Just What is a BAM Company?
This is the first in a series of articles on starting a Business as Mission company.
Business as Mission (BAM) is a modern way of saying that our business belongs to God and exists for His glory and His purpose. It’s not a new concept at all and actually dates all the way back to creation when God made Adam and Eve and placed them on earth to work (Genesis 2:15).
God’s Purpose for Business
God instituted business as part of the “Creation Mandate” in Genesis 1. “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”” Genesis 1:26-28 (NASB)
As part of God’s original plan for mankind, business was established as an economic engine for the society they would spawn. Thus, one key purpose of business is to create the wealth needed for people to live and flourish as individuals and as communities. To be perfectly clear, one of the key purposes of business is to generate profit.
However, there are other ways in which God’s purpose for business is demonstrated. Combined with profit, these outcomes are often referred to as “The Quadruple Bottom Line” and include environmental, social, and spiritual blessings. In this way, a Business as Mission company has much in common with social impact businesses.
Business and God’s Kingdom Expansion
In keeping with Jesus’ command to disciple all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), Christians are using business (large and small) to gain entrance into society where people actually live and work. In a world where very few people attend church, it is imperative that the followers of Jesus integrate their faith in the marketplace so that they can impart the life-giving message of the Gospel to others. This is even more critical in places where Christianity is illegal or restricted by religious or government leaders.
The modern business as mission movement was born in work among the unreached in various parts of the world and continues to be used by God to bring people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ while, at the same time, accomplishing the other purposes of business.
But let’s be clear. We are not talking about “preaching stations” masquerading as companies. BAM is about real business with real profits and real impact around the world. As BAM operators live and lead by Scriptural principles in their families, their communities, and in their businesses, people see the reality of Christ and many are drawn to trust Him.
The Question for You and Me
Is your business a BAM business? Do you realize that God created business? Your business? Have you acknowledged that it is God’s and that it exists for Him or do you still think of it as yours? This is the first practical step in starting a BAM company.
Perhaps God is calling you to reorient your company into a Business as Mission company where you live. Or perhaps His plan for you is to establish a business in another country, in a place where the Gospel is barely known or even unknown.
This blog series will outline ways in which you can think and pray about how God intends to use you in business to honor Him. Are you ready to explore this possibility?
For more information on Business as Mission, we recommend the free online course, “Introduction to Business as Mission,” at this link—https://thirdpathinitiative.com/all-courses/. Other resources include https://businessasmission.com and Business as Mission by Michael R. Baer available at https://www.ywampublishing.com/p-961-business-as-missionbrthe-power-of-business-in-the-kingdom-of-god.aspx