Marketplace Ministry
How to effectively reach your community through your Kingdom Business.

I was honored to have the opportunity to speak at the Together Conference this year about Marketplace Ministry. With an MBA in Business Administration and Educational Leadership, I take great pride in running our businesses with integrity and excellence. More so, I truly believe that as Christians, our place of work or business is our mission field.

Your Work is Your Mission Field
I want you to think of your business as a service to others, first–before being profitable. Making money will come second. Always, always–give first. Having a giving mentality will keep customers’ satisfaction at the forefront of your mind and the mind’s of your employees.

I know that this concept will seem somewhat backwards to a lot of us (especially those who have gone to any kind of business school), but if you put people first, you are not only doing your job well, but you are creating happy returning customers (therefore, creating revenue).

Too many people have fallen prey to viewing work simply as a means to acquire, to gain independence, or to build a life of pleasure and ease for themselves. But that is not a Kingdom mind-set. In serving others, we serve God. That is why our work matters to God so much!  

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

The Marketplace is a Great Place for Christians
Today, less than 20% of Americans attend church regularly. In many European countries, the percentages are much lower. At the current rate, regular church attendance is projected to drop to 11.7% by 2050. That means most of us will see that low percentage in our lifetimes if we continue to allow church attendance to decline in this way.

I believe by running our business with a Kingdom-focused mindset, we can bridge the gap between the church and the marketplace.

“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.” Joshua 1:3

Servant Leadership
Jesus measured greatness in terms of service–not status, position, power money or possessions. In Mark Ch. 10:43-45 Jesus says, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The concept of servant-leadership came straight from Jesus himself. I believe that no matter how prestigious of a role or position you hold in a company, there is no task or job that is beneath you. If you truly live-out the concept that Jesus was talking about above, then you will act as a servant in every role in your life (i.e. parent, friend, family member and as an employee or business owner). Remember, servant leaders are faithful in the small things!

Luke 16:10 “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

Purpose-Driven Relationships
What if every single person and every inconvenience we encounter is for a perfect purpose? What if we assumed that everything that happens in our life is something that was supposed to happen? What if we took the attitude that every single person we meet, we are supposed to meet?

I always believe that as Christians, we should love people until they ask why. I believe that God has given each of us unique gifts and talents that have designed us for a specific calling and purpose. Start asking God to show you your purpose through the people in your life and the specific talents you have.

I’ve committed to a lifetime mission of reaching unchurched people. How many non-Christian friends do you actually have? Do you hang out with people who disagree with you or have different beliefs than you do? Develop real relationships with the unchurched. Get to know them personally–and genuinely. More Relationship = More Influence.

Overcome to Win
We must learn to overcome all obstacles if we are going to win in life and business. First, learn to overcome adversity with grace. We will all deal with difficult and unpleasant circumstances in life, but your character is defined and moulded through adversity–and recognized when you walk through difficult circumstances with great faith and peace.

Secondly, learn from both your successes and your failures. Many of us believe that to be successful, we will never fail. But, the opposite is true. If you can learn from your failures–you will grow and gain wisdom that could only have been gained by walking through what some would see as a lack of success.

Struggles are a distraction to the greater purpose in our lives! Forget those things which are behind and reach forth unto those things which are before us. Press toward the mark of the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

Marketplace Ministry
Years ago, I had a Spiritual awakening to pursue work that would allow me to give God more of my time in actively living out my faith. He reminded me that my business was my ministry–and that He had already given me all the resources I needed to accomplish all that He had for me. God showed me how all of my desires for ministry could be achieved through my work. I just had to get to work!

Imagine the impact we have to release His power to people around us outside the walls of the church. We, as warriors in the marketplace, can impact individuals and our society in ways that pastors will never be able to.

So, to do that–we need to be committed to using our influence in our business for God’s purpose and to be intentional in making an impact right where we are. We have the opportunity right now to lead a revolution of people that give back and make a greater impact in our world at work as we encounter more people to love and encourage.

We can impact people through our work or business–but you must willing to change the culture of your organization to do so. Commit that you will no longer attempt to separate your business life from your spiritual life–instead, acknowledge that they are one and the same!

“I became a servant to everyone so that I can win them to Christ…Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Good News to them.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Trust God’s Promises
Lastly, and most importantly–we need to rely and trust in God’s promises for us. The Bible is full of stories and proclamations of God’s faithfulness and His commands for us to be faithful in and through our lives. He promises to take care of us, to love us unconditionally and to provide for all of our needs. We are here so that others will also know how great our God is! These promises are not only for us–but for the whole world!

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.'” Matthew 9:37

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Mathew 5:16

Remember, your business or place of work is your mission field. Live with intention and fullness today as you pursue all that God has for your life!

Pray, Hustle and Believe.

XO-
Sabrina