On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Strategies [Paperback]

Tetsunao Yamamori (Author), Kenneth A. Eldred (Author), Wayne Grudem (Contributor), Randolph Case (Contributor), Clem Schultz (Contributor), Ken Crowell (Contributor), Margie Crowell (Contributor), Kim-Kwong Chan (Contributor), Sonia Chou (Contributor), Abiir William (Contributor), Patrick Lai (Contributor), Norman Teece (Contributor), Daniel Batchelder (Contributor), Juerg Opprecht (Contributor), Byung Ho Choi (Contributor), Luke Watson (Contributor), Joe Suozzo (Contributor), Peter Tsukahira (Contributor), Thomas Sudyk (Contributor), John Cragin (Contributor), Heinz A. Suter (Contributor), Michael R. Baer (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2003

More than one quarter of the world's people have little or no opportunity to hear the gospel. While few of the unreached care to investigate the claims of Christ, they are concerned about their own economic advancement. This is an opportunity for the gospel. On Kingdom Business proposes a new model for using business in missions: kingdom entrepreneurship. Kingdom entrepreneurs are "job-makers," starting for-profit businesses of all sizes-real businesses that meet real needs. On Kingdom Businessprovides a conceptual foundation for kingdom entrepreneurship and explores its contemporary development using case studies of kingdom businesses and reflecting on the lessons kingdom entrepreneurs have already learned.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Probably nowhere can you find the range of actual examples and keen insights offered by the spectrum of contributors to this landmark book. We are deeply indebted to both the contributors and the editors for so stout and comprehensive a set of documents, on so crucial and yet baffling a challenge."
—Ralph D. Winter, President, William Carey International University

"Forthright, practical, and compelling! On Kingdom Business addresses the tough questions surrounding profit making in the name of Christ, and convincingly validates the fact that authentic ministry can indeed take place within the context of authentic business."
—Christian Overman, Executive Director, Worldview Matters, Inc.

"Kingdom entrepreneurship has come of age as global Christian businessmen and women unite to extol the virtues of investing in God's kingdom. On Kingdom Business is definitely recommended reading for discerning Christians committed to Great Commission ministry."
—John Vong, Research Director, Geneva Global, Inc.

"Businessmen and women are fulfilling the Great Commission by more than giving money. On Kingdom Business tells their stories and reveals the methodologies that work in today's world."
—John H. Warton, Jr., International Director, Business Professional Network

"Business is not a necessary evil or a cover for the 'real work' of missions but a way to create investments, jobs, economic vitality, and a hearing for a credible gospel. It is hard work, but these pages are filled with the examples and learnings of extraordinary men and women-evangelistic entrepreneurs."
—Fred Smith, President, The Gathering

"Today's mission context demands the mobilization of tens of thousands of businessmen and women committed to spreading the gospel through genuine business. On Kingdom Business reveals several best practice models and discusses key issues related to kingdom entrepreneurship."
—Chuck Madinger, Missions Pastor, Southland Christian Church, Lexington, Kentucky

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (July 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158134502X
• ISBN-13: 978-1581345025
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #749,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mr. Eldred has founded numerous successful companies, including Ariba Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARBA), the leader in the Internet business-to-business industry, and Inmac, which went public in 1987 and later merged with Micro Warehouse. He was named Silicon Valley "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 1988. Internationally, Mr. Eldred is co-founder and director of Epicenter Technologies, a 1,000-person call center business based in India. He has also founded other ventures in Europe and China.

Currently, Mr. Eldred is an investor and founder/CEO of Living Stones Foundation Charitable Trust, where he focuses his efforts primarily on charitable projects. He serves on the Board of Advisors for Crosspoint Venture Partners, named by Forbes as the most successful venture firm for three years in a row. Mr. Eldred is also chairman of Parakletos Venture Capital. He is in much demand as a speaker and as an advisor to various business ventures.

Mr. Eldred holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. He was the Lauder Executive-in-Residence at Auburn University School of Business and was named a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

Mr. Eldred is the author of God Is at Work: Transforming People and Nations Through Business (Regal Books, 2005; Manna, 2009), named the number one book in the field by the Business as Mission Network, and the co-editor of On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions through Entrepreneurial Strategies (Crossway Books, 2003), winner of a 2004 Christianity Today Book Award. He has been profiled in Executive Influence by Christopher A. Crane and Mike Hamel (NavPress, 2003).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of applications for Christians in business, October 21, 2003

By 

B. Phillips (North Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Strategies (Paperback)

I found this book just by searching on the title after reading a paper that a friend in India wrote on kingdom business. I have been hungry to learn what it means for me as an entrepreneur to have a Matt 6:33 'his kingdom first' mentality in running a for profit venture. I devoured this book and found it to be one of the most helpful I've seen yet, even though a primary focus of the book is more along the lines of how to advance missions more effectively.

The first section covers eleven case studies each written by a different author involved in a kingdom business. True to the title, most of these are ventures that seek to make a positive impact in Christian missions, particular in countries with restricted access. They are mostly (but not all) small companies primarily with a local presence trying to figure out how to survive in a self-sustaining way in addition to finding ways to serve people with a meaningful impact economically and spiritually. This is in juxtaposition with larger multinational, leading edge businesses or businesses with a presence only in a western country. However, I found many lessons and examples in the case studies that can benefit a Christian business person in these other environments as well.

The second part covers 9 essays on the subject of business and ministry, kingdom companies, etc. again each written by a different author. And the third section is a review or analysis of the case studies and the lessons learned. These sections were full of thought provoking nuggets for me as well. The appendices also include a fairly comprehensive bibliography of related reading material.
I came away with a stronger conviction that in all of my endeavors, business or otherwise, I should be asking "what can I do to seek first his kingdom?". In addition to a business plan I need a kingdom plan. My background and experience in business can be instrumental directly in meaningful efforts to spread good news and help people, as opposed to being only a mechanism to help fund these efforts. I've purchased a couple of extra copies for others as their interest in kingdom business topics grows.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Strategies, January 14, 2006

By 

Victor Downing (Silicon Valley) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Strategies (Paperback)

This book (along with Eldred's, God Is At Work) is the owner's manual for every Christian who has ever wondered if there just might be something redemptive about work. There is no fluff, no wasted words, no mental lapses, no insider-theological-jargon in this book. Instead, this book is packed with superior Bible exposition (especially see Wayne Grudem's, "How Business in Itself Can Glorify God"), many realistic examples, historical precedence, completely actionable conclusions, and a one-stop-shop bibliography.


Every pastor who takes seriously his responsibility to "tend the flock" must become completely conversant with the content of this book... and then must go out an LEARN about the world of his parishioners-at-work. Every Christian --especially every investor and every owner-- who reads this book will be wonderfully encouraged or strongly convicted and then powerfully motivated to make money make an eternal difference.

As a devoted follower of The Christ and a successful entrepreneur with Fortune 100 clients and assignments in Asia, North America, and Western Europe, I urge you to redeem your time by buying, studying, and implementing this book. Vic Downing, Silicon Valley California.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On Kingdon Business: Tranforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Stategies, January 9, 2007

By 

Sijefredo Loa - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Strategies (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for this interested in participating in foreign missionary work abroad either for a limited duration or a life time. This book is divided in two parts: why new strategies on doing missions must be implemented (it advocates doing so through business endeavors that are favorable to building national infrastructures) and examples of how these strategies have yielded results and those that have not. The book is a wealth of information on a paradigm shift for doing foreigh missions, a necessary read for all involved in such a calling.