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Just got back from a small strategic European Simple Church consultation with some network leaders.

One of the things we discussed was the whole area of Business+Mission which is such a broad and diverse topic.

Thought it might be beneficial to blog some of the things that came out of our discussion (treat this as a general overview as opposed to an indepth thesis):

1. Bi-Vocational Church Planters

This is a model where church-planters work in both intentional mission and church planting (usually as ‘traveling workers’) and also support themselves by working as sole-traders or setting up a simple business.

We all recognized the problem of the terminology ‘Bi-vocational’ as there is no secular/sacred divide. But we have yet to come up with an alternative catchphrase.

The reality is that there are those who are called to travel to new people groups and places to preach the gospel where it is not yet known.

Some workers then continue to travel between these emerging groups/simple churches to encourage and strengthen them whilst also training more workers

Some of us are looking at business models that will enable us to continue this traveling work whilst also supporting ourselves, our families and other workers also

We talked about the difficulty for pioneer missionaries/translocal workers to balance both the huge demands, time commitment and energy required to start and grow a business as well as the cost of pioneering mission amongst new/hard to reach people groups and places on top of all the travel.

We felt the best solution for this approach would be to set up ‘automated’ businesses that can pretty much run themselves (although, in reality this process can take between 2-5 years to get up and running in the first place)

In some instances the apostle Paul made tents to support himself and others as they travelled and made disciples

2. Business as Discipleship

This aspect of business+mission puts business in the midst of ministry. In other words, we make disciples on the job. So we don’t just work in order to free up time and finance for mission (as above) but the  work itself is the mission

Whether we are currently employed by someone else, or we set up a company where we employ others, we intentionally make disciples as we go!

This aspect addresses the questions:

What does it mean to be a disciple and make disciples in the place I work?

How can we see simple churches formed in the workplace?

How can the Kingdom transform the culture of my work environment?

Some have gone as far as setting up businesses in order to intentionally make disciples

Betel provides an excellent example of this approach to Kingdom Business. Members both live and work together as community through the businesses they have formed

Aquila and Priscilla also made tents and made disciples in their home

3. Business as Mission

Some missionaries use business as an ‘access ministry‘ – a way of engaging with new people groups or places

This is particularly effective when entering ‘closed countries’ or groups that would be hostile to people simply going in to ‘Preach the Gospel’

But the business as mission approach isn’t only restricted to hard-to-reach foreign mission environments, it could be used anywhere

For example, in our first encounters with cross-cultural mission in the UK we began with a project called ‘The Dream Project’

Dream provides creative and urban arts workshops for young people largely in inner-city environments

We approached local schools and workshop leaders got paid to deliver these workshops in an educational setting

This brought us valuable connections with young people, their families, schools and the local community

We then strengthened these relationships and shared the gospel

As a result some of the young people we met through the workshops introduced us to other family members and the first baptisms took place amongst that people group!

4. Businessmen who Give Generously

There are those (both Christians and not-yet Christian) who want to use their money ‘to do good’

Many businesses choose to give a percentage of their profits or one-off gifts to charitable causes

Some choose to set up Foundations to channel their giving

Others choose to invest start-up money in social enterprises

How can some of this money be directed towards mission and Kingdom Business?

As Paul says to Timothy; ‘Command those who are rich to give…’

5. Supporting Apostolic Workers/Church Planters

Many ‘missionaries’ raise support for the work they are doing, including their own living expenses

Churches, individuals and sometimes christian organizations give gifts to these traveling workers to help extend the work of mission into new people groups and places

Some would see this as an investment into ‘Multiplication Strategies’ as God has given the gift of apostles to the church for this purpose

Some ‘church planters’ raise all or the majority of their financial support this way. Others would just seek to receive only part of their total income through this approach whilst also setting up a business, working as a sole-trader or working in other paid employment (as seen above #1)

An aside might be to ask this question:

‘What are some principles of giving in simple churches?’

‘What does our giving go to?’

Wolfgang Simson in his recent e-book ‘Starfish Manifesto’ shares his conviction from a reading of Scripture that the churches gave to:

1. The Poor Amongst You (people in need in our simple churches)
2. Apostolic Workers (traveling extra-local workers who lay foundations and extend the work into new people groups and places)
3. The Poor Outside (through the establishment of Kingdom Business)

While we recognize that many simple churches already care for the ‘poor amongst them’ and a few are beginning to think about setting up some sort of Kingdom Business or Social Enterprise; from our observation there is a lack of any policy, principles or investment in apostolic workers and their work in the current European climate…

It might be good if there was more intentional teaching, discussion or best practices in terms of ‘giving’ in simple/organic churches and networks?

We know Paul was supported generously by the church in Philippi

6. Mission Resourcing

We recognized another aspect that didn’t fit squarely into the ‘giving’ to apostolic workers category.

That’s the whole area of resourcing mission.

Some apostolic workers facilitate training and resourcing in mission (‘to equip the saints for works…’)

This may take the form of training courses, websites, conferences and gatherings and sometimes even written resources (books and audio)

Some receive registration fees for this training, conferencing or events organizing or speaking  (see Neil Cole, Alan Hirsch)

Few might not and just depend on ‘gifts’ for this aspect of their work

A Mixed Bag

It’s clear that much of the above are not strictly separate categories for how mission intersects with business. There are many overlaps

There are some who would argue for one approach above another

There are some who would say apostolic workers should be supported by the churches and Christians they work amongst

There are others who say church planters should work with their own hands and not receive any help or support

Is it Biblical?

We see many aspects of ‘business’ intersecting with ‘mission’ and also ‘apostolic finance’

Jesus it appears worked as a carpenter for many years

But when he began his ‘public ministry’ was ‘helped by a group of wealthy women’

Paul was a tent-maker but also received generous gifts from some churches and ‘robbed’ some to give to others who did not give

In trying to keep this post short (but failing) we haven’t the time to delve deeply into this matter

But this post is an invitation to ongoing debate/discussion

We are sensing it would be good to set up a social network or something on the internet to discuss Kingdom Business

It might also be good to connect with others who are thinking in these terms, maybe we could connect on a group SKYPE call or meet face-to-face to explore Business+Mission

If interested please respond to this post and or email: peterjfarmer@hotmail.co.uk

I recently read a copy of an inspiring book by Steve and Marilyn Hill called ‘The Luke 10 Manual: Mission as Modelled & Mandated by Jesus’

Steve pulls no punches as he outlines the radical instructions of Jesus to his band of brothers for turning the world upside down.

There’s no mincing of words as Steve single handedly slays many ‘sacred cows’ and much of what the Western Church holds dear is put under the spotlight…it’s certainly far from ‘light reading’.

In recent years there has been a wave of books, writings and conferences charting the course of the growing Simple/Organic/House Church Movement around the Globe!

Most of these books focused on the questions: ‘What is Church?’ and ‘How Should We Meet Together’- the biblical passages outlined were mainly from Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Cor 11-14

This movement has certainly passed through the cycle from innovators to early adopters and now seems to have entered the early majority phase. In other words, the movement is reaching maturity and becoming ‘acceptable’ in the eyes of ‘the establishment’ and those who ‘know better’

Alongside this rapid movement towards ‘lighter simpler forms’ of church has come the later emergence of more and more books and conferences focused on missional church planting movements.

These resources focus more on the instructions of Jesus in Matt 10/Luke 10 for ‘starting organic churches amongst the unreached from scratch’ as opposed to only gathering Christians in simpler forms

Historically, missionaries on the field ‘rediscovered’ these instructions (Luke 10) as a living and breathing strategy for planting churches amongst the unreached in the 1990′s. (not just an historical thing that Jesus did with his 12 and 72 disciples)

Many voices have suggested this came in connection to mobilized prayer for the 10/40 block of mainly unreached nations and people groups. As the prayer increased, revelation poured out to many missionaries independently from one another and the birthing of ‘church planting movements’ began.

So the question may be asked…Why do we need to read another book or manual on this stuff?

Steve Hill provides his answer:

‘Our purpose for [The Luke 10 Manual] was to strip our vision of 2,000 years of institutional and 40 years of charismatic mindset to see the words, actions of Jesus as the first disciples might have seen them. We begin with telling the folks in Central Asia that the bible is an eastern book, with an eastern mindset that has been highjacked by western mindsets.’

So if you like books that ‘tell it how it is,’ and you want to be stirred out of complacency and roused to a more revolutionary reading of a sometimes all too ‘familiar passage’ then read this book!

Like Marmite, you will either ‘love it or hate it’

I personally don’t like Marmite, but I loved the explosive prophetic edged passion that comes through this book, and no doubt flows through it’s author

Why not download a PDF version to read for yourself or better yet, buy a copy!

I just watched this video and was totally blown away by it!

‘Regenerate’ are really transforming lives and rebuilding communities!

As you know, we formed a project back in the year 2000 called ‘The DREAM Project;’ now simply known as ‘DREAM’.

We began in inner-city Nottingham (Meadows), working with young people, their families and communities. The project involved emcee, DJ and urban arts workshops, we took it to the streets, we took it to the schools, we opened our homes and shared life and food and engaged in many other crazy ideas to reach youth and their families in the area!

Since then, the project has expanded to other areas of the city of Nottingham, particularly inner-city communities and estates.

But this morning, I came across this video…and these guys in London are doing all that we have ever dreamed of and more!

Imagine if a Youth Revolution like this took place all over the Nation of Britain and beyond! A huge network, a radical Youth Movement that turns our cities and estates upside down!

Imagine the inner-city streets buzzing with life and creativity (not death and destruction)…where drug-dealers become God’s preachers, prostitutes become God’s daughters, those coming out of prison turn whole communities around!

Anyone else out there doing this sort of work?

Let’s link and change the nation!

The light of the World has come! That’s right, you got it…it’s Westfield’s Flagship Shopping Centre in London. Come to her, all who are weary and she will make you heavy laden with bags and bags of delightful goods!

When she arrived the crowds flocked to see her! They came from miles around to behold her beauty! They were captivated by her magnetic power and charm

She truly lights up the world!

A City on a Hill that can not be hidden!

Where cathedrals and churches once dominated the skylines, the cities are now dominated by temples erected to the God of consumerism

They promise you leisure and the ultimate experience…

Although some think the real meaning of Christmas is the birth of God on earth, the only sign of this is the £840 the average UK family spends on presents, food, drink and decorations.

The temples were indeed full on this festive season, as they will continue to be every year…that is…unless the God’s topple…

Where people once went to church on Sunday’s, they now go to receive quality service at Asda; open 24-7 to meet your every need!

The saints once lived by faith, now consumers live by brands.

Even the shops are using words once associated with belief to define themselves:

As though walking into a shop and trying on a new coat will automatically increase your faith levels…who knows, maybe it will?

I mean…what would our lives be like without the brand?

We would be empty, lost, without meaning in this world…

Of course, some brands are not content merely beckoning to us from the shelves, billboards and advertising space…some have transcended above all this…

The bitten apple…once the ultimate symbol of a fallen humanity has now become the ultimate way of life…

Even our identity can now be found in Apple…

The thing is…this has become so very normal…and there are not too many out there prepared to ‘think different’

As the very act of shopping continues to evolve from buying necessities, to buying convenience, to buying experiences to buying a way of life…

The temples will continue to grow, the god’s will continue to be empowered, and the people will continue to be satisfied…for about 24 hours or so

This is a simple habit that, I can guarantee,  if added to your life will increase your focus and help you prioritize the things that really matter!

It’s simply this: Wake Up Early and Spend Some Time Alone Every Day!

I have set this as a pattern in my own life; rising early now for over 10 years and it has literally changed my life!

Way back in 2000 I sensed God leading me to get up earlier in the morning. In those days I got out of bed around 8:30-9:00am in the morning and, like most people, just casually drifted into the day taking life pretty much as it came.

But then in 2001, everything changed. I put into practice what God had been telling me for about 9 months, I began intentionally rising at 7:00am in order to spend more time alone.

I enjoyed this process so much, it wasn’t long before I began to wake at the even earlier time of 6:00am so I could spend at least 1 hour alone. I still follow this practice to this day!

This time is spent doing 3 main things:

1. Reading the Bible (usually between 20-30 mins)

2. Prayer – requests, thankfulness and prayers for others (usually around 15 mins)

3. Listening, planning and journalling (usually around 15 mins)

Reading the Bible first thing ensures that I am planting the seeds of God-his thoughts and words, into my mind and spirit at the start of each day. Imagine what difference this one act makes!

It helps me to ‘think different’, to think big, to think beyond my own thoughts! This gives me greater perspective on the things I will face during the day…

The prayer aspect keeps me dependent on God. As long as I pray, I am in a humbler position, I recognize that I can not just rush into the day in my own steam, but that I have to rely on God’s strength to complete my tasks, engage with people and accomplish all I need to do.

Morning prayer first thing lifts me into the spiritual realm and helps me to see from that vantage point. That way I can co-operate with the eternal agenda, the central meaning of the universe…that the Kingdom of Heaven will come to earth through me…

If I start my day in the spirit, I can ‘see’ from that realm what needs to be brought to earth through my thoughts, words and actions in the spheres I will influence for the rest of the day

Giving thanks helps me to be grateful and to recognize that any success in my life comes from God. It encourages me to continue to ask for things knowing that so many of my prayers have already been answered! Thankfulness also acts as a defense against depression or discouragement as I realize there’s always something good happening, so I can focus on that and not the negative.

Praying for others, helps me to not only look out for my own interests, but to consider the needs of others. I pray for the people in my life, my family, my friends, my co-workers and those that don’t yet know God.

And finally, we come to potentially one of those most dynamic aspects of rising early; having the extra time, silence and solitude to just to listen and think!

Throughout history, leaders who have changed the world started their day by rising early in the morning! Take for example; Winston Churchill, John Wesley, Jesus and many others who all got up early to spend time alone!

As I wrote in an earlier post, I regularly keep a journal. So one of the things I do when listening and thinking is write questions, then record the answers I get in my thoughts

It’s amazing how accurate and insightful these ‘answers’ tend to be.

I also get ideas and am able to make plans and set goals for the day! Getting up early to do this is always much more productive than just sliding out of bed and into the day.

When I get up late, I find myself constantly playing catch-up! I feel “out of sorts”…I’ve had no time to process or plan or prepare for my day. It’s almost like I have lost most of the day by missing out the important first step of being still!

Oh…and one last practicality…don’t even think of consistently getting up early unless you can get consistently early nights! Going to bed late makes it almost impossible to keep getting up early! You don’t feel refreshed…you just feel drained.

Getting up early to spend time alone in the Spirit is one aspect of a way of life that literally, changes the world!

So, why not try it yourself?

(If this article has encouraged or inspired you, please get in touch and forward this on to others)

When Darius Namdaran first shared his stories with me about ‘permaculture’ I was amazed! I had never heard of this idea before. That you could work with nature to create self-sustaining systems that provided food all the year round, with minimum effort! Even though the video is a little on the old side…watch it and see for yourself! You can also follow Darius’ experiments in permaculture on Scotland here!