• Defining BAM
• Understanding BAM
• Measuring the effectiveness of BAM companies
• Supporting BAM efforts

There is little disagreement when defining Business as Missions

The survey results support the assertion that the focus of the Business as Missions movement is changing. There is no longer the need to debate what defines a BAM company as there is little disagreement. EC Institute asked what respondents thought of six elements of the definition, including: "Is an intentional mission to the developing world," "Intends to make a profit," and "Intends to evangelize employees, customers, suppliers, and communities."

In all three fields, the majority of respondents – 84% of businessmen, 76% of educators, and 79% of missionaries – feel strongly that Business as Missions intends to evangelize. Strikingly, 79% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that BAM companies intend to make a profit.

Who is leading the execution of Business as Missions?

Our data reveals that the 30 to 44 year old group has the ideal temperament for facing many of the challenges of the next stage in the Business as Missions movement – 75% feel called to business and 79% feel called to Business as Missions. What’s more, this group’s support networks (church, peers, and companies) understand and pray for Business as Missions more than any other group.

However, it is clear from the data that the 45 to 60 year old group is driving the movement forward and paving the way for the next generations of Business as Missions leaders. This group is the largest of the survey respondents (42%), is very highly educated (91% have a college degree or greater). Additionally, 45 to 60 year olds are the most comfortable with ministry aspects of business and are the most likely to evangelize in their work environment. This group also utilizes the most sources of information to educate themselves on Business as Missions theory and practice.

According a 2005 Market Audit Survey by Claritas, the median net worth of 45 to 54 year olds is $109,300 (compared to $44,875 for 35 to 44 year olds and $2,125 for 25 to 34 year olds). Our data indicates that the 45 to 60 year old group has the strongest understanding of BAM and due to their experience and positions are the most prepared to create impact in the world by using Business as Missions. This group is the key to executing Business as Missions.

It is time to engage the church

More and more effort needs to be put into engaging the church on how God is working through Business as Missions. Our results indicate that the majority of respondents believe that their pastor is aware of BAM (49%), but sadly only 26% indicate that their church understands BAM and only 24% indicate that their church prays for BAM. Additionally, while 50% of respondents indicated that they get BAM information from the internet, only 8% use their church as a source of information.

The data also indicates that though evangelizing is an important element of Business as Missions, in practice people are still struggling with how to do this. Only 38% of respondents believe that "Regular worship at work" is a measure of the effectiveness of BAM. Additionally, people are less likely to verbally share their faith (64%) than they are to demonstrate their faith through their actions (95%). This data points to the fact that although the movement has made tremendous inroads into integrating our faith and work, there is still much further we need to go.

Acknowledgements

The 2007 Business as Missions survey was designed and funded entirely by EC Institute. We would like to thank the following for their contributions and guidance: David Burns of Xavier University, Randy Russ of Belhaven University, Philip Swicegood at Wofford College, Skot Welch of Diversity Management Strategists.

The survey was conducted in cooperation with Fellowship of Companies for Christ International, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelisation, CapinCrouse LLP, and Justin Forman’s Business as Mission Network.

Copyright © 2007 EC Group International, Grand Rapids, MI. All rights reserved. EC Institute® is a trademark of EC Group International.

The BAM Survey is the largest available source of Business As Missions opinion data, providing access to the voices of BAM practitioners in 40 countries. For more information or to learn how the BAM Survey can help you achieve your goals, contact Kevin Ring, at 616-647-8622 x117 or kring@ecgroup-intl.com.