L a u n c h i n g aL a u n c h i n g a

Marketplace Marketplace MinistryMinistry

in the local churchin the local church

Jim HargisJim Hargis

WHAT WE WILL COVERWHAT WE WILL COVER

A.A. Why a Business Ministry in the Local ChurchWhy a Business Ministry in the Local ChurchB.B. The significance of WorkThe significance of WorkC.C. The New Testament modelThe New Testament modelD.D. The needs of the Christian businesspersonThe needs of the Christian businesspersonE.E. The four areas the Christian businessperson The four areas the Christian businessperson

should be challenged inshould be challenged inF.F. Keys to launching a marketplace ministryKeys to launching a marketplace ministryG.G. Suggested Ministry ActivitiesSuggested Ministry ActivitiesH.H. Hindrances to launching a Marketplace MinistryHindrances to launching a Marketplace Ministry

Why a Business Ministry in Why a Business Ministry in the Local Church?the Local Church?

• Other ministries - Youth, Children, Senior Saints, etcOther ministries - Youth, Children, Senior Saints, etc

• Businesspeople have unique needsBusinesspeople have unique needs

• ALL believers should be equippedALL believers should be equipped

The Significance of WorkThe Significance of Work

• Paul tells us to walk worthy of our vocation.Paul tells us to walk worthy of our vocation.

“ “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called…”called…” (Ephesians 4:1 KJV) (Ephesians 4:1 KJV)

• It is one of the most strategic and untappedIt is one of the most strategic and untapped segments of society for reaching the world. segments of society for reaching the world.

1. 1. A breeding ground for intentional A breeding ground for intentional relationship buildingrelationship building2.2. Gallup poll: 50% indicated they had Gallup poll: 50% indicated they had discussed discussed spiritual issues in the last 24 hours.spiritual issues in the last 24 hours.3. 3. Adults spend the largest part of their life at Adults spend the largest part of their life at

workwork4. 4. No other arena compares to this impact - No other arena compares to this impact - not not the church or neighborhoods.the church or neighborhoods.

The New Testament ModelThe New Testament Model

• 50% of Jesus’ adult life as a carpenter50% of Jesus’ adult life as a carpenter

• Of 132 public appearances, 122 were in the Of 132 public appearances, 122 were in the marketplace.marketplace.

• Of 40 divine interventions recorded in Acts, 39 Of 40 divine interventions recorded in Acts, 39 were in the marketplacewere in the marketplace

• Of 52 parables, 45 had a workplace context.Of 52 parables, 45 had a workplace context.

ConstructionConstruction

Wine makingWine making

FarmingFarming

RanchingRanching

Management & LaborManagement & Labor

Family owned businessFamily owned business

Crop yieldCrop yield

Misuse of moneyMisuse of money

Venture capital in high risk situationsVenture capital in high risk situations

The needs of the Christian The needs of the Christian BusinesspersonBusinessperson

• Spiritual principles related to the business arena Spiritual principles related to the business arena “This book of the Law shall not depart from your “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8) (Joshua 1:8)

• Interaction with peersInteraction with peers

• Accountability to one-anotherAccountability to one-another

• Fellowship with peers Fellowship with peers (The door for all other needs)(The door for all other needs)

• PrayerPrayer

The four areas the Christian The four areas the Christian businessperson should be businessperson should be

challenged inchallenged in1.1. Stewardship-Stewardship-

We each have spiritual gifts. (see I Cor. 12:18)We each have spiritual gifts. (see I Cor. 12:18)Money is important to the kingdomMoney is important to the kingdom

2.2. Excellence-Excellence-

3.3. Evangelism-Evangelism-We ALL should help fulfill the great commissionWe ALL should help fulfill the great commission

The church should equip marketplace ministersThe church should equip marketplace ministers

A great definition of marketplace ministersA great definition of marketplace ministers“…men and women who retain ties to the “…men and women who retain ties to the marketplace and draw their primary income from it. marketplace and draw their primary income from it. They are ministers of the gospel. Their marketplace They are ministers of the gospel. Their marketplace ties create influence for the kingdom of God and ties create influence for the kingdom of God and provide provisions for kingdom works.” provide provisions for kingdom works.” Paul GazelkaPaul Gazelka

4. Influence Society-4. Influence Society- Mark 12:17 emphasizes we are to still function Mark 12:17 emphasizes we are to still function

and impact society.and impact society.““The “layman” need never think of his humbler task The “layman” need never think of his humbler task as being inferior to that of his minister. Let every as being inferior to that of his minister. Let every man abide in the calling wherein he is called, and man abide in the calling wherein he is called, and his work will be as sacred as the work of the his work will be as sacred as the work of the minister.” minister.” A.W. Tozer A.W. Tozer

Keys to Launching a Keys to Launching a Marketplace MinistryMarketplace Ministry

Where to begin1. Pastoral Support2. Who Should be Included?

Business OwnersManagersProfessionals (lawyers, physicians, dentists,

etc.)Real estate AgentsSales PeopleYoung business Leaders

OrganizationOrganization

1. Leadership - Ministry Organizer1. Leadership - Ministry Organizer

Business leader or PastorBusiness leader or Pastor

2. Structure2. Structure

Highly or loosely structuredHighly or loosely structured

3. Mission & Purpose3. Mission & Purpose

Suggested Ministry ActivitiesSuggested Ministry Activities1.1. Relational-Small GroupsRelational-Small Groups

Start-upsStart-ups

Women in businessWomen in business

Seasonal Business LeadersSeasonal Business Leaders

Young EntrepreneursYoung Entrepreneurs

2.2. Inspirational - Motivational (Corporate Gatherings)Inspirational - Motivational (Corporate Gatherings)SpeakersSpeakers

Luncheons – DinnersLuncheons – Dinners

Marketplace prayer gatheringMarketplace prayer gathering

3.3. Business Leader SupportBusiness Leader SupportCounseling Counseling “Plans fail for lack of counsel…”“Plans fail for lack of counsel…”

Content WorkshopsContent Workshops

IntercessionIntercession

Hindrances to launching a Hindrances to launching a Marketplace MinistryMarketplace Ministry

• Not be aware of - or convinced of the need.Not be aware of - or convinced of the need.

• IntimidationIntimidation

• Not another program!!Not another program!!

• Concern - Adequate number of businesspeople?Concern - Adequate number of businesspeople?

• How to execute? How to execute?

Jim HargisJim HargisEmail: hargis.j@comcast.netEmail: hargis.j@comcast.net