Kingdom Business - The Most Effective Organization To Transform Nations

(by Daniel Ghinn) 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 with all sorts of standards that in my mind 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. Consider 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". I have been so encouraged over the past five years or so by being connected with Harvest Evangelism. 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.

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"The Five Pivotal Paradigms" by Greg Pagh. Transformation Churches are embracing biblical transformation paradigms found throughout the Bible that have often been ignored, misunderstood or misapplied in the life of the Christian Church. A "paradigm" is a framework for understanding the world. A "paradigm shift" takes place when we are led to "believe, think and act" in a new way. It's like putting on a pair of glasses that helps us see the world through God's eyes. Ed Silvoso, in his book, "Transformation" (Regal Books, 2007), describes "5 Biblical Paradigms of Nation Transformation." They represent "paradigm shifts" that must be embraced and implemented by both individual Christians and the whole Christian Church in order for sustained transformation to take place in cities and nations. These key "Paradigms of Nation Transformation" are: 1. The Great Commission is about discipling nations, not just individuals. 2. The marketplace (the heart of the nation) has already been redeemed by Jesus and now must be reclaimed by His followers. 3. Every Christian is a minister, and labor is worship. 4. Our primary call is to take the kingdom of God to where the kingdom of darkness is entrenched in order for Jesus to build His Church. 5. The premier social indicator that transformation has taken place is the elimination of systemic poverty. Ed Silvoso says, "To disciple someone means to turn that person into a follower of the teachings you espouse. In the case of a nation, it means to impact its life so that it will conform to a set of specific values and develop a corresponding behavior. the issue is not whether a nation can be discipled, because it happens all the time and it will continue to happen. The question is, can a nation by impacted in such a way that it will become a disciple of Jesus? Can His teachings impregnate its people and its institutions so that the nation will reflect the character of Christ?" (Silvoso, Transformation, p.42) Like the banks of a mighty river, the "5 Biblical Paradigms of Nation Transformation" and the "Principles of Prayer Evangelism" are helping guide the flow of God's transforming work in the world today. These banks provide definition and direction and can serve as a rallying point for many streams of Christianity to flow together. Transformation Churches are strategically incorporating these transformation paradigms and principles into their vision, mission and daily ministry. They are equipping every member to become a minister that applies these paradigms and principles in daily life. In the process, God's Spirit flows into us. and then out from us. There is renewal. There is transformation. There is life! For a summary chart of the 5 Biblical Paradigms of Nation Transformation, as found in the "Faith Beyond Belief" Transformation Church Life Group Series by Greg Pagh