A Framework of Local Church Engagement for Business As Mission

Abstract

Business as Mission (BAM) has gained momentum as a methodology for missions over the last three decades. This rise in practice has led to a rise in literature focusing on BAM objectives. This dissertation seeks clarity in one issue concerning BAM: what is the relationship to the kingdom business and a local church? BAM authors have chosen to focus on kingdom language over ecclesiological language in writing. Therefore, this dissertation seeks to provide helpful solutions for how a worker should include a local church in the spiritual planning process of a kingdom business.

Business as Mission literature has focused on a spectrum of kingdom objectives when measuring success. From conversion to social justice, there is a wide range of objectives that fits within the definition of business as mission. However, there has not been clarity on how the local church fits within these kingdom objectives in BAM. Therefore, it is critical to develop a spectrum of church partnership in order to help the movement develop clearer language for partnership to meet kingdom objectives. The church holds the keys to the kingdom in the new covenant, therefore a posture towards the local church is a necessity to meet kingdom objectives in BAM. Yet, in a robust definition of the kingdom, there are many ways to define the partnership.