Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers Harry Truman
It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it. – Oscar Wilde
There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island. – Walt Disney
Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. – Eccl 12:12
There is lots of wisdom related to books, but modern English-speaking adults seem to be reading less and less. A recent Pew survey found that 23% of US adults have neither read or listened to a book in the past year. But if we need to read, and if it can be wearying, then we need to make choices. Good choices. Here are some good BAM-related books which have been published in the last couple of years which are a good choice (with a quote from each)
Workship: Recalibrate Work and Worship by Patrick Lai
“If you study Jesus’ “ministry” opportunities, you will discover that roughly eighty percent of His ministry, or two thirds of His outreach, happened in the natural flow of His life…while “ministry” is often something we plan, more often than not real “ministry” happens in the ebbs and flows of our daily life and work.” Page 30
BAM Global Movement: BAM Concepts and Stories by Gea Gort and Mats Tunehag.
“Five hundred years ago we had a Reformation of dogma. Now we have a reformation of mission. What does this reformation look like? In one sentence, it is a missional way of living out the whole incarnated gospel in our daily life, where we work and where we live.” Page 5
The ServiceMaster Story by Albert Erisman
“When I got out of school, I had to choose between becoming a pastor and working for ServiceMaster. I chose ServiceMaster because I felt I could do more for the Lord with the company than in a congregation.” Ken Hansen, CEO of ServiceMaster (1957-73) on how he came to see his work in business as Christian ministry. Page 59
Thank God it’s Monday by Mark Greene
“In the Bible there is no evidence that one vocation or calling or job role or type of work is more valued by God than any other. In fact, the triune God has made it crystal clear what he values most: loving him and loving our neighbor. And you can do that, whatever work you do.” Page 17
I often get asked to recommend a few, very few books (or even one book) on Business as Mission. There are many good ones and I try to understand where a person is in their understanding before responding but here are a few I would consider (in addition to those above):
Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller
God is at Work by Ken Eldred
The Integrated Life by Ken Eldred
Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem
Business as Mission by Mike Baer
The Missional Entrepreneur by Mark Russell
The Other Six Days by R. Paul Stevens
Work Matters by Tom Nelson
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com