Press Release 97/03/15

HELPING HOME-BASED BUSINESSES TAKE CHRIST TO THE MARKETPLACE
by Andy Butcher, YWAM International Communications

C a n a d a : March 15th, 1997 THE FAST-GROWING world of home-based businesses can open up new doors for the gospel, according to the man behind a support service for Christians turning to self-employment. The spread of small businesses operating on biblical principles gives people a chance to share their faith with customers and business colleagues - through what they say and how they work - says businessman-turned-missionary Mike McLoughlin, founder of Marketplace Mission.

Through seminars and an Internet advice site called Scruples, he is helping Christians working in corporate offices or at their kitchen tables to improve their skills - and their sometimes poor reputation.

"Being a Christian in business provides a wonderful opportunity to influence others for Christ,. " he says. "But sadly I often hear that Christian business people are no better than anybody else - they fail to honor their commitments, and can be just as likely to rip you off."

Many of those turning to him for help are looking to start home-based businesses such as crafts, desktop publishing and marketing, which McLoughlin says are not only "the way of the future" but also have "tremendous potential" for witnessing for Christ.

"However most people think that it's really easy to succeed, and it is not," he warns. "You need to be informed about a lot of practical matters like tax and business planning, and you need a good balance of personal and spiritual discipline.

"Above all, businesses big or small need to be Christ-centered, meaning that people's priorities are right. Jesus said what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul?

"With sound business discipline and good character you are out there in the world, where everything is happening, so when an associate's marriage is breaking down or someone goes into bankruptcy or there are other difficulties, you can talk about the one who has the answers to the world's greatest needs."

In addition to carrying the teaching McLoughlin gives at seminars and training sessions - such as 36 Steps For Business Success - Scruples also features advice pages on common ethical dilemmas, links to a wide range of other Christian business and finance ministry sites, and other resources.

Recognizing the need for Christian influence in the business world, the former development and marketing specialist from Kelowna, British Columbia joined Youth With A Mission in 1993, and spent two years in Zambia where he trained 1,000 people in biblical principles for small businesses.

Once after teaching about the need for integrity and honesty, a woman told him she had fired her entire staff - including herself - before re-hiring those who would commit to following biblical principles in the future.

"People realize that it's the businesses that have integrity that succeed ultimately," says McLoughlin. "And when they want to know where that integrity comes from, we can tell them about Christ."

Scruples - standing for Serving Christ Radically in an Uncompromising People-Loving Entrepreneurial Spirit - can be reached at: http://www.scruples.org

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The current version of the Scruples Web site is at www.scruples.net.