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Missional Marketplace

Missional Marketplace

By The Stone Table

The Missional Marketplace Podcast is all about accelerating the Great Commission through the marketplace.
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The Currency of the Kingdom S1E12

Missional MarketplaceJul 26, 2022

00:00
41:40
The Currency of the Kingdom S1E12

The Currency of the Kingdom S1E12

This is the final episode of Season 1 of the podcast. We’ve been talking about the role of the marketplace in fulfilling the Great Commission, and while that can seem like an “over there” conversation, there are undoubtedly unreached people groups in your local community. The “diaspora,” a term used to describe people groups who leave their homeland and scatter abroad among other nations, has brought those in need of the Gospel quite literally into our own backyard. This is an incredible Great Commission opportunity.

We wrap up the podcast with a real-life example of how business fosters relationships that further the Kingdom. It’s a powerful story with a shocking update that happened literally as we were recording this episode. You won’t want to miss it!

Our final missional moment features an interview with a young entrepreneur leveraging his business skills to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Because of the sensitive areas in which he works, we had to hide his face and alter his voice. But his insights into the marketplace and global missions are the perfect way to end Season 1. Let his story inspire and challenge you!

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. You can also find more information about Missional Marketplace and The Stone Table here:

The Stone Table:
https://TheStoneTable.org
https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable
https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

Missional Marketplace Book:
www.erikcooper.me
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

Jul 26, 202241:40
Business As Mission Part 2 S1E11

Business As Mission Part 2 S1E11

This week, we continue our conversation about Business as Missions (BAM) by drilling down into some of the ways the marketplace is being leveraged cross-culturally for global missions purposes. BAM has certainly been abused by some as a less than honest way to deceive local authorities into providing visas. We call those people “job fakers,” and they’ve given BAM a bad name in som circles. But that is not the BAM story we want to champion or explore.

Episode 11 unpacks the Kingdom potential of “job takers” and “job makers” in advancing missions efforts around the world. We also look at the power of the “gig economy” to raise up cross-cultural missionaries. Marketplace skills are missionary skills.

This week’s missional moment features Part 2 of our fascinating conversation with Dick Brogden, the global leader of LiveDead and missionary to Saudi Arabia. Few people have influenced our missiology more than Dick Brogden. His insights about BAM and our Great Commission responsibility as believers will encourage and discomfort you in all the right ways.

You can learn more about the incredible work LiveDead is doing in the hardest to reach places around the world by visiting 
https://livedead.org. You can also find Dick’s newest book, Missionary God, Missionary Bible (a must read) by clicking here.

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. You can also find more information about Missional Marketplace and The Stone Table here:

The Stone Table:
https://TheStoneTable.org
https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable
https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

Missional Marketplace Book:
www.erikcooper.me
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

Jul 19, 202240:14
Business As Mission Part 1 S1E10

Business As Mission Part 1 S1E10

When we stop thinking of everyday work as a "secular" endeavor, when we refuse to equate the marketplace with greed and materialism, when we embrace acts of commerce as an opportunity to honor God and love our neighbor, business truly becomes a Great Commission opportunity.

In episode 10, we pivot into a two week discussion on Business as Mission (or BAM). All over the world, missionaries are embracing the marketplace as an opportunity to embody and proclaim the Gospel in some of the hardest to reach places. We unpack the strategy and why we think it has so much Kingdom potential.

We also talk to our dear friend Dick Brogden, the global leader of LiveDead and missionary to Saudi Arabia for this week’s missional moment. Dick and his wife Jenn are on the front lines of the Great Commission in more ways than one. You do not want to miss Dick’s challenge to take up this Great Commission calling. It will encourage and discomfort you in all the right ways.

You can learn more about the incredible work LiveDead is doing in the hardest to reach places around the world by visiting https://livedead.org.

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. You can also find more information about Missional Marketplace and The Stone Table here:

The Stone Table:
https://TheStoneTable.org
https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable
https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

Jul 12, 202239:01
Your Work and The Mission of God In The World S1E9

Your Work and The Mission of God In The World S1E9

A recent Barna survey revealed that half of all church-going Christians cannot identify the Great Commission. So before we dive deeply into the role of the marketplace in God’s mission in the world, this episode goes back to the basics and unpacks the reality of Jesus’ final instructions to us: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)

Over 3 billion people are considered unreached with the Good News of the Gospel today. That’s 42% of the global population and rising. A huge portion of these people are what we call “inconveniently lost.” There are no Christians, no churches, no Bibles, no way for them to know about Jesus unless we make extreme sacrifices to go and tell them. This is the greatest injustice in the world today and one we are passionate about engaging as marketplace believers.

For this week’s missional moment, we talk to Greg Mundis, the Executive Director of Assemblies of God World Missions. Greg has served on both the frontlines and in executive leadership of this global missions movement for decades. Everything about Greg just emanates with a passion to see the Great Commission fulfilled, and his belief that business and entrepreneurship are powerful global missions tools is inspiring. Every conversation I have with Greg Mundis is a joy. I think you’ll understand why.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Assemblies of God World Missions, you can visit their website at https://www.agwm.org

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. You can also find more information about Missional Marketplace and The Stone Table here:

The Stone Table:

https://TheStoneTable.org

https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable

https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

Missional Marketplace Book:

https://www.erikcooper.me

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

Jun 28, 202237:01
Retirement Is Not In The Bible S1E8

Retirement Is Not In The Bible S1E8

What was God’s original design for work and rest? Are these two concepts opposites? Are they enemies? This week on the podcast we talk about the “dance” of work and rest, and how embracing both as part of God’s design for our lives is part of living in Gospel fullness.

We also dive deeply into the topic of biblical retirement. This may be difficult for some of us to hear, but the modern Western definition of retirement is not in the Bible. Does this mean we’re meant to work a grinding 8-5 job until our dying breath? Not at all. But reimagining retirement through the lens of the Gospel is an important exercise for every believer.

Our friend Chuck Rapp shares his personal story in this week’s missional moment. After a 40+ year corporate career, Chuck is finding new ways to work, worship, and serve in his late 60s. No matter your season of life, Chuck’s story will encourage and inspire you to think differently about the future.

You can learn more about Chuck’s work at One Mission Society by visiting https://onemissionsociety.org

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. You can also find more information about Missional Marketplace and The Stone Table here:

The Stone Table:

https://TheStoneTable.org

https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable

https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

Missional Marketplace Book:

https://www.erikcooper.me

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

Jun 21, 202239:38
Can You Fire Someone to the Glory of God S1E7

Can You Fire Someone to the Glory of God S1E7

Honoring God in our hiring practices seems way easier than honoring God in our firing practices. If the Gospel redeems all things, how can we both hire and fire people to the glory of God? It begins with seeing people the way God sees them.

On this week’s podcast, we talk about hiring and firing employees. People are more than cogs in a wheel or economic transactions to boost our bottom line. All human beings carry God’s Image (Imago Dei), and yet sometimes working relationships have to end. There will never be a warm and fuzzy way to terminate someone’s employment, but when we truly see people and not just transactions, we can love them well even when we have to say goodbye.

This week’s missional moment features Konica Miles, one of our favorite leaders at our sister company, CRF Affordable Housing. Konica has long-managed our housing portfolio’s largest property, overseeing 424 units of multifamily apartments on Indy’s west side. She is both tenacious and loving, bringing her desire to honor God and love her neighbor with her to work each day. You will absolutely love hearing what Konica has to share. I believe it will inspire you in your place of work, too.

You can learn more about CRF Affordable Housing here: https://crf.net

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. You can also find more information about Missional Marketplace and The Stone Table here:

The Stone Table:

https://TheStoneTable.org

https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable

https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

Missional Marketplace Book:

https://www.erikcooper.me

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

Jun 14, 202236:34
Greed Is Not A Business Problem S1E6

Greed Is Not A Business Problem S1E6

The movie and TV industry have continually categorized the businessman as the villain. From Mr. Krabs to Gordon Gecko, the marketplace and money have become synonymous with power and greed. Why did this happen, and how does this impact the idea of our work being the fulfillment of the Great Commandment? There are plenty of examples of businesspeople genuinely being the bad guy, but these are the sin-broken counterfeit and not the real thing.

On this week’s podcast we discuss the real issue behind business and greed (hint: it’s not the money). When we elevate anything above God, it hijacks God’s original design for this life. Biblical business is about adding value, problem solving, and meeting needs of your fellow man – to love your neighbor as yourself. Keep God in the forefront and business won't be your idol, it will become your avenue to serve.

For this week’s missional moment, we talk to our friend Matthew Rohrs, Executive Director of Sinapis. Sinapis fosters entrepreneurial development in some of the poorest places around the globe. They believe entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation go together, and Matthew is leading the charge to equip and release thousands of global entrepreneurs to the glory of God.

You can find out all about the incredible work of Sinapis here: https://www.sinapis.org

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. You can also find more information about Missional Marketplace and The Stone Table here:

The Stone Table:

https://TheStoneTable.org

https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable

https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

Missional Marketplace Book:

https://www.erikcooper.me

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

Jun 07, 202236:59
Work And The Great Commandment S1E5

Work And The Great Commandment S1E5

Even though our everyday work was created through the glorious energy of Genesis chapters 1 and 2, we experience our everyday work through the “thorns and thistles” of Genesis chapter 3. Most of us feel the exhaustion of a work life that is so far less than what God intended it to be. So how can we reframe that 8-5 (or whatever hours you work each day) through the lens of the Gospel? Redeemed by Jesus, our work actually becomes a daily opportunity to fulfill the Great Commandment – to worship God and love our neighbors as ourselves.

On this week’s podcast, we take a wilderness journey with the Israelites to see what old-school idol worship can teach us about our day-jobs. And we learn a new Greek word often used in ancient business transactions that quite literally changes everything.

This week’s missional moment features my dear friend Darren Messick. After spending 25 years at what some would consider the pinnacle of full-time ministry, Darren found himself back in the marketplace loading airplanes for a global shipping company. This vocational move had nothing to do with burnout or scandal. To the contrary, he truly believes God led him there. Darren’s story is inspiring and his attitude is contagious. You don’t want to miss it!

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. You can also find more information about Missional Marketplace and The Stone Table here:

The Stone Table:

https://TheStoneTable.org

https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable

https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

Missional Marketplace Book:

https://www.erikcooper.me

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

May 31, 202237:33
What Is Your Work Theology? S1E4

What Is Your Work Theology? S1E4

What is your Theology of Work? You have one even if you can’t articulate it. For many of us, our work theology is more assumed than taught. Work must be the result of The Fall. Adam and Eve screwed up paradise and we all got stuck with a mediocre 8-5 as part of their punishment. So work is just this thing we have to endure to support our families until Jesus comes back and finally banishes this thing called work to hell with the devil and all his minions. Does that feel familiar at all?

What if we told you that many of the things you believe about your everyday work aren't biblical at all? What if we reframe our theology of work around the truth? Would it solve all our job-related problems? Of course not. We still live with the "thorns and thistles" sin produced in this world. But it could give us a renewed picture of what everyday work can be this side of eternity.

This week’s Missional Moment features a wonderful conversation with our dear friend Ryan Crozier. Ryan was a pastor and an entrepreneur, and the Lord ultimately led him to the mission field utilizing his passion for both the Gospel and the marketplace to push the Kingdom of God forward in Eastern Europe. Agency Boon is a full-scale marketing agency that is driven by an underlying passion for the people of Romania. We think Ryan’s story and perspective will encourage you to embrace your everyday work as part of God’s Great Story.

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. Other helpful links related to this show are listed below:

Agency Boon:

https://www.agencyboon.com

Missional Marketplace Book:

https://www.erikcooper.me

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

The Stone Table:

https://TheStoneTable.org

Weekly Newsletter Signup

5-Day Daily Devotional

https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable

https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

May 24, 202237:48
Your Work Is Part of God's Story S1E3

Your Work Is Part of God's Story S1E3

This 12 episode podcast looks at our everyday work through three big lenses: The Great Story, The Great Commandment, and The Great Commission. In Episode 3 we dive deeper into The Great Story. Most faith and work questions start with me. "I am a Christian and my faith is important tome. But I work in the marketplace. So how do I invite God into my work story?” That’s a good question, but we think there’s a better one. We don’t invite God into our work story, He has graciously invited our work story into His.

If our day jobs are really intended to be part of some great cosmic God-written narrative, what exactly is that story? In this episode, we walk through the biblical story arc from Genesis to Revelation and ask the question, “what does this Great Story have to do with what I get up and go do every day?” The conclusion? Everything.

Our Missional Moment features Jonathan Barratt, President of the Project Rescue Foundation. Project Rescue is an powerful Christ-centered ministry working to free women and children from the evils of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Jonathan shares about the vital role of the marketplace in helping exploited women rebuild their lives and dignity as image bearers of God. He also talks about the beautiful ways business is creating long-term sustainability for their work, both at home and across the world. We cannot say enough good things about the work of Project Rescue.

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. Other helpful links related to this show are listed below:

Project Rescue:

https://projectrescue.com

Missional Marketplace Book:

https://www.erikcooper.me

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

The Stone Table:

https://TheStoneTable.org

Weekly Newsletter Signup

5-Day Daily Devotional

https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable

https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

May 17, 202233:29
The Sacred and Secular Divide S1E2

The Sacred and Secular Divide S1E2

Many followers of Jesus have unintentionally adopted some bad work theology, a set of assumed beliefs that neatly divide our daily lives into sacred and secular partitions. We believe these perspectives were more absorbed than intentionally taught, but they’re confusing and destructive nonetheless. In Episode 2 of the Missional Marketplace Podcast, we tackle this “sacred/secular divide.” We start in the elementary school lunchroom and end at summer church camp! We believe it will be a fun and liberating journey for many of you.

This week's Missional Moment features our dear friend Amy from ReMade India. The way ReMade is harnessing the power of the marketplace for economic and spiritual transformation is inspiring. We hope it stirs your imagination to think differently about the missional power of the marketplace to both embody and proclaim Jesus to the ends of the earth.

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. Other helpful links related to this show are listed below:

Remade India:

https://www.remadeindia.com

Full Interview with Amy

Missional Marketplace Book:

https://www.erikcooper.me

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

The Stone Table:

https://TheStoneTable.org

Weekly Newsletter Signup

5-Day Daily Devotional

https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable

https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

May 10, 202235:55
Is There Gospel Meaning In Your Everyday Work? S1E1

Is There Gospel Meaning In Your Everyday Work? S1E1

In this inaugural episode of the Missional Marketplace Podcast, Darren and Erik introduce the premise for Season One of the show. This podcast is for Christians who work in the marketplace, but who carry a deep passion for God’s mission in the world and want their everyday work to connect more deeply with that missional purpose (and who like to laugh a little bit along the way). In episode 1, we set the stage for this season-long conversation about faith, work, and the global mission of God in the world.

Do you ever wrestle with any of these questions:

  • Is there any eternal value to my day job?
  • Is it possible to find gospel meaning in my “secular” career?
  • If I really love Jesus, shouldn’t I quit my job and go into full-time ministry?
  • How does my everyday work have anything to do with God’s mission in the world?

We do, too. So we’re going to talk about it over twelve drive-time length episodes built around Erik’s brand new book called (strangely enough) Missional Marketplace: Finding Your Everyday Work in God’s Eternal Plan.

We also debut a weekly segment called the “Missional Moment,” where we hear from someone actually living out this tension in their everyday life. This week we talk to Tom, who sold the marketing business he pioneered and ran for over 20 years and became a missionary, but probably not in the way you would normally think of global missions work. Tom and his wife Patti now live cross-culturally and consult with business as mission missionaries and projects, using their marketplace skills to help take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

If you have a passion for the Gospel, a passion for the mission of God in the world, a passion for every aspect of your life – including your day-job – to matter in the context of this faith you hold so dear, this podcast is for you. We hope you’ll joins us on this 12-episode journey into the Missional Marketplace.

Please share, follow, and rate this show (we prefer all the stars if you don’t mind) on your podcast platform of choice. It goes a long way to help establish us as a new podcast. You can also find more information about Missional Marketplace and The Stone Table here:

The Stone Table:

https://TheStoneTable.org

https://www.facebook.com/thestonetable

https://www.instagram.com/thestonetable_org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/13673066/admin/

Missional Marketplace Book:

https://www.erikcooper.me

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733022732/

May 03, 202232:11