God Means Business!
1. BAM is being a follower of Jesus
What does Jesus say are the key characteristics of true followers of Him? They help the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick and those in prison. (Matthew 25) Unemployment is a major underlying cause to malnourishment and starvation, homelessness, disease and limited access to medical treatment, and to debt and crime. Providing people with jobs is alleviating (and preventing) these dire conditions. One may paraphrase Jesus’ words in Matthew 25: “I was jobless and you gave me a job!” Entrepreneurs have a special calling to serve in the market place, by doing business “as unto the Lord”.
2. BAM is rooted in Scripture and history
God is the original entrepreneur, who started with an idea and created a number of good things. We are created in God’s image, to be creative and to create good things. God told Adam & Eve to “till the garden”, thus to be involved in a value adding processes and to live in trustful relationships. Thus business is rooted in God’s character and in who we are. The central business activity of providing meaningful and sustainable employment is a demonstration of justice and love, grounded in the character of God. In history there are many examples of God-fearing men and women who have loved God and served people through business. Abraham was a successful businessman. Jesus worked in a small family business for many years. The honorable woman in Proverbs 31 is a businesswoman. We should learn from mission pioneers like the Nestorians who conducted business along the Silk Road and the Moravian entrepreneurs who had a far-reaching impact. “The Father of Modern Norway” – Hans Nielsen Hauge (1771 – 1824) – witnessed the transformation of people and communities as he catalyzed a church movement and facilitated an entrepreneurship movement.
3. BAM is a relevant response to needs
Where you find the poorest of the poor, you’ll often see unemployment ranging from 30 to 80 percent. The name of Jesus is rarely heard in these regions. And the rampant unemployment makes people vulnerable to human trafficking; little prospect of decent jobs creates high risk environments for trafficking and prostitution. These evils and dire needs correlate. We can never have long term, sustainable and relevant solutions unless we address economic issues and business development. BAM gives an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate the love of God among the least, the lost and the lowliest.
4. BAM is business with a Kingdom of God purpose and impact
BAM is not any business activity or just a job creation scheme. The Russian mafia does business and human trafficking creates jobs. Business as Mission is about real, viable, sustainable and profitable businesses; with a Kingdom of God purpose and impact; leading to transformation of people and societies spiritually, economically and socially – to the greater glory of God.
5. BAM is holistic transformation of individuals & societies
September 2006 Business_Bottomlines_graph.doc
The graph shows a continuum; from a limited paradigm where profit for shareholders is the primary purpose of business, to a broader paradigm with other stakeholders and bottom lines. Corporate Social Responsibility considers social and environmental impact of business and also recognizes society at large. The BAM paradigm includes all four bottom lines and also engages the Body of Christ among the accountability entities.
6. BAM is recognising the Body of Christ
We need to tear down the “Pyramid of Christ”, which permeates so much of our thinking, language and actions. We tend to encourage the climbing of the pyramid where “serving God full time” reaches its climax on the top. The Greek Gnostic thinking values people with “spiritual vocations” and look down upon people dealing with business. This is not only a heresy; it has also debilitated Christians in business to fulfil their calling as business people. If God has called you to business, don’t lower yourself to become a pastor! Your business calling is your highest calling. And if you are called to be a pastor that is your highest calling.
7. BAM is a growing global movement
There are a growing number of national and regional BAM networks and consultations. The Lausanne movement has acknowledged the Biblical imperative and strategic importance of Business as Mission. An increasing number of books and articles are being published, churches and mission agencies are developing BAM programs and thousands of business people are moving from merely sitting in church pews and giving money, to making a difference around the world in and through business.
Mats Tunehag
World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission Associate - Business as Mission
Lausanne Senior Associate - Business as Mission
Business As Mission Website: http://www.businessasmission.com