December 1998 Update

ball.gif (1956 bytes)Marketplace Leaders Commit to Intercessary Prayer, Challenged To Expect Global Economic Changes
Virginia Beach, Virginia - Over 80 leaders from throughout the United States and five countries convened at the Founders Inn in Virginia Beach in October to hear speakers and other leaders discuss current trends in marketplace ministry. Leaders from over 54 organizations attended including CBMC International, Fellowship of Companies for Christ, International Christian Chamber of Commerce, Business and Professional Network and many other groups that work among Christians in the workplace.

"This was a time of hearing the Holy Spirit reveal what He was doing in the marketplace. Our speakers gave us a clear call to intercessory prayer and the need to prepare for major changes in the world over next twelve months," said Os Hillman, Director of Marketplace Leaders. Summit organizers felt the Lord was directing the conference to have more focus on intercessory prayer. For a complete report on the conference visit <www.aslangroup.com> . Audio tapes of the summit are available

ball.gif (1956 bytes) MARKETPLACE MINISTRY AND THE INTERNET.

Mike McLoughlin, the author of the Scruples Web Site shared on this topic at the Marketplace Leaders Conference in Virginia Beach. He saw the challenge of marketplace ministry as both an evangelistic challenge in terms of the Great Commission (Matt 28:18) and a challenge to worship God through our work which is from the Creation Mandate (Genesis 2:15) To meet this challenge Christians have to clear the hurdles of a poor reputation in the marketplace; lack of respect from the church; lack of revelation of how the truth applies to their context; lack of teaching and fellowship resources; emphasis on rules rather than relationships and a general lack of healthy Christian role modest in the marketplace.

The Internet has great potential to meet this need. It is estimated that by the year 2002, 320 Million people will be surfing the net. This is why it is very important that Ministries serving Christians in the marketplace have an internet presence. The Scruples Web Site has developed a tremendous amount of resources for Christians in the marketplace and provides a forum for discussion and discipleship in an online Community. Everyone is welcome to join the community. Although Scruples is sponsored by YWAM marketplace Ministries (A Ministry of YWAM BC) it is "public" property and everyone is welcome to participate and take ownership of the site.

ball.gif (1956 bytes)WEB LINK TO GUIDELINES ON RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION IN THE US FEDERAL WORKPLACE.

Steve Steff of Inner Active Ministries (<steve@inneractiveministries.org> or <http://www.inneractiveministries.org>) has brought to my attention the Guidelines On Religious Exercise And Religious Expression In The U.S. Federal Workplace that have been developed by the Whitehorse to govern the workplace at the Executive Branch. These guidelines provide an illustration of the tensions Christians face everyday at work. I suggest you take note of their location and check it out. http://www.onr.navy.mil/onr/Guidelines.htm, Check out "The Fax of Life" Commentary by Rubel Shelly on the Guidelines at http://www.woodmont.org/whf71006.html.

ball.gif (1956 bytes) EMERGING GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF GOD IN THE MARKETPLACE.

As I have researched information for the Scruples Directory for Marketplace Ministry I have seen a picture emerging of a global movement of God in the marketplace. Of the 501 organizations listed in the directory, I received a founding date from 158. Of the 158, 69 or 43 percent were founded in the last ten years. The same is true for publications. Of the 244 books listed at Scruples, 149 or 61 percent were published in the last ten years.

Although most of these organizations and publications are based in North America or Europe there are indications THAT THIS MOVEMENT IS HAVING A WORLDWIDE IMPACT. The International Christian Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1985 in Belgium. Since then its membership has grown to include 80 countries. I understand that the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International is close to reaching its goal of having members in 200 countries. Also emerging is the Europartners movement in Europe and the Christian Business Men's Committee has members in over 60 countries worldwide. Professional Organizations such as the International Christian Medical and Dental Association and the Nurses Christian Fellowship International are following suit with affiliates in many countries. Christian Enterprise Development Organizations that work with the poor such as the Mennonite Economic Development Associates and Opportunity International are also seeing growth in their membership especially in developing nations.

God is certainly on the move in the marketplace and he is calling for Christians to rise up and take their positions as his ambassadors of love to a broken and corrupt business world.

If you are interested in a copy of the Directory I still have some left. The Cost of the Directory will be $19.95 U.S. including shipping. To request a copy send me an e mail at <scruples@csi.com> and I will send you a copy of the directory with an invoice. You can preview the Directory at the Scruples site: <http://www.scruples.org/web/directry/directry.htm>

ball.gif (1956 bytes) FOUR EQUIPPING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MARKETPLACE CHRISTIANS FROM THE SCRUPLES CALENDAR.

a. Following Christ/Shaping Our World,
Ministry in Daily Life Marketplace Event December 29th, 1998 to January 3rd, 1999 -. At Chicago, Hilton & Towers downtown. Sponsored by InterVarsity Graduate & Faculty Ministries, InterVarsity Press, and supported by a variety of Christian organizations such as Christian Legal Society, Christian Medical & Dental Society, Christians in the Visual Arts, Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities, etc.. The focus is on the ministry as Christian in the various academic disciplines and careers shaped in current graduate schools of the USA and Canada. For information contact Lynn Walrath at InterVarsity, USA. <grad98@ivcf.org> The URL is www.grad98.org

b. School of Business & Biblical Economics, Starts January 15th, 1999.
The school year begins with our Intensive held in Palm Springs each January, followed by a 40 week, self study curriculum that is designed to be immediately applied in the student's current occupation. Contact Bill L. Sanders, Special Projects Administrator, Strategic Christian Services Leadership Institute at <scsbus@sonic.net>

c. Moral Business; God's Business; Tough Business.
Marketplace Seminar. Saturday, February 13th, 1999 at Regent College, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Featuring Janet Anderson; John Beckett; Steve Brinn; Alec Hill & Gordon T. Smith. As you dialogue with theologians, business practitioners, and ethicists and others working in the marketplace (business and professional), this conference will: help you get in touch with the real tensions faced by business and professional people, tensions you face, and you will discover just how tough business relates to loving God and neighbor; assist you in gaining a biblical basis for business ethics and for ethical businesses; inspire you to experience everyday life in the marketplace as prayer and as ministry; show how business is not just a platform for mission but is part of God's mission in the world today. Contact <initiatives@regent-college.edu> for more information.

d. Business 2000 Seminar,
Business & Missions Event at the University of the Nations. Global Conference Centre, Kona Hawaii. USA. Topics will include: Fulfillment as a Christian in Business; Business and the Great Commission; Models for cross-cultural business; Networking for the Future. Contact <impactteams@compuserve.com> for more information or write Business 2000 care of University of the Nations at 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy #187, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

ball.gif (1956 bytes) EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CHRISTIANITY & ECONOMICS DISCOVERED!

A very extensive Annotated Bibliography on Christianity and Economics exists at the following location: <http://www.aber.ac.uk/~arh/biblio.html> This work was authored by Andy Hartrop and published in the Journal of the Association of Christian Economists in December 1997. It is available for £2, from Professor A Henley, School of Management, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3DD; tel: +44-1970.622.504; fax: +441970622740.

ball.gif (1956 bytes)LATEST ARTICLES POSTED TO SCRUPLE SITE.
These are the titles of the recent Articles posted to the Scruples Articles form at <http://www.scruples.org/web/resource/articles/articles.htm>

i. A Day in the Life of A Christian Physician RONALD J. JARVIS M.D. 9/23/98

ii. The Genius of The And Buck Jacobs 10/23/98
Prayer: Our Most Powerful Asset, But Least Used Resource Buck Jacobs 10/23/98

iii. ETHICS ACROSS CULTURES Professor P. G. , Director, Organisational and Executive Development, 12/11/98

iv. Why so few People of Faith in Business? Professor P. G. 12/11/98

v. Why go to work? Uri Marcus 12/11/98

ball.gif (1956 bytes)ARE YOU AN UNEMPLOYED MARKETPLACE CHRISTIAN? CHECK OUT NEW WEB SITE.
JobSeekers USA <http://www.jobseekers.org> is dedicated to establishing a network of local groups throughout the U.S. that are uniquely qualified and trained to help unemployed businessmen find meaningful employment. We encourage men to recognize that God desires a personal relationship with them through Jesus Christ. After men become employed they are encouraged to become involved in Christian churches and other Christian organizations for continued spiritual growth. Men are also encouraged to begin reaching out to others who need help. This Will... Assist unemployed senior and middle managers find employment. Provide a "non-threatening" warm and positive atmosphere to lead men to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Provide a platform to aid in the spiritual growth of members and discipleship of graduates. Provide an opportunity for Christian businessmen to serve others. For more information contact Dennis Brown, Webmaster JobSeekers USA, 37 Basswood Circle, Atlanta, GA, 30328, (770) 551-9263 Fax 770-352-9640 <webmaster@jobseekers.org>

ball.gif (1956 bytes)LIVING FAITH SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TOPIC OF NEW BOOK
"God’s week Has Seven Days" explores ways to connect faith and work. What would you do if Jesus visited you at work? Should a Christian author write for Playboy? What does the Bible say about your job? These are three of the 52 work-related issues addressed by Wally Kroeker in his new book, God's Week Has Seven Days. For more about God's Week Has Seven Days or to read a sample Chapter please visit the MEDA web site at <www.meda.org>

ball.gif (1956 bytes)PLEASE REMEMBER SCRUPLES
The Scruples Internet ministry is provided to you by Youth With A Mission Marke†place Mission. We are staffed and funded on a voluntary basis by Professionals who have chosen to leave paying jobs to facilitate the Great Commission by serving Christians in the marketplace. YWAM Marketplace Mission needs financial support to cover the costs of the Scruples Web Site and the related research efforts. Please consider sending a small donation this Christmas to help us in this effort. Thank you. You can forward your gift to YOUTH WITH A MISSION at 3400 Hall Road, P. O. Box 5150, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8T9 CANADA. Tax Receipts can be made available for US or Canadian residents. Please indicate if you need one. If you would like more information on how you can assist us in the effort of this ministry please visit the Help Scruples Page at http://www.scruples.org/web/helpus.htm

You can also sponsor a Scruples Update Newsletter that goes out to over 800 Marketplace Christians by contacting scruples@csi.com . Please include the words "SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION" in the subject line.

Visit the Archive Page for past Scruples News and Updates.

Please bring to our attention other news worthy items of interest to Marketplace Christians by sending us an email: scruples@csi.com. Thank you.