In This Issue: They Signed away Their Companies to God
- ARTICLE – Twelve Business Owners Sign Away their Companies to God
- EVENT – Exploring the Land Training Goes to Kentucky
- VIDEOS – Outreach-oriented Video Clips for Your Next Presentation
Missions Catalyst is a free, weekly electronic digest of mission news and resources designed to inspire and equip Christians worldwide for global ministry. Use it to fuel your prayers, find tips and opportunities, and stay in touch with how God is building his kingdom all over the world. Please forward it freely!
Resource Reviews, edited by Marti Smith, are published once a month.
ARTICLE – Twelve Business Owners Sign away Their Companies to God
Source: Kent Humphreys, Fellowship of Companies for Christ International
Do you remember the last time that you signed over the deed or title of something that you owned? The last time you sold a car, you signed over the car title. When you sold your last house, you signed over the deed at closing. Have you ever sold a business or a commercial property?
I remember when, in 1997, I signed over ownership of the distribution firm which our family had owned for 38 years. It took me about 45 minutes to sign papers on two or three long tables.
The next day I was still CEO, but someone else owned the firm. I then had a stewardship position. I still felt responsible and wanted to succeed, but a huge burden was lifted from my shoulders. I was no longer ultimately responsible for the debt, the livelihood of 400 families, and the final decision. I was accountable to the owner to run it properly.
On my recent visit to Malaysia 12 business owners in Kuala Lumpur signed over the deeds to their businesses to Jesus Christ. It was a special privilege for me to be there. Four local pastors were also present. Each company owner read the deed and signed it. The pastors prayed for each business steward individually. Then we prayed, laid hands on the pastors, and commissioned them to be involved in the equipping of each CEO to run their business for Christ.
Finally, the pastors prayed for the group of leaders as a whole that their actions would impact the companies, the city, and the nation. We had two witnesses sign each deed and took photos to help remind all involved.
Just as I did in 1997, they assumed the role of CEO as stewards, no longer owners. Every decision must be made in the best interest of the owner, Jesus Christ. They must be obedient stewards and be honest and faithful CEOs. However, Christ is the owner and he will make the final major decisions. That takes the pressure off. All we have to do is submit to his vision, mission, principles, and leadership.
If you feel led to do the same as these Malaysian leaders, just adapt the form below. I suggest that you have your spouse, pastor, fellow group members, and key employees attend the ceremony. Have witnesses sign the deed with you. Make sure that your peers hold you accountable. God already owns everything; we are just acknowledging our position as stewards of the business.
Dedication of Business by Business Owners
I [name] the legal owner/part-owner of [business], solemnly declare before everyone present and before all Heaven and Earth that I on this day willingly deed the ownership of this company over to the Almighty God, the creator of all things.
I believe that God, my heavenly Father, desires that all things be reconciled back to him through his son, Jesus Christ. As of today I acknowledge that God is the rightful owner of [business] and I am merely his steward looking after his resources.
Therefore, I now repent of all the past wrong doings done by [business] – its owners, officers and employees – and ask you, God, to forgive us and cleanse us by the blood of your son, Jesus Christ.
God, I ask you to redeem [business], all its assets, and reputation, so that it can be used to bring glory and honor to your name.
I desire to be a priest in this company and pledge to lead this company for Christ to the best of my ability. I will do everything in my capacity as [position] to honor you in all the practices and dealings of [business].
I now dedicate [business] and all its assets to you for the advancement of your kingdom. Help me, God, to carry out all that I pledge to do, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Signed by [name]
Witnessed by [name(s)]
Date
>> Full story here. Check out Kent’s website Lifestyle Impact Ministries, which includes articles, audio, and information about several books he has authored. Many more great resources and ideas can also be found at the Business as Mission Network, which is where we discovered this item.
EVENT – Exploring the Land Training Goes to Kentucky
Source: Missions Catalyst
Would you like to learn how to learn about other cultures, develop your skills in initiating and building cross-cultural relationships, and dream with God for his kingdom among least-evangelized peoples? Good news: Details are firmed up for an “Exploring the Land” ethnography training to help you do just that.
When: Wednesday May 27 to Sunday May 31, 9 am to 5 pm each day.
Where: Emerald Hills, Team Expansion’s new headquarters in Louisville, KY, USA.
Cost: $50, plus $25 for a copy of the book Exploring the Land.
Provided by: Team Expansion and Missions Catalyst’s own Shane Bennett.
The training will involve both classroom instruction and field-based practice. Participants will leave with new missiological insights, practical skills, connections with like-minded practitioners, and fresh passion for God’s kingdom to grow in our own cities and around the world.
To register, contact Team Expansion.
>> Shane is an excellent speaker; we’d encourage you to follow Team Expansion’s example and book him for your next training event! More events – from lots of different groups and organizations – are listed on our Missions Events Calendar. Contact us to submit an event.
VIDEOS – Outreach-oriented Video Clips for Your Next Presentation
Source: Missions Catalyst
Posted on the website of Compassion International are ten excellent, short videos about children, poverty, and ministry. My favorite is Think Smaller, which explains the plight of the world’s children and the church’s responsibility to reach them. “Think Smaller” was actually made by Viva Network. The folks at Viva also organize the annual World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk (June 6-7 this year).
Compassion has recently teamed up with Nooma to produce Corner, a short (11-minute) film “exploring the emptiness of a life lived for selfish reasons, and asks if sharing our success can enhance our own lives while saving the lives of others.” Sounds interesting!
Another Nooma film, Rich, looks like it might be a useful tool for opening eyes. It asks, “Is it possible that God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others?” That one’s 12 minutes long.
Nooma films are available for purchase for US$10. See trailers and descriptions on their website.
>> Other places to go for high-quality video clips are Sermon Spice, Grove Films, and BlueFish TV.