C. Neal Johnson, the author of Business as Missions (BAM): A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice, asks in his book, “Isn’t it reasonable, especially in today’s globalized world that God would choose to use business—and the profits so necessary to its existence—as a tool for His purposes?”
He has indeed made an important point. In today’s world, BAM proves to be an effective mission strategy offering multiple benefits at different levels. It also opens our eyes to the importance of sustainable ministries and the possibility of multiplying and building based on self-generated funding. It is quite possible with successful businesses to be self-reliant and generate their own funding for missional purposes.
I have collated five benefits of doing Business as Missions in this article. However, if you wish to dig deeper and know more about BAM, you can sign up for Pioneers inAsia’s BAM training course HERE.
1. Accessibility
BAM can be one of the most effective ways of reaching out to [G1] unreached people groups as compared to the traditional NGOs or Christian-run social institutions such as mission schools and hospitals. In some places these are acceptable and workable as they help develop the society. However, in places that [G2] do not readily embrace Christianity, even social institutions planted and run by Christians can pose a problem. In such situations and places, the accessibility to reach out to the local population becomes a challenge.
One example is in India where there are countless social institutions that are run by Christians. In early 2022 the government of India barred many local charitable organizations from receiving funds from abroad including The Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa. The charity was accused of forcibly converting Hindu girls to Christianity, and so the Indian government banned its foreign funding in order to limit their reach to the local Hindu communities.
Therefore, charity organizations that rely heavily on foreign funding do not always work out due to the nature of locally implemented laws and regulations. Should these organizations be viewed unfavourably by the government or even the local community, the work can be adversely affected.
In order to counter such problems of accessibility to foreign-based funding, BAM can prove to be an effective solution. These businesses, even though run by Christians, is not deemed as a threat by the authorities or the local community.
2. Economic Benefits
Countries that want to strengthen their economy and secure their national interests will always attract businesses because there are several economic benefits that a business can offer. One of the many benefits of a business is creating employment opportunities. This helps improve the lifestyle of the local community and boosts their buying power which in turn boosts the country’s economy.
It also empowers the locals to take charge of their own needs and decide on how to spend their earnings. Empowerment comes with financial independence rather than the reliance on financial aid. Creating jobs allows the locals to help themselves and be self-sufficient. It also allows them to in turn contribute to their own community.
It also provides opportunities for their employees to develop their knowledge and skill sets. Often, small businesses cannot afford to hire professionally trained staff for challenging tasks such as graphic design, managing social media or designing and maintaining websites etc. And so, instead of hiring new staff, they invest in their current employees by providing them with specialized trainings. This creates opportunities for the local employees to grow professionally which in turn benefits the business by increasing productivity. The more productive a business will be, the more economic benefits it will reap.
Businesses also pay taxes; hence it is a huge benefit to the country’s economy. These taxes go into government projects such as healthcare, education, roads and local infrastructure, which benefits all parties - the business owners, the authorities and the local community. [G3]
As a registered business in the mission-field, given the economic benefits that it can offer, one has more freedom to reach out to the local community with the Gospel message as compared to the risk of being constantly under surveillance by the authorities in the case of many charity organizations. And unlike charity organizations, that [G4] are unable to meet the financial needs of the local community, businesses can better help the poor by providing them with jobs with sustainable salaries while at the same time helping them to develop their professional skill-sets and knowledge as well.
3. Financial Support to Local Churches/Ministries
While BAM can yield economic benefits for the country it operates in and its local community, it can also be extremely beneficial for the local churches and ministries. With an established business, one is able to provide financial support to the locally affiliated churches in order for them to propagate and spread the Gospel message. This also creates opportunities to collaborate with different local churches and their leadership, opening doors for local partnerships and trust-building between the Christian organisation and community.
Since BAM operates locally and works for the development of the local community, it can be considered a local resource. When financial support comes from BAM, the local churches do not have to rely on outside or foreign funding in order to survive. And so, the problem of unhealthy dependency on foreign funding[1] can be completely avoided. It also eliminates the risk of losing foreign funding, as mentioned earlier in the case of The Missionaries of Charity organization in India.
Therefore, BAM is quite beneficial in strengthening the local churches and ministries with local resources and funding.
4. Professional Skills and Talents
You can use your professional skills and talents to advance the Kingdom of God. The BAM model in itself is a creative and innovative strategy, combining missions with the marketplace in a way that brings God’s hope along with economic prosperity. It allows these missionaries-business owners in their dual role to also utilize their talents and passions.
For Christian entrepreneurs, BAM is a perfect blend of their passion for God and their passion as a professional. It allows them to be creative in their own way. The possibilities are endless, but it is also crucial to strategize and plan your Business as Missions model before diving into it. Some professions or talents can help in reaching out to the marginalized in the society, while others can reach out to the middle or upper classes. It all depends on your profession or talent and how it can help shape your ministry.
5. Living Testimony
The Business as Missions model allows you to live out your life as a living testimony of Christ. You can be a successful entrepreneur who reflects the love of God by integrating Biblical principles and teachings in your business.
When your non-Christian employees or business partners observe consistency between the faith you proclaim and the kind of life you live, such a testimony can truly have an impact on them. It will also help build trust which will strengthen your relationships with them. This creates opportunities for them to open up about their personal struggles or approach you with their big questions about life, purpose and God.
By reflecting love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness and the rest of the fruits of the Spirit, you will indeed be a light to them and their community. This will help you meet the spiritual and emotional needs of the people along with their economic and social ones.
Bibliography:
[1] Read our previous article on ‘Key Issues of Indigenous Churches Planting Indigenous Churches in the Global South’ that touches on the topic of unhealthy dependency
[G1]Not too nice to use the word hostile.
[G2]Delete ‘hostile.
[G3]Removed sentence as it is irrelevant to the rest of the paragraph. Focus is on the benefits of BAM, not friction between them.
[G4]Replaced with new phrase to not put charities in such a negative light. Charities DO help with basic needs.
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