Broken from the Fall

Missional Enterprise: a Vehicle for Reconciliation

​“Throughout history, business has brought people together and pulled them apart.  It has helped humankind progress while also revealing our darkest impulses.”
 
It’s no secret that we live in a broken world … poverty, injustice, oppression, violence and corruption are all realities of the day and age we live in.  Many businesses have been used as instruments of evil and exploitation, contributing to much of the brokenness in the world.  However, “business can be an instrument in providing for humanity, an avenue to serve others, a place to exercise one’s gifts and skills, and a vehicle of reconciliation.”  Which is why we need to understand God’s purpose for business and not let it remain in it’s broken state.
 
In The Missional Entrepreneur, Russell presents four spheres of life that are broken and that God is on mission to reconcile:

1. Economic (the provision of goods and services to humankind)
2. Social (relationship and community with one another)
3. Environmental (creation and our relationship to it)
4. Spiritual (Our unique relationship with the triune God)

 
Missional enterprise is an incredible opportunity to partner with God in bringing healing and renewal to each of these areas of brokenness.  We easily understand how business can effect the economy in great ways and in more recent years, people are realizing the positive impact that businesses can have socially and environmentally; but the spiritual aspect of business bringing healing seems to be more allusive, yet crucial.
 
The uniqueness of business is that it is an open door to everywhere and not just into physical places but also into the hearts of people.  Everyday around the world people engage in business in a plethora of ways from the rich to the poor from the consumer to employee to owner.  “Being missional is about living in a state of being that is at the center of God’s mission wherever you are … and the spiritual mission of business is not to establish a kingdom of wealth and power but to bring the Kingdom of God to tangible reality.” As businesses help build communities, provide for humanity, serve people according to their needs, and more; they become a physical expression of spiritual realities.
 
This is what we strive for within the Global Enterprise Network; using the Triple Bottom Line to see Kingdom Values permeate all dimensions of enterprise unleashing the gospel.  We do realize that God doesn’t need business and doesn’t need us to bring healing and reconciliation to the world but what a privilege that He invites us to join with Him to carry out His mission.   
 
What are some specific, small ways businesses can bring renewal and restoration to your corner of the world?  And where do you see yourself called to join God in His mission of renewing the world?

– GEN Desk Coordinator

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The Missional Entrepreneur: Principles and Practices for Business as Mission
Author: Mark L. Russell
Publisher: New Hope (2010)