Profit for the Lord: Economic Activities in Moravian Missions and the Basel Mission Trading Company

by William J. Danker, R. Pierce Beaver (Foreword by)

Today the problem of the relation of the Christian Church to the world stands front and center on the stage of world mission. As never before, the call goes out to the Church to help people all over the world lead a truly human life as the children of God. The Church's ministry in the world must therefore include ministry to human economic needs. In this nationalistic age, moreover, each new church must find its own particular economic structure, not adopt one that is dictated by the tradition of other countries. Western mission leaders and laity who demand that churches in the Third World follow the Western Churches' collection-plate economy may be unaware of the rich diversity of practice in their own history represented by such missionary pioneers as the Moravians and the Basel Mission Trading Company. Danker's informative book is a study of those two groups, concentrating particularly on the economic structures they created to support their mission work. The author hopes that it will "help free Christians on mission frontiers on all six continents to find the forms that will carry out the tentmaking mission of the Church in the marketplace today." Profit for the Lord will appeal to those interested in church history and government as well as those involved in missions.

Genres: History

186 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Stan]

Profit for the Lord examines the economic endeavors of the Moravians and the Basel Missions Trading Company. This is a great little book! So little is said today about these two endeavors.

Both groups used "Christian commerce" for holistic mission. Working among a people was seen as a valid way to model the Christ life and provide a better life for local people. A portion of the income was used to support missionaries.

Danker makes it clear how these endeavors were not "colonial missions." But, you'll have to read the book to see why.

This book should be required reading by everyone considering missions, whether through old-school sending agencies or business as missions.

Give it a quick read! Enjoy!