Launching a
Marketplace
Ministry
in the local church
Jim Hargis
WHAT WE WILL COVER
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Why a Business Ministry in the Local Church
The significance of Work
The New Testament model
The needs of the Christian businessperson
The four areas the Christian businessperson
should be challenged in
Keys to launching a marketplace ministry
Suggested Ministry Activities
Hindrances to launching a Marketplace Ministry
Why a Business Ministry in
the Local Church?
• Other ministries - Youth, Children, Senior Saints, etc
• Businesspeople have unique needs
• ALL believers should be equipped
The Significance of Work
• Paul tells us to walk worthy of our vocation.
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you
that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are
called…”
(Ephesians 4:1 KJV)
• It is one of the most strategic and untapped
segments of society for reaching the world.
1. A breeding ground for intentional
relationship building
2. Gallup poll: 50% indicated they had discussed
spiritual issues in the last 24 hours.
3. Adults spend the largest part of their life at
work
4. No other arena compares to this impact - not
the church or neighborhoods.
The New Testament Model
• 50% of Jesus’ adult life as a carpenter
• Of 132 public appearances, 122 were in the
marketplace.
• Of 40 divine interventions recorded in Acts, 39
were in the marketplace
• Of 52 parables, 45 had a workplace context.
Construction
Wine making
Farming
Ranching
Management & Labor
Family owned business
Crop yield
Misuse of money
Venture capital in high risk situations
The needs of the Christian
Businessperson
• Spiritual principles related to the business arena
“This book of the Law shall not depart from your
mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that
you may observe to do according to all that is written in
it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and
then you will have good success.”
(Joshua 1:8)
•
•
•
•
Interaction with peers
Accountability to one-another
Fellowship with peers (The door for all other needs)
Prayer
The four areas the Christian
businessperson should be
challenged in
1. StewardshipWe each have spiritual gifts.
(see I Cor. 12:18)
Money is important to the kingdom
2. Excellence-
3. EvangelismWe ALL should help fulfill the great commission
The church should equip marketplace ministers
A great definition of marketplace ministers
“…men and women who retain ties to the
marketplace and draw their primary income from it.
They are ministers of the gospel. Their marketplace
ties create influence for the kingdom of God and
provide provisions for kingdom works.” Paul Gazelka
4. Influence SocietyMark 12:17 emphasizes we are to still function
and impact society.
“The “layman” need never think of his humbler task
as being inferior to that of his minister. Let every
man abide in the calling wherein he is called, and
his work will be as sacred as the work of the
minister.”
A.W. Tozer
Keys to Launching a
Marketplace Ministry
Where to begin
1. Pastoral Support
2. Who Should be Included?
Business Owners
Managers
Professionals (lawyers, physicians, dentists, etc.)
Real estate Agents
Sales People
Young business Leaders
Organization
1. Leadership - Ministry Organizer
Business leader or Pastor
2. Structure
Highly or loosely structured
3. Mission & Purpose
Suggested Ministry Activities
1.
Relational-Small Groups
Start-ups
Women in business
Seasonal Business Leaders
Young Entrepreneurs
2.
Inspirational - Motivational (Corporate Gatherings)
Speakers
Luncheons – Dinners
Marketplace prayer gathering
3.
Business Leader Support
Counseling “Plans fail for lack of counsel…”
Content Workshops
Intercession
Hindrances to launching a
Marketplace Ministry
• Not be aware of - or convinced of the need.
• Intimidation
• Not another program!!
• Concern - Adequate number of businesspeople?
• How to execute?
Jim Hargis
Email: hargis.j@comcast.net