The Non-Denominational Church in the Marketplace — iWork4Him
Denominations ‘shmominations. Were denominations Jesus’ idea? NO! Of course not. He wanted us to walk in unity as He said in John 17:20-23:
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
I have seen incredible unity in the body of Christ out in the marketplace. On Sunday, we are the most segregated and separated people on the planet. But nobody cares about denominations on Monday mornings when we go to work. Marketplace believers just want to hang out and do business with people who love Jesus. I don't care that you may show your love for Jesus in a different way than I do, or sing different songs on Sunday than I do, or have a different style of worship than I do. All I care about is that you love Jesus.
Over the last 10 years, we have watched the number of Christian Chambers of Commerce ebb and flow. Currently, the number is on the rise and the growth is driven by unity and collaboration. The US Christian Chamber of Commerce, found online at www.uschristianchamber.com , has been founded to unify the body of Christ in the marketplace through a national Christian chamber that supports and helps launch local Christian Chambers of Commerce. In other words, it's not all about the US Christian chamber but about “Christ” in chambers across the country.
As believers, should we only be doing business with people who are believers? No, I don't think so. We should be doing business with people who do what they say they will do. However, if we can choose to bless a company being driven, directed, and guided by a person who loves Jesus, then that is a business I want to support, and I'd love you to support, too.
But how do you find those businesses? That has been the issue for decades. There have been attempts in phone books and other printed guides to identify people following Jesus in their business. However, those guides always fell short. The US Christian Chamber is not just a guide or a phone book of businesspeople who love Jesus. It’s an online and in-person community focused on developing solid believers in Jesus, who do excellent work in their discipline for the benefit and blessing of their local community. That's something I want to be a part of! Iin fact, Martha and I are founding members of the US Christian Chamber of Commerce. I suggest you check it out online. Become a part of a movement that organizes believers to not only do business with each other for the glory of God and the betterment of the Kingdom and the blessing of local communities, but also the deepens discipleship of believers as they live out their faith every day at work. When we drop our denominational walls and walk in unity in Christ, the world is intrigued and attracted.
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