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The Global BAM Think Tank and the 2nd Vatican Council

Nov 16th, 2012 by

It is 50 years since the 2nd Vatican Council started. It has been a major influence on the church’s beliefs and praxis, and will be for generations to come.

The Council lasted for three years; they met for four sessions in the autumns of the years 1962 to 1965, with committees doing a lot of work between sessions. 2400 bishops and 500 experts were involved.

Without being presumptuous, we may consider the 1st and 2nd Global Think Tanks on Business as Mission, BAM, as a similar process. Global thought leaders and practitioners met in 2004 and will meet again in April 2013. (BAMthinktank.org/CONGRESS)

The BAM think tank is now facilitating conversations and research in over 30 national, regional and international working groups, with many hundreds of BAM practitioners and experts – from every continent – participating. (See also endorsements enclosed below)

Pope Benedict XVI commented on the texts and the results of the Second Vatican Council:

“It is a clear that this commitment to expressing a specific truth in a new way demands new thinking on this truth and a new and vital relationship with it; it is also clear that new words can only develop if they come from an informed understanding of the truth expressed, and on the other hand, that a reflection on faith also requires that this faith be lived.”

Alluding to Benedict’s text:

  • BAM is not a new truth, but we are committed to express specifics truths in a new way – for our day and age, with a view of serving generations to come.
  • BAM and a changing world demands new thinking, and a new and vital relationship with BAM and the Church.
  • The BAM concept and eco-system must be expressed in new words, but it presupposes that we deepen our understanding of God, the world and our mission; insightful and helpful BAM communication must come from an informed understanding of the truth expressed.
  • BAM requires praxis, and the BAM think tank is not an academic ivory tower deliberation. We are reflecting on BAM praxis, and we are listening and learning from BAM practitioners, who are living out their faith in business.

Pope Benedict writes that “new life developed and new fruit ripened” and continues: “Forty years after the Council, we can show that the positive is far greater and livelier than it appeared to be in the turbulent years around 1968. Today, we see that although the good seed developed slowly, it is nonetheless growing, and our deep gratitude for the work done by the Council is likewise growing.”

The 2nd Vatican Council was in many ways instrumental in a major paradigm shift. BAM is also about a paradigm shift and these shifts take time, they are intergenerational. But good seeds have been sown and are growing, also during our Global BAM Council 2003 (when the process started) to 2013.

It is my prayer that the BAM think tank will see “new life developed and new fruit ripened”, which will invigorate the global BAM movement.

We know that at times we will achieve less than we have hoped and planned for. But it is equally true that God is able to do more than we can imagine through the think tank process.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21, NIV)

 

To learn more about the BAM think tank, click here –> http://bamthinktank.org

 

Endorsement of the Global BAM Think Tank & the Global Congress   

I believe the Global Congress will be the largest assembly of BAM thinkers in the history of the world.  Al Caperna, Business Owner & Director, Call2Business

The Global Think Tank on BAM is not only timely, but sorely needed to refresh the movement’s vision and to maintain and accelerate its momentum. Neal Johnson, Ph.D., has had an extensive and unique thirty-year career as an attorney, banker, educator, business consultant and entrepreneur domestically and internationally. He is the author of “Business as Mission: A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice”, IVP Academic.

In undertaking a global assessment and thorough analysis of the BAM movement, the Global Think Tank on Business as Mission serves as a catalyst to engage the Church and help it maximize business activities in order to bless the nations, extend the Kingdom of God and glorify its King. Dr. William H. Jones, President, Columbia International University; Board Member, Coca-Cola Consolidated; Board Member, Correct Craft

I applaud the Business as Mission Think Tank for their efforts to enrich and invigorate the worldwide BAM movement through a yearlong global assessment and I am hopeful that the resulting resources and tools will be employed by the body of Christ to carry the name of Jesus around the world. David Beasley, Former Governor of South Carolina; Fellow, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government; Chairman, Center for Global Strategies

The BAM Congress provides a unique opportunity for those involved in business to meet together and I would encourage all to participate, especially Iranian Christian Leaders. Rev Edward Hovsepian-Mehr, Church Pastor and Superintendent of the Council of United Iranian Churches

The Global Think Tank on Business as Mission will address important issues such as the role of business leaders in finding solutions to human trafficking and equipping Churches to support men and women serving in the market place. Ram Gidoomal CBE, Board Chairman, The Lausanne Movement

The Gospel of the Kingdom, as manifest through business and professional services, is truly unstoppable. And the 2nd global think tank will accelerate the BAM movement. J Gunnar Olson, Founder and Chairman of International Christian Chamber of Commerce

The BAM movement is a powerful witness to the Lordship of Christ over all aspects of our lives.  After more than a decade of application, important issues and learning should be considered and reflected upon.   Critical thought leadership and prayerful deliberation will ensure that BAM matures to be even more relevant and useful in the Kingdom. Edwin Keh, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Works also with Yale and Harvard on governance and capacity building in Africa. Until April 2010 the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Wal-Mart Global Procurement.

The 2nd Global BAM Think Tank is going to be a significant gathering of like-minded followers of Jesus who are focused on Kingdom impact. I would urge you to participate in this important event. Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, Chief Executive Officer/Secretary General of World Evangelical Alliance

I wholeheartedly affirm the strategic conversation flowing from the Global Think Tank on Business as Mission and look forward to how this will infuse fresh thinking and new ideas that will benefit everyone engaged in the priority one task of blessing the nations. Steve Moore, President Missio Nexus, representing 35,000 evangelical missionaries deployed by more than 190 agencies and churches in North America

I fully endorse the Global Think Tank on Business as Mission and look to the day when we give equal honour to business leader, missionary, and pastor alike. The Revd. Canon Mark Oxbrow, International Director  Faith2Share

I urge business people and missions leaders to participate in the BAM Think Tank and help the global BAM movement strengthen its orientation to action and creation, to God’s glory. Doug Seebeck, President of Partners Worldwide; Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

The Business as Mission Think Tank is a unique and highly strategic initiative that will magnify BAM’s impact even further by assessing the global BAM movement and mobilizing, strengthening and equipping BAM practitioners from the global church to glorify God and serve all peoples in and through business. Philip Green, Former CEO of P&O Nedlloyd and United Utilities PLC; Chairman, BakerCorp, Non-Executive Director, Carillion PLC; Chairman, Sentebale; Trustee, British and Foreign Bible Society

In COMIBAM we are currently hard at work to help the church, mission agencies and mission training entities and the missionaries to understand BAM, and get equipped to implement BAM strategies. It is with joy and expectation that we receive the invitation to this global dialogue and we commit to be fully engaged. Decio de Carvalho, Director Ejecutivo/Diretor Executivo/Executive Director,COMIBAM Internacional

The Global Think Tank on Business as Missions will have a critical role in identifying how business and professional Christians can bring a welcomed and valued resource to cross-cultural contexts for the sake of extending the kingdom of God. Jerry Rankin, President Emeritus, International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention, Director, Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies at Columbia International University

I really welcome the think tank on BAM. Our shaking world needs valid, sustainable values and principles. I am sure the global think tank will make BAM movement stronger than before. Dr. Arto Hämäläinen, Chairman of Pentecostal European Mission (PEM), Chairman of World Missions Commission of Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF)

I recommend the Business as Mission Global Think Tank as an important and viable process for deepening the knowledge about and the use of this God-given tool for advancing His Kingdom. Bertil Ekström (PhD) Executive Director of the World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission         

 

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Business as Mission is bigger than you think

Sep 29th, 2012 by

Business as Mission, BAM, may sometimes be a tricky term, but it is an important concept and an essential praxis.

But BAM it is not a silver bullet; it is not the ultimate strategy. It is, however, a growing global movement of Christians in the market place asking: How can we shape business to serve people, align with God’s purposes, be good stewards of the planet and make a profit?

Business as Mission is not trying to replace traditional means of serving God and people among all nations. Business as Mission is not a fundraising method. Nor is it about attaching some church-like activities to a business.

Business as Mission, BAM, recognizes the importance of and embraces Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR. But it goes beyond as well: BAM is CSR+.

We are on a mission in and through business. It is for example a mission of justice. One could even say ‘Business as Justice’. This and other terms may help us understand the holistic and transformational nature of Business as Mission.

Let me give 12 brief examples. The list could be made longer, but these 12 will hopefully show that Business as Mission is not just doing business with a touch of “churchianity”

1. Business as Justice

God loves justice and hates injustice. God sent prophets again and again who spoke out against injustice, and they demanded change and correction. Injustice often manifested itself in the market place: it was corruption, labor exploitation and abuse of vulnerable people like immigrants.

To pursue honest business and care for staff is Business as Justice. To treat customers and suppliers well is also a part of this God honoring pursuit. Business as Justice includes fighting corruption and bribery.

2. Business as True Religion

True worship is to take care of widows and orphans. (James 1:27) These are two vulnerable groups, who often are exploited in the market place today. Human traffickers often target lonely children. Circumstances and cunning people may force widows into prostitution.

These are realities in many parts of the world. Who will offer orphans and widows a future; give them jobs with dignity, so they can support themselves and others? That would be Business as True Religion.

3. Business as Shalom

Shalom is a Biblical concept of good and harmonious relationships. But relationships were damaged and broken through the fall in Genesis chapter 3. Through Christ there is a way to restored relationship with God, with one another, and with creation.

Business is so much about relationships, with staff, colleagues, peers, customers, clients, suppliers, family, community, tax authorities, and so forth. How can we as Christians in business strive towards Shalom; Business as Shalom?

4. Business as Stewardship

Every human being has been entrusted with gifts and talents. In business we also talk about assets. Stewardship is another important Biblical concept. How can we use what we have to serve? What does stewardship mean when we own and / or run a business?

God has given some people strong entrepreneurial gifts. They can be used for God and for the common good through business. It is the same with managerial gifts or gifts of bookkeeping or sales. We should encourage people with business skills to be good stewards – Business as Stewardship.

5. Business as Servant Leadership

Jesus came to serve. He was an example of good and godly leadership. Many books are written on this topic and it indicates the importance of the very concept of servant leadership.

Doing business as unto the Lord means that we also explore what servant leadership means in the business context. It is not a simple formula or a cookie cutter approach. It may look differently in different industries and cultures. But the key underlying principle is to serve people, communities, nations, and God. We are too often reminded about the lack of good leadership in the business world. Business as Servant Leadership is more than needed.

6. Business as Human Dignity

Every person on this planet is created in God’s image. We all have value and dignity linked to the Creator. He created us to be creative, and to create good things for others and ourselves. It is deeply human and divine to create; it is an intrinsic part of human dignity. This creativity process and thus human dignity has been partly broken, but there is restoration power through Jesus Christ.

It is not a sin to be unemployed, but unemployment and the inability to work and support oneself and family, is a consequence of the fall. It is a loss of human dignity. Putting people to work, providing jobs with dignity, is a godly act – it is Business as Human Dignity.

7. Business as Reconciliation

The Apostle Paul writes that we are agents of reconciliation. Broken relationships and conflicts are common, even in the market place. We also witness tension and violence between ethnic and religious groups. Can businesses provide a forum for reconciliation? Can business people bridge ethnic and religious divides?

There is a long and sometimes violent history of severe distrust and tension between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia. But I have seen first hand how Chinese Christian business people in Indonesia have changed interethnic dynamics and transformed inter-religious relationships by intentionally doing business as justice, stewardship, shalom, servant leadership, and so forth. As God’s ambassadors, we can be business people on a mission to do Business as Reconciliation.

8. Business as Creation Care

During the creation days God did a daily evaluation, he exercised quality control on the products he produced. His verdict was “these are good”. He has entrusted us to be stewards also of creation. Like God we can rejoice in being creative in the physical arena and produce goods and services that are good for people and the creation. This is the 1st Biblical mandate we have – to be creative and to work, also in the business world.

The importance of environmentally friendly businesses is included in the triple bottom line, striving to have a positive impact economically, socially and environmentally.  (Profit, people, planet)

On a visit to south Asia 2012 I met a couple who are working as management consultants to major manufacturing companies. This couple had a clear BAM mission, and was able to help these companies to become more profitable, improve working condition, save energy and clean up huge amounts of water. Access to and preservation of clean water is one of the biggest challenges we face globally. Business as Creation care is essential.

9. Business as Loving Your Neighbor

The 2nd scriptural mandate is the great commandment and includes to “love your neighbor as yourself”. We know that business can and should serve people and meet various needs. For example: Unemployment is a major underlying cause to malnourishment and starvation, homelessness, human trafficking, disease and limited access to medical treatment, as well as to debt and crime. Providing people with jobs is alleviating and preventing these dire conditions.

Human resource management (a term which sounds too impersonal and technical to me) should be an expression of loving your neighbor. Taking our neighbors’ physical environment into consideration as we run businesses is also a part of this responsibility. CSR is thus not a new thing; it is based on Biblical principles.

We can also study and learn from history. For example, the Quakers in England and Hans Nielsen Hauge in Norway were agents of holistic transformation through business already a few hundred years ago. They did Business as Loving Your Neighbor.

10. Business as Great Commission

The 3rd Biblical mandate is the global centrifugal thrust: to all peoples, to all nations. This is a major theme in the global BAM movement. How can we serve in and through business, empowered by the Holy Spirit, “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”.

Business as Mission is about being a follower of Jesus, in business and to the whole world, especially in areas with dire economical, social and spiritual needs.

This is CSR+ and this dimension is not an elective. We want to see the Kingdom of God demonstrated among all peoples. It is Business as Great Commission.

11. Business as Body of Christ

God calls and equips some people to business. We need to affirm and encourage business people to exercise their calling with professionalism, excellence and integrity. Martin Luther puts it this way:

“A cobbler, a smith, a farmer, each has the work and the office of his trade, and they are all alike consecrated priests and bishops, and every one by means of his own work or office must benefit and serve every other, that in this way many kinds of work may be done for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the community, even as all the members of the body serve one another.” (An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility)

12. Business as Glorifying God

BAM is the acronym for Business as Mission. Another relevant acronym is AMDG. The ultimate bottom line of Business as Mission is AMDG – ad maiorem Dei gloriam – for the greater glory of God

PS. This article is also available in French, German, Korean and Spanish:

BAM est plus important que vous ne l’imaginez

Wie das Unternehmen zur Mission wird Zwölf Anregungen für Führungskräfte mit einer ganzheitlichen Vision

Business as Mission is bigger than you think Korean

Los Negocios como Misión es más grande de lo que crees (Business as Mission is bigger than you think. Spanish)

 

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Muslim village transformed through prayer, Christian business people and owls

Aug 18th, 2012 by

It was warm and humid. One may say almost too hot for a Swede. But the story that emerged was more than cool.

I listened to the mayor of a small Muslim village. We sat outside his house, drank tea and nibbled on fruit, nuts and sweets. He was enthusiastic and composed. As a devout Muslim he had come to appreciate Christian business people in a way that surprised him. There is a long and sometimes violent history of severe distrust and tension between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia.

The village used to be quite poor. Rats ate 40 percent of the crops every year. These creatures also spread disease. Collaboration for irrigation was non-existent. There was a lack of entrepreneurial spirit and seemingly no-one thought about praying for a difference.

But some good friends and colleagues of mine visited the mayor and his village. They are Christian business people, they wanted to help and they wanted to build bridges across a religious divide.

At first the mayor declined. Why did business people come, and not charity workers or government people? On top of that, these people were Christians – not Muslims. But one Christian businesswoman suggested that they at least could pray. She said that prayers make a difference; yes God can make a difference. It was agreed. Something happened and it became a turning point. The mayor invited them to come back and they did.

The mayor could see me sweating profusely and he kindly turned on a fan and turned it towards me. But he didn’t stop telling the story, a story of transformation.

The team of Christian business people did research and explored ways to kill the rats in an environmentally friendly way. They also researched how one could increase the agricultural production and start profitable businesses.

They found an owl called tyto alba that eats rats, but is very hard to breed. Some told them it was impossible. But they prayed, researched and it worked. I could see birdhouses everywhere on the fields. The loss of crops has decreased from 40 to 2 percent per year. Through new wells and irrigation the annual yield of rice has doubled.

I asked the mayor why they didn’t dig wells and develop irrigation before the business people came. He said that the Christians changed their mindset regarding work and working together, and first and foremost taught them the importance of prayer, to always start with prayer.

“Now we are open to change and we take action. But we always start with prayer”, said the mayor.

My Indonesian business friends have started business training courses in the village – based on Biblical principles. They have also helped start small manufacturing businesses, helped with marketing and sales, and local infrastructure.

This small village with 2320 people has now become a model village in Indonesia. National television has portrayed this as a model on how to build bridges between Muslims and Christians, and on how to develop transformational businesses. The village is now a national learning center on how to breed owls that kills rats.

I heard several testimonies on how concrete prayers had led to concrete answers, related to rain, a paved road, a job, a motorcycle, and so forth.

As we left the village I was encouraged and felt privileged. I had witnessed significant indicators of economic, social, environmental and spiritual transformation. I asked myself: What were some of the key contributing factors? Prayers, Christian business people and owls.

 

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Freedom of speech vs. hate speech laws

Jul 18th, 2012 by

The so-called ‘hate speech laws’ are contrary to fundamental rule of law principles and they are a threat to democracy. They are often promoted and protected by three groups, which would make strange bedfellows: secularists, gay lobby and some Muslim groups.

In May I gave a presentation on this issue and trends at a global conference in Madrid, Spain. Click here to see a 7 minute presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrX4C0v3NQU

It will give you an introduction to freedom of speech vs. hate speech. It will help you understand the basic concepts, and describe the dangerous flaw of hate speech laws.

Freedom of speech is about making room for opinions that may make us uncomfortable. It is for the politically incorrect, for minority views, for the odd, and also for the ordinary. This is the basis for political debate and activity. It is a basis for freedom of press, art and religion.

You cannot have freedom of speech and at the same time guarantee that no one should feel offended or hurt. However, it is guaranteed that if freedom of expression is curtailed then democracy is endangered.

As Salman Rushdie says: “The idea that any kind of free society can be constructed in which people will never be offended or insulted is absurd. So too is the notion that people should have the right to call on the law to defend them against being offended or insulted.”

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I have changed religion

Jun 13th, 2012 by

I was recently in Indonesia and received a MacBook Pro. I posted the following text and photo on Facebook: Semarang, Indonesia: I’ve changed religion: I now have a MacBook Pro and must pay due respect to appropriate quasi-religious symbols

Comments came in from all over the world – samples:

  • Finland: Welcome to the MacBook Pro sect !
  • Sweden: I’ll show you the secret handshake when you get home. 😉
  • Denmark: In the picture, are you reciting the confession of the original sin of biting that chunk off the Apple, or the Confession of MacFaith?
  • Germany: I just quote Genesis: For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.
  • USA: Finally you have seen the light!
  • Thailand: Welcome to the world of Mac!
  • USA: Unlike, unlike…
  • Greece: Oh no…will pray for you…
  • USA: You went to the dark side? Ohh noooo…. 🙂
  • China: We have 4 of those people in our family…haha
  • Panama: oh Mats Tunehag, you are crazy…
  • Hong Kong: Congra to become a MAD man!
  • Sweden: Another backslider. I’m sad (former Dell and HP employee)

We can joke about PC vs. Mac and it can be fun.

But changing religions is not a laughing matter in many parts of the world. In Islam there is no general provision of Muslims leaving Islam. Those who do may face hardships in various ways: No jobs, no higher education, and no prospect of marriage. But they also face dangers of persecution, arrest, imprisonment and even death. This is a fact not only in Muslim dominated countries but also in countries like Sweden, Germany and UK.

Muslims also deserve the fundamental human right to choose and change religion. This is also a problem in other cultures and countries, like in Orissa, India. But the biggest lack of religious freedom exists in countries and areas (even in the West) dominated by Islam and where sharia is applied.

We are unfortunately very far away from the day when we can have a light and witty conversation on Facebook about leaving Islam for Christian faith.

But in the meantime I will gladly use my MacBook Pro to fight for religious freedom for all.

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