What is Business as Mission?

Awhile ago I threw my hat in the “define Business as Mission” ring and wrote the following definition:

The strategic use of authentic business activities to create cross-cultural opportunities to minister and evangelize within the business’s spheres of influence with the aim of holistic transformation.

To me, the value in a definition is primarily that it points to the key ways in which Business as Mission is fleshed out in practice. I want to be careful and point out that I said “points to” and not “prescribes.” The reason for this is that though I do believe there are some specific boundaries that surround BAM (focus on: SMEs, global business, achieving profitability through achieving sustainable competitive advantages, incorporating social justice and environmental stewardship, Christ-centered and Spirit-driven management), rigid conditions encourage exclusivity and limit our benefiting from learning from multiple, over-lapping, creative efforts.

The seven main pillars are:

STRATEGIC USE the intentional pursuit of both “good business” (profitable, ethical, high quality) and “good ministry” (Gospel-centered, culturally relevant, caring for the whole person). These two elements must be the combined focus of the enterprise and not simply a by-product or side benefit.

AUTHENTIC BUSINESS ACTIVITIES the activities and functions performed in the operation of a business must be legitimate and contribute to the success of the business. The business does not exist simply to provide access to a region or to support extra-curricular ministry activities.

CROSS-CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES the biblical mandate to serve the poor and oppressed (particularly in areas where the gospel has yet to be received) combined with the changes to the global economy resulting from globalization provides the means and motivation for the establishment of Business as Mission businesses in developing countries. It is within the context of the business interactions that solid relationships are formed between Christians and non-Christians.

MINISTER AND EVANGELIZE the business is both the means and the message; it leverages every opportunity to serve spiritual, social, and economic needs, both demonstrating and sharing the power of the Gospel.

SPHERES OF INFLUENCE opportunities to witness exist both with the internal and external groups that the business directly interacts with and influences (employees, clients, suppliers, governments) as well as the groups that are indirectly influenced by the business (families and friends of employees, local communities, other businesses within the market).

HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION Business as Mission companies believe in the power of Holy Spirit to transform individuals and communities on all levels (physical, spiritual, emotional, behavioral) and thus seek to be instruments of that transformation by revealing Christ through the business.