Some say, “I’m in full-time ministry.” What they mean is they are getting paid to be a pastor or minister in a full-time capacity. Maybe they are a missionary, worship leader, youth leader, or in another role directly related to a specific church building site. So they are in full-time ministry. But what about my business or work? Do I work and then separately do ministry with my church? Let’s take a look at ministry vs. business.
Which Is it?
To give you an example of ministry vs. business, I want to feature friends of mine to emphasize this. Before I point you to them, their website, and a “God Story” podcast the husband did with me, I want to share what they are doing through their ministry…or should I say, “business.” Or no, it’s the ministry they are doing through their business. Which is it?
John and Michelle Grunewald are getting it done in great fashion. What they are doing really resonates with me. I’m not even sure I can communicate it in the way it does resonate. Let me try.
So I am personally doing business coaching from a ministry perspective. Most would consider it doing business and doing it with a ministry twist. John and Michelle are doing ministry and some would say they are doing it with a business twist (sorta). I propose that you can’t separate the two.
Business is ministry. Though we call it business, it’s really ministry. When you apply Biblical principles your ministry, I mean business, is going to naturally grow. I like to say that this is really what Simon Sinek refers to in his book, The Infinite Game (video preview clip). Simon discusses “all those little things” it takes for maximum impact that lives on.
Two Facts About the Kingdom of God
Fact #1 – God’s Purpose
I am going to make this short and to the point. God’s purpose is for us all to have a personal relationship with Him. And we can because of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. So God wants to reflect Himself through us so others will know His purpose. And what is that purpose? For all to come to the saving knowledge of His son Jesus Christ – that all would live eternally in His presence here and now, and in heaven.
So we are commissioned to share the gospel, to reflect Christ always.
Fact #2 – God’s Assignment
Work! Yes, He gave us the assignment to work. Pull up a search on Google regarding the word ‘work’ in scripture. I just did a prelim on it and came up with 98 verses directly related and there were countless other references. Adam was given this assignment by God to work the Garden (the land) even before sin entered the picture (the fall of man).
I submit that it is in God’s design for us to work…or is that ‘to be in ministry?’ After all, if your work or business is tending God’s garden, then you are certainly serving God. And if you are serving God, you are in ministry.
Business Coaching
What I do is coach business owners to reach the goals and dreams that God put on their hearts, all the while having a great Kingdom Impact. I do that through a faith-based franchise business, Office Pride. But I’ve recently branched out to business owners outside of the Office Pride system through my business, Maximum Impact Business Coaching.
To learn more about my coaching, simply go to the “Business Coaching” tab on the upper right of this page.
The Twist
Don’t mistake having a kingdom impact in business with anything less than a successful and thriving business…or is that ‘ministry?’ ALL business principles, processes, systems, and foundations are Biblically based. Nothing new has been invented under the sun, but all things were put into motion by God Almighty. So all business principles have a Biblical foundation.
The amazing thing is this – God’s principles work. His principles (His Word) applies to all things. Doesn’t matter if it is the Church, business/work, family, or otherwise.
The Grunewalds
Okay, so check out John and Michelle’s ministry, work, and the business they are about. Here are a few of their links:
John’s God Story
This is an example of John going about his business. Or was he taking care of business while doing his ministry? Here’s John going about his everyday life reflecting God while tending to his…well, his thing! Check out his story:
John and Michelle are the International Directors of RHEMA Europe, Africa & the Middle East, and are the Directors of RHEMA Germany, Norway, Poland, and Latvia. And they are the founding pastors of Rhema Bible Church in Bonn.
Challenge of the Week
Question: Do you have a ministry that is your business or work? Or do you have a business or work, and then do ministry when you can? The challenge is to develop your everyday walk with Jesus so that all that you do becomes your ministry. Make your business and work your ministry. So be it!
Recommended books:
- God Owns My Business, Stanley Tam
- Called to Create, Jordan Raynor
- The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson
- The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek
- Infinite vs. Finite Game, Simon Sinek (video clip from a podcast)
