Most Christians recognize the obvious collapse of Christendom and the fact that America, along with the greater Western world, is now decisively post-Christian. That is not to say that evangelical Christianity doesn’t exist in America, simply that it no longer represents the consensus source of values and worldviews that shape our cultural institutions, such as education, the arts, media, family, government, and business.

Following years of serious analysis and writing about Christianity and culture, it was obvious that business was the one cultural sphere where the contemporary church even remains. The fact is, we are so scarcely represented in the other spheres of culture that the near-term expectation of any tangible impact is simply unrealistic.

We were certainly not alone in this observation, and as more and more Christians saw the marketplace as an area for missional potential, the Business as Mission (BAM) movement emerged. Now there are many good minds giving attention to the marketplace as a powerful channel for missions. Generally speaking, this is a very good thing. Unfortunately, the same theological vacuity that got us into this cultural dilemma still drives much of the BAM movement.

What is often lacking are the essential intellectual and theological foundations. Without this, business as mission often ends up being nothing more than business as usual but with Christian platitudes tacked on. In other words, Christian businesses all too often look indistinguishable from non-Christian businesses in substance. We believe something much deeper and more serious is required.

What is needed is a contemporary and comprehensive understanding of the Christian mission in relation to the marketplace, i.e., "marketplace missiology." Missiology is the area of practical theology that reflects on all aspects of propagating the Christian faith. To clarify, when we speak of “propagating the Christian faith,” we are not simply referring to proselytizing the lost. Instead, we are referring to a living faith that transforms people—who in turn impact the people, systems, and the society around them with God's truth for all reality to the glory of Christ and his kingdom.

Good missiologists will explore theology, anthropology, history, geography, theories and methods of communication, comparative religion, apologetics, and methodology in an effort to formulate the most relevant and effective means for propagating the faith in their time and context. Our time is post-Christian and the context, for our purposes, is the American marketplace or business community.

Marketplace missiology is not a "new thing" but rather the revival of historic understanding within the church applied to our times. Furthermore, marketplace missiology is not merely a fancy way of saying "evangelism" in the workplace. A truly biblical marketplace missiology must be holistic in its efforts by aligning redemptive and creative ministry through work with business excellence and profitability. A biblical marketplace missiology does not regard business as merely a means to an end but understands business is a genuine good and therefore an end in and of itself. Business is one of those loving structures, given by God to bring the fullness of His creation into being and meeting our mutual needs by creating and distributing wealth, among other things. Business can and should do great good in the world to the glory of God.

Truth@Work is not just another Bible Study for business people but rather a rigorous exploration of operational issues, practices and challenges from a consciously Christian worldview. The goal is to empower Christians in the marketplace with a missional vision; help them achieve business excellence, grow spiritually and align their business and vocation with kingdom purposes.