The Great Divide
My earliest memory of opening a birthday card was from my 7th birthday party. I had my fingers crossed for receiving a Transformers trapper-keeper or maybe a pair of pants without the bell-like flair at the end of the pant legs. But before I could get the presents, I was first required to go through the cards sent by family members.
I don’t remember the picture on the front of the card, or even what color it was. What I do remember is the moment I took out the card from the envelope and discovered a crisp $20 bill inside.
I was transfixed.
I had never had this much money before. This was 1986. Reagan was president, and $20 seemed enough to buy the whole world, or maybe a trapper-keeper and a new pair of pants! In the end, that $20 bucks bought me a stack of baseball cards and some red-rope licorice. That day I learned a valuable lesson: Money is GOOD!
Not long after that, I was sitting in Sunday school at our local church. There was a felt board on the easel, and the teacher was using little stick-on characters to depict someone on a camel trying to enter heaven. All I can recall is something about how rich people can’t go to heaven, or something along those lines. Then she told us that money was the root of evil. I felt conflicted. Money is evil?
“I listened to some missionaries lamenting at the ‘business-like’ way their organization was making decisions. It seemed that there was a clear division between ‘ministry’ and ‘business,’ and the two should never intersect.”
After Sunday school, we attended the church service where they did something out of the ordinary. The church was raising money for a mission project in Africa, so on that day, the offering plates would be passed around twice. The first was for regular tithes and offerings and the second was for the ministry project. As the plate came to me, I marveled at the sight of more paper bills than I had ever seen. Oh, those poor Africans! Why would they send them so much “evil” money! Such were the thoughts of a 7-year-old in church. Naturally, my view on these matters has changed over the years.
Some years later, I listened to some missionaries lamenting at the ‘business-like’ way their organization was making decisions. It seemed that there was a clear division between ‘ministry’ and ‘business,’ and the two should never intersect. Apparently, business was seen as worldly, whereas ministry was considered above that, or so they said. What I found odd was that as a missionary family ourselves, we went around the country, sharing our ministry, and raising financial support. Where did people get the money that they sent to support our family? It didn't add up that we were happy to accept money for ministry from those involved in the “terrible” business thinking.
Years later, I went to school for management and ended up in various management roles. When I felt the Lord leading me to get my master’s degree, through some strange circumstances, I ended up in an MBA program. At the time I wasn’t sure why, but now I’m immensely grateful that He called me to that. One day during a “social entrepreneurship symposium” they brought in six different groups to present on how they were using business to directly accomplish ministry. I mean directly accomplish it, not just financially support it! These were businesses whose very essence was rooted in profitability and making a social impact!
Just as the temple veil in the temple was torn in two following Christ’s death, the divide between the sacred and the secular that had built up in my mind over the years shattered. There doesn’t have to be a distinction between business and ministry language or strategy. There is only the language of excellence. Anything done for the Lord, especially with excellence, can create a significant impact!
“There doesn’t have to be a distinction between business and ministry language or strategy. There is only the language of excellence.”
Inspired by this revelation, I set a new course. As a field director in Hungary at the time, I wanted to continue focusing on Disciple-Making (going deep), and Community Impact (going wide), but now I wanted to add a third component as an equally vital component, Business as Missions – or Social Entrepreneurship.
In conclusion, I believe in making multiplying disciples of Jesus. I believe in partnering with disciple-makers to reach the people and community around them. But I also believe that we can catalyze our efforts and lead to exponential sustainability and growth by looking for opportunities to establish businesses in the places we work - businesses with a Kingdom purpose.
God, in his wisdom and creativity, has given us a multitude of tools to build His Kingdom. Businesspeople are not merely financial supporters of ministry, but integral participants. And by combining our skills, resources, and a shared commitment to excellence, we can bring about extraordinary transformation and contribute to the flourishing of individuals and communities.
In this unified approach, I have a newfound sense of purpose and fulfillment in the ministry here. I invite you to join me in embracing this fusion of business and ministry, recognizing the many opportunities to create a lasting impact for the glory of God. Together let us leverage every tool at our disposal, and I’m sure we will bear witness to the miraculous outcomes that arise when, in excellence, we integrate ministry and business.
