Business as Mission: The Power of Business in the Kingdom of God [Paperback]

Michael R. Baer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

We are living in the Business Age. The historic role of nation states is rapidly being replaced by the corporation. Like never before, Christian business leaders have the chance to play a pivotal role in transforming society and spreading the gospel. But seizing this opportunity requires thinking differently about God, about his kingdom, about his purposes in the world, and about business.

While some Christian professionals dream of being "freed from business" to go into the ministry or see business as enemy territory to be invaded for Christ, others are convinced that Christian principles simply don't work in the "real world." In Business as Mission, Michael Baer challenges each of these positions. He rejects the unbiblical thinking that ministry and business are by definition separate activities -- that our lives can be compartmentalized into the sacred and secular. Instead he guides business leaders in developing the vital characteristics of a kingdom business -- the kind of business that will free them to live fully integrated lives and lead organizations that significantly impact the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mike Baer explodes the myth that ministry is sacred and business is secular. His own pilgrimage from pastor to businessman to international empowerer of the church is a great example of what can happen when we realize that business and ministry can and should be the same thing." --Durwood Snead, Director of World Missions, North Point Community Church, Atlanta

"Business as Mission is well outlined, concisely written, and easy to read. Mike Baer's dual background as pastor and businessman is well suited to writing this volume that is biblically sound, missiologically strategic, and accurate in elucidating the characteristics of kingdom business. I highly recommend this book." --Tetsunao Yamamori, International Director, Lausanne Committee on World Evangelism

"While many Christians have gone into business with a sense that they should minimize their commitment to their career so they can devote their energies to ministry, or a sense of despair that they weren't able to go into the ministry, this book holds the antidote to those mistaken views." --John H. Warton Jr., President, Business Professional Network

About the Author

Michael R. Baer has worked in the field of organizational and leadership development for over twenty-five years. He has founded several businesses, including a business advisory and strategic consulting firm (his current company), a construction and remodeling business, and a bed and breakfast inn. In addition, as executive director of an international mission organization specializing in microenterprise, Mike has launched a small business incubation process used in over seventeen countries.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: YWAM Publishing (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576583880
• ISBN-13: 978-1576583883
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #408,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kingdom Business, Kingdom Priorities, June 15, 2007

By 

SeekWisdom "Lover of Truth" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Business as Mission: The Power of Business in the Kingdom of God (Paperback)

"If God has called us into business, our goal is to discover why and act on that purpose. As we do so, God's creation will be blessed, and He will be glorified." - Michael Baer

This book is a great read! According to this book, there are four characteristics of a kingdom business:

1. A kingdom business is vocational; something that God has called us to do.
Col. 1:16-20, Eph 4:1, Rom 12:1-2

2. A kingdom business is intentional; God has a very specific purpose for each business.
Eph 2:10

3. A kingdom business is relational; we are exposed to a vast network through business and God wants these relationships to be valued.
Mark 12:30-31

4. A kingdom business is operational; operations must honors and reflect God.
1 Cor. 10:31

Baer suggests establishing a kingdom business by doing the following:

1. Create a kingdom foundation
Write out what you believe about: profit, people, growth, service or quality, productivity and innovation. Examples:
- We will always seek mutually beneficial outcomes in all that we do.
- We will operate in a fiscally responsible manner.
- We will maintain the priorities of family and friendship.
- We will endeavor to find the maximum enjoyment in whatever we do.
- We will seek continual learning and improvement so that what is done is done well and with full commitment.
- We will live lives that invite inquiry.

2. Articulate a kingdom direction
Vision: broad, expansive statement of the general direction in which company is headed.
Mission: a narrower definition of your vision - or your vision with metrics.
Purpose: the expression of what you believe God has as his specific will for your company.

3. Identify kingdom targets and objectives
Target: a three year goal for your business.
Objective: a one year goal.
For example: revenues, expansion, staffing, profitability, ministry and missions.

4. Focus on a few pivotal strategies
For example: execute marketing/business plan, etc.

5. Draft and assign quarterly action items
Break down your plan into a list of 10 or fewer action items

6. Schedule regular accountability

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read!, October 6, 2008

By 

Steven Arnold (Temple, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Business as Mission: The Power of Business in the Kingdom of God (Paperback)

This is a good book. It teaches you about love and relationships and how they are vital in business. It is a very short book, but it has alot of content and will teach you alot.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very happy with product, October 11, 2009

By 

kmccabe - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Business as Mission: The Power of Business in the Kingdom of God (Paperback)

The product arrived as described and in a timely manner. Very pleased! Would do business with again, and recommend to others.