“BAM” Defined

Theology of Work
Written By BAM Canada

If you’re new to the BAM world, you’re in the right place.

Maybe you’ve heard terms like “business for missions”, “business for transformation”, “marketplace ministries”, “bi-vocational” or even “tentmakers”—and are a bit confused. We get it, there are a lot of terms. It’s important to know what BAM is, isn’t, and its unique approach that makes it different.

While we appreciate the many ways to live and work and engage in business, when it comes to “Business As Mission”, we abide within the parameters set by BAM Global’s definition:

Business as Mission is:

1. Profitable and sustainable businesses;

2. Intentional about Kingdom of God purpose and impact on people and nations;

3. Focused on holistic transformation and the multiple bottom lines of economic, social, environmental and spiritual outcomes;

4. Concerned about the world’s poorest and least evangelized peoples.

How did “BAM” come about?

The term "Business as Mission" (BAM, in short) began to be used in the late 1990s as some theologians defended the value of work and addressed the existence of a sacred-secular divide related to work, ministry and business. In 2004, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization identified BAM as a significant new development in world mission.

BAM is an overarching term used in Christian circles to describe the integration of ministry goals and business goals to impact God's Kingdom. 

So, you should know this upfront: for many, “Business as Mission” doesn’t have a set, quantified definition.

As of right now, most Christian, missional business owners don’t know the definition above. They might even argue this should just simply be called business. While we aspire for the day when saying “business” means redemptive, restorative, Christ-centred work, we know that day is still on the horizon. Until then, we will qualify what we do as Business as Mission.

As a strategy, BAM generally describes any for-profit business endeavour that seeks to reach people and communities for the glory of God. However, there are various definitions and aspects related to Business as Mission that you will encounter as you continue to learn more about BAM and engage with others.

For even more clarity, here’s a mini list of what BAM is and isn’t:

  • It is not a platform for “business-faking” internationally.

  • It is not created to (solely) fund other missional ventures or NGOs.

  • It is not only about bringing your faith to work—it’s more multi-faceted.

  • It is, however, a totally integrated way of living.

  • It is theologically grounded—incorporating biblical principles into how you operate business.

  • It is a way God can use to radically transform whole communities, creation, and human flourishing.

A key marker of a BAM business is that it uses a “Quadruple Bottom Line” approach:

In business, the bottom line is typically used to speak about finances. Where finances are viewed as the measure of health and success in a business with a singular bottom line, we take this and expand it to a Quadruple Bottom Line. 

The Quadruple Bottom Line extends the triple bottom line framework used to assess businesses in areas of economic, social, and environmental performance to include a 'spiritual' bottom line. 

  • The ECONOMIC bottom line refers includes profit but also includes the economic value created and the real economic benefit enjoyed by the people in the host society.

  • The SOCIAL bottom line refers to the fair and beneficial business practices towards labour, the community, and the region – neither exploiting nor endangering any group. 

  • The ENVIRONMENTAL bottom line benefits the ‘natural order’ as much as possible, not causing harm and minimizing any environmental impact. 

  • The SPIRITUAL bottom line refers to the real Kingdom-impact of the business, including in areas where access to the Gospel is restricted and where there is no church.

It can also be expressed in this way: Profit, People, Planet, and Purpose.

Curious to learn more about BAM, BAM in Canada and how others are running missional businesses?

This content was taken from our FREE BAM 101 course on the BAM Canada Network. You’re invited—it’s included in every membership subscription when you sign up. And your first 30 days are on us 🚀

What other questions do you have about this definition? Reach out to us at info@bamcanada.net with any questions you may have.

Want to network for more Kingdom impact in our BAM Canada Network community?

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