August 1998 Update

Marketplace Ministry Leaders Summit set for October 11-13th at Regent University
On February 7& 8, 1997 the first Marketplace Leader Summit took place in which over 40 marketplace ministries came together in Atlanta for fellowship, prayer, and discussion about God's activity in the marketplace. This was a rich time as we heard the various groups’ report about God's activity in the marketplace. Many relationships were formed that have continued from this initial summit. A common thought expressed during this time was " I had no idea a ministry like yours existed." The vision for a
unified effort to affect the marketplace for Jesus Christ becomes clearer with each passing day.

We are pleased to announce the 1998 Marketplace Leader's Summit to be held at Regent University on October 11-13, 1998 in Virginia Beach on the campus of CBN University. The purpose of this summit is to bring marketplace leaders and organizations together to: 1) Discover what God is doing among Christians in the workplace nationally and internationally. To discern God's direction for the marketplace. 2) To network with other ministry leaders in order to access new ministry resources, ideas, and relationships. 3) To build relationships with other leaders with similar callings to encourage and strengthen each other. Registration is limited. For More Information please contact Os Hillman at <hillman@mindspring.com> or visit his web site at www.aslangroup.com or phone 770-442-1500.

Scruples Feature Web Site - MEDA’s THE SUNDAY – MONDAY CONNECTION
"Thought-provoking resources for people who want to connect their faith and work. Where do many Christians spend a great deal of their time? At work, of course. But sometimes it feels like the world of faith and the world of work are separated by a huge gulf, that what we hear at church on Sunday isn’t connected to what we do on Monday. It isn’t supposed to be this way–Jesus called us to be witnesses to the whole world, including the world of work." This Page is a GREAT resource page for Marketplace Christians. Highly Recommended. FIVE SCRUPLES STARS! Check it out at: <http://www.meda.org/Sun_Mon/ >

Spirituality in the Workplace – the New Age Version.
Martin Rutte and Maida Rogerson, Authors of "Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work", recently hosted a conference on Spirituality at Work in Toronto. Mr. Rutte advises some major corporations about actively bringing spirituality into the workplace. The Conference was billed as "A thoughtful look at the nature and meaning of work and improving the quality of work life." Presenters included: Martin Rutte, Maida Rogerson, Michael Stephen, Chairman, Aetna International, Ellen Hayakawa, President of The Centre for Spirituality and Sustainability, Judi Neal, Director of The Center for Spirit At Work Edward J. Waitzer, former Chairman, Ontario Securities Commission. Other religious presenters included: Morma Burton, Pastoral Counselor, Shaman; Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, Executive Director, Kolel: A center for Liberal Jewish Learning; Rev. Grant Ikuta, Buddhist Minister; Rev. Gerald Loweth, Retired Anglican Priest; Rev. Leslie Mezei, Universal Worship; Many other leading business and social leaders were present at the conference. The objectives of the Conference were to i. Further your personal journey; ii. Make an impact on the workplace community; iii. Explore the many aspects of workplace spirituality: caring for self and community; ethics, vocation, counselling, creativity, productivity and profit iv. Receive & give practical & actionable information, ideas & wisdom; v. Engage in dialogue with the various religious & spiritual traditions; vi. Enjoy fellowship, community, networking. For more information you can visit Martin Rutte’s Website at <http://www.martinrutte.com/welcome.html>

WARNING! Thinking of Starting a Ministry or Missions Business? READ THIS FIRST! The Trillium Foundation and the Canadian Policy Research Networks Inc. have co-published a very interesting report entitled: "Charities doing Commercial Ventures: Societal and Organizational Implications." It is a careful examination of the problems that non-profit organizations encounter in operating businesses. Many of the conclusions are applicable to organizations or individuals thinking of taking their mission or ministry into a commercial venture. It is provided free to those who write to the Trillium Foundation at 45 Charles St. East, 5^th Floor, Toronto M4Y 1S2 Canada. I am encouraging them to put some of their conclusions online.

Scruples to provide Small Business Coaching Service for Business & Missions Initiatives.
The Scruples Web Site in conjunction with YWAM Marketplace Ministries is offering a Coaching service for Missionaries or Ministries interested in starting a small business. The service is available either through the Business and Missions page at <http://www.scruples.org> or you can send e-mail to <scruples@csi.com> with the words "COACHING SERVICE" in the Subject heading. The Coaching page or the auto response e-mail will provide a form for you to fill out. The initial electronic consultation is FREE.

YWAM to host Small Business Start Up Seminar for Christian Ministries
THE SMALL BUSINESS START UP SEMINAR for Christian MINISTRIES will go two weeks from Sunday, August 23rd to Saturday, September 5^th, 1998 at the YWAM Winfield Base, 2725 Dick Road, Winfield, BC. This is a two-week residential seminar that will equip you to start a small business to provide income for a ministry. It includes the 21-hour seminar PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL SMALL BUSINESS and the 10-hour seminar WRITING A BUSINESS PLAN. In addition, participants will receive a one on one consultation with a Small Business Coach. The Cost is $350 US that includes the course fee and 14 days room and board at the YWAM base in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. To receive a brochure or to register please contact Mike McLoughlin at YWAM Marketplace Ministries,3400 Hall Road, P. O. Box 5150, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8T9 CANADA Phone: 1 (250) 763-3367 Fax: 1 (250) 763-1260 or e-mail at scruples@csi.com   Check out the Seminar Information Page at: http://www.scruples.org/web/seminars/sbsu.htm

Scruples Reader presents Ethical Dilemma, Can you help me solve it?
I received an e mail from a Christian fellow in Vancouver who was facing a decision he had to make about doing business with a client who wanted to distribute adult pornographic videos. What should he do? Should he tell the client that because he is a Christian he will not do business with him or with pornographic material? Should he try and avoid the decision by putting the client off? Should he be really proactive and go to the police and expose the fellow who is selling pornographic material? What duty does my friend have to his employer? Should he not go to his employer and lay out the facts and let the employer make the decision. Then he will have to implement it. If so, should he resign if it he does not like the outcome? Where is the line in the sand where duty to employer verses duty God and his word? HELP! What do you suggest? Let me know at <scruples@csi.com>

Spring Harvest to run Equipping Marketplace Leaders Conference in the United Kingdom
At Work Together is a groundbreaking initiative. 9-12 September 1998, Sheffield, UK It is imperative that church and workplace leaders meet to equip, challenge, interact and learn from each other. The conference will provide just such an opportunity. Offering nationally respected speakers and market-place professionals to facilitate and resource delegates, it will tackle the real issues in the workplace and everywhere God has called his people to exercise leadership. It will be radical, it will be beneficial - it will be vital for effective leadership. The conference will help you to: i. Apply spiritual principles to the workplace ii. Relate leadership and management skills to the church; iii. Address fundamental questions about leadership, bridging the sacred-secular divide; iv. Meet others who share the same agenda - to resource each other. Discover more information at: <http://www.springh.org/leaders.html> or e mail: <info@springh.org>

WANTED: Conference Information from your neck of the woods..
You can see that we have quite a few events for Marketplace Christians listed in this Update. There are even more available at the Calendar Page at the Scruples Site. Click on <http://www.scruples.org/web/calendar/calendar.htm> to find out. If you know of a conference that needs to be listed here please inform us at <scruples@csi.com>