YWAM and Business as Mission
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be a YWAMer and do business?
Can a YWAMer do business as mission?
Can I earn part of my support through business?
I need a business visa to continue my ministry, what do I do?
My YWAM leader is not sure about business as mission, how should I move forward?
What is Business as Mission?
Business as Mission is a term being used in contemporary missions to describe the integration of business goals and mission goals. This isn't just ministry with a business tacked on out of necessity - the ministry happens through the business and through life in business. Real for-profit business becomes the instrument of building God's kingdom and of transformation in people and communities. Through business as mission we often see spiritual transformation hand in hand with physical, social, economic and sometimes environmental transformation. Read more on our Introduction page and General FAQs.
Can I be a YWAMer and do business?
The short answer is YES - it is possible to be a YWAMer and do business. However it also depends a lot on the kind of business you want to do. We have two broad categories of business activity in YWAM
1. Business that is primarily about providing finances for a YWAMer or YWAM team/base. We call that 'business for income generation'.
2. Business that is primarily about fulfilling your ministry goals. We call that 'business as mission'.
This website is all about BUSINESS AS MISSION, however we do have some resources for those of you considering business for income generation too - see the FAQ: Can I earn part of my support through business?
So if you are still reading this answer, we will assume you are really asking....
Can I be on YWAM staff and do business as mission?
The answer is YES - with care. The Global Leadership Team of YWAM has endorsed business as mission as an avenue of missionary service within YWAM. However, bringing together business culture and YWAM culture presents unique challenges and there are many issues to consider. We want to create space in YWAM for those who feel called to business as mission and are able to: abide by YWAM's foundational values, follow sound business ethics and practice, be accountable to YWAM leaders and follow the principles for business as mission in YWAM set out in our Key Statements and Principles document. However we also recognise that staying on as YWAM staff may not always be the best option for 'BAMers'. Instead remaining a YWAMer at heart whilst being in relational association with a YWAM leader or team may be a better solution for certain business as mission projects. We also want to be an organisation that births and nurtures business as mission initiatives that later move outside of us. If this is a question you are asking - we highly recommend going through our materials on business in YWAM.
Does YWAM own the business?
The structure we have for business as mission in YWAM is that YWAM as an organisation (legal entity) does NOT own the business (legal entity). Some Governments do allow non-profits or charitable organisations to run small businesses that are directly related to their ministry aims (e.g. a book shop). However, usually a non-profit/charity cannot do larger business operations because that puts them in unfair competition with for-profit businesses. Because the tax and legal issues are complex and vary from country to country, we avoid any potential problems by insisting that business as mission companies are always registered as entirely separate legal entities from the YWAM organisation (where it is legally registered). Instead the connection with YWAM is relational through the people involved - it is the individual YWAMer that has ownership or part ownership of the business. There are many legal possibilities for registering a business which vary from country to country e.g. sole proprietor, partnership, limited company etc. See the Legal and Structural Checklist for further help.
Can I earn part of my support through business?
YES this is possible - but we don't call that 'business as mission'. In YWAM we make a distinction and where the business is primarily to generate funds for other kinds of ministry we call it 'business for income generation' - others might call it 'business for mission', or 'business to fund mission'. (Business as mission on the other hand is a distinct ministry strategy in itself, it does make money but it has much broader goals).
In YWAM we have always been creative about the way funds are provided (including through small income generating activities), however we do emphasis relationship based support as a mission and there is a good reason for that - read more about this at ywam.org.
YES you can usually do business for income generation as a YWAMer. But please take note: Business is not an easy answer to a lack of funds. You need a sound business idea plus much effort and faith to make it work. Living by faith is not a particular fund-raising strategy - but an attitude for life. Business requires living and walking by faith as well as following good business practice plus a lot of hard work.
We highly recommend you read the Guidelines for these types of business in YWAM and consult with your leadership team about national or local guidelines.
I need a business visa to continue my ministry, what do I do?
Be very cautious about pursuing business merely as a means to an end as a YWAMer. Business is not the easy answer and requires a sound business idea, faith and a lot of hard work. (See previous answer). If business is only a means to an end for you then you will be frustrated that the business is taking a lot of your time away from your 'real ministry'. However, if you see business and your life in business as the 'real ministry' - enabling your whole approach to ministry - then it has tremendous potential.
To have a positive impact in a place, you must be credible and therefore the business must be credible. YWAM has a very clear guideline about fake business activities, as follows: YWAMers or YWAM entities should NOT set up a fake or shell company in order to gain entry with a business visa when there is no real business activity.
There must be real business activity and in order to be credible, it must be sustainable (which means after a start-up period it will become profitable). If you are going to have a business visa, you must do business (or work in someone else's business) and you must accept that much of your time will be spent on this. Do not enter into business to get a visa if you have no capacity for business. However, if you do enjoy business life, have got a viable business plan and are adequately prepared you will find that the impact of business as mission goes much much further than getting you a business visa and has wonderful potential to really bless the community you are ministering in! Read more about business as mission on these pages and consider a training course.
My YWAM leader is not sure about business as mission, how should I move forward?
First of all, familiarise yourself with the key YWAM materials on business as mission. Read the YWAM BAM policy documents - we would also recommend the teaching papers. This will give you a good overview of how YWAM as an organisation views business as mission.
For-profit businesses and mission organisations differ in their 'cultural norms' and often in their priorities. Therefore, outworking mission aims through a for-profit business has tremendous potential - but also introduces tensions and challenges. Historically in YWAM there have been some bad experiences with unwise business ideas which have damaged YWAM considerably. Your Leader may be concerned that the business might alter the perception of YWAM with the local church, supporters and the local community or government. Your Leader may simply feel so unfamiliar with this new ministry strategy that he or she is concerned about giving the proper ongoing support.
However, it is possible for concerns to be overcome. We are a mission with a value to do new things in new ways! We wish to make room for new business as mission strategies where they are developed with care and a long term view.
Communicate, communicate, communicate! We recommend going through the process of establishing a Memo of Understanding (MOU) even if the YWAM leader is not sure - this process should help draw out and clarify many of the concerns. If your immediate line leader is unsure, there maybe another leader in your region that might be able to give leadership covering. Another option could be to remain in relationship with YWAM, but be more in association with YWAM rather than core YWAM staff.
The business as mission resource team is available to consult with YWAM staff and leaders who are working through questions about business as mission. Please contact us.
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