Kingdom business: an effective organization to transform nations?

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Daniel

If you run a kingdom business – a business dedicated to Jesus and the kingdom of God – you are in a great position to bring God’s transforming power to touch the lives of those around you.

I sometimes speak with Christian friends leading organisations with charitable or ‘not-for-profit’ status. In the UK at least, to qualify for charitable status requires a statement of compliance that I think could make it difficult for the organisation to apply some of its kingdom-of-God mission objectives. What happens, then, is that not-for-profit organisations run the risk of pretending to be something they are not in order to qualify for their status.

Often, a much more effective vehicle for kingdom of God transformation is a for-profit business. I have already written about the Zacchaeus Principle – where the kingdom of God comes to a marketplace person and reaches everything within his or her household or business. Think about the work of some of Jesus’ disciples too – as fishermen they were able to carry out business that became a ministry vehicle time and time again. Consider how much ministry time with Jesus took place in the context of fishing or boats (or even stepping out of boats). Or the Apostle Paul’s work as a tent maker in Corinth – this was certainly a for-profit business.

I am blessed that my business partner is also my wife. Whilst I carry an entrepreneurial vision, she has all the strengths I lack. After twelve years in business together, we’ve walked through some storms and Jo has always been my biggest encouragement in faith, in business and in my role as a husband and father.

Jo and I recently took a fresh look at the core mission and principles of our company, Creation Healthcare. It’s a consultancy that advises healthcare organisations about new channels of communication. We wanted to write down afresh our vision as the company is in a time of growth, “that he who reads it may run” (Hab 2:2).

I have been so encouraged over the past five years or so by being connected with Harvest Evangelism, the ministry behind Transform our World. God is using Ed Silvoso and the team at Harvest to awaken the church to its purpose and highlight the power that is unlocked when church leaders and their marketplace counterparts truly work together in partnership. Much of how we have expressed the mission of Creation Healthcare is inspired by principles we first learned from Ed and his team.

Rick Heeren is one of the team at Harvest Evangelism who has had a career in business and today teaches and equips marketplace ministers. I recently read his latest book, Marketplace Miracles, which includes an excellent summary of what a kingdom company should look like. The principles outlined in our mission document are adopted from Rick’s ’12 components of a Kingdom Company’ as they are the best summary I have seen of the heart of a business called to bring transformation in the marketplace.

What’s your experience? Do you see your business as a vehicle for bringing transformation through the kingdom of God? Do you know that your work in business is a ministry?

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A foundation for business with Christ at the centre

Posted on October 5, 2009 by Daniel

A ‘kingdom business’ is one where God is king – God’s rule and reign operate. The result of this is that the business can be used by God for His will & purpose. What is God’s will & purpose here on earth?

To discover God’s will here on earth, let’s look at the life of Jesus. What did Jesus do? He loved; He demonstrated love through His actions and words; He met practical needs in supernatural ways, healing the sick, feeding the hungry; He taught about the Father; He enjoyed life. Then after all this, He commissioned His followers to live in the same way: “As the Father has sent Me, so I send you” (John 20:21).

Let’s look at it another way: what does the word of God say Jesus came here for?

  • To seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10)
  • that whoever believes in Him should have eternal life (John 3:16)
  • “that they might have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10)
  • to destroy the work of the devil (1 John 3:8)
  • “to preach good news to the poor, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to captives, give sight to the blind, set at liberty the oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Luke 4:18-19 where Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61)

So a kingdom business has God’s kingdom at work in it – His rule and reign. Because of this, the business serves God’s purpose. Just as God’s specific call and purpose for individual people is unique within the context of God’s overall will and purpose here on earth as summarised above – we all have a part to play in the body as a whole – individual kingdom businesses will have different ways in which God’s purpose is achieved through them.

If you are a leader in a kingdom business, seek God for specific ways in which He wants you to use your business, and your role in business, to achieve His purpose. Expect to express some of the core principles of Jesus’ purpose here on earth outlined above, and think about the specific things God has put on your heart.

These things will help shape your business – in fact they should underpin your business planning. Think also about the gifts and vision you have. God made you unique as a person, and that was for a purpose. So search your heart for what God has already placed there. What are you already passionate about?

Now apply this together with your knowledge of your business. Is your business focused on the local community, or do you have a worldwide vision? Do you serve a particular sector? What about the services or products you supply? How do you sell, or build business relationships? Do you employ people? God’s kingdom can be at work in every aspect of the business.

Remember that God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Now, keeping God’s rule and reign at the centre, build your business to achieve His purpose and you will never be able to out-dream what God is able to do!

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The Zacchaeus Principle

Posted on September 1, 2009 by Daniel

The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 illustrates a principle of the Kingdom of God which can change the way we see our role in the marketplace.

Zacchaeus was successful in the eyes of the world – he was rich, and had worldly authority as a tax collector (v2). He had influence in the marketplace.

The world saw that Zacchaeus was a sinner (v7). Thankfully, Jesus saw so much more in Zacchaeus!

When Zacchaeus repented, Jesus said that “Today salvation has come to this house” (v9). Here’s what I call the ‘Zacchaeus Principle’:

When somebody in the marketplace meets Christ, they can bring transformation to everything in their sphere of influence (their house, business, city, profession, nation)!

Jesus confirms His intention when He says “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (v10). Did Jesus accomplish what He came to do? Of course! That is why he was able to state that “it is finished” on the cross. Know then that Jesus came to seek and to save your household; your business; your city; your nation.

We are called to make disciples – to share the good news and to advance His Kingdom in our sphere of influence. That’s why if you’re in a marketplace role day to day, you’re uniquely positioned to carry out your role in the Church right where you are every day!

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