Business as Missions: Applying Business as Missions to the Hospitality Industry

Business is a vehicle highly useful for achieving specific missions for the kingdom of God that could not otherwise be accomplished. A Business as Missions (BAM) organization is one structure of business that focuses intently on accomplishing the mission of reaching others for the kingdom of God. BAMs can be utilized in virtually any industry; however, the following thesis focuses on the unique opportunities that exist within the hospitality industry. These unique opportunities are present because of its relational components and consumer demands for community and social interaction. A hostel is one specific form of a hospitality company that has numerous distinct opportunities to be used for ministry. Due to the atmosphere, ambience, community focus, clientele, and other characteristics associated with hostels, these businesses present many specific ways for a business to accomplish its mission of reaching others for Christ. BUSINESS AS MISSIONS 4 Applying Business as Missions to the Hospitality Industry Within the world of business, various elements and factors exist that significantly affect the way that a business is run. Marketing, human resources, accounting, operations, and management are simply a small sampling of components that must be present for the establishment of any company. Though these components must be present, other factors exist that influence the business structure. All companies must belong to either the category of for-profit or non-profit organizations (Bahgi & Gabrielle, 2013). In the way that various business components must be addressed in for-profit organizations, these factors must also be addressed in non-profit organizations (Danna & Porche, 2008). Much can be considered when looking into the sector of non-profit organizations as non-profits can take many forms. Non-profits are organizations that exist for the purpose of achieving a mission and are “not existing or done for the purpose of making a profit” (Nonprofit definition, 2015, para. 1). Organizations with religious affiliation fit into the category of non-profit due to the characteristics that they possess (Tweet, 2013). While a non-profit organization is a specific form of business structure, non-profits can exist in virtually every industry. The industry to which a company belongs will impact the way that a business is structured. This is because specific industries have unique characteristics and properties that must be considered if a company desires to remain competitive in the market. One example of a specific industry is the hospitality industry. In order to stand up to the competition in the hospitality industry, a company must understand the ins and outs of this industry along with consumer demands. Business as Missions BUSINESS AS MISSIONS 5 Non-profit organizations can take on a variety of different forms. One of these forms is a business used for missions. A Business as Missions (BAM) organizations is “about real, viable, sustainable, and profitable businesses; with a kingdom of God purpose, perspective, and impact; leading to transformation of people and societies spiritually, economically, and socially—to the greater glory of God” (Tunehag, 2006, p. 3). Though all businesses used for missions have the intended purpose of furthering the kingdom and bringing Him glory, depending on the industry and the business strategy, these companies will vary in structure and practices. According to Hedley (2012), there are a number of different forms that BAMs can take. Tentmaking, which involves using secular businesses for outside ministry, marketplace ministries, and enterprise development are among the various forms of which BAMs can be a part. Although diverse business strategies exist for BAMs, there are some characteristics that are consistent throughout all. Often BAMs include daily prayer, assembling care packages, accountability, and internal employee support (Hedley, 2012). These common characteristics are essential for the success of a BAM as they can only be truly successful if they are reliant on the Father (Adams & Sherlock, 2010). Various forms of Business as Missions Tentmaking. The concept of tentmaking originated with the apostle Paul in the New Testament. Tentmaking involves using practical work as a vehicle for opening the door to establish relationships and financially support the mission of reaching others for Christ (Malone, 2014). This form of business allows both individuals and companies to make an impact on communities without having to be supported financially by individuals or a church. Utilizing tentmaking as a strategy in the hospitality industry will BUSINESS AS MISSIONS 6 allow a company to be able to focus on achieving the mission of reaching others for Christ instead of simply focusing on generating a profit. Tentmaking also provides hospitality businesses with freedom and independence to establish a unique missional company without borders or restrictions from outside influences. Three basic elements ought to be present in tentmaking ministries if they are to be effective. These components include identifying with the people that the company wants to reach, building credibility, and modeling how to live a Christian life to others (Malone, 2014). Each of these three components can be addressed by the human resource department of a company. It is the human resource department that is responsible for the hiring of employees, and it is the employees that will ultimately carry out these three elements of a tentmaking business. The employees are responsible for building relationships, which is critical in order for a business to accomplish a specific mission. In order to connect these three factors with building relationships, the company needs to establish a culture of trust by hiring and properly training the right employees (Mizera, 2013). There are certain properties that tentmaking companies possess that create the possibility for success in achieving a specific mission. One of the most important factors that tentmaking allows is access. Tentmaking can be utilized in any country to impact any person (Malone, 2014). In regards to the hospitality industry, this is particularly significant because the hospitality industry exists in nearly every country, much like tentmaking businesses. This is further significant because of the recent trend in business towards globalization. The strategy of tentmaking becomes increasingly important as the need continues to grow with growing globalization (Moon, 2008). Unlike traditional fullBUSINESS AS MISSIONS 7 time missionaries, tentmaking is able to more sensitively, creatively, and practically meet local and cultural issues in countries all over the world (Moon, 2008). Further, tentmaking eliminates the common dichotomy between sacred and secular, and rather synthesizes these two concepts together as a means to more effectively connect with the individuals that are trying to be reached (Malone, 2014). Marketplace ministry. While tentmaking can be an exceptionally effective way to utilize business and use it for missions, there are other strategies that are also effective that can be utilized. Marketplace ministry has many parallels with tentmaking; however, it is less structured and less formal than tentmaking ministry. In marketplace ministry, an individual aims to establish relationships with others in a secular workplace (Kam-hon, McCann, &Yuen, 2013). After building relationships, the concept follows that doors will be opened for that individual to share the gospel and evangelize with coworkers. Should a hospitality company choose to use this strategy, both Christian and non-Christian employees may be hired as a means to do ministry. In order for marketplace ministry to be effective, a working knowledge of the marketplace must be both sufficient and relevant (Johnson, 2003). Like tentmaking, marketplace ministry has a particularly strong opportunity in today’s current culture because of the increase in globalization (Johnson, 2003). The idea of marketplace ministry can be seen in Colossians 3:23 (English Standard Version). The verse reads, “Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men. ” Living out the Christian life in a secular workplace can be one of the most simple, yet effective ways to utilize business and use it for missions. It is the mature believers that should be striving to fight against the division of secular and sacred so that Christ is being glorified everywhere (Kam-hon, McCann, &Yuen, 2013). BUSINESS AS MISSIONS 8 Micro-enterprise development. Micro-enterprise development is yet another avenue to utilize business as a mission field. In micro-enterprise development, businesses come alongside individuals that are financially poor or struggling and help them to begin their own businesses as a way to support themselves and generate an income (Vargas, 2000). Instead of simply providing monetary gifts to these individuals, micro-enterprise development offers business training and small loans to meet needs in a more practical manner. More so than tentmaking or marketplace ministries, micro-enterprise development is focused heavily on the health of the community (Lockwood, 2013). Specifically, needs and issues are recognized and addressed through the establishment of these new enterprises (Lockwood, 2013). These enterprises are developed with the economy, community, and environment in mind (Vargas, 2000). Because community involvement is heavily demanded by consumers in the hospitality industry, opportunities are present in regards to micro-enterprise development. One way for the hospitality industry to utilize this ministry method is to partner with these new businesses as a way that supports the community and ministers to new business owners. Micro-businesses are able to utilize business for missions by meeting needs in practical ways and opening doors to build relationships and share the gospel in those relationship