Issue 11 Transformation

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 ISSUE 11

Complimentary copy Not for sale

BE THE CHANGE

Laziness keeps us Dry MAKING DECISIONS ON THE MOVE

TRANSFORMATION

Encourage, Inspire, Ignite and Equip Keeping Jesus Christ as our centre and foundation One of the most important tools in business today is NETWORKING. If nobody knows about your business you are invisible. Join a Networking group that is serious about Business and about keeping Christ as our centre and foundation.

SION

• To grow, equip and encourage Christian business owners • To extend God’s Kingdom by using our unique marketplace gifting to bring finances into our local churches • To give exposure to each member’s product or service so that we can support and refer business to one another • To create a culture of excellence and integrity in Business

For more information. Tel: 084 548 4720 info@connectmagazine.co.za

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CONTENTS VOICE OF THE PROPHET Be the Change

HEART OF THE PASTOR Making Decisions on the move 12 HAND OF THE HARVESTER Laziness keeps us dry 14 Invading Earth for the Kingdom 16 Entrepreneurship: An effective ministry to the poor 20 Finding your Factor X 26 IN EVERY ISSUE Where to find CONNECT Letter from the Editor The Rest is HIStory Advertising Information

3 4 28 30

is produced by: Tracey Olivier - Editor tracey@connectmagazine.co.za Belinda Peck - Admin info@connectmagazine.co.za Elaine Young - Sub-Editor elaine@copyeditpaste.co.za Sherrene Burnett - Ad Sales 082 456 0348 sales@connectmagazine.co.za Steve Joubert - Ad Design steve.joubert@gmail.com Ruth Brophy Plowman Publishing consultant and is printed by: DNA Print (Pty) Ltd. nikki@jmsa.co.za

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Transformation! I am always amazed how often the theme of the latest CONNECT is playing out in my life. As I write this editorial for our Transformation issue, we as a family are going through some huge changes as we relocate to Magaliesburg in the next few months. Thanks to technology and planes, this will not affect the magazine in any way, only perhaps to expand our reach. Change and Transformation often go hand in glove. Change often involves a dramatic transformation, a metamorphosis from one state to another – like being born again as a Christian, or in taking God’s transformative message to the world. If we are to transform our cities, nations and the world, we must allow the change to start in us – not a superficial change but a dramatic, thorough, lasting transformation. We need to be prepared to leave what is comfortable and familiar, and to enter into the unfamiliar with the faith that our Father God has gone before us and has prepared good works for us. So it is with a sad heart I have to say goodbye to KZN, but with a great sense of purpose and excitement that I say hello to Magaliesburg and Gauteng. I leave a very capable and passionate team here in KZN to continue and grow the momentum that KBN and CONNECT have acquired, and I know that God is ordaining EXPANSION for them both. The pioneer in me is firing on all cylinders and suddenly the Gauteng contacts that have been happening over the last few months are making sense. One of them is my new friend and mentor, “Powerful Patrick”, whose article on page 16 is dynamic message to us all. It is time to get out of the

bunker, “be the change” (as Bianca puts it so beautifully on page 8), and operate in my Factor X (page 26) to bring transformation in a new territory. In taking this big step, my husband and I have had to listen to and enquire of God as to His will for us. God’s pattern of change is ‘leaving and entering’. We need to leave one thing to enter into the other. The way we leave will determine how we enter into our new life. As with all change, there is an element of uncertainty and risk. There is always the fear that we will ‘miss it’. Jimmy’s article on making decisions (page 12) has been most helpful in this area. Very early in our decision-making process, I was walking in the garden asking God to help us not to make a decision that would take us out of His will. The whisper into my heart was, “If you stay in my presence you will never leave my will”. I was blessed and encouraged by Pete’s blog (page 14) on committing to remaining in the presence of God. If there is to be expansion, there needs to be change. And change is all about transformation – personal transformation first, and then allowing that transformation to work itself out in the environment around you. As Marketplace Christians, but especially as Business Owners, we need to make time to invest in our own personal development, whether it be a new skill to keep up to date with technology or market trends, or simply an inspirational talk or course to ‘fill your bucket’. You should also be budgeting some personal development funds for yourself this year. It will be money well spent. Keep your eye on our Facebook page for upcoming events, especially

transformation |noun a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance:

ure This was taken in my fut d. A garden by my husban on. picture of Transformati

courses and seminars that are biblically sound. (see page19 & 28) Thank you for your continued support of CONNECT as we take Christian Business to the next level by encouraging, inspiring and equipping Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people in the business world.

ww.connectmagazine.co.za

VOICE OF THE PROPHET

BE THE

CHANGE

hange is an inevitable part of life. Nothing remains static forever. The art of living lies in being able to transition successfully from one life stage to the next. Anyone who has just had a baby – or a puppy – knows that it is the end of life as you know it. Your priorities, wants, desires and schedule are altered forever. Change is normal. And yet most of us resist change at some level. The dictionary defines the word “change” as: the process of becoming or making different a substitution of one thing for another giving or leaving one thing for another. As Christians, you and I are called to be change agents in the community we live in. We are the bright lights people are drawn to. The flavour in a world that is drowning in sameness. We have the opportunity to be different and make the difference that our communities need. We have what it takes to transform our communities into joyous, hope-filled, vibrant life ecosystems that reflect the Kingdom of our Father. Maybe you are thinking of big ways in which you can make a difference in the

• ••

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world. If only... I were president of this country, things would be different. If only... I had lots of money or connections to feed the poor. If only... I were older, younger, wiser, richer, taller, thinner, talked more, talked less, did more. Somehow a lot of us are programmed to disqualify ourselves in this race of life in a way that Christ never will. You see, it’s not about what you do or don’t have, do or don’t do. That may all be pretty awesome, but the truth is that when Jesus said in the book of John that He would be one with you, and that He and His Father would make a dwelling place within you, He was completely serious about it. He’s at home in you. Are you at home in Him? You + Him makes an overwhelming majority! You are not daunted by anything.

As Christians, you and I are called to be change agents in the community we live in.

VOICE OF THE PROPHET

No challenge is too big. No situation is too hopeless. Now, wherever you go, it’s not so much about what you do – it’s about who you are allowing to breathe and move through you. Transformed people change other people. My sister bought a puppy this week. When I saw the puppy and heard the excitement in her voice, I too was convinced. I wanted a puppy. One night I went to bed not thinking about puppies. The next day I got up with this conviction that we needed a puppy today – and I’ve spent the rest of the week puppy-proofing my home. It is completely contagious! If we want to see people transforming communities, we need to have a bunch of people being transformed themselves. Otherwise we’ll have superficial people doing a few good deeds every other month and we’ll lull our guilty conscience into thinking we’ve done our part. Jesus was

transformed daily in the presence of His Father... and because of that twelve other men’s lives were changed forever. That change echoed through the centuries, impacting thousands, and will continue to carry that momentum into eternity

Transformed people change other people. Mahatma Gandhi said: “Be the change that you desire.” So it does not matter what you do. Where you are right now is exactly what is needed. Who you know and where you go are vehicles for seizing opportunities to make Christ known. Your heart matters. Your passions will connect you with ideal ‘crossroads moments’ to

impact society in big and small ways. Your life is not your own. If you’re still in this life for all you can get from it, you’re way off base. There is such great capacity in you because of what Christ has done, that the only way to live is to contribute. What you’ve been given, give it away today. During the week I was standing in a long queue. People were getting impatient and

The darker it gets or the heavier the problem is, the brighter we are to shine. started complaining. Person after person would come in and join the moaning, and before long we had quite an atmosphere. Then another lady joined us and started insulting the workers. Suddenly I found myself turning around, looking her in the eye and saying: “Lady, please calm down.” This is not something I regularly do! But the moment I did that, you could feel the atmosphere lift. People started chatting pleasantly. The lady standing behind me had been nudging me the whole time with her purse. The next time she did that, she sheepishly said sorry. No one will give you or me an award for doing things like this. But in that moment it demonstrated God’s kingdom, His way of doing, where His rule is honoured. We don’t really understand the calling of God on our lives. Many times we walk into a situation that is less than comfortable for us, or not exactly what we expected. If we have a consumer mentality we’ll 10 | www.connectmagazine.co.za

be thinking what we can get out of the situation, or lamenting that it isn’t working out as planned. But we have not been called to consume Planet Earth, but to be a contributor to the transformation of mankind in our particular sphere. The darker it gets or the heavier the problem is, the brighter we are to shine. What is incredible is that it is not something that we do with much effort, but in acknowledging that Christ is the answer and carrying Him into that particular challenge. Will you take up the challenge of being the change? Will you allow God to transform your community through your hands, your passions, your love for others and Him? Will you be willing to walk into seemingly uncomfortable situations to see Him alter people around you? Laugh with someone today, forgive an offence today, share your wisdom or experience with someone who is new in the field, create an opportunity for someone else to succeed, speak words of life rather than words of death, start afresh, heal the sick, love your husband or wife, give someone a home. I dare you to ask the Lord: “Lord, how do you want to change my community through me today?”

Bianca Steffen bianca@doxadeo.co.za Full-time at Doxa Deo Church, Life Purpose Coach and Author

on the move

Decision Making T

here is a funny saying: “I used to be 2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of indecisive, now I am not sure!” our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, We all know that this year is going yet for your sakes He became poor, that you to be filled with decisions that will affect through His poverty might become rich.” our lives in one way or another. Some These and many more scriptures say the consequences will be smaller same thing. God prefers us to than others. Others may have be Richer not Poorer, Healthy a bigger effect on us. For not Sick. He wants to bless example: If you hear God us so we can be a blessing to others. So no matter  You are not happy at say something. which decision we make, work. Do you stay and expect DO IT! God is always looking for changes to happen as you opportunities to favour you! bring the Kingdom of God You can’t go into your workplace, or do Which decision is wrong! you look elsewhere? going to give me more opportunities to advance  A potential business God’s Kingdom? promotion comes up in a Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his remote area, but your family workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good has just settled in, and the ministry in your works, which God prepared beforehand, that life is taking off. Is this God or is it the enemy we should walk in them.” trying to derail God’s plans? This passage shows us that God, outside of  You have just finished your studies and have been approached by two of the best establishments in the country. Which one is God’s best for you? Let me say this clearly – this article is for the times that God seems silent. If you hear God say something, DO IT! You can’t go wrong! So, what are some of the main things facing people when making decisions? Which decision is going to have higher favour with God? Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things?” Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you.’”

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time, has seen where we will go on our life’s journey. God, having seen what decisions we will make, before the first second of time hit the first clock, prepared good things for us to walk into. So, no matter whether we go left or right, we know that there are good things for us to do, to advance His Kingdom. What if I make a mistake, or have a poor motive? Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Again we see that God is able to turn all things, and make them work together for good. The words “all things” literally mean all things – even our mistakes! Multitude of Counsel Proverbs 15:22: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.” So the question is, who do you want counselling you? Do you want friends that just don’t want to upset your enthusiasm? Do you want people who don’t have your heart? Do you want people that have had no experience on the journey you are contemplating? With all of these factors above removed, what questions are you left with? This can be the hardest question of it all...

you have faith and peace for, grab it with both hands!

Jimmy Duguid Pastor at Highway Christian Community jimmyduguid@gmail.com

“What do you want?”

So no matter which decision we make, God is always looking for opportunities to favour you!

Most people who are currently facing some big decisions will battle to answer this question. “I don’t know what I want!” they say. So dream of how great the result of each decision could be, with the favour and opportunities that God will lavish on you. And then, whichever decision

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HAND OF THE HARVESTER

Laziness Keeps Us Dry

luggards do not plough in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. Proverbs 20:4

Just like most people, whenever a new year comes around, I tend to dream a little more than normal and set myself a few goals for the year. Now this is actually a really good thing to do and I encourage you all to do it. Set yourself some goals for the year. Put in your diary some things you would love to do in 2012. If they are in the diary, you are more likely to work towards them. Dream big! Plan to do things this year that you cannot do. I know that sounds crazy, but what that does is it gives God an opportunity to blow your mind. Matthew 19:26 says, “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” That’s exciting! All things are possible with God, so dream the impossible. Now, how often do we set ourselves these great goals for a year and get to the end of the year and realise that we achieved none of them? Sometimes those goals were genuinely out of reach, but if we are honest 14 | www.connectmagazine.co.za

with ourselves, we will realise that the reason we never achieved them was simply because we did nothing about them. We simply sat on our backsides and hoped that they would fall in our lap. It’s not going to happen! Let me illustrate with a personal example. I desire to go deeper into the Presence of God this year. I want to be consumed by His Presence like never before. Now I have a choice: I can have that desire but carry on with life as normal and hope that something happens... or I can change the way I do things. Do I go to bed at night after watching my favourite shows and reading a quick passage of scripture before I crash and then wake up with just enough time to get ready for work? That doesn’t leave much time to swim in His Presence, does it? This is the point of the opening scripture. If we are living a lazy life, how can we expect the benefits of the harvest? If I want to enjoy the Presence of God in greater ways, I need to give myself the opportunity to do so. I am NOT talking about works

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i n t e l l i ge n t , here. We cannot do anything to earn His [b ] v i r t u o u s Presence; it is by His grace alone that we get a n d to enjoy Him. I am talking about wisdom. If w o m a n - - w h o i s the things of this world are occupying our time, then that is what we will experience. h e wh o can fi n d But when we set our hearts and minds on She i s fa r things above – on His Kingdom – then that h e r ? is what we will experience. m o re p re c i o u s So let’s be diligent and not lazy. If you This page serves to honour have a goal or a harvest in mind, then do t hthe awomen n jwho ew e l to s an d choose what you need to do to make it happen. Plough. Don’t be like the five foolish virgins h e work home r from va l utoeanswer i s fa r who never took oil for their lamps and the noble callrofu full-time b ie s o r ended up missing out on the return of their a b o v e homemaker. Just like the bridegroom. Be wise, plan ahead. Don’t p e a rl s . mothers who have answered miss out on what God has spoken to you through the desires He’s put in your heart T the he he rt o f her call into theamarketplace, simply because of laziness. many these women have h u s bofa n d tr u sts in This Proverbs 20:4 scripture is the real micro-businesses which allow reason I have started blogging. It’s my way r o n fi d e n tl y of getting me out of lazy habits and being h e them tocuse their talents and diligent so that I can get into His Presence. an d r eearn l iextra e s money. o n giftings and I don’t want to stay dry... I want to get For as little as R195 per month drenched. an d b e l i e ve s in her

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HAND OF THE HARVESTER

Invading Earth with the Kingdom...

or seeking safety in the bunker?

them (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15-18; Matthew he true Gospel of Jesus Christ is an 28:18-20). awesome transformational force that The mandate of establishing the Kingdom should result in the systems of this of God – and hence world (ways of thinking His will being done on and doing things) being Earth as it is in Heaven turned upside down and The body of Christ (Matthew 6:10) – is being replaced by the system is holed up seeking severely hindered. Why? of the Kingdom of God. The early church safety in man-made Because a large part of the body of Christ is was made up of radical religious bunkers holed up seeking safety ‘transformational agents’ in man-made religious who went about changing while everything while everything the world through the outside the church bunkers outside the church walls power of love and the rots away (or effectively walls rots away (or message of the Cross. goes to hell). The Lord These ‘transformational effectively goes to wants us to aggressively agents’ fearlessly went hell). go out and reclaim lost about their task because territory from Satan... and they understood their then leave the timing and identity in Jesus Christ conclusion of history to Him, because the and the power and authority that their timing of the end of the world is in God’s ‘Commander in Chief’ (Jesus) had given

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HAND OF THE HARVESTER

haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers hands (Acts 1:6-7). Matthew 6:10 clearly tells of God, having a form of godliness but denying us that God wants His will to be done on its power. And from such people turn away!” Earth as it is in Heaven; and Revelation 11:15 (NKJV) further promises that the kingdoms of this world will someday all belong to Jesus. Let’s take some time The church of Right now, we should be to imagine. advancing towards these Imagine… The church Jesus Christ is goals. being the primary elected and The church is God’s provider of healing. chosen vehicle to establish Medical research shows called by God to His rulership (Kingdom) that 87-95% of all diseases rule in all sectors have been traced back to on Earth. Interestingly, the word ‘church’ comes from of society, in our what goes on in our thought the Greek word ‘ekklesia’, life. In her book Healing communities, which literally means ‘those Begins with Sanctification of cities and elected and called out to the Heart, Zimbabwean Dr rule’. The church of Jesus MK Strydom says, “I am not country. Christ is elected and called against doctors otherwise I by God to rule in all sectors wouldn’t be a doctor myself. of society, in our communities, cities and However I have to say that the worldly country. doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists Unfortunately a large part of the body of today are the result of the frustration due to Christ has adopted a safety position inside the failure of the church to be the primary the bunker and would rather assimilate place of healing (James 5:14). Because the themselves into the ways church has failed in this and thinking of the world area, people have turned than take the position of to doctors, psychologists We as the body Kingdom soldiers fighting and psychiatrists who have against the systems of become the ‘pastors’ of of Christ need darkness that currently the world offering disease to rise up and prevail in the world. management instead of the This bunker mentality disease eradication that God take dominion of has effectively led to the in His word.” healing so that the promises manifestation of what We as the body of Christ knowledge of the need to rise up and take Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:15 – But know this, that in dominion of healing so that glory of the Lord the last days perilous times the knowledge of the glory in this area can fill of the Lord in this area can will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers the earth and the fill the earth and the world of money, boasters, proud, can come to the true source world can come to of healing. blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, the true source of Imagine… Business unholy, unloving, being conducted on healing. unforgiving, slanderers, biblical principles. without self control, In a lecture to professing brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, Christians, the revivalist Charles G. Finney www.connectmagazine.co.za | 17

HAND OF THE HARVESTER

once said: “One reason for the requirement, ‘Be not conformed to this world,’ (Romans 12:2) is the immense, salutary, and instantaneous influence it would have, if everybody would do business on the principles of the Gospel. Turn the tables over, and let Christians do business one year on Gospel principles. It would shake the world! It would ring louder than the thunder. Let unbelievers see professing Christians in every deal consulting the good of the person they are trading with; seeking not their own wealth, but every man another’s wealth; living above the world and setting no value on the world and further than it would be the means of glorifying God. What would be the effect? It would cover the world with confusion of face, and overwhelm them with conviction of sin.” World poverty would be eradicated, wars would be a thing of the past, and righteous governments would be established. But this will only happen when we get out of the safety of the bunker and start to participate in the heavenly invasion of Earth that the ‘Commander In Chief’ of the church has called us to participate in, using the power and authority that He has given us.

Tough Questions that need a Response

So what are some of the tough questions that we need to be asking ourselves? Are we as the body of Christ following God’s will (agenda and plan) or are we following our own agendas and plans (individually and collectively as the Church)? Is the world around us conforming to us and following the principles of God or have we as the body of Christ committed ‘high treason’ by conforming to the world and its ways? Do we as the body of Christ do business according to Kingdom principles or have we been absorbed into the worldly business system that is driven by greed, selfishness, 18 | www.connectmagazine.co.za

pride and the love of money? Which master do we honestly serve – God or Mammon? (Matthew 6:24) An honest reflection on these questions might be reason for us to sink to our knees and humble ourselves, pray, seek the Lord’s face and turn away from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14). Interestingly, God is not calling for the world, or the government, or unbelievers to do this – He is calling us the church because we are His people, called by His name. We need to repent and get out of our bunkers.

Patrick Kuwana Transformational Entrepreneur patrick@crossovertransformation.co.za

Entrepreneurship:

An Effective Ministry to the Poor

he Problem with Handouts.

Drawing of Begging Hands by Warisiss

HAND OF THE HARVESTER

hurting? How do we foster the God-given gift of work instead of reducing people and their abilities to dependence on our It was like clockwork. Every month, leftovers? a church volunteer team would visit a The Bible is clear: God gave humanity nearby impoverished community and drop the GIFT of work. off the donated clothes they had faithfully In the Garden of Eden, God collected over the previous told Adam to work the land weeks. With bright smiles and When and produce a harvest. Every happy hearts, this ministry continued with great vigour as working with capable man and woman should be engaged in some the months ticked by. the material kind of work. No-one is Many volunteers poor, it is meant to sit idly, depending participated in the excitement only on the latest drop of of engaging with the crucial to stuff from a charity or church. community. But some of the determine There is something about clothing recipients soon grew whether good, honest, consistent wise to how the priority of labour that produces selfdistribution worked: neediest relief or esteem, dignity and respect to least neediest. The development in an individual. Work is not a solution... to look the neediest. is the curse, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a blessing! How? By burning their own clothes so they would look How We Engage with appropriate more needy and get new Poverty. intervention clothes! As believers, the way we When it became clear what understand poverty plays was happening, the volunteers felt hurt and a major role in determining the solutions betrayed that their generosity was being we attempt to use to alleviate it. Often, abused in this way. we think of poverty as a lack of material When engaging with the poor, we first things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; money, food, clothing, housing, etc. need to ask: how do we help without However, a World Bank study of over 60,000

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people from 60 low-income countries was very revealing. Poor people typically think of poverty in terms of shame, hopelessness, inferiority, powerlessness, fear and humiliation. When working with the material poor, it is crucial to determine whether relief or development is the appropriate intervention. “Relief” is the urgent provision of emergency aid to reduce immediate suffering from a natural or man-made crisis. It is characterised by a provider-receiver dynamic in which the provider gives assistance, often material, to the receiver, who is largely incapable of helping himself. “Development” is a process of on-going change that is not done to people or for people but with people. It is an empowering process in which both the helpers and the helped become more of what God created them to be. Applying the wrong intervention is likely to do harm to both the provider and receiver of the assistance. Providing relief when the situation calls for development means the receivers’ skills and resources are not utilised, which undermines the stewardship of their own lives and their communities. Relief (handouts) should only be applied when the receivers are unable to help themselves. Therefore, our mandate as followers of Christ should be to ensure that each person who is capable of work has the opportunity to work. In a country like South Africa, which continues to battle with unemployment rates which are reported as being between 23 – 40% (depending on who you ask), the reality is that many people just can’t find jobs.

Entrepreneurship as a Solution For this reason, the poor often have no choice but to turn to entrepreneurship. They must take some skill or talent they have and find a way to turn it into a business. The problem is, most have never run a business before and they struggle to know how to run a business a way that ensures a profit. Sipho moved to Johannesburg from a rural part of KZN with high hopes of employment. She needed to provide for her small twin boys after she lost her husband to AIDS. Upon arriving in the big city, she soon found that the place was teeming with job-seekers just like her and there were not nearly enough jobs for everyone. After months of trying to find work, Sipho finally took stock of her skills and realised that she knew how to sew, and that she enjoyed doing it. She started making hats, scarves, tablecloths, children’s clothes – anything she could think of that people around her seemed to need. Although Sipho sold her goods, she soon found that at the end of the month, she simply didn’t have the money she thought she had made. Never having run a business, she couldn’t make sense of it. Were her prices too low? Were her living expenses too high? Were people stealing from her? What was the problem? Having nowhere to turn for help, Sipho became discouraged and soon turned to relying on handouts… skills and abilities unused, dignity lost, overwhelmed with shame. Sadly, for all their hard work, many of the poor who become entrepreneurs actually lose money every month only because they lack basic business knowledge – how to find a target market, www.connectmagazine.co.za | 21

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set prices with a mark-up that covers their costs, keep good records, issue invoices and receipts, etc. This gap of simple knowledge keeps them trapped in poverty, struggling to make a profit, falling into despair, feeling like a failure, without knowing where to gain the needed skills. Down the road from Sipho was a wellmeaning church, offering bread to the poor each Tuesday night. One volunteer, Steve, was a managing partner and accountant at a highly successful start-up company. Every week, as he handed bread to Sipho and her two children, he felt a sting of guilt and uneasiness. He briefly knew her story, but no-one had taken the time to find a way to empower her. Everyone was content just to give her bread, while her talents went unused in the prime of her life. He knew that the bread only filled her family’s bellies for a few hours. It wasn’t actually changing her situation. But Steve knew a lot about business, banking and entrepreneurship. One night, on his way home, it hit him like a ton of bricks: His knowledge and her need could be matched! Not only that, he realised that if he could get to know her – and others like her – as he taught them business, he could also introduce them to Christ! They did not have the opportunity to build long-term relationships while merely passing out bread.

The goal of development is a process of walking with the materially poor so that they are better empowered to be stewards of their lives and communities, including their own material needs. One programme that offers that offers a solution like this is called Paradigm Shift. Paradigm Shift is a non-profit organisation which has created a structured programme for churches, Christian business forums and community organisations to use entrepreneurship as an avenue for ministry. What would it look like if every resourced church in every urban area of South Africa stopped giving handouts to those who were capable of working, and started offering effective, sustainable training programmes? Maybe, with our collective efforts, we would see poverty decline, unemployment reduced and thousands more come to know Christ – each transformed into dignified, productive members of society, in turn making their OWN eternal difference in the world. What if?

What If?

Most people are capable of helping themselves. This does not mean we should do nothing to assist them, it just means that development, not relief, is the appropriate intervention. The development approach aims to avoid paternalism. This means we do not do things for people that they can do for themselves. 22 | www.connectmagazine.co.za

Jedd Schroy Executive Director, Paradigm Shift jedd@shiftingparadigms.org Some concepts in this article were adapted from the book, When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.

HAND OF THE HARVESTER

Finding your Factor X

The last thing a director needs is a finance he key to the heart of success for assistant who spends his day dreaming both individuals and companies is of being a sales representative. But that to discover what I call Factor X – and said, it makes sense to consider whether then be set free to use it. Factor X is that amongst our staff we have some gifts ability in a man or a woman that is a natural that are just waiting to be discovered. It’s strength – it sets them apart from the pack. sobering to meet the head of sales of our The problem is that in life we are dogged major competitor – for whom by people who want us our previous secretary now to be just like them, or, in companies, by managers who I am convinced works – who tells us that the person who used to type our say, “This is the way we’ve that most letters has an incredible gift always done it.” Maybe our and has just won the annual parents have pressurised us people have sales prize for the third year to take the career that, given never had the running. the chance, they themselves Often when companies would have loved to pursue. opportunity discover a glimmer of Factor The problem is that it is to consider, X in a member of staff, they their dream, not ours. I first try to control it, then am convinced that most let alone it, and eventually people have never had the discover, what regulate extinguish it. They say, “He’s opportunity to consider, let their natural a rebel,” or “It’s not policy to alone discover, what their do it that way,” or “That’s not natural strengths are. strengths are. in her job description.” But This isn’t easy – especially if you’re fortunate enough in small organisations of less to have somebody in your than twenty people. The business with Factor X – change the job to need here is for people to “muck in”, often suit them. in an effort to simply keep the ship afloat. 26 | www.connectmagazine.co.za

HAND OF THE HARVESTER

giving them more opportunity to use those I have seen companies killed by their strengths. If you have a leading salesman, refusal to allow Factor X to blossom. I’ve you may think you are rewarding him often been asked to help professional by pulling him off the road and making practices develop their new business. him a manager. But we Fifteen partners may be somehow have to create a around the boardroom table, that will make him but their firm is dying on the Great captains culture feel valued whilst allowing vine – desperate to break him to continue doing what into new markets. I begin by and great is uniquely gifted to do. saying, “I know none of you, managers have he Don’t give him a bigger but I’ll bet there’s somebody the same skill: office; give him a bigger around this table who is challenge. brilliant at new-business they create There’s nothing more development. This person team spirit tragic than seeing somebody builds relationships, creates opportunities, dreams whilst allowing clinging to a promotion with white knuckles who, in reality, marketing. They only have individual is stifling their real gift and to walk down the High Street driving everybody crazy. The to come back with a hatful brilliance to problem is caused because of work.” Fourteen heads shine. so often companies measure turn and look at Laura who success in such a limited way. blushes slightly. I drop my But great managers create gaze to the departmental fee ladders. They realise that sometimes you targets and ask, “Then why have you given have to shape the job around the person. her £150,000 of audit costs to bring in? Set In other words: develop your strengths her free.” staff your weaknesses. What a tragedy it is when nobody takes In the film Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell, the time to help us discover our Factor X, who won the Olympic gold, said, “God and what desperate lives many of us are made me fast and when I run I feel His condemned to as we try to be what others pleasure.” Liddell had found his Factor X. I want us to be. believe that each of us has a responsibility Some time ago I saw a “motivational to help at least one person find theirs. That poster”. It read, “There is no ‘I’ in TEAM.” is true whether we are parents, friends or Well, whoever designed it got the spelling CEOs of companies. People are our greatest right, but the philosophy will kill a company strength. Our competitors can copy dead in the water. Great teams are made our technology, but they can’t copy our up of brilliant individuals who are allowed people. And people allowed to play to their to play to their strengths. I have yet to see strengths are an awesome force. Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United Football Club, demand that his goalAdapted from The Heart of Success by keepers practice taking penalties. Who Rob Parsons, Chairman and Founder of Care would do that when they’ve got Rooney? for the Family. Great captains and great managers have the same skill: they create team spirit whilst Rob Parsons is in South Africa for allowing individual brilliance to shine. February. See infomation on page How can companies effectively reward 28 to attend “The Heart of Success” those who have special strengths? By Breakfast. Connect will be there! www.connectmagazine.co.za | 27

Making significant impact Significance is all about having Meaningful and Measurable impact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; personally and in business. We can actively choose to impact people in a way that drives them closer toward their God-given purpose. Perhaps they need a word of encouragement, advice or practical assistance. What could you say or do to edge people closer to their God-ordained success? As Christians, we have the mind of Christ and can tap into the thoughts of our King to discover how we can impact those around us. Then we can be the spark that ignites them to reach their destiny. Talk about being equipped for Significance! Use your impact to bring about meaningful and measurable change in peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives and businesses. That Significance results in True Success!

A STORY OF TWIN IDEALS.... Unity And TransforMATION “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” – John 17:22-23 What is Christian unity? What does it look like? Is it extrinsic or intrinsic? Is it tangible or purely spiritual… or both? One thing is clear… where there is unity, the Lord commands His blessing. 2010 marked the 150th year celebration of the 1860 exodus of Indians to our shores… many bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. In preparation for this historic occasion, attempts were made to bring the Christian Indian fraternity together to celebrate their history and heritage. This proved to be a difficult undertaking and Lazarus Pillay saw the need for an outside, non-affiliated, interdenominational body to assist in this endeavour. Over this period, a vision for Christian unity was birthed. In the wake of ‘Celebration 150’, a question was left hanging… Is this declaration of unity for only one cultural subset of the Christian body, or should it aim to bring together every cultural and denominational group in our nation and ultimately our world? The answer to this question manifested itself in the formation of CNI – Christian Network 28 | www.connectmagazine.co.za

International. Some might say that this was a bold and audacious statement of intent… others might say that this is the heart’s cry of many in the body of Christ today. During 2011, CNI started to navigate the tangibility of unity and find a niche that served a need. What would create and sustain a mind-set of unity, rather than seeing it for a glorious fraction of time at a well-orchestrated event? Events certainly are effective and have their place, and many churches and organisations were doing this commendably. Or did unity look like a forum that brought Christian leaders across a city together to discuss and propagate our Christian concerns and ideals to the rest of society? This was also explored and tested… and CNI realised that there was still much learning and listening to do. Essentially, we discovered that unity manifests itself in relationship… relationship with one another and with Jesus. Drawing conclusions from this, the felt need was for platforms and initiatives that motivated and sustained these relationships, particularly across cultural groups, denominations, regions and persuasions in our handsomely diverse rainbow nation. What was required was a motivating cause to bring the church together… and what better cause than the Great Commission itself? At a noteworthy Kairos point in this journey, Lazarus Pillay encountered

something special whilst on a business trip to Chennai. The whole city was alive with testimonies… testimonies of penetrating personal transformation. From billboards, street evangelists, posters and flyers to taxis, TV and radio documentaries, he was bombarded with faces and stories of changed lives. Small blue books were being distributed, with even more stories of change within their pages. The source of this change was clearly and unequivocally outlined… faith in Jesus Christ, our only source of true and lasting transformation. His curiosity intensely piqued, Lazarus investigated the instigators of this buzz – an NGO based in Finland called Great Commission Media Ministries (GCM – see www.gcmediaministries. org.za). By divine providence, Lazarus met with Dr Hannu Haukka, the founder and director of GCM. He quickly learned that GCM had conducted this form of city media campaign in 55 different cities over 10 nations across the world, including Russia, Eastern Europe, Israel, India and Nepal… but never in Africa. Cities were saturated for 30 days from corner to corner with one repetitious message, “God gives you the power to change”. Can God transform cities? Yes! Why not our city? The amazing thing about this city campaign is that it is planned and executed by… the corporate church of that city! Not one organisation, not one mega church, but through the collaboration and support of dozens of churches, large and small, from every denomination and culture, across a city. Unity expressing itself palpably. How? Through a professional external body (GCM) coming alongside the local

church and coaching them through a learned, tried and tested process. Through a local partner rallying a ‘foolhardy’ call to bring the church together for a moment in time. Through collective ownership over a city. Through a shared mind-set infiltrating the church to prioritise the fulfilment of the Great Commission in their city, together. Through a unified network of committed pastors and leaders contributing volunteers (skilled and unskilled), resources, time and effort to take a city for Jesus. Through corporate, communal, consistent PRAYER over OUR city that sets off a chain reaction of events that, upon reflection, can only be attributed to the divine hand of God and the responsive blessing that our unity in prayer and purpose commands. To be involved in the Power to Change Durban 2012 campaign, please contact Katharine Lam on cni@lspgoup. co.za/ 031 566 1259. The website www. p2cdurban.org.za will be launched by March 2012 and the projected launch of the Durban Power to Change Campaign is September 2012. There is much work to do – we need you! For more info on CNI – see www.cni.org.za.

One thing is clear... where there is unity, the Lord commands His blessing.

Georgie Busse

www.connectmagazine.co.za | 29

DO MI DON TH SS O â&#x20AC;&#x2122;T IS UT NO : W!

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