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Christian entrepreneurs are at the heart of the church's mission.
They are dynamic, innovative followers of Christ who are making a major contribution to our society through the companies they run, the products they make and the people they influence. A Voice to Be Heard explains and celebrates their work, mostly through their own words.
Theological educator Richard Higginson and former retail entrepreneur Kina Robertshaw have worked together on this ground-breaking study, based on interviews with fifty entrepreneurs. Exploring issues of vision, creativity, relationships, stewardship, integrity, prayer and perseverance, they show how people running their own businesses are exercising crucial roles in building God's kingdom. With the church's encouragement, they have the potential to do even more.
'Practical, biblical, informative... this book conveys vividly the voices of Christian entrepreneurs.' Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach
'This book is a treasure. From car dealerships to toy stores, A Voice to Be Heard visits particular entrepreneurs at work and reveals their leadership lessons for us all.' Eve Poole
'This book has truth with flesh on. It is a delicious mixture of story and biblical reflection... a truly inspiring read.' Dr R. Paul Stevens
Gary Grant (toy retail) 1
David Ball (construction) 3
Mark Mitchell (car dealership) 5
Val King (architecture and construction) 7
Matthew Kimpton-Smith (engineering) 9
Christian entrepreneurs 12
Richard and Kina 14
2. 'She makes linen garments and sells them' 16
Jacob - an entrepreneur in the shadows 16
Nehemiah - a brilliant project manager 19
Lydia - the dealer in purple 21
The virtuous wife - entrepreneur extraordinaire 22
God - the original entrepreneur 25
A visionary, creative, risk-taking God 27
Made in God's image 29
3. Entrepreneurs emerge 30
Entrepreneurs in the shadows 31
Entrepreneurs on the rise 33
Entrepreneurship today 35
Entrepreneurs and the church 36
Entrepreneurs worldwide 39
Pentecostalism and the prosperity gospel 40
A force for good 44
4. 'Not a man but a purpose' 45
The nineteenth century 47
C. and J. Clark 48
Titus Salt 50
George Cadbury 52
John Laing 56
Post-mortem 60
5. Commercializing innovation 62
Kina's research 63
Entrepreneur defined 65
The questionnaire 68
6. Seeking first God's kingdom 71
Calling - three responses 72
A biblical view 75
Jesus and the kingdom 77
Making the world a better place 79
Embodying Christian values 82
Witnessing by word 84
Charitable giving 87
A holistic approach 89
Seek ye first... 91
7. You need a gut desire 92
Fearfully and wonderfully made; beautiful inside and out 93
Bringing joy 95
All-metal connection hoses 96
A vision for business 99
8. I take calculated risks 101
Innovation - from design to market 103
Risk-taking 105
A critical friend 107
Strong and courageous 108
9. Stakeholders, servants and shepherds 112
Boots and Bibles 113
Lunch or banquet? 115
Care and confrontation 118
Loyalty 120
Treating suppliers fairly 121
10. 'Who then is that faithful and wise steward?' 125
Go forth and multiply 126
Money, time, family 129
Garden parks and recycled carpets 131
Faithful and unfaithful servants 133
In and under authority 136
Accountability 139
11. Avoiding sharp and dodgy practices 141
Paying taxes 142
Improper payments 146
Honesty in marketing 152
Transparency 153
No gambling, no pornography 156
At home with the family 158
Consistency 159
12. Too busy not to pray 161
Entrepreneurs pray more than most 162
Teach us to pray 163
Unanswered prayer? 165
Discernment and boldness 166
Forms of prayer 168
Fasting 171
13. I just refuse to give up 174
Patient endurance 175
Delays 178
Cheating 179
Recession 180
Bankruptcy 181
A persistent God 184
Hopefulness 185
'I know the plans I have for you' 187
14. So you've got an entrepreneur in your church? 189
A positive experience 189
Mixed - but slowly improving 190
Disappointment 191
The reasons why 193
Encourage one another 194
Doing better 196
15. Becoming the best you can be 200
Two misunderstandings 201
Three commands 202
Four kingdom imperatives 206
Mission - a strategic role for entrepreneurs 206
Becoming the best you can be 208
Bibliography 209