Marketplace ministry
Encyclopedia
Marketplace ministry typically refers to evangelism
or other Christian
activities that are targeted towards the secular workplace, as opposed to homes, churches, or specialized venues (e.g., crusades
). It can also refer to particular parachurch organizations that focus on such ministry. The term probably entered circulation in the 1980s, though groups with similar emphases (e.g., the Christian Business Men's Fellowship) have been around much longer.
While the original use of the term is primarily evangelical
in nature, transformationalism
has appropriated many of the same structures, often under the term marketplace redemption.
The term "Marketplace Ministry" does include 'evangelism' however it is much broader than that. It speaks to the fact that any Christian can fulfill their desire to serve God in the workplace. This can assuage a lot of guilt in those that want to "go into fulltime ministry" as they realize they are already in "fulltime" ministry.
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
or other Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
activities that are targeted towards the secular workplace, as opposed to homes, churches, or specialized venues (e.g., crusades
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...
). It can also refer to particular parachurch organizations that focus on such ministry. The term probably entered circulation in the 1980s, though groups with similar emphases (e.g., the Christian Business Men's Fellowship) have been around much longer.
While the original use of the term is primarily evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
in nature, transformationalism
Transformationalism
Transformationalism, or Transformational Christianity, represents a fusion of evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, and ecumenism that started becoming prominent in the early 21st century...
has appropriated many of the same structures, often under the term marketplace redemption.
The term "Marketplace Ministry" does include 'evangelism' however it is much broader than that. It speaks to the fact that any Christian can fulfill their desire to serve God in the workplace. This can assuage a lot of guilt in those that want to "go into fulltime ministry" as they realize they are already in "fulltime" ministry.
Suggested reading
- Hillman, Os. Faith@Work. Aslan Publishing, 2004.
- Hillman, Os. The 9 to 5 Window. Regal Books, 2005.
- Johnson, Brett. Convergence: Integrating Your Career, Community, Creativity and Calling. Indaba Publishing, 2009.
- Power, Graham and Forster, Dion. Transform your work life: Turn your ordinary day into an extraordinary calling. Struik Christian books, 2010.
- Reeb, Lloyd and Wellons, Bill. Unlimited Partnership: Igniting a Marketplace Leader’s Journey to Eternal Significance. B&H Books, 2007.
- Silvoso, Ed. That None Should Perish: How to Reach Entire Cities for Christ through Prayer Evangelism. Regal Books, 1994.
- Silvoso, Ed. Prayer Evangelism. Regal Books, 2000.
- Silvoso, Ed. Transformation: Change the Marketplace and You Change the World. Regal Books, 2007.
- Silvoso, Ed. Anointed for Business. 2nd edition, Regal Books, 2009.