Using What is Business as Missions?

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What is Business as Missions?

“Who here has been called into full-time ministry?”

This is what my Business 101 professor asked me on our first day of class. A couple of people raised their hands, but the majority of us kept our hands down.

“Well, I’m here to tell you that if you are a Christian, then you have been called into full-time ministry.”

This was not exactly how I pictured my first day of Business 101 happening. Full-time ministry? That didn’t sound like me.

But that is where I was wrong.

I’m here to share with you that what the “Church” has taught most of us about full-time ministry is wrong!

Full-time ministry is not reserved only for those of us who work in churches, non-profits, or overseas. All of us are called to be full-time missionaries!

All Christians Are Called Into Full-Time Ministry

In the Great Commission that Jesus gave in Matthew 28:18-20, he tells us to go and make disciples.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:18-20

Now when Jesus is giving this commission, he isn’t just talking to a select few followers. He is talking to every Christian from that single moment he spoke those words, to this very moment in time, and to all the future believers too. Every single Christian has been called to make disciples.

Some may read this verse and think that it means they need to go to other parts of the world in order to abide by this calling. However, Jesus is truly saying, “as you go” make disciples.

This means, in your daily lives, you should be looking for ways to love others, show competence, work with excellence, and honor God.

How Do We Abide By The Great Commission?

When Jesus tells us to GO and make disciples, he isn’t asking all of us to leave our homes, jobs, and friends to go across the world to be full-time, sponsored missionaries; though some are called to do so. Jesus is telling us to go into our daily lives and make disciples as we are doing what we typically do!

This means that the places you spend your time in your daily life are your mission fields!

In your families, hanging out with friends, and even at work and in the businesses we run. Everywhere we go we should be sharing the Gospel, and making disciples.

What Is Business as Missions?

I love how Business as Missions is explained in this quote:

Business as mission is demonstrating what the Kingdom of God is like in the context of business – and as we do so, engaging with the world’s more pressing social, economic, environmental and spiritual issues.

In order to pursue business as missions, we need to ask questions like,
– How would I work if Jesus were my boss?
– How can I love my coworkers, managers, and customers?
– How do I become more like Christ in my work?

How to Share the Gospel at Work

I know that this can be a tough subject for a lot of people. Society tells us we shouldn’t be discussing politics or religion at the office. However, to share the Gospel with others, you don’t need to “shove scripture down their throats,” as many believe that is how it is done.

As Christians, we can be sharing the Gospel at all times through our actions, our words, and even our thoughts.

How do we do tastefully this?

Practical Ways To Share the Gospel at Work

We do our jobs with excellence. As if working for the Lord, and not for man (Colossians 3:23).

We can treat others with respect and love. Because everyone we encounter is our neighbor. (Matthew 22:39)

We come to work with a positive attitude. Our attitudes rub off on others, especially when we are positive. (Philippians 4:8)

Through our actions, love, and attitudes people will notice something is different about us. Some may do nothing about it, but others will begin to ask questions. This opens up the door to have Gospel conversations.

Examples of Business as Missions

Using your work as your mission field calls for more than just slapping up a Bible verse on the walls of your office or on the shopping bags you pass out at your stores. We need to be completely transformed by Gospel and allow it to direct the way that we run our businesses.

Let me share with you two examples… one company that is completely transformed by the Gospel, and one that separates their faith from their work.

Chick-fil-A

I’m betting that most of you reading this article have eaten at Chick-fil-A. I’m sure you are all aware of the fact that they are a Christian owned and operated business. They pursue excellence in every area of their business. They strive to provide top quality service and chicken to their customers, while at the same time taking wonderful care of their employees. It is clear that Chick-fil-A is loving their neighbor by prioritizing people over their profit.

When it comes to quality, Chick-fil-A truly takes their time to make sure they are offering their absolute best. When creating their grilled chicken recipe, they tested 1,200+ recipes and took over 7 years in order to reach perfection. Because of their dedication to the Lord through their business, they are able to provide great service and outstanding quality to their customers and employees.

What Business as Missions is Not

As mentioned before, Business as Missions does not mean putting Bible verses on the walls or products.
It does not mean rejecting those you work with who believe something different than you.
It also doesn’t mean forcing Jesus on everyone in the near vicinity.

Here is a poor example of how to integrate faith into work…

Forever 21

The clothing store Forever 21 famously prints “John 3:16” on the bottom of every one of their yellow shopping bags. When I was younger I used to get excited by that, however, after learning more about the way that Forever 21 operates I have become a little frustrated by the fact that they claim to represent Jesus. Though the founders of the large clothing store chain may be known for their Christian faith, they have made it clear that their business is completely separate from their faith. When searching online for Forever 21 lawsuits, you will find that they have been sued numerous times being charged with violating labor laws as well as copyright infringement.

Even though the founders of Forever 21 “claim to attend church daily, give generously to their church, and attend mission trips”, there is very clearly a disconnect between their faith and their work. From the outside looking in, you would not recognize them as followers of Christ.

This is not meant to shame Forever 21 and those who operate the company. It is meant to teach a lesson.

As followers of Christ, we should not separate our work from our faith. We should strive to be Christians who are wholly and completely transformed by the Gospel because God is the rightful owner of our businesses.

The actions we take and the choices we make, especially at work, are a representation of our Creator. How are you representing Him?

Our Unique Placement To Use Business as Missions

I know quite a few people who have been or currently are full time, donation sponsored missionaries in other parts of the world. I truly believe that they are doing tremendous work for the Lord! And we should be supporting those who are called to share the Gospel this way.

But this does not allow the rest of us to sit back and wait for those missionaries to do all the work.

As business professionals, we have an extremely unique placement. We have the opportunity to reach those people who may not be reached otherwise. And those are the other business people around us!

Most donation sponsored missionaries are in contact mainly with the poor, sick, or less fortunate. They usually are not within reach of the “higher-ups” in business; those who ignore attending church altogether.

As business professionals, we have a very unique opportunity that most overseas missionaries may never get! We come in contact with many elite and well-educated businessmen and women here and even in other countries.

Most missionaries may never come in contact with these business officials – so if we, as Christian business people, decide that it isn’t our calling to share the Gospel with them, who will reach them? That is why it is important to take The Great Commission seriously!

Your Mission Field

We all have different gifts from God and are all called to different areas of work. But, no matter where we end up working, we need to view that place as our mission field. We can pursue business as missions.

I really love the way that Jordan Raynor explains this in his book Called to Create,

God has given us great freedom to discern where he has called us to work. Some will be called to law, some to medicine, some to finance. Some of us have been called to create! But regardless of where God has called you to expend your productive energies, all of us have been commanded to create disciples.
Jordan Raynor

So, GO from here today. Identify where your current missions field is. It may be in a business you currently run, or the office you work in, you may be a stay at home parent or a work from home employee. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you need to be making disciples as you go.

As Christians, our faith in Christ should impact every area of our lives; in our families, our friendships, our thoughts, our actions, and even our work and how we do business. No aspect of our life should be untouched by our faith.

Business as Missions Resources

I wanted to equip you with some tools and resources you may find helpful as you pursue business as missions.

The Business as Mission website is another great place to start learning more about how to be Kingdom-minded with your work.

One of my favorite books on integrating our faith into our work is the book Called to Create, by Jordan Raynor. I wrote a review of the book here. He recently wrote another book Master of One which is another fantastic read on how to honor God with our work.

Another book I highly recommend is Every Good Endeavor, written by Timothy Keller.