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According to the most recent survey conducted in 2009 by Hong Kong Professional and Educational Services (HKPES) on Christian behavior at workplace, majority of the respondents (65 percent) experienced intense pressure at work. When choosing a job, “salary and compensation” came up as the top consideration (65.4 percent). The overwhelming majority consider “maintaining livelihood” as the key value for work (68.3 percent) as well as their feelings towards work (75.8 percent). According to a similar survey conducted by HKPES in 2003, more than 90 percent would not share the gospel at work, not with their partners, colleagues or customers. There appears to be a gap between Monday and Sunday for Christians at work in Hong Kong; the struggle to integrate faith and work is not to be underestimated. What is the church going to do about it? Following the global trend of intensifying discussion and focus on “Faith at Work” (FAW) or often used inter-changeably as “Marketplace Ministry” (MM), there is also an increase of interest in FAW/MM among churches and Christian circles here. In this dissertation, I attempt to find out the scope and effectiveness of existing MM in Hong Kong by conducting interviews with various channels including the key general MM organizations, fellowships in key professions and industries as well as a sample of representative churches. I recognize that while the former two can serve as bridges between the church and marketplace, they can never replace the role of church in MM. What is the church’s role in all these ministries and how may it equip its members for the challenge? I hope my findings will help develop a roadmap to launch MM in local churches. An extensive literature review is conducted on MM in this dissertation and various frameworks for MM are discussed. Last but not the least, the theological basis of MM in relation to Theology of Work, Marketplace and Spirituality at Work will also be explored.

Community transformation is urgently needed in the country of Myanmar. The purpose of this dissertation is to show how that ministry is achievable when churches and Christian businesspeople work collaboratively. At the same time, proposing community transformation has been a great challenge due to the country’s political regime and its isolation policy toward other nations; however, the current political changes and other changing factors of the country seem to be ushering in a promising and welcome scenario to do community transformation. The following open discussions enlighten the feasible situations of initiating community transformation in Myanmar. 

Myanmar is sandwiched between India and China, the two nations with the largest populations and fastest growing economies of the world. Geographically Kachin State touches both of these nations and has formal access to each. The Stilwell Road has been undergoing renovation and will revive trade between these nations in the near future. Kachin State also boasts tremendous natural resources that have the potential to be the source of great blessing for the local community. Used appropriately, these natural resources can provide a basis for business opportunities that can be managed for community transformation. The church, working across denominations, has an obligation to introduce biblically sound principles in the business place for the common good of the community. 

Having been left behind other developing nations of the world for centuries and after having extreme economic and political struggles, Myanmar has recently risen to become a more responsible member of the world community by restructuring her political regime through democratic reforms. The neighboring countries, as well as the xxi 

United States and the European nations have responded positively to the political reforms of Myanmar. India in particular closely watches every political and economic movement in Myanmar, hoping that her political regime will transition fully toward the democratic benchmark that will result in its being embraced by the world community. The government of Myanmar appears to be offering bright hope for the communities of the nation as it has been moving forward with democratic changes. 

The changing conditions mentioned above present unprecedented opportunities for emerging church and community leaders. Christian leaders are encouraged to seize the moment for implementing community transformation. At the same time, there are many potential hindrances that could derail the best intentions. One of the biggest challenges is Platonism, which teaches that the church’s role is restricted to the “sacred” realm, and purpose of business is purely secular. In keeping with this thinking, the church should not be juxtaposed with the business or other “commercial” concerns. Platonism weakens the church’s potential to bring about community transformation. Platonic teaching has become the most difficult obstacle to community transformation; hence, doing community transformation in Myanmar sometimes appears unbiblical and even unrealistic. 

It is no surprise that businesspeople are found in every local church. They are a God-given human resource purposely and rightly placed within the church to accomplish kingdom business by working with the church. The church and Christian businesspeople are different in nature, yet they share the common purpose of working together for God’s glory. 

The project reviewed the root causes of poverty and the impact of microfinance as one of the wealth creation models being implemented in the Philippines and in other countries. Microfinance along with the associated development-oriented services is one of the most promising solidarity economy models with the potentials to generate profit, emancipate the poor from poverty and conserve the environment.
The focus of the research was on how to expand and sustain the microfinance operations of the APPEND Network in order to provide quality of life to its target clients of five million poor people within the next five years. APPEND is one of the oldest and the largest microfinance providers in the Philippines. The project reviewed the impact of the APPEND's 'microfinance plus' being provided to poor communities, the health status and the satisfaction levels of the microfinance staff using the Joy at Work Staff survey. The project also firmed up strategies that will enable APPEND provide lasting solutions to poverty and develop microfinance as a functioning bridge to sustainable development and community transformation.
The APPEND Network needs to build up social enterprises that will effectively respond to both the financial and non-financial requirements of the poor communities; should enhance its HRD (Human Resources Development) to equip its people in handling growth and expansion and finally has to strengthen its relationship with the government in helping the poor for greater and deep impact. The lasting solutions to poverty through various wealth creation models are possible if there is unity and solidarity with God, with people and with the environment.

Introduction  générale

1. Problématique

Dans  le contexte de l’Afrique  en général et de la République Démocratique du  Congo  en particulier, il se pose un problème  lié   au travail  de  personne  vivant  avec le  VIH-SIDA.  Ces dernières  du moins  pour la  plupart, vivent encore dans l’anonymat dans  les  milieux  de  travail. Celles  qui  sont  en   quête  de l’emploi   ont  beaucoup  moins d’opportunité  d’être  recrutées  dans  le  travail. Il  est  rare  de  voir  ces personnes  s’exprimer  librement concernant   leur  état sérologique  sinon  dans  des cercles  fermés  de forum ou des  ateliers  et  conférences.  Et  pourtant  elles  sont  des  malades  en  possession  de leur  droit  au travail  et  au respect  comme  c’est  le  cas  de  ceux  et  celles  qui  souffrent du  paludisme. ...Lire la suite

The question of aid effectiveness has been bothering many participants in the aid arena for many years now. Despite Africa receiving the bulk of aid in the last fifty years, real development is yet to be seen. I am concerned about the ineffectiveness of aid and desired to find out from donors and recipients of aid their views of work and how those views affect the effectiveness of aid. I had three hypotheses and asked three questions. A literature review was undertaken with a number of scholarly works being reviewed. The views of work of both donors and recipients of aid agreed on the ineffectiveness of aid in Africa.

Seminars were arranged for donors and recipients of aid where I taught a theology of work. At these seminars, research instruments I designed were used to collect pre and post seminar data. The data collected were both quantitative and qualitative, although the research design was mainly qualitative. The context of the study was considered in the research and this context gave insight to the causes of the behaviors that influence the views of work and which subsequently affected the effectiveness of aid. A biblical and theological framework was also reflected on which a number of Scriptures and other scholarly work are cited.

The results from the seminars were analyzed. The hypotheses one and two were partly supported, while hypothesis number three was fully supported. Also recommendations as well as suggestions for future studies were made.

The purpose of this dissertation is to research how the church has responded to the perennial ethno-religious crisis that has engulfed the city of Jos, the capital of the Plateau State of Nigeria and its environs and possible approaches to respond and their theological implications. The study will seek to explore how the church can deploy its overwhelming presence in the region as a tool for positive influence in order to achieve the much needed peace and reconciliation.
The dissertation also hopes to proffer theological perspective for peace in a multiethnic and multi-religious context. This work will eventually become the design for The Centre for Transformational Leadership, which will provide resources for training and also engage in interfaith and other activities geared towards reconciliation in Jos City and its environs.

The ministry problem statement discussed in this dissertation is how to integrate business into the local church ministry to create jobs for the church and the community to lead to the community’s transformation. In addressing the problem the study will examine God’s vision for the church and how it fits into the mission of God in the context of transforming the community through the application of integrating business into the church ministry.

Chapter 1 will introduce the problem the study wants to solve and will bring in some perspectives of transformational leaderships. Chapter 2 will examine other proposed solutions by reviewing some literature that sheds light on both the problem and other proposed solutions. Chapter 3 will outline my main dissertation: Theology of Work: A Case Study for the Integration of Church and Business for community transformation and its missiological implications, using water purification as a model for solving the problem. Chapter 4 will address the ministry problem’s biblical and theological basis. Chapter 5 will review the research I conducted in Ghana to find solutions to the problem. Chapter 6 will examine what would be the outcome of this study in the context of the church and the community life. In chapter 7 will draw a conclusion with regard to the impact of integrating business into church ministry.

The ministry problem addressed in this dissertation is “Lay Christians in Ghana too often are suppressed by the professional clergy in exercising their ministry gifts.” It will be addressed through researching the extent of the stated problem and offer concrete suggestions to release and empower the laity to see their role in mission.

Chapter 1 will describe the causes of the problems, its extent, and its perniciousness in inhibiting the growth of mature Christianity in Ghana. The intended outcome of the project will be to provide answers as to how both the Ghanaian clergy and laity may integrate the practice of servant leadership, marketplace theology, and community development into liberating the Ghanaian from this suppression in order that their communities may be transformed. The project intends to contribute to the systematic transformation of both the clergy and the laity to work together in the service of God as equal partners.

Chapter 2 will develop a literature review that will discuss and interact with relevant literature that can be helpful in liberating the laity from the suppression of the clergy, and offer solutions to the problem.

Chapter 3 will describe the historical background of the emergence of the clergylaity divide and the resultant disempowerment of the lay and its impact on the development of Christianity in Ghana.

Chapter 4 will address a healthy biblical and theological basis that describes a collective view of the clergy/laity relationships.

Chapter 5 will provide a systematic representation of the procedure and methodology used to carry out the research involving both quantitative and qualitative instrument.

Chapter 6 will provide the description of the findings and subsequent conclusions of the research.

Chapter 7 offers a summary of the imputations for developing new educational procedures, along with recommendations for healthy understanding of the clergy/laity relationship. The results from the study are intended to lay a foundation that will provide lay release from the unfortunate attitude of many clerical Christians, but also a healthier understanding of the mutual roles of both clergy and lay in Ghana.

This research work addresses the lack of integration between faith and work that affects work ethics and aggravates poverty in Ethiopia. The proposed solution is a holistic view of work whereby Christians are called to integrate their faith into all areas of life so that work is valued and serves as a means to address poverty.

There is a problem of disintegration especially among Ethiopian Christians who do not reflect their faith values in the work world. The traditional holistic culture tends not to be integrated with the modern lifestyle, and dualistic reasoning dominates the wider experience so that there are no significant differences between Christians and non-Christians.

A review of relevant literature is included, which presents work as God’s original intention for humanity. Building on the Protestant Reformation, work is seen as a calling and a divine assignment for humans created in the image of a working God. Work can result in wealth creation and a strategy for poverty alleviation by using God-given talents and gifts. The integration of faith and work also shapes one’s ethics to serve God and neighbor in a responsible way. The project also explores theological foundations, drawing on literature about the theology of work as well as the Bible. Through integration of work without classifying it into sacred and secular, people find their source of provision and fulfillment.

The research presents the Ethiopian context and the degree of poverty, the extent of disintegration, and corruption using statistical data. Through questionnaires, observations, and interviews the project analyzes the perception of work among a sample group of Ethiopians and suggests strategies to address poverty in Ethiopia.

The project sought to deal with the prevailing negative attitude towards works in light of the collapse of Acholi traditional cultural values, way of life, beliefs, and idiosyncrasies; scarcity of effective transformational leadership and the influence of the church on Acholi leadership worldview and practice; the importance of incarnational leadership and its impact on transformational change in transforming prevailing Acholi cultural values, beliefs, and attitude.

The result of the project is a professional pragmatic biblically based, contextually and culturally relevant curriculum on work ethic that can be easily taught to others within the context of local community setting; and a ministry to raise and equip Emerging Leaders in Acholi community to become societal transformers.  It is also designed to help equip leaders to know how to exegete their communities as a process of transformation.

Human dignity not only lies in living in the likeness of our Creator but also in our freedom to use the abilities and skills God has given us to the greater good of humanity. Many rural communities especially in Africa barely have enough to live on despite the abundant resources that abound right within the rural communities. Many of these communities have been evangelized. But the grip of abject poverty still manifests its ugly effects with little hope for the local residents. Can entrepreneurship (as part of Social Action) be a good partner and compliment to Evangelism in developing rural remote communities in Uganda and taking rural communities out of abject poverty? These rural communities are overwhelming in their concerted demand for dignity. Humanization, reconciliation, shalom and the setting up of God’s kingdom are together the goal of mission.[1]

The goal of this project is to explore the extent to which entrepreneurship, as part of the social action plan of Christian missions, can be used as a transformational tool to improve the living conditions and service delivery in rural Uganda engrossed in deep poverty.

There is a chasm that separates the Church from many First Nations people in Canada. As long as this chasm exists and continues to grow, both the Church and First Nations are weakened. In order for the gap to be closed, it is important to recognize and understand three facets of the chasm: its nature, origins, and dynamics. This issue can only be addressed when people are able to see the chasm, understand how it was formed, and see how it is being maintained. The focus of this study is on the chasm that will be the encounters between the Church and the Nuu-chah-nulth people. One cannot understand this chasm without first recognizing its existence on a broader scope. This chasm is not unique to First Nations and the church in Canada. It exists between First Nations and various levels of governments in Canada, between First Nations and industry, and increasingly between First Nations and other Canadians. This chasm is also reflective of the chasm that exists between the colonized and the colonizers around the world.

The ministry issue discussed in this dissertation is the role that children can and should have in the community transformation process. This issue is discussed in the context of the ministry of Compassion International. The project that was implemented in order to inform this issue was an exercise to measure the level of self-esteem in Compassion-registered children and their siblings. The results of that research helped determine whether there are correlations between a child’s self-esteem level and his/her taking initiative as a change agent. 

Chapter 1 provides background on the reasons the role of children in community transformation was selected as the topic for this project, and how this study contributes to transformational leadership. Chapter 2 discusses the historic place of church-based, child-focused programming within the larger community transformation industry and compares the programmatic principles of Compassion International to those of Bakke Graduate University, The Christian Community Development Association, and other industry standards. Chapter 3 is a literature review of various aspects of community transformation and includes a comparison of the World Vision International and Compassion International models for child-focused programming. Chapter 4 provides a theological overview and case for elevating the place of child-focused ministry as well as a history of the recent child theology movement. 

Chapters 5 and 6 both focus on the actual research project. Chapter 5 describes the project that took place in Uganda comparing self-esteem levels of Compassion-registered children with those of their siblings. A tool referred to as the DAPR (Draw-A-xiii Person-In-The-Rain) exercise was used as the primary data collection tool. Chapter 6 reports the findings of the project and also includes examples that children gave regarding their own experiences initiating change at home or in the community. These stories are categorized according to Bakke Graduate University’s eight principles of transformational leadership. 

Chapter 7 provides the conclusions and specific recommendations to Compassion International’s programmatic leadership team. Recommendations are given in the areas of equipping the church, child-focused transformation, and other potential programmatic adjustments as well as suggestions for additional research. 

The purpose of this dissertation is to provide a fresh biblical expression of the theology of work as stewardship and mission illustrated by the example of a large company which has attempted to operate consistent with this theology. The theology states that all humans were created in God's image as God's representatives on earth. As God's representatives, people were created to connect to their Creator, make decisions on God's behalf, and to work to take care of God's creation. As a result, individuals should pursue these three purposes in their lives, and organizational leaders should create organizations that facilitate this pursuit. Dennis Bakke has written a book called Joy at Work: A Revolutionary approach to Fun on the Job1 which provides a memoir account of his attempt to create and maintain such an organization. The bulk of this dissertation is intended to be a manuscript for a Bible study companion to Joy at Work.
The dissertation provides several forms of research. Chapter 1 is an original outline of the theology of work as stewardship and mission resulting from research into the historical expressions of the theology. Chapter 2 is a review of the various streams of literature that discuss the purpose and theology of work. The topics of chapters 3 through 13 were selected after surveying people in the workplace about core felt needs they have about their work. Additionally chapters 3 through 13 were written in draft form and tested throughout the fall of 2004 for relevancy and clarity of expression in a ten-week small group with sixteen workplace leaders. The current form of this dissertation has incorporated the comments and reactions of this small group.
Dennis Bakke, Joy at Work: A Revolutionary Approach to Fun on the Job (Seattle: PVG, 2005). It is hoped that the reader will have a new understanding of the God-given
purpose of their work and can increase their personal joy as they work consistent with God's plan. It is also hoped that Christian readers will understand their unique call to lead
their organizations in ways that help others connect to God, make decisions on God's behalf, and steward God's creation.

The real-world ministry problem discussed in this dissertation is the decline of professional church workers in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, and a proposed solution to address it. The problem is addressed through research and the proposed solution will include a curriculum of study for teaching would-be recruits that includes an experiential component and follow-up counseling with them.

Chapter 1 introduces the problem and which audiences the solution would target to address it. It also notes other stakeholders in the solution and the transformational objectives to which it would hope to contribute. Chapter 2 discusses the history of the problem in terms of the church’s attitudes to the role of the laity and clergy through time and the context of the problem as it relates to my church body both in the United States and Asia. Chapter 3 discusses how other authors have addressed the problem and highlights how they contribute to the solution offered here. Chapter 4 lays the biblical and theological basis for Christian vocation and calling of people into God’s service that will figure in the proposed solution. In Chapter 5, research undertaken both in the United States and Asia is analyzed and discussed to both identify the problem and help direct the solution. Chapter 6 then discusses the desired outcome and Chapter 7 the proposed solution towards meeting that outcome, which is a course of study that includes both teaching a proper theology of vocation and work in the context of an experiential activity that creates the “disorienting dilemma,” which is a key to the transformation of those involved in the training. Chapter 8 outlines those hopes and the steps needed to complete this undertaking.

In the midst of a broken world, people reflect God to the degree that love is experienced through the presence, words, and actions of his people. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). Community is the laboratory whereby people work and learn to grow into the God-imaging creatures they were destined to become. In essence, the spiritual formation of a community is expressed through loving relational bonds.

These loving relational bonds that validate the Christian witness are not easy to form or preserve; however, because they are foundational to the purpose of communities of faith, relational work is a part of the redemptive work each person is called to. This dissertation asserts, “I am studying relational work so that Christian leaders may both understand and practice how people may be equipped for attachment and bonding as part of community spiritual formation.”

Transformational leaders are catalysts that enable a community to mature and “build itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Eph. 4: 16). In order for leaders to better understand relational work, I explain several key concepts that are instrumental for leaders to apply in terms of relational work in a community. 1. an understanding of attachment from the perspective of social science researchers 2. an understanding of how systems thinking relates to congregational life 3. an assertion that a theology of work, with an emphasis on relational work, is a framework for community formation 4. a call to embrace the Trinity as the source and paradigm from which all relational work stems

While study and teaching is necessary, in themselves they will not facilitate change; therefore, I conclude with six practical results that stem from my study, research, ministry experience, and prayer. These six results are offered as an application of the study of relational work toward community spiritual formation for the transformational leader.

The genuine ministry problem addressed in this dissertation is an existing divide between Sunday and Monday. There is a gap in the consciousness of church leaders who convey the wrong message that only the Lord's work is sacred. Because of this distortion, there are pastors and church leaders who can't integrate faith and work. The project examines the problem within ministry from the contextual view of incarnational and transformational leadership.
Chapter 1 presents a survey of the proposition to be proved. Included in this problem are stakeholders, the audience, and aspects of transformational leadership.
Chapter 2 discusses the literary review which brings comprehension concerning the problem and the author's solutions.
Chapter 3 outlines the context of ministry issues, provides the historical background, and presents the personal experiences. This chapter also addresses how the project will renew and transform Christian ministry.
Chapter 4 examines the biblical and theological roots of the problem and offers a Christian solution.
Chapter 5 presents methods of investigation and uses questionnaires and interviews as well as an analysis of the community.
Chapter 6 explores the conclusion of the problem, evaluates the methodology, and presents the desired outcomes in addition to providing the project's intended purpose.
Chapter 7 looks at principles learned, objectives of the research, the proposal for further research and the final conclusions.

The purpose of this project is to show how and why a character-based curriculum rooted in sound theology can help provide high school students interested in manufacturing find purpose and direction in their choosing a career.

In collaboration with the Edgerton Senior High School in Edgerton, Wisconsin, this project was hosted at Edgerton Gear, Inc., a medium-sized gear manufacturer I own and serve as president of the company. In response to a perceived skills gap in manufacturing, the Edgerton High School has endeavored to provide educational and career opportunities for students not interested in a traditional four-year university education. Recognizing manufacturing is often wrongly perceived as a dirty, dark and dangerous profession, I developed a curriculum to expose students to the world of high- tech manufacturing while attempting to influence their characters and worldviews through a comprehensive approach, including teaching, praxis, mentoring, and reflection. During a semester, students were engaged on the shop floor with mentors 80 percent of their time, while the remaining 20 percent was spent in a classroom, with the emphasis on real world application and development of virtuous character. Behind this curriculum is the truth that character development and spiritual formation take place centrally in the context of work rather than a classroom or retreat center.

Two teaching sessions were conducted with a total of fourteen students involved. Research findings were gleaned from student journals and evaluations, mentor and teacher feedback, and direct observation. The results show marked improvement in self-worth, understanding of the value of work and trades, and definitive direction in career choices.

The purpose of this dissertation is to illuminate a growing global need for business as a context for mission and propose a model of business that holds promise for building sustainable spiritual movements. The premise is that God's biblical mandate is to take the gospel to all the nations. In this generation, however, those countries that are least-reached with the gospel tend to be those countries that are most closed to traditional missionaries and are becoming increasingly more stringent in their visa requirements. Furthermore, even countries previously open to Christian missionaries have closed their borders to religious activity (or what is perceived as religious activity) following the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks and the global war on terror. Into such a context of international fear and suspicion this generation of ministers finds itself thrown. God's historic mandate remains immutable, but the means to fulfilling it must adapt to this new global environment. Business as context for mission may be one tool to help fulfill the Great Commission and build God's all-nation Kingdom mosaic.
The academic piece of this dissertation will include this abstract, an overview, and proposal for a theology of work, a description of the current need for business as a context for mission ventures, a review of some of the literature which informs this issue, research specifications, and a postscript evaluation of the research project. Part two of the dissertation is intended to be a manuscript for a book entitled Movement-Building Businesses, which will hopefully be useful to individuals and missions agencies contemplating business as a means to facilitate mission. Chapters 1 through 3 of the book
will focus on God's missional mandate, globalization, and theology of work, which together reinforce the need to pursue business as a vehicle for twenty-first century mission efforts. Chapters 4 5 are an overview of the philosophy behind movement-building businesses and an examination of recent attempts to implement such missions. Chapter 6 presents a model for establishing businesses that promise to create sustainable spiritual movements. Chapter 7 is a detailed account of one business venture in a predominantly Muslim context, in which I was intimately involved. Chapter 8 highlights significant lessons learned through study and experience, and identifies transferrable concepts for other movement-building business endeavors.
It is hoped that readers will gain a greater appreciation for work as a conduit for sustainable ministry and the potential of businesses to create contexts for taking the gospel to today's least-reached nations. An even greater desire is that through this study and the experiential lessons learned, yet another avenue will be opened for God's Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.