The 7-Mountains of Societal Influence Strategy
By Steve Lanning
The 7-Mountain Strategy is shorthand for a very interesting meeting that took place in 1977 between Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, International and Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With a Mission (YWAM).
As it is told by Loren Cunningham, he and Bill Bright met for lunch in 1977 each 'having a message to discuss" with the other. They both surprised each other when they simultaneously pulled out almost identical lists of the main seven areas that impact our culture. If believers could grow in impactful influence for Christ within these 7 areas, great things could be accomplished for the Kingdom.
The two agreed, "The culture is shaped like seven mountains in society. If we can influence each of these areas for Christ we would win our nation."
The Tentmakers Network's Place in the Big Picture
Tentmakers Prayer Support Network (Tentmakers) encourages our members to be used of the Lord to expand and broaden their influence within the scope of their own marketplace--their niche in business. As an organization, we are looking to influence two of the seven 'Mountains' but when you consider that businesses exist in virtually every area of the 7 Mountains, we have exciting possibilities and potentials through our business members and regional chapters.
The Mountain of Government:
When my wife and I got married in 1975, one of her friends had the title of 'the Assistant Social Secretary' of the East Wing of the White House. Jan, a very active believer just amazed us when she told of Bible studies existing in many branches of the White House and various government departments. The trend of establishing Bible studies, which took a sideways turn in the 1990's, is now again on the rise in the Departments of State, Treasury and others, including the IRS.
We look to get the Miracle That Is Your Bible seminar into these offices through members. Please pray that this will be accomplished and believers become re-energised through the Word.
The Mountain of Business:
From the development of the Christian Business Man's Committee in the 1930's to the Full Gospel Businessmen's Association to the Executive Ministries of Campus Crusade to the Fellowship of Companies for Christ, International to the current Marketplace Leaders headed by Os Hillman, these are all now part of what is known as the faith at work movement. While Tentmakers focuses on Christian business owners (and those who support them), Marketplace Leaders focuses on all facets of believers in business. In fact Marketplace Leaders has established a federation of all groups formed to support the faith at work movement. Tentmakers is also establishing our own SCORE division to help committed member firms (through other members) with no-cost and low-cost business-to-business coaching and consulting so that they can grow and sustain their businesses in their niches. Tentmaker's SCORE acronym stands for Serving Christ (through) Others Re-energizes Everyone. Many business 'tools' are now in the process of being committed for Tentmakers use and profiting at no charge. This is being done, again, through other members. Stay tuned!
The Mountain of Media:
It is hard to imagine, but there really are solid believers in the media. It is a rather small group, but as surrendered Christians move into positions of influence (and ownership), we have great potential. Right now there are several Christian wire services but they are serving mainly the Christian radio markets. We have known of Christian owners of media being convicted of certain practices and/or publications that, while very profitable, did not build up individuals or families. We need to pray for owners--especially those in the household of faith--that they do the right thing and surrender their lives completely to the exciting paths and leading of God. Also, pray and support your local Christian radio, bookstore and publication ownership!
The Mountain of Family:
Perhaps the single-most important key, the family is the key building block to all society. This is why Tentmakers fearlessly supports the local church as the key building block to business. Focus on the Family has launched The Truth project (www.thetruthproject.org) with such notiables as Ravi Zacharius and Os Guiness. As with The Miriacle That Is Your Bible seminars, the Truth Project looks to influence all 7 mountains.
The Mountain of Arts & Entertainment:
Are there really Christians in Hollywood? The answer is yes! While those who do speak out about their relationship with Jesus Christ do so with consequences from not getting good script (ie good paying) assignments to getting blacklisted altogether, their message is getting through. Someone once commented that we would be amazed at the number of believers behind the names as they are run at the end of movies. We need to pray for those members of the household of faith in Hollywood to join with others who are taking a stand for Christ and also the Christian movie, TV and film entrepreneurs who are investing great sums of money to influence this part of the culture that our Lord would be honored and glorified through the efforts of all concerned. This is another reason we are committed to take The Miracle That Is Your Bible seminars into every nook and cranny of society. It is an open secret that we look for the same reaction that King Josiah had upon hearing the Word in II Kings 22:11!
The Mountain of Education:
Probably one of the most-prayed-over areas of our nation, we see this once dark area showing signs of life and light. There are now groups that actually compete with the teachers unions, and even some groups showing membership of Christian teachers in public education. One answer to the woeful lack of real-world educational production in public schools has been Christians who start learning businesses and franchises for families that feel 'trapped' in public education. Others simply start private schools. The Mountain of Government comes into play with any good initiatives. There are many strongholds that have been placed over education--often through well-intended people--that are creating a public society of basically illiterate people. The typoes and syntax errors of this Website notwithstanding, one needs only to listen to the once-proud English language being butchered by everyone from teachers to radio announcers and compare it with just 20 years ago to see how we are, to steal a book title, slouching towards illiteracy in America.
The Mountain of Religion:
There are areas in our country--and others--where spiritual growth takes place more in the workplace than in church. True. It is indeed sad to see once mighty denominations in the Lord that have allowed the world to "squeeze them into its mold" as they adopt a 'go along to get along' philosophy. And the Bible simply becomes viewed as 'another resource' once can use to come to an opinion. Doctrine, the skeleton of our faith, is becoming weak or non-existant in a vast number of even evangelical churches. (Another reason for The Miracle That Is Your Bible seminars!) The two mountains of Business and Religion are the two areas in which Tentmakers members are working. It is one of Tentmaker's purposes to gain support from local churches--and their congregations-- for the Tentmakers' businesses they have right in their own congregations. This is done primarily through the Miracle That Is Your Bible seminars. This is also an excellent community evangelism tool. We want churches to recognize that, as Scripture declares, "all are ministers" that business and the church can become a mighty force for good before the Lord--both locally and around the world. But the support must go both ways to develop the maximum potential for each.
Please pray about becoming a part in Tentmakers. If you do not own a business, you can still be an associate member of TPSN. There are many ways to support the businesses owned by believers in your community. One is by prayerfully considering becoming a part of Team 1000 for your area. Just give me a call at (240) 217-4071. Let's chat about it! ###