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Loading... Great Commission Companies: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions (edition 2003)by Steven L. Rundle (Author)
Work InformationGreat Commission Companies: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions by Steven L. Rundle
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Steve Rundle and om Steffen offer their paradigm for the convergence of business and missions--the Great Commission Company. Such companies intentionally create businesses in strategic locations, pursuing profits while remaining unabashedly Christian in their purpose. By establishing authentic businesses that employ local workers among the least-reached peoples of the world, they contribute to the economic health of the immediate community and also provide avenues for both physical and spiritual ministry. --from publisher description. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)266Religions Christian church and church work Missions; Home and ForeignLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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I'm clearly not the intended audience for this book, as I don't own a business, let alone one employing between ten and two thousand people. The authors focus on this size company, and only those that are global/international in nature. Since the goal was to promote business as missions, I think this focus was a mistake. Surely, smaller companies, or ones working in only one country, can further the Gospel with their practices, as well.
The authors are far too optimistic about these global companies and their effects, and overly critical of donor-supported missions.
They appear to support a factory - rather than artisan - mindset when it comes to production. But we've seen the cultural erosion of that mentality in the Western world - wouldn't it be better to help other places avoid the mistakes we've already made?
The authors also assume that foreign countries will use their own resources to the fullest, and don't take into consideration supply and demand - particularly the demand of powerful, Western nations. The way the Amazon rain forest has been ravaged irresponsibly to provide for the whims of Westerners is a perfect example.
They believe that donor-funded missions should give way to businesses. Why can't they coexist, each one being used wherever they're most effective?
It seemed to me that anytime a question was raised that might cast doubt on their approach to missions, they said something along the lines of, "We didn't research that aspect much, so we can't speak to it," and then quickly changed the subject.
I was unimpressed with the book, on the whole. ( )