I think it is not wrong to say that in today’s age of globalisation, the Church is presented with a greater opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission in winning the nations for Jesus by engaging our global marketplace.
The marketplace is the battlefield for souls. Therefore, the Church of Jesus has the onus to position herself in a way that is seen not only in touch with the marketplace, but an asset to society rather than a white elephant.
As a country, the US not only creates jobs for the world’s economy, but their influence also impacts the social values of the world and stretches beyond the economic value. This can be observed how their MTV pop culture and Hollywood movies shapes the way our kids behave, and their Mac’s and Starbucks changes the way we eat.
The US has, indeed done well in achieving control and influence over the nations of the world even without waging in any war over the years.
Singapore’s emergence as a powerhouse
Taking the cue from our own country, it is a fact that Singapore cannot spread her presence or territory by waging wars in order to conquer more land from our neighbouring countries. That would be an out-of-date and a crazy strategy.
However, with the aid of our cash-rich soveriegn wealth fund (SWF) empires of Temasek Holdings and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), Singapore of late has discreetly gained global prominence and influence with its investments in Merril Lynch, UBS, CitiGroup, British’s Barclays.
Few people would realise how much these two vehicles (Temasek & GIC) have ploughed into Australia since 1995, buying many sensitive and prestigious assets such as Optus, Myer Melbourne and large parts of the old State Electricity Commission of Victoria.
With established strongholds in the marketplace, one is able to positively influence the people, culture, economy and the governments of nations.
The Church engaging the marketplace
Similarly, the Church of Jesus Christ- not referring to any organisation or church building but the Body of believers- should not just see extending the kingdom of God by means of geographical missions, but having a paradigm shift of doing missions through our global marketplace which would eventually transit towards geographical expansion.
Therefore, there’s a need for the Church to unite; tapping on our unique and diverse God-given talents to ride the waves of globalisation in adopting a similar strategy that engages the marketplace in order to spread God’s presence and influence.
The Church cannot forfeit her rightful place and role in the marketplace where she must be able to extend her influence beyond the walls of the church or it will be seen as irrelevant.
For too long the Church has been confined and conforming to the world, it is time that the Church demonstrates the power and presence of God in engaging and transforming the world. If this isolation continues, the Church will eventually lose her God-given authority and inheritence as the head and becomes the tail.
The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.
Deuteronomy 28:12-14
To do just that, the Church needs to establish a stronghold in the marketplace. Through winning the marketplace, she wins the nation.
And in my opinion, that’s how the Great Commission can be relevantly and effectively accomplished; nation by nation with the presence and influence of God through the marketplace.
Andrew: Inside & Insights 
Then how are you going to do it, my dear brother.
Own a company like Temasek Holding or whatever. Talking is not good enough, tell me your action plan.
Caesar:
I could tell you, but I would have to kill you after that… Ha ha ha… Kidding =P
Anyway I think you missed the whole point of this entry, its not just about me cos I alone can’t do much. To achieve such a feat, it requires a team of like-minded and committed people. Hence this entry is mainly about we as a Church needing to re-look into how we view and approach missions in the light of globalisation in engaging our marketplace.
Its not all about gaining economic power but ultimately conquering spiritual territories in our global marketplace.
I guess this can also help us at looking at our work with different lens and a renewed sense of purpose. Our jobs in the marketplace is not just to earn money or climb the corporate ladder, but it is part of His plan in fulfilling the Great Commission.
What part and how it fits in His plans is our sole responsibility to undertake and discover with God.
Do you agree?
Well, with a profitable, this is feat is already very hard. Some more, non-profitable. Well, we are from the different world. For me, I view my vision as the Global Strategem, a new world order in my business to come. See, our vision are totally different. Not even come close.
What I want to see is my people who follow, will led an abundant life, fruitful life toward their destiny. Hoping my father, my lord will claimed them as his as well.
I will not go all out for those unworthy people, if you give all to those unworthy one, where you will leave for worthy of you. Worthy of your love, care and consideration.
You can serve all you want, if you never find a purpose, your serving is meaningless, without purpose. Without purpose can also led to loss of passion, stamin and strength to carry on. You will lose your soul power in doing thing. You have your chore to do, never cross the border where God have to minister a upon the situation.
As mentioned earlier, the Church which I am refering to is not the church per se, but body of believers and not just the full-time staff.
You and I who are laymen of the Church are also full-time ministers though not paid.
Therefore it is the laymen (you and I) that are supposed to be the marketplace ministers. In this sense, whether profit or non-profit would not be an issue.
To change the marketplace, marketplace ministers must be recognised and pulpit ministers must reach out and partner with them in unity to establish the kingdom of God in the marketplace.
So the pulpit ministers imparts and strengthens the marketplace ministers to reach out effectively in the marketplace to win the nation and eventually the world.
The church with pulpit ministers remain non-profit, and the marketplace ministers can make profit. These are two seperate entities- church and business partnering in concert with God’s leading and empowerment for His Kingdom’s expansion in the world.
Hope my explanation clarifies 🙂
Whatever you say, as long as you like it. But I don’t buy your ideas. 😛
Hey Andrew, I really agree with what you say. Thank God for your sharing, it refreshed and encouraged me a lot, esp in spurring me on to be a minister in the marketplace, just like how the apostle Paul and his fellow workers ministered to the Jews and the Greeks in every city possible.
“The church with pulpit ministers remain non-profit, and the marketplace ministers can make profit. These are two seperate entities- church and business partnering in concert with God’s leading and empowerment for His Kingdom’s expansion in the world.”
Amen and amen!
😀 Bro, keep your head high! You are inspiring the rest of us! And though the mountains be high and the valleys deep, the marketplace but a desert… you are a voice in the desert crying out, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”
‘Cos the Lord Almighty has declared:
A voice of one calling:
“In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of the Living God! 😀 Jiayou for Jesus, Andrew! 😀
Caesar:
No worries… I had never intended to sell you my ideas, just clarifying with you my intented message.
Btw I dare not say that the ideas are mine, they are His =p
Yeuann:
Thanks! We march on together as an Army of God ya! 🙂
I think it’s possible for self-employed & business owners(like Apostle Paul) who are not so concerned about making more profit & they form a team of like-minded and committed God-fearing disciples.
It’s difficult for business owners who are struggling or monied-driven or normal employees who have to please their human bosses & climb the corporate ladder at the same time. You can’t have the cake & eat it.
Acts 18:3 Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.