In the post industrial-revolution era, there is perhaps no more important sphere of American life and culture than business to transform with the gospel of the kingdom. For most of human history, predominantly agrarian societies were the cultural context into which the church carried its mission. Commercial enterprises existed on a smaller scale, touching far fewer people. Starvation was a much more pressing concern than “career development.” This is clearly no longer the case. We now live in a culture shaped, in large part, by global corporations and powerful business conglomerates. As a result, the church must seriously consider this new context as an opportunity to bear witness to the King and advance his kingdom.

The question ultimately becomes, “What philosophy governs your business?” Suffice it to say, the vast majority of American businesses are no longer guided by a consciously Christian conception of reality (a Christian worldview), in which business is understood as a redemptive instrument that serves to either fulfill the dominion mandate or advance Christ’s kingdom. And, given the fact that only 4 percent of Americans (77 percent of whom claim to be Christian) possess even a rudimentary understanding of the Christian worldview, according to recent research, the church is presently doing very little to reverse this condition. 

Presently, and by every measureable account, this former depth of theological wisdom (or the Christian worldview) applied to public life has been largely forgotten. As a result, many Christians have come to understand the role of their faith in the marketplace in overly simplistic terms. Today being a Christian businessman is almost always reduced to nothing more than personal piety and evangelism in the workplace. Others may feel that giving a portion of their profits to missions satisfies their business’s missional purpose. While all of these are indeed good, this worldview of business remains inadequate in advancing the all-encompassing redemptive mission of Christ, that is, the kingdom. 

Furthermore, this narrow view of faith in the workplace has left many Christians devoid of true meaning and purpose relative to their personal vocations. They do not see their work as a holy calling that can practically serve to advance the kingdom of God on earth. In the most practical terms, their faith remains disconnected from a significant portion of their life: their vocation. One consequence of this disconnect is that many Christians fall into the false position of trying to derive meaning and purpose from their work. In biblical terms, this is idolatry! Instead, the Christian—having been “raised to new life in Christ,” been given a new identity and purpose—must now bring that meaning and purpose to his work. This, and only this, can provide real meaning, purpose, and satisfaction to one’s vocation, whether that be mopping floors or working as a corporate CEO.

While there is much talk within the church today of the Christian worldview, we would argue that most of these discussions remain academic. In other words, most worldview training remains at the 50,000-foot level, centered on the historic role of Christianity in shaping Western civilization. Others simply illuminate the contrast between the secular and biblical views of morality and ethics. While this knowledge is no doubt important, and provides an essential foundation, it often lacks ground-level application. This weakness was the inspiration for the KINGDOM PROJECT. 

After more than eight years of writing, teaching, and speaking on the subject of Christian worldview from an academic level, S. Michael Craven now wants to personally help others apply these principles so they can both experience personal transformation and become transforming agents themselves. Our desire is to help Christian business/institutional leaders discover how their vocational gifts and their enterprises can tangibly advance the kingdom of God.

Businesses today employ every sort of consultant, but how many employ a theological consultant? How can one possibly discover and appropriate real wisdom apart from the ultimate source of all truth? John Calvin wrote, "No man can survey himself without forthwith turning his thoughts towards the God in whom he lives and moves." Every human enterprise attempts to "live and move" either in connection to the truth of God or in ignorance and sometimes denial of this fact. The latter leads to disobedience and failure, the former to obedience and blessing. But what if you had a theological consultant who could help you analyze and connect your business with the redemptive mission of Christ? What if someone who possessed keen theological understanding could mentor you, someone with uncommon sociological and cultural insight who also has experience as a corporate CEO? What if “corporate discipleship” were to enter your realm of business counsel?

What if every aspect of your organization were ordered under God’s kingdom principles—the true interpretation of reality—and your business actually served to establish Christ’s kingdom on earth? If all authority on heaven and earth has been given to Jesus, and God’s redemptive plan in history extends to all of creation, then your business can and should serve this redemptive activity. 

This isn’t some naive notion of business that denies the realities of the bottom line—but the bottom line cannot be the overarching purpose of your business any more than breathing can be the overarching purpose of life. Breathing is certainly essential to life but it is not the purpose for which we were created! Likewise, profit is certainly essential to business, but in the scope of a Christian worldview, it is not the purpose of your business. Even secular businesses understand this principle, which is why visionary businesses—driven by purpose rather than profit—are among the most successful and enduring companies in history. 

There are no fees and we do not charge for this service. This remains first and foremost a ministry consistent with the long-held mission of the Center for Christ & Culture, which is to equip Christians to engage the culture with the redemptive mission of Christ. We would only require that all expenses (including travel-related, outside costs, and any other related disbursements) be covered.

The Center for Christ & Culture is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax deductible.