The Business as Mission (BAM) movement has grown exponentially over the past 25 years—to the glory of God! It has been exciting to watch. When I first became involved in 2005, there were only a handful of books on the subject. Today, thousands of faith-and-work titles have been published, with new ones released almost daily. In the U.S. alone, more than 1,200 NGOs are working to integrate faith and work. What an incredible time to be part of this movement!
Yet, one key institution has remained largely disengaged—and without it, the BAM movement risks losing momentum over time. That missing institution is the Church.
Many faith-and-work organizations have developed a parallel path alongside the Church, discipling believers to glorify God through their work. However, pastors, church leaders, and denominations have often not been formally engaged.
The Church often avoids conversations about work, business, or money—except when it comes to tithing.
Common reasons include perceptions that “the Church is too inward-focused,” that “church and business don’t mix,” or fears of promoting a “prosperity gospel.” As a result, the Church often avoids conversations about work, business, or money—except when it comes to tithing.
Let’s clarify: we all agree that the Church—the ekklesia—is the body of Christ, the people of God. We know that where two or three gather in His name, Christ is present among them. But over time, since Constantine institutionalized Christianity as a state religion, the Church has become increasingly defined by buildings, programs, and professionally paid leaders, rather than by the people of God living out their faith in daily life.
I believe God is reclaiming the marketplace and calling His Church—His bride—to join Him. This requires a significant paradigm shift in how we view both the Church and its mission field.
1. From a church vision to a kingdom vision
A kingdom vision... seeks the flourishing of all creation.
A church vision is often centered on numbers, converts, programs, and buildings. A kingdom vision, however, seeks the flourishing of all creation—people, communities, and the natural world. It focuses on holistic discipleship and life-on-life evangelism.
A kingdom-focused Church teaches that every believer is in full-time ministry. It understands that worship is not limited to Sunday mornings but expressed through every act done for God’s glory. The Church with a kingdom vision helps believers see that “the purpose of Sunday is Monday.”
Sunday gatherings are like a team meeting—where the light of Christ gathers to be recharged. But the Church truly “opens for business” when its members leave the building to live out their faith in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
2. Redefining the Church's mission field
A kingdom-focused Church doesn’t limit its mission field to the neighborhood around its building. Instead, it recognizes that it has multiple parishes—each corresponding to where its members live and work.
Church leaders are called to equip the saints for ministry.
Church leaders are called to equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:12–13). Most of that ministry happens outside the building. As believers grow in maturity and unity, they reflect the “full and complete standard of Christ.”
The five-fold ministries—apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher—are not offices reserved for a few but gifts that all believers are to develop and express in their spheres of influence. Every follower of Christ is called to live these out daily, becoming mature disciples who bring His presence into every place and space.
3. Recovering Three-Dimensional Discipleship
The Great Commission is often understood too narrowly. Discipleship is intended to be three-dimensional:
1. Vertical (1-D): Focusing solely on our personal relationship with God. This is good but incomplete—it remains private and static.
2. Vertical + Horizontal (2-D): Adding the Great Commandment—loving others and integrating faith into relationships. This widens our faith but can still remain flat.
3. Vertical + Horizontal + Creation (3-D): Adding the Great Commitment of Genesis 1–2—to steward creation and bring about the flourishing of all things. This gives our faith body, making it fully alive and transformational.
Too often, Christianity has remained flat—lacking impact on communities and nations.
Too often, Christianity has remained flat—lacking impact on communities and nations. Like Israel, we have become a nation with priests rather than a nation of priests.
But when we equip every believer to be the Church in every place and space, we begin to experience the fullness God intended from the beginning.
We serve a three-dimensional God—Father, Son, and Spirit—who invites all creation to worship Him. Let’s join Him in helping every part of creation glorify God!
If you’d like to learn more about this topic, read the BAM Global Report on BAM and the Church.
To explore how your church can start a workplace discipleship ministry, contact Dr. Renita Reed-Thomson at renita@dmleaders.org or visit www.dmleaders.org to learn more.
Originally published by The BAM Review. Republished with permission.
Dr. Renita Reed-Thomson is the President and founder of Discipling Marketplace Leaders. Renita has her MBA and a PhD in Sustainable Development. Discipling Marketplace Leaders (DML) is a product of her experiences in Africa where she has lived and worked since 2005.
