CHURCH AND BUSINESS

By C. Sekar

In 1600’s many denominational churches have embarked on various business endeavors so as to strengthen their position in the society, to help and to develop meaningful economical benefits for their believers as well for its own sustenance. “Church participation in business: to provide important services to the community that might not otherwise be available, and to provide a reasonable return on the resources of the Church.  Most of the business assets of the Church originated in the pioneer era when its people were isolated from other business and commercial centers.”  (Rodney H. Brady-USA) Thus it deemed fit for the church to take up such activities in the time past. But now the scenario has changed, though the opportunities are relevant even today.

The question is, should the church be involved in business, is it ethical or a Biblical mandate? Church is ordained to impart spirituality through teaching, preaching and bring Godly values in life, such will result in the society recognizing church as a spiritual platform for a better life. Church in its wider competence can and should influence its people with holistic approach to societal living. Therefore it is not wrong for the “church” (in organizational sense) be involved in business, provided it draws a clear mandate between spirituality and the business.

Biblical history points to us many individuals who played pivotal role in building the nations. In the Old Testament Joseph and Solomon were shrewd business men. Jesus was conscious about business when he narrated the parables of Talents (money). Lydia, Aquila, Pricilla, and St. Paul too were in business. We can’t exclude the disciples who as well were in fishing business!  

Missionaries and Christian businessmen from the west have made historical debut in various fields to enhance economical benefits to the society at large. There is nothing wrong with conducting business ethically and based on the principles of the Word of God. For it will help keep any ministry supported. The problem occurs when monetary profits takes precedence over the souls, and the Kingdom values shuffled under the ‘carpet’.

It is not wrong for church to be enterprising, provided the church (institution not individuals) benefits by the   programs to bring equality a midst god’s children. Separate identity of business and spirituality is a must. Spiritual leaders; Pastors, or pastoral committee may be kept away from the administration of business. As spiritual leaders they may not do justice between both. The business administration should have well qualified and experienced personals who are true followers of Christ.

It is unfortunate that the contemporary “church” itself became like business. The focus of the church is watered down, spiritual emphasis is mere ‘superficial,’  head counts became the order of the day; Church buildings/prayer halls has become ‘must’ to most ‘spiritual’ institutions but without any spiritual inclination, Thus leading them to focus on  the financial needs, to maintain the structures and its administration. The offerings and sacrificial giving of the congregation does become security for the leaders and their proprieties. Only countable numbers utilize their God given finances for the right purpose of building Kingdom values. It is SAD!

The modern ‘Church enterprises’ are based on individuals and or a charismatic person, who is able to ‘mesmerize’ the congregation. “The driving principle here is marketing orientation: meeting the needs of people for a church in order to grow numerically. This is done basically as in business marketing by survey and research techniques to determine just what people want in a church and then fill it by a marketing mix of church activities. Just as a business adjusts their marketing mix of product, price, promotion and place, the church growth movement stresses this same kind of approach. With the goal of retaining and attracting people in the church” …
The focus of spiritual impartation is minimized but activities increased. …“The performance of business activities which direct the flow of goods and services from producer to consumer or user in order to satisfy customers and accomplish the company’s objectives.” … The church struggles for success, acceptance, popularity, relevance . . . but these are results. They are not a starting point. The starting point is the faithful preaching and teaching of the Holy Gospel, and the administration of the Sacraments.” ^[5] (Rodney E. Zwonitzer) The church is the single most powerful and influential medium to bring transformation to neighbourhoods, communities and the entire world.

What do we perceive of NT principles of church growth? It is profound but simple, Jesus’ great commission. (Matt 28:19, 20.) If we can read it like this:

Go - Make Disciples- in any country- that you may be in or called to serve, be it secular or Mission – Teaching ,- this is pivotal in the process of- making disciples- and helping -them to Obey- Everything- I have Commanded-to you- Not your own doctrinal views but what I have Taught you - With the authority of Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. If you do so – you must know that I am with you- not for a short time but always even till end of the age! {cs}

This is the formula given to us for the church. The way we understand church is buildings and congregations, activities and benefits such are the focus. But Jesus’ principle is let there be students who learn spiritual principles and obey what I have commanded (simplified: Love your neighbor as you would love yourself. Love God and His commandment).

Thessalonians 2:4ff: Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts. The church is centred on pleasing God by persuading people with the true Gospel and multiplying the “Talents” as to bring about financial independency of the church as institution or individual followers of Christ.

PRAYER POINTS:                      Lord our teacher:

v  Help us to draw wisdom from your word and may we adhere to its teachings with all sincerity.

v  May we understand the true meaning of church and functions, in that understanding as to love you and others and become practitioners to proclaim the TRUE GOSPEL.

v  Help us not to be drawn into unethical practices of business and help us to keep the balance between spirituality and business.

Nathan's up Date

Dear Friends,

Thanks for each of you prayed for Pastor Nathan during past two weeks. God had been good to him and his family. He was discharged  on 25th May 2012. The bills were high and God was good that I was able to raise more than a lac. and some other friends contributed some, besides the Doctor and the hospital waved very good sum. The stent was the costliest one, and of course medicines.

Nathan in the Hospital

Let us pray that he will be able to rest well and resume his work.

THE CHURCH IN ME?

By: C. Sekar



Is there a church in your house was a question posed by C.H. Spurgeon in one of his writings. Such an imperative question will be confusing to the common ‘Christians’ the reason being; it does not make any sense, how can a church be in my home? Church is a building in the town square or a common hall where Christian worshipers will gather to worship on Sundays. Therefore then how can one suggest house as a church?



Let us consider the 1st century church that began at Pentecost. It was in houses did they gather and worship God, they shared things in common, and their love for one another in Christ Jesus was realistic. If any or many have to come to a house to worship or to fellowship there should be common faith and the house hold should be followers of Christ and that was so in the early church. Later as we can perceive, church became exclusive structures with panicles’, tradition, rules and regulations were set thereafter with Calvinism, Methodism, Anglicanism and many more ‘de-nominations’ which indeed ‘de-nominates’ Christ and the Kingdom values!



In the book of Corinthians Paul refers to the believers that we are the temple of the living God; therefore we are supposed to be a sanctuary for God to dwell in, (each of us are church) if God so dwells in us, we are to reflect Christ in and through our lives. But on the contrary, our lives seem to exhibit self and its un-Christ like behaviors.



Today we are engrossed in the activities of structural church, especially this season of Christmas we make sure our social activities become alive; feed a few poor, give some clothes to the needy, but much more is spent on decoration of the building to make sure that we have the ‘festive feelings’ till the New Year is born. Oh we defile our sanctity with pleasures of this world; we no longer are the spotless Bride as mentioned in Songs of Solomon, concerning church. We lose or have lost our standard of being representatives of the KINGDOM!



What do we reveal through our actions to the world around us? Does our charity and entertainment in the Name of Christ make any difference? Will it make an impact on lives of people who desire to know Christ? We send out wrong signals of the Church and our Saviour. He is no more in the stable nor does He want to enjoy our ‘party’!

Christ expects us to keep the sanctity of the “Temple”.



May we as followers of Christ take stock of our lives at this season and let us not become ritualistic but realistic in remembering His Birthday with thanks giving and praises in our hearts and even in our mouth. Let not pagan practices become part of our celebration but pragmatic reminder that “He came, He died, He was buried, He arose, He ascended and He is coming back!” become the message rather than ‘happy Xmas’!



May the good God and loving Jesus be our portion and blessing, and let the Holy Spirit of God be our guide even as we continue our lives in 2011 to experience the certainty of life as well to anticipate His return with all fervor.



“My God, how wonderful thou art,

Thy majesty how bright.

How beautiful Thy mercy-seat,

In depths of burning light.

How wonderful, how beautiful

The sight of thee must be,

Thine endless wisdom, boundless power,

And awful purity.”



Prayer points:



Help us O God to recognize Jesus’ true Light in our lives so that we could shine in this dark world of today especially during this season of your first advent.

May each of us become vibrant in presenting the Gospel even through our own lives.

As we share the joy of your remembrance may we make conscious efforts to restrain ourselves from unethical practices, may our hearts be pure to glory in Christ Jesus.





*******************************

Does Christmas mean some thing to us?

Life seems to become more complicated and the world seems to become more sensitive. People around seem to become selfish. Peace less situation that prevails around the glob.
But during this season things change there is gala of economical benefits, people are willing to spend as to make them self happy, preparation for food is planed well; stocks of alcohol is stored, dresses are purchased, greetings cards are exchanged, even the stars made of varied of material is hung which is symbolizing the Star of David/Israel. Why all this hustling and bustling? It is Christmas! and followed by beginning of a New Year. Who caters to the enjoyment of Christians? It is the heathen; meaning those who even does’t know the real meaning of Christmas.

Last month in my brief stay at Doah, I walked to a shopping place and found some construction going on near the hotel where I stayed, I walked over to find some Indians I talked with them in their languages, Telugu and Hindi, the Punjabi who spoke Hindi. I asked the Punjabi do you know Christians? He said no then I explained people who worship Christ, he did not understand, I symbolized Cross and church then he said…Oh the people who celebrate Christmas? Yes I said but he would have seen the wrong side of celebration.

Why Jesus did have to come at all to save the mankind? Most of us seem to pretend that we know Christ and that He was born in a manger in humble stable. We mock make the stable with clay toys and make the children enact the shepherds at night and Mary, Joseph with a doll resembling Jesus as a new born. Christianity has lost its essence of Christ’s birth.

Do we recall what the Bible says about Jesus? ( Jn 3:16) God Loved us He did not want to punish us eternally therefore He sent His Son to be a sacrifice as to pardon us if we confess our sins and accept Him by faith, our sins are forgiven and we are assured to be made God’s children and inheritors of eternal life.

Conditions laid for us to poses Eternal life is:
Faith in accepting Jesus Christ and His accomplished work on the Cross.
Confusing that we are sinners and experience the forgiveness assured by His Word
“But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.” ( 1 Jn 1:9. )
Abiding in Him “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. Jn 15:
Abiding in Him should result in bearing fruit, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.”

If you and I fulfil the conditions and continue in the LIGHT who is in us and become the reflectors of the true Light, we shall truly be blessed in remembering true meaning of Christmas.