OUR BASIS--WHY Do We Exist?
George Barna, the research organization, in a recent survey, found that only 9% of Christians really gave much thought to how our culture is changing and the effect it has on and in our daily lives. Barring some great error in calculation, that translates to less than 10% of us Christians--of all people--care and give 'a flying flip' about things. That means the "What-ever" culture is winning.
If you wanted to start a business where fully 91% of your target market a) really did not care whether you existed or not and b) were 'mostly neutral' or 'somewhat against' your product, would you launch the business?
That is part of Tentmakers' mission with the Christians of today--and sadly, that includes many of our once-proud and doctrinally-sound churches. Are we crazy to be swimming upstream? Maybe. But this is where our Lord wants Steve Lanning and those who see our point to join with us--overtly, beyond monetarily, if possible. We ask that all members encourage the other Christians in your local congregation to harken back to the foundations that made America great. This is an involvement ministry.
Where "The Miracle That Is Your Bible" Seminar Comes In...
We want to encourage the believer by encouraging them to consider our great traditions--the foundations of our faith. That is why we partner with the Christian Heritage Museum in rallying around their new DVD, "How We Got the Bible" as the core of our TMTIYB seminars. That means even YOU can present the seminar because basically all you need to do, if you want to do very little speaking, is know how to turn a DVD player on and off. Neat, yes?
If you are in the Washington, DC market area, there is an opportunity to also include some very rare historical items and resources of our faith for your group--that date from the time of Christ to the Gutenberg Bible era and beyond.
Even though we want to see every member of every congregation holding community The Miracle That Is Your Bible seminars (either on an evangelical, encouragement or just Bible-as-history basis), it is not going to happen. This is where we ferret out the believers who are in business to
to those who are hurting and want believers with clean hands and clean hearts to pray for them. It all fits.
Our Scriptural Basis
Our ministry verse is II Corinthians 10:13 especially in the NASB or NKJV versions. (The italic emphasis is ours.) "But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within (and according to) the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure to reach even as far as you."
The quick exegetical nugget is that each of us, whom God has already called 'ministers of the Gospel', as those who have given our hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ, have spiritual gifts, spheres of influence, talents, skills and more to be, 'all that we can be' (to borrow the Army's old slogan) in our world, our niche, our marketplace. And that the truly wonderful thing is that when we begin eternity with the Lord in hearing that "Well done good and faithful servant...", we do not have to compare (and should not compare) ourselves by others (whether 'larger business' or 'drives a nicer car' or 'has nicer kids' etc.) but we are only judged on God has put within our grasp--or just out of our reach so we have to stretch and develop our talents and skills--to 'glorify God in our bodies.' The Parable of the 10 Talents is going through your head, yes? THAT is why we must strive to continually live surrendered lives and encourage others to do likewise--clean hearts, clean hands and clear consciences. All we can do is all we can do. But all we can do--is enough for the Lord! Make sense? Let me know!
I think it was the old champion shoe salesman, D.L. Moody, who reminded us to "Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on you." Rather than a doctrine of works, this is simply stretching our sphere.
Our Basis Has a Foundation in the Pentateuch, Too
In the Old Testament, Israel, as we do in our unique marketplaces, fought many enemies. In one instance, in Exodous 17, there suddenly appears a unique example of teamwork and sensitivity to surrounding needs. Moses told Joshua—the General—to go out and fight the Amalek, while he stood holding the rod of God above his head. When Moses held his hand in the air, Israel pulled ahead in the fight. When he lowered his hand, Israel began to lose. [Maybe this is the source of why football games are played before cheering fans?]
Aaron and Hur saw Moses’ struggle. Could Moses really stand and hold his hands in the air for the entire duration of the battle? No, he could not. Scripture tells us "...But Moses' hands were heavy." So Aaron took one side, and Hur the other, and together they stabilized Moses' hands in the air and grabbed a rock for him to sit on (maybe they were showing their gift of helps? Hmm.). Exodus 17 also notes that “his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” God then commanded Moses to record this incident in a book. [Do you keep a prayer journal of God's faithfulness to you and your business?]
So What Does All This Have To Do With You?
What if you as a Christian business owner could have your own Aaron and Hur—men and women who could pray alongside you--or anonymously for that matter--for that problem your business is currently experiencing? Whether you think it is a small or large matter, these righteous men and women can join you in taking that request to the Heavenly Father. We are excited about the possibilities as spiritual business men and women who are allowing the Lord to accomplish His Will in their lives can become involved in our prayer network. Rejoice as you see our Lord's blessing cover every facet of business from the external and Sales and Marketing activities to the internal HR, AR and CRM hapenings, to Finance, Administration and Management to increasing revenue streams.
You see, this ministry to and for Tentmakers started with Steve Lanning being aware of and approached with such requests as, "Look, Steve, I cannot even go to my pastor about this, but please pray for..." Or, "We've got an extremely vital bid opening this Thursday. Please pray that we will win the business..." Or, "Our business is doing great in all our markets, but the problem is with my wife's daughter from a previous marriage in our accounting department..." It get's 'physical', too...
"I just finished reading your report on increasing revenue streams and it fits our business like the proverbial glove. Please pray that..." or "The special report on time management was just what I needed. It revealed some things I need to talk with my pastor about. Please pray that I will..." or
"The software you recommended in our last coaching session is going to have a tremendous impact on us. We are even thinking about starting and sponsoring a new ministry through our church. Pray that we will..." or "That business coach that you recommended is terrific. He has given us new vision and new goals to shoot for. Please pray for our strategy development in..."
So how would the above requests be honored in your Wednesday night prayer meeting? Have you ever heard requests such as these from your assembly? You can just visualize how many would know an AR from an HR! Tentmakers are belivers in business who are encouraged to pray with and for other believers in business. God wants us to be successful--because that expands our sphere of influence--for Him. And it also puts greater accountability on us as well. I like what Dr. Charles Stanley says:
"Success is the continuing achievement of becoming the person God wants you to be and accomplishing the goals God has helped you sel"
--Dr. Charles Stanley writing in his book Success God's Way
We need each other. We need to be an encouragement to and for one another. As we see our Lord bring Tentmakers into more and more contact with other members, it will be an opportunity for you to increase your own network--whether or not they could be classified as your competitor! Just call them 'friends in the same business,' fair enough? Let your prayer be, "Lord what do you want me to do for You today?" every morning! Join your talents with us in order to expand your sphere of influence!
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