business; aiding the realization of business ideas and extending the kingdom of God through business enterprise.

For more information on ADDVENTER AND ADDVENTERPRISE contact Richard Eason at 9 Broadhurst Drive Kennington, Ashford, Kent TN24 9RQ U.K.Tel: +44 (0)1233 635826 Fax +44 (0)1233 647048 E-mail <REason2@compuserve.com>

5. FINISHERS FORUM TO CHALLENGE 600 BABY BOOMERS TO MISSIONS

FINISHERS FORUM ’98, an Urbana-like conference, is a key resource for the healthiest and best educated generation of 40-55 year olds ever. The Forum will happen at the Westin Hotel, O’Hare, Chicago, October 1st to 3rd, 1998. This three day conference, featuring John Piper, will be stimulating, with music, drama, multi-media and teaching all designed to help you reflect on where God might be leading you from this time forward. It will provide you with the process, pathways and planning tools to formulate a significant assignment for kingdom impact in your "second half" of life. A forum to provide you with the process, pathways and planning tools to formulate a second career with significance. Conference is sold out with 600 people! Cost was $215. For more information about registering for the next conference, send your question by email to finishers@navigators.org or call (800) 981-6703 10a.m.–5p.m. EST or at other times and leave a message.

6. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 1999 TENTMAKING INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

Dates: March 21 – 26, 1999 for The THIRD International TIE Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. Past TIE Congresses took place with the aim to identify needs and resources between tentmaker facilitators and practitioners and to exchange ideas, information and opportunities.  The aim is to provide an affordable opportunity for role players from all over the world to attend a Congress that will contribute towards the World Evangelization movement. Focus Topics will include: The Ethics of Tentmaking (Theology of work); Training the Tentmaker; Tentmaker Care; Tentmaking Sending Platforms; Business and Tentmaking; Local Church and Tentmaking.   Contact Ken Smith at <tie@gati.wa.com> or (206) 781-3151 for more information.

7. MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS SEMINAR TO BE CONDUCTED BY CAREER DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE.

The Career Development Institute presents MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS - Considerations of Small Business Ownership.  Tuesday, Sep. 29 and Tue. October 6th.   You will: Learn the financial, legal and biblical considerations of small business ownership; determine what it takes to be an entrepreneur; explore and share the triumphs and challenges of owning a business and develop your network with other entrepreneurs. Cost is $45. Time is 7 to 9 PM at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 31st & York Road, Oak Brook, IL. Contact Sherri Adams at sadams@cc-ob.org or phone (630) 415-3324 for more information.

8. LIGHT TO THE NATIONS TENTMAKING SEMINAR TO GO IN CALIFORNIA

Global Opportunities (GO) presents Light to the Nations Tentmaking Training October 14th to 18th at the US Center for World Missions It is four and a half days of intensive, high quality training for people interested in tentmaking. The course is designed both for those who are planning on going as tentmakers and for those who are considering tentmaking. It will enable you to understand tentmaking and help equip you to be an effective tentmaker. The annual course is being held at the U.S. Center for World Missions in Pasadena, California. Time: 7pm Wed., Oct 14 through 2pm Sunday, Oct 18. Cost: Individuals - $95, Couples - $145. Does not include Housing and Meals. Contact GO for a registration form if you would like to attend the next Light to the Nations course. Web Site: http://www.globalopps.org/ E-Mail: globalopps@compuserve.com .

9. BUSINESS AND FAITH ACROSS BORDERS THEME OF NOVEMBER 12-15 MEDA CONVENTION IN DALLAS  

What issues face businesses working in low income countries? How can Christians cross cultural and economic barriers at home?   How can Christians put their faith to work on Monday morning?  These are some of the questions to be addressed at Business and Faith Across Borders, Mennonite Economic Development Associate's annual convention, to be held this year in Dallas, Texas from November 12-15.  Feature speakers at the convention are Art DeFehr, President of Palliser Furniture, Winnipeg, Man.; Keith Rheinhard, CEO of DDB Needham Worldwide Inc ., the largest advertising agency in the U.S.; and Rev. Sharon Stanley, refugee minister from Fresno, Calif., a leading authority on the economic adjustment of America's immigrant groups.  Seminars at the convention will focus on issues such as international investment opportunities; the trials and triumphs of doing business in Mexico; and how to help unemployed people start businesses.  While at the convention participants will also be able to take in tours such as Dallas art and architecture; the John F. Kennedy assassination site; and go behind the scenes at Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.   For more information, call 1-800--665-7026.

10. SCHOOL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP WILL COMBINE CHRISTIAN STUDIES WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.
This programme offers an "entrepreneurial experience" so that you will really feel what it is like to be an entrepreneur. The programme lasts for four weeks and is based around a "New Business Project". Working in a business team you will develop, write up and present a marketing plan, a product and manufacturing plan, a finance plan and a business plan for your start up company. Each team will have it's own business advisor and bank manager. The "New Business Project" will be supported by the teaching.

Teaching during the school will include the following: Theology and Christian Studies; Values and ethics in business integrity and righteousness handling success and failure; Economics, Business and Enterprise; Third world economics and poverty business planning and accounting enterprise development models; Entrepreneurial Studies and the Small Business; Creativity and innovation setting up and running a small business strategic marketing and sales.

Each week will have a special theme with talks by entrepreneurs, business specialists and visits to see examples of best practice and entrepreneurship. There will also be business games, book reviews, tutored assignments and other activities.

The school will be held at Holmsted Manor in West Sussex, England. Accommodation will be dormitory style with communal dining. Students will participate in joint worship meetings and some practical work during the school. The school fees also include the costs of projects undertaken as part of the school. Dates: 8th November - 5th December 1998 Cost: £850 (GB Pounds) Registration: For more details or a registration form please write to: The Entrepreneurship Programme, Holmsted Manor, Staplefield Road, Cuckfield, West Sussex, RH17 5JF, Great Britain. tel: +44 (0)1444 440229 fax: +44 (0)1444 450770 e-mail: entrepreneur@holmsted.org.uk or visit http://www.holmsted.u-net.com/entrepre.htm  

11.SHOULD CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES BE IN BUSINESS? SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR ADDRESSES ISSUES.

The answer to that question and to many more was discussed at the YWAM Marketplace Mission Small Business Start Up Seminar for Christian Ministries. Seminar Participants learned that the business of ministry is MINISTRY not business. Which may seem obvious; what is not so obvious and I believe is the radical approach we are taking towards discipling business people is -- The business of business is MINISTRY NOT JUST business. That is, the reason one is in business is people; and value; and service -- beyond and before money; power and position. The end of business is MINISTRY just as the end of ministry is MINISTRY, but there are different types of ministry; serving customers and adding value is as much a ministry as feeding the hungry and preaching the gospel. Money, power and position are means to an end not an end in themselves as Milton Friedman would advocate. Once these idols become the end objective we get all sort of problems (evils as 1 Tim 6 puts it.)

So having said that I believe if one has a right perspective on business (it is ministry) then Missions and Business or Ministry and business can work hand in hand. Other wise one will pull the other apart. Many of the people I have dealt with in YWAM and also in other Ministries who are interested in small business as a means to more money in their ministry have not thoroughly addressed the REASON why they want to do business. If it is purely economical one and has no relation to his or her ministry activity then I will aggressively challenge the idea. However, if the business really complements the ministry and the two can obviously work together (such as a tent maker professional on the Mission field or the guy in India who is operating a Computer training business to reach high cast Hindu’s) then I will affirm and encourage that partnership and challenge them to do their business with excellence (which means getting some proper training and having a proper business plan.) «FIRST», what do you think?

12. YWAM SMALL BUSINESS AND MISSIONS 1998/99 SEMINAR SCHEDULE.

Are you interested in attending or sponsoring a Business and Missions event? If so you are please e-mail me at <scruples@csi.com> and I will keep you posted.

NOTE: Check out the notes for Planning A Successful Small Business at <http://www.scruples.org/web/seminars/pssb.htm> for further assistance for Small Business.

13. THIS BULLETIN BROUGHT TO YOU BY YWAM Marketplace Mission

Youth With A Mission Marke†place Ministries is dedicated to know God and make him known in the marketplace. It is staffed and funded on a voluntary basis by missionaries who receive no remuneration for their services. If you would like to assist in the effort of this ministry please visit the Help Scruples Page at

<http://www.scruples.org/web/helpus.htm>

You can sponsor a Scruples Business & Missions Newsletter that goes out to over 500 Business and Missions Professionals by contacting <scruples@csi.com>. Tax receipts are available in the US and Canada through YWAM. Thanks for your support.

Blessings!

Mike McLoughlin, Director
Youth With A Mission, Marketplace Ministries

Web Site: http://www.scruples.org

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