“Amongst all the huff and puff, wailings and gnashing of teeth about the state of the Church, one central fact has been overlooked… the bulk of church-generated initiatives have nothing to do with the way people spend the bulk of their waking hours. That’s why over 50% of evangelicals have never heard a sermon on work… not one. How can we possibly pretend that the Church is supporting its people where they are when the vast majority have no support whatsoever for the way they spend 60 or 70% of their waking lives? And if it’s true that most people think their work is spiritually inferior to the pastor’s and the missionary’s, if it’s true that most people have very little idea why their particular work as secretary, bricklayer, stockbroker, housewife, engineer might be of significance to God, then it’s also true of evangelism.”

“For many Christians the highlight of their week is the Sunday service. Sadly many believe this is where the Kingdom of God is primarily expressed. Ministry is confined to that which is done within the church.This is demonstrated in the true story of a young lawyer who was asked what her ministry was. She replied “I teach Sunday school at my church” What a travesty!! Nothing she did during the week in bringing justice, compassion and resolution to the world in which she worked counted, in her mind, as having any spiritual value. How can we change people’s thinking to break free of this Sunday/Monday dichotomy?”

It was a great privilege to meet Bronwen Healey last year when she came to attend our first BAM Course. Bronwen runs a ministry in Brisbane called the Hope Foundation which seeks to bring hope and salvation to women who are victims of the sex trade or addiction. Hope Foundation offers connection groups for women and practical and spiritual support for women in crisis.They have developed a drop in centre called ‘Hope Haven” that is a safe place for the women they are connecting with. Hope Foundation is also developing a school program called ‘Every Choice has Consequences” which seeks to empower young people to make positive choices and to resist the destructive path of addiction and therefore reinforce their understanding of their worth, significance and ability to bring something unique and valuable to their world.Next month they are holding a fundraising event to support the work Hope Foundation is doing in the community. Here are the details if you would like to attend and support this expression of the Kingdom of God at work.

When: Tuesday 5th June 2012
Where: Hillstone, Carawa Street, St Lucia
Why: We have been coming alongside women wanting life change from addictions and/or the sex industry for 5 years and we want to celebrate all that’s been and all that’s yet to come
Tickets: $75 each or $700 for a table of 10
Contact:Hope Foundation

Last month we had a very successful visit from Darrow Miller. Darrow spoke in several centres on themes from a Biblical World View, Restoring the Dignity of Women and Life Work – the value of what we do every day. The impact of these meetings will spread as key leaders from Japan, the Philippines, Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea were participants.Darrow has just completed a new book called Emancipating the World: A Christian Response to Radical Islam and Fundamentalist AtheismThis book encourages the church to rediscover a comprehensive understanding of her mission to disciple nations, and the urgency of this need in light of the serious challenges posed by militant Islamism and fundamentalist secularism.If you would like to receive a copy of this new book please get in touch with us and we can send one out to you.

I would like to order a copy of Emancipating the World

In April Darrow Miller has been invited to be the keynote speaker at a Community Development Forum in Toowoomba Qld.Dates: 16-20 April
Venue: Toowoomba City Church
Contact: Ian Shelton ian.shelton@tcchurch.com.au

Darrow Miller will speak on the relationship between worldview, poverty, hunger and development. He will cover the following topics:

• Relief vs. Development vs. Transformation
• The root of poverty: Not a lack of resources, but rather false belief systems
• The role of three false belief systems in contributing to poverty: Animism, secular materialism and Evangelical Gnosticism
• How the biblical worldview provides the only sure foundation for transformational development
• The goal of development—not funds spent or projects completed, but a process of advancing towards “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
• The biblical worldview and resources: needs based vs. asset based development
• Donor-driven vs. community-driven vs. God-driven development
• Economic stewardship—free market models for development rather than social service models
• Wholistic community development requires a biblical paradigm
  Darrow will also present a special night session on reclaiming the dignity of women in building healthy cultures.

Other speakers include:

VUNIANI NAKAUYACA from Fiji speaking on the Healing the Land ministry which was show cased on the Sentinel documentary “Let the Sea Resound.”

WALO ANI from Papua New Guinea who will speak about his community development experience in PNG and in Indonesia.

We are presently taking applications for our next BAM course from Feb 23-29. There is opportunity to attend full time or part time for selected subjects.

If you would like to receive an application form or find out more information you can send us an email or give us a call.

Contact Us

We have been encouraged to receive endorsements from a wide range of leaders. Here are some examples.

It was my privilege to be involved in the initial BAM course as a speaker and I cannot speak more highly of the concept/ initiative – the interaction from the group was outstanding and the impact it will have on lives will be a lasting one I believe. Would thoroughly recommend anyone who has a Kingdom heart for business to make an effort to attend a BAM course as it will be one of the best Kingdom investments you could ever make.

Mike Jeffs CEO Australian Christian Channel

I have known Derek Brown for some five years and in that time I have admired his consistent commitment to serving Christ in the marketplace. Derek is a cutting-edge thinker who contributes to the theology and practice of the 21st century church. This involves a radical return to the roots of our faith in the everyday life of the body of Christ in the marketplace. The wider church needs Kingdom thinkers like Derek to re-unite a secular Australia with its creator. God is deeply concerned for the welfare of this wonderful nation and Derek is one of the significant agents of change God is raising up in Australia.

Peter Kentley Market Place Connections

I participated in the BAM course on Sunhsine Coast in July 2011 and found it to be thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling experience. I have always thought of myself as a missionary where I am through my business and extra business dealings. However, even after 10 years of living this life I still learned valuable principles and purpose tools for being an even greater man of God in the marketplace and got to rub shoulders with great people who also live this life. I cant recommend this program highly enough – its value stems right through business into your personal world and who you are in Christ. Nothing is left unturned. This is vital in our world of business as we discover our worship of God through who we are AND what we do. Be blessed and book yourself in.

Jonathan Brake Small Business Expert and MD Market Hope

The call of God on our lives means that we are to be part of His Kingdom, to follow His agenda and be agents for the transformation of the world. Most of us spend a large part of our time in the workplace where we have a significant opportunity to represent the ‘King of Kings’ by demonstrating His way of living and behaving appropriately towards other staff and customers. Being salt and light in a needy world is an honourable calling. I encourage as many as possible to be equipped for this important assignment in the workplace by participating in the Business as Mission bootcamp.’

Neville Cox Chairman AMP Bank

The BAM Bootcamp is focused on delivering a Kingdom perspective on business in the context of the real world marketplace. Formal classroom teaching is integrated into practice by successful BAM practitioners who share their experience and wisdom. Participants have an opportunity to network with each other, with lecturers and with practitioners. There are some 11.5 million people in the work force in Australia – a huge mission field. BAM is rapidly becoming a world-wide movement that is a vehicle for Christians to give effect to the Biblical mandate to make disciple nations. I commend Derek Brown for his commitment to encouraging and inspiring Christian in business and those aspiring to developing kingdom businesses.

Rod St Hill Dean of School of Business Christian Heritage College Brisbane Australia

BAM as a movement is something that God is using all over the world—a fresh and innovative way to reach the unreached. BAM as a conference is a great way to learn about God’s perspective on business, how business is blessed and used by God, how you can align your business or career more rightly with God’s purposes, and what role you may play in this exciting new arena. Derek Brown has a deep and broad understanding of BAM and is perfectly suited to lead an event like this one—passionate about God and passionate about business.

Michael Baer Author of “Business as Mission”

Derek Brown continues to be a catalytic force in the Business as Mission (BAM) movement in Australia. His passion and leadership are an inspiration to others as the vision for BAM spreads across Australia. Business as Mission is truly a mission’s movement, “for such a time as this.” Through the efforts of companies committed to Business as Mission, employees are coming to Christ, churches are being planted, and nations are being transformed. I am confident that with leaders such as Derek Brown, Australia will be on the cutting edge of this move of God.

Jim Walz, Ph.D. Associate Dean/Professor of Management Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA USA

It is wonderful to see Derek’s vision for Business as a Mission already starting to bear fruit. BAM presents a great opportunity to receive practical training and support for the many of us who God has called to engage in business in a positive and redemptive manner. It truly is a programme for our times, designed to equip Christians to be effective ambassadors of God’s Kingdom and leaders in the communities in which God has placed them.

Andrew Weaver, Director Strategic Christian Services Business Leadership School, New Zealand

Recently I heard Wendy Simpson speak at a Christian Business Network meeting in Brisbane.

Wendy is high profile Christian business woman and she shared about how she walks out her faith in the marketplace and how she has a passion to see young Christian women and men make their mark in the same arena.

Also Wendy shares an amazing testimony of a city district called Taranaki within Manila in the Philippines which is being radically transformed by Christian leaders working with others in their community.

I am sure you will enjoy and be challenged by Wendy’s message.

In this article Mal Fletcher from Next Wave International comments on the rapidly changing nature of our society and how leaders with awareness of the times can build communities that can change their environment.

Here is an excerpt:

“Leaders can reshape the future of entire communities and cities, by creating positive, proactive cultures within their spheres of influence.

In fact, this is the core of the leadership call: to move organisations – and through them entire communities – forward in a positive direction. The major role of leadership is to equip people to shape the future proactively – for themselves and for the world.

If the next decade, with its fast moving technological advances and natural and ethical challenges, is to see the world become a better place for most, if not all, of its inhabitants, leaders of all stripes will need to take that role seriously and engage the future with hope and courage.

If its leaders think and act in the right way, the church has the opportunity to become a landmark for communities in constant change. We have the opportunity – indeed, the responsibility – to develop strategies that will move entire communities forward in a positive and godly direction. By building strategic, future-engaging cultures of hope in our churches, we can shape the direction of communities and entire cities.
Read the full article

We are excited to see things developing for our next Business as Mission (BAM) course in February 2012.

• Progress is being made in the development of our Cert IV in Frontline Management course. This will mean that employers can receive government funding to train their staff in a Kingdom perpective on business and to learn first hand from Christian business leaders how to run a successful business. For others there is the opportunity for Aus Study support to do the same training.
• We have had interest in our course from various cities around Australia and also from Africa, Fiji and the Solomon Islands
• Dates: Feb 23-29 2012

Last month Vishal Mangalwadi was in Australia and many people got to hear him at a range of venues around the country. His message was well received by politicians, the media,Christian leaders and churches.

To continue to promote Vishal’s message we are making available 11 sessions from his series “Must the Sun set on the West?” These 11 hours of teaching are available in MP3 format saved on a 4 GB USB stick. The cost of each USB stick is $20 + $1 postage.

Order your USB here.

Here is a clever clip with a simple but powerful message

Following the success of our first BAM intensive in July we are holding our second course in February 23-29.

In this course people will have the opportunity to:

We are also working on a Cert IV Frontline Management course which will be available for BAM students.

Here are some comments from those who came to our first course.

Here are links to some businesses that either have started since the BAM course or were encouraged in their development.

Socrates is reported to have once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” If examination of one’s life is an imperative for the individual, then how much more is it for a church that purports to be carrying out God’s will, and is composed of and influences the lives of many individuals, families and groups?

In responding to the critically important question, “What is the place of the church in the wider community?” we are immediately pressed to examine the lives of individual Christians and the churches to which they belong and through which they serve. The simplistic answers so often given to this question reflect a defence of a church’s ministry emphasis, rather than a critical thoughtful response from God’s viewpoint as supported by His Word. If Socrates were conducting his enquiry into this question, he would bombard the Christian and the church leaders with a plethora of underpinning questions to force a considered response in the hope that adjustment and refinement of ministry and mission would ensue. It is imperative that the response to this question then would not be naively simplistic, confusingly complex, or irrationally defensive, but powerfully insightful and practically simple.

This important question poses at least three implied nuances.
1. “What should be the place of the church in the wider community?” This nuance requires theological and philosophical considerations, and its careful analysis should greatly assist in the formation of the church’s purpose and mission statements.

2. “What currently is the place of the church in the wider community?” This question requires sociological and psychological considerations, and its careful analysis should greatly assist in the formation of the church’s lifestyle and core values statements.

3. “What could be the place of the church in the wider community?” This question requires strategic and practical considerations, and its careful analysis should assist greatly in the formation of the church’s vision and goals statements and strategic plan.

There is presently a revolution taking place among those on the leading edge of change in the Evangelical Church. The result is a transition from a church mindset to a kingdom mindset in which the walls of church buildings are no longer able to contain the raw creative energy of Christ-followers who are committed to preaching and applying the Gospel of the Kingdom to all the world, including its systems and structures.

As political solutions and big government attempts to heal our land fail miserably, more people will look to faith-based partnerships and churches to find solutions. Hence the irrelevancy of old church patterns and traditions will become more noticeable in the decades to come.

Consequently, it behooves us to continue to study the contrasts between leading-edge kingdom practices and old, irrelevant religious church patterns that have failed to effectively evangelize and transform communities with the gospel.

The following is a contrast between leaders with a kingdom mindset and those with a church mindset.

I. Kingdom leaders interpret Matthew 28:19-20 as referring to discipling all nations. Church leaders believe it only refers to all individual ethnic peoples.

The Body of Christ is now re-thinking the Great Commission scriptures of Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19-20. Instead of viewing them as commands to merely evangelize individual souls, now many are viewing the command in Mark 16 to ‘go into all the world and preach’ as a command to apply the gospel to both individual sinners and world systems. Matthew 28:19-20 is now regarded as the New Testament equivalent to the Cultural Mandate found in Genesis 1:28.

II. Kingdom leaders attempt to nurture and release world-class leaders who serve their communities. Church leaders nurture only those who serve in Sunday ministry.

Kingdom leaders understand that only 2% to 3% of those in their congregations are called to full-time church ministry. These leaders believe they are called to equip the saints for the work of the ministry which, in the kingdom, includes marketplace vocational ministry, not only ecclesial ministry. With this view, there is room for everyone in the congregation to be set apart and trained as a minister of the gospel.

Vishal is from India and has been described as the Indian C.S. Lewis. Vishal is the author of fourteen books on the need to restore Christian values in the Western Nations. His book “Truth Transformation” and the accompanying Video Series, “Must the Sun Set on the West” is very relevant to our nation at this time. Here are the dates and cities where he will be speaking. Visit this link for all the meeting details Christian Values

• 8-10 October – Sydney
• 11-12 October – Brisbane
• 13 October – Adelaide
• 14-15 October – Canberra
• 16 October – Sydney (south)

Michael Baer has been a leader in Business as Mission since the early 1990s. He has served as a pastor, entrepreneur, business executive, and business coach in the US and several other countries.

His book,Business as Mission, is the number 3 best seller on the topic and he has a passion to see business leaders engaged directly in the spread of God’s Kingdom— at home and on the mission field. Michael is the Key Note Speaker for the Cre8 Conference in Sydney on the 27th & 28th October.(see below)

• Michael is speaking at Christian Heritage College on October 19 at 1pm Contact CHC for details
• Michael is speaking at a Christian Business Network meeting at Parliament House on October 20 at 7am Contact CBN to book your place

The Cre8 Kingdom Business Conference is the leading event supporting Christian civic, business and professional leaders and entrepreneurs to find their God-given destiny in the marketplace and empower them to be well connected leaders of character, excellence and influence.

In partnership with local Churches, Cre8 provides focused teaching and resources on the hallmarks of business success. Attendees will also connect with highly regarded leaders committed to serving Christ in the marketplace. Ongoing support is provided through Australian Marketplace Connections’ network of resources and programs

“Transformation” is a current hot topic in the church and in missiological circles. In general Christian usage, the concept reflects a movement from darkness to light – from individual and societal brokenness caused by sin toward the healing of that brokenness. This healing expresses itself in the relative presence of God’s Shalom – relative to the degree that God’s will is done.

Unfortunately, I think this concept is often presented from an unbiblical perspective. Specifically, there is an emphasis in current literature and in conferences that by doing certain things, churches, missionaries, Christians, etc. can – by their actions – cause movement from brokenness to healing. The actions proposed are generally projects that address general or specific expressions of brokenness such as poverty, human trafficking, abortion, etc. While such efforts are good, the current dialogue tends to suggest that it is our actions that bring about the changes we would love to see.

Stalin famously said ‘ideas are more powerful than guns’. Ideas change our thinking and as our thinking changes, so does our behavior and our actions.

We are still very much in a season of breaking out of ‘old ways’ of thinking!

However, looking back a couple of hundred years, we have a different picture. Many Christians in the 1700-1800s had the firm idea that they could change society and serve God through the arena of their vocation. Some of the global brands we know and love today: Cadbury’s, Boots and Guiness were started by business people who were weaving into their business strategy a clear goal to transform their communities, to bring about change in their own society. These were men and women committed to doing good, but crucially it had to make good business sense too. Alongside them, influential Christians like William Wilberforce, Lord Shaftsbury and others were working for change in other spheres.

William Carey, who is often called the father of modern missions, had a very rounded approach to his mission to India during the 1790s and into the new century. His biographers Ruth and Vishal Mangalwadi describe how Carey put a lot of effort into translating and printing scriptures because he understood that individuals first needed to repent and know Christ, that personal transformation was the pre-requisite to family and societal transformation. However, Carey did not stop there. The Mangalwadi’s describe how he got involved in education, scientific advancement, social reform, literacy projects, healthcare, media and also in business and industry. He was involved in bringing innovation and new technology into the weaving, printing and forestry industry, and he started the first savings banks. Carey’s influence in Indian society was broad and lasting.

As we shared last month our first BAM intake was a great success and we are now working on plans for our next course in 2012. We are considering setting down specific times which would be the same each year so people can plan ahead in terms of their attendance.

We have also been encouraged by growing interest in BAM from several key contacts in Africa – in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Uganda. I have been invited to consider participating in a BAM course in November in Uganda and we are praying thru this invitation and talking with our contacts in Africa to see what is the best way to go. Please pray for wisdom in this area as we would like to be an instrument to help others to see business as one means the Kingdom can be expressed in seeing their communities transformed.

Last month we had a great time hosting a visit to South East Queensland from Darrow Miller the co-founder of Disciple Nations Alliance
Darrow is a gracious, generous and big hearted Christian leader and he made a real impact on all those that heard him speak or had the opportunity to talk with him personally. Darrow spoke to churches, mission leaders, high school students, our BAM students and leaders from the market place and the church.
Darrow’s message addressed the need to recover a Biblical worldview, how to achieve community development within third world nations, rediscovering a Bblicial theology for work and vocation and the role of women. So a broad range of issues that are relevant to a wide cross section of the Christian community.
As a result of the positive feedback we have had already from this visit we are looking at plans for Darrow to return next year.
While he was here Darrow was interviewed by Matt Prater from History Makers.. You can listen to this interview by clicking on the link below.

Last month was a busy month because we also launched our first Business as Mission (BAM) course. This was a great success with people coming from various places – Canberra, Newcastle, Brisbane, Bundaberg and the Sunshine Coast.

Some attended full time while others came on a part time basis. The focus of the course was on three key areas -

• Kingdom perspective on business
• Input from successful business leaders about what it takes to walk with God in business
• Presentations on the various business skills needed to build a viable business.

The combination of these three components was very powerful with many of those attending deeply impacted – one saying it was the best 9 days of his life!

Here are some of the things that our BAM students took away from the course:

• Kingdom of God vs traditional church
• All called, no ‘full time/part time’ ministry
• Business isn’t easy but God is faithful and sovereign’
• God gives us passion and gifts for a reason
• No sacred/secular division
• Same God lives in me as in other great individuals
• God cares for individuals and we should make relationships a priority
• New friends
• Loved hearing stories
• Wake up early
• Passion – what makes you tick – discover your purpose
• Focus – do your purpose – give up distractions
• Starting a community movement
• God’s heart for people in business
• Applying Kingdom principles
• Building relationships with other BAM students
• Business is more than a means to success or provision
• Excellence in business is not only a good idea but a requirement from God
• Practical ways to do business and to have a mission heart
• Content we can chew on for the rest of our lives
• Not called to try and live the life Jesus lived but to live the life God has given us live

So our next step is to review the pros and cons of this first course and to make plans for rolling out more courses going forward. If you would like to find out more about the upcoming courses please visit our website and drop us a line.

We have had a very good response for our first BAM course starting July 13. Please pray for a lady from Zimbabwe who wants to come and is presently applying for her visa.
Given the interest in the course and the range of subjects and presenters we have assembled we think it is good stewardship to offer the opportunity for people to attend on a part time basis.
So here is a link with all the subjects to be covered and profiles of the speakers. Please pass this information on to people who have a heart for business and the Kingdom and who may be able to attend.

As we have mentioned in previous newsletters Darrow Miller is visiting South East Queensland this month for a series of meetings. If you live in the area or know others who do here are the details of the meetings you can attend..

Saturday July 16 – Mission Seminar

Theme: Worldview and Development Workshop explores the relationship between worldview, poverty, hunger and development.

Venue: Nexus Church 151 Flockton St Everton Park Brisbane

Time: 9-2.30pm

Cost: $25 (includes lunch)

Person to contact: For meetings in Brisbane
Cindy McGarvie Global Engagement Director Nexus Church

Sunday July 17 – Church Services

Time: 9.30am

Venue: Nexus Church 151 Flockton Rd Everton Park Brisbane

Time: 5.30pm

Venue: Cornerstone Community Church 81 Mina Parade Alderley Brisbane

Wednesday 20-Thursday 21 July – Business as Mission Course

Theme: Biblical Theology for What You Do Every Day

Venue: Pines Training Centre
100 Buderim Pines Drive Buderim Sunshine Coast

Time: 8.30 – 12.30

Sunday July 24 – Church services

Venue: Goodlife Community Centre 100 Buderim Pines Drive Buderim Sunshine Coast

Times: 8.15am and 10am

Person to contact : For meetings on the Sunshine Coast Derek Brown Director of Rediscovering the Kingdom