issue 11 transformation

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TRANSFORMATION

BE THECHANGE

MAKING DECISIONSON THE MOVE

Laziness keeps us Dry

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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• Togrow,equipandencourageChristianbusinessowners• ToextendGod’sKingdombyusingouruniquemarketplace

gifting to bring finances into our local churches • Togiveexposuretoeachmember’sproductorservicesothatwecansupport

and refer business to one another • TocreateacultureofexcellenceandintegrityinBusiness

For more information. Tel: 084 548 4720 [email protected]

Encourage, Inspire,

Ignite and Equip

Keeping Jesus Christ as our centre and foundation

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Tracey Olivier - Editor [email protected]

Belinda Peck - Admin [email protected]

Elaine Young - Sub-Editor [email protected]

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and is printed by: DNA Print (Pty) Ltd. [email protected]

CONTENTSVOICE OF THE PROPHETBe the Change 8

HEART OF THE PASTORMaking Decisions on the move 12

HAND OF THE HARVESTERLaziness keeps us dry 14Invading Earth for the Kingdom 16Entrepreneurship: An effective ministry to the poor 20Finding your Factor X 26 IN EVERY ISSUEWhere to find CONNECT 3Letter from the Editor 4The Rest is HIStory 28Advertising Information 30

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I am always amazed how often the theme of the latest CONNECT is playing out in my life. As I write this editorial for ourTransformationissue,weasafamilyaregoing through some huge changes as we relocatetoMagaliesburginthenextfewmonths.Thankstotechnologyandplanes,thiswillnotaffectthemagazineinanyway,onlyperhapstoexpandourreach.

Change and Transformation often go hand in glove. Change often involves a dramatictransformation,ametamorphosisfrom one state to another – like being born againasaChristian,orintakingGod’stransformative message to the world. If we aretotransformourcities,nationsandtheworld,wemustallowthechangetostartinus–notasuperficialchangebutadramatic,thorough,lastingtransformation.Weneedto be prepared to leave what is comfortable andfamiliar,andtoenterintotheunfamiliarwith 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 goodbyetoKZN,butwithagreatsenseofpurposeandexcitementthatIsayhellotoMagaliesburg and Gauteng.

I leave a very capable and passionate team here in KZN to continue and grow the momentum that KBN and CONNECT haveacquired,andIknowthatGodisordaining 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 friendandmentor,“PowerfulPatrick”,whose article on page 16 is dynamic message to us all. It is time to get out of the

bunker,“bethechange”(asBiancaputsitsobeautifullyonpage8),andoperateinmyFactor X (page 26) to bring transformation in a new territory.

Intakingthisbigstep,myhusbandandIhavehadtolistentoandenquireofGodastoHiswillforus.God’spatternofchangeis‘leavingandentering’.Weneedtoleaveone thing to enter into the other. The way we leave will determine how we enter into ournewlife.Aswithallchange,thereisanelement of uncertainty and risk. There is alwaysthefearthatwewill‘missit’.Jimmy’sarticle on making decisions (page 12) has been most helpful in this area. Very early in ourdecision-makingprocess,Iwaswalkingin the garden asking God to help us not to make a decision that would take us out of Hiswill.Thewhisperintomyheartwas,“Ifyou stay in my presence you will never leave mywill”.IwasblessedandencouragedbyPete’sblog(page14)oncommittingtoremaining in the presence of God.

Ifthereistobeexpansion,thereneedsto be change. And change is all about transformation – personal transformation first,andthenallowingthattransformationto work itself out in the environment aroundyou.AsMarketplaceChristians,butespeciallyasBusinessOwners,weneedtomake time to invest in our own personal development,whetheritbeanewskilltokeep up to date with technology or market trends,orsimplyaninspirationaltalkorcourseto‘fillyourbucket’.Youshouldalsobe budgeting some personal development funds for yourself this year. It will be money well spent. Keep your eye on our Facebook pageforupcomingevents,especially

Transformation!

transformation |nouna thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance:

courses and seminars that are biblically sound. (see page19 & 28)

Thank you for your continued support of CONNECT as we take ChristianBusinesstothenextlevelbyencouraging,inspiringandequippingGod’speopleinthebusinessworld.

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ww.connectmagazine.co.za

transformation |nouna thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance:

This was taken in my future

garden by my husband. A

picture of Transformation.

Change 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 tothenext.Anyonewhohasjusthadababy – or a puppy – knows that it is the end oflifeasyouknowit.Yourpriorities,wants,desires and schedule are altered forever. Change is normal. And yet most of us resist change at some level.

Thedictionarydefinestheword“change”as:• the process of becoming or making different•a substitution of one thing for another• giving or leaving one thing for another.

AsChristians,youandIarecalledtobechange 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,vibrantlifeecosystemsthat reflect the Kingdom of our Father.

Maybe you are thinking of big ways in which you can make a difference in the

world. If only... I were president of this country,thingswouldbedifferent.Ifonly...I had lots of money or connections to feed thepoor.Ifonly...Iwereolder,younger,wiser,richer,taller,thinner,talkedmore,talkedless,didmore.Somehowalotofusareprogrammedtodisqualifyourselvesinthis race of life in a way that Christ never will.Yousee,it’snotaboutwhatyoudoordon’thave,doordon’tdo.Thatmayallbeprettyawesome,butthetruthisthatwhen Jesus said in the book of John that He wouldbeonewithyou,andthatHeandHisFather would make a dwelling place within you,Hewascompletelyseriousaboutit.He’sathomeinyou.AreyouathomeinHim? You + Him makes an overwhelming majority! You are not daunted by anything.

BE THE

CHANGE

VOICE OF THE PROPHET

AsChristians,youand I are called to be change agents in the community we live in.

8 | www.connectmagazine.co.za

transformed daily in the presence of His Father... and because of that twelve other men’sliveswerechangedforever.Thatchangeechoedthroughthecenturies,impactingthousands,andwillcontinuetocarry that momentum into eternity

MahatmaGandhisaid:“Bethechangethatyoudesire.”Soitdoesnotmatterwhat you do. Where you are right now is exactlywhatisneeded.Whoyouknowand where you go are vehicles for seizing opportunities to make Christ known. Your heart matters. Your passions will connect youwithideal‘crossroadsmoments’to

VOICE OF THE PROPHET

No challenge is too big. No situation is too hopeless.Now,whereveryougo,it’snotsomuchaboutwhatyoudo–it’saboutwho 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 theexcitementinhervoice,Itoowasconvinced. I wanted a puppy. One night I went to bed not thinking about puppies. ThenextdayIgotupwiththisconvictionthatweneededapuppytoday–andI’vespent the rest of the week puppy-proofing my home. It is completely contagious!

If we want to see people transforming communities,weneedtohaveabunchof people being transformed themselves. Otherwisewe’llhavesuperficialpeopledoing a few good deeds every other month andwe’lllullourguiltyconscienceintothinkingwe’vedoneourpart.Jesuswas

Transformed people change other people.

impact society in big and small ways. Your lifeisnotyourown.Ifyou’restillinthislifeforallyoucangetfromit,you’rewayoff base. There is such great capacity in youbecauseofwhatChristhasdone,thatthe only way to live is to contribute. What you’vebeengiven,giveitawaytoday.

During the week I was standing in a long queue.Peopleweregettingimpatientand

started complaining. Person after person wouldcomeinandjointhemoaning,andbeforelongwehadquiteanatmosphere.Then another lady joined us and started insulting the workers. Suddenly I found myselfturningaround,lookingherintheeyeandsaying:“Lady,pleasecalmdown.”This is not something I regularly do! But themomentIdidthat,youcouldfeeltheatmosphere lift. People started chatting pleasantly. The lady standing behind me had been nudging me the whole time with herpurse.Thenexttimeshedidthat,shesheepishly said sorry. No one will give you or me an award for doing things like this. ButinthatmomentitdemonstratedGod’skingdom,Hiswayofdoing,whereHisruleishonoured.

Wedon’treallyunderstandthecallingof God on our lives. Many times we walk into a situation that is less than comfortable forus,ornotexactlywhatweexpected.Ifwehaveaconsumermentalitywe’ll

be thinking what we can get out of the situation,orlamentingthatitisn’tworkingout as planned. But we have not been calledtoconsumePlanetEarth,buttobe a contributor to the transformation of mankind in our particular sphere. The darker it gets or the heavier the problem is,thebrighterwearetoshine.Whatisincredible is that it is not something that we dowithmucheffort,butinacknowledgingthat 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,yourpassions,yourloveforothersand Him? Will you be willing to walk into seemingly uncomfortable situations to see Him alter people around you? Laugh with someonetoday,forgiveanoffencetoday,shareyourwisdomorexperiencewithsomeonewhoisnewinthefield,createanopportunityforsomeoneelsetosucceed,speak words of life rather than words of death,startafresh,healthesick,loveyourhusbandorwife,givesomeoneahome.

IdareyoutoasktheLord:“Lord,howdoyou want to change my community through metoday?”

Bianca [email protected] at Doxa Deo Church, Life Purpose Coach and Author

The darker it gets or the heavier the problemis,the

brighter we are to shine.


2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”

These and many more scriptures say the same thing. God prefers us to beRichernotPoorer,Healthynot Sick. He wants to bless us so we can be a blessing to others. So no matter whichdecisionwemake,God is always looking for opportunities to favour you!

2 Which decision is going to give me more

opportunities to advance God’s Kingdom?Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his

workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

ThispassageshowsusthatGod,outsideof

Thereisafunnysaying:“Iusedtobeindecisive,nowIamnotsure!”

We all know that this year is going to be filled with decisions that will affect our lives in one way or another. Some consequenceswillbesmallerthan others. Others may have a bigger effect on us. For example: You are not happy at work.Doyoustayandexpectchanges to happen as you bring the Kingdom of God intoyourworkplace,ordoyou look elsewhere? A potential business promotion comes up in a remotearea,butyourfamilyhasjustsettledin,andtheministryinyourlife is taking off. Is this God or is it the enemy tryingtoderailGod’splans? You have just finished your studies and have been approached by two of the best establishments in the country. Which one is God’sbestforyou?

Let me say this clearly – this article is for the times that God seems silent. If you hear Godsaysomething,DOIT!Youcan’tgowrong!

So,whataresomeofthemainthingsfacing people when making decisions?

1Which 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.’”

Decision Making

If you hear God say something.

DO IT!Youcan’tgo

wrong!

on th

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time,hasseenwherewewillgoonourlife’sjourney.God,havingseenwhatdecisionswewillmake,beforethefirstsecondoftimehitthefirstclock,preparedgoodthingsforustowalkinto.So,nomatterwhetherwegoleftorright,weknowthattherearegoodthingsforustodo,toadvanceHisKingdom.

3What 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,andmakethemworktogetherforgood.Thewords“allthings”literallymeanallthings – even our mistakes!

4Multitude of CounselProverbs 15:22: “Plans fail for lack of

counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.”Sothequestionis,whodoyouwant

counselling you? Do you want friends that justdon’twanttoupsetyourenthusiasm?Doyouwantpeoplewhodon’thaveyourheart? Do you want people that have hadnoexperienceonthejourneyyouarecontemplating?

Withallofthesefactorsaboveremoved,whatquestionsareyouleftwith?Thiscanbethehardestquestionofitall...

“What do you want?”

Most people who are currently facing some big decisions will battle to answer thisquestion.“Idon’tknowwhatIwant!”theysay.Sodream of how great the result of each decision could be,withthefavourandopportunities that God will lavishonyou.Andthen,whicheverdecision

youhavefaithandpeacefor,grabitwithboth hands!

Jimmy DuguidPastor at Highway Christian [email protected]

Decision Making

So no matter

which decision wemake,Godis

always looking for opportunities to

favour you!

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www.connectmagazine.co.za | 13

HAND OF THE HARVESTER

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

Justlikemostpeople,wheneveranewyearcomesaround,Itendtodreamalittlemore 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,youaremorelikelytoworktowardsthem. Dream big! Plan to do things this year that you cannot do. I know that sounds crazy,butwhatthatdoesisitgivesGodanopportunity to blow your mind.

Matthew19:26says, “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

That’sexciting!AllthingsarepossiblewithGod,sodreamtheimpossible.

Letmeillustratewithapersonalexample.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 readingaquickpassageofscripturebeforeI crash and then wake up with just enough timetogetreadyforwork?Thatdoesn’tleavemuchtimetoswiminHisPresence,does it?

This is the point of the opening scripture. Ifwearelivingalazylife,howcanweexpectthebenefitsoftheharvest?IfIwantto enjoy the Presence of God in greater ways,Ineedtogivemyselftheopportunityto do so. I am NOT talking about works


withourselves,wewillrealisethatthereason we never achieved them was simply because we did nothing about them. We simply sat on our backsides and hoped that theywouldfallinourlap.It’snotgoingtohappen!

Laziness Keeps Us Dry

Now,howoftendowesetourselvesthese 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 genuinelyoutofreach,butifwearehonest

here. We cannot do anything to earn His Presence; it is by His grace alone that we get to enjoy Him. I am talking about wisdom. If the things of this world are occupying our time,thenthatiswhatwewillexperience.But when we set our hearts and minds on things above – on His Kingdom – then that iswhatwewillexperience.

Solet’sbediligentandnotlazy.Ifyouhaveagoaloraharvestinmind,thendowhat you need to do to make it happen. Plough.Don’tbelikethefivefoolishvirginswho never took oil for their lamps and ended up missing out on the return of their bridegroom.Bewise,planahead.Don’tmiss out on what God has spoken to you throughthedesiresHe’sputinyourheartsimply because of laziness.

This Proverbs 20:4 scripture is the real reasonIhavestartedblogging.It’smywayof getting me out of lazy habits and being diligent so that I can get into His Presence. Idon’twanttostaydry...Iwanttogetdrenched.

Peter Haynes

Taken with permission from Peter’s blog, http://goingunder47.blogspot.com/

A ca p ab l e , i n te l l i ge n t , a n d [b]vi rtu o u s woman--who i s h e who c a n fi n d h e r? Sh e i s fa r mo re p re c i o u s th a n j ewe l s a n d h e r va l u e i s fa r a b o ve ru b i e s o r p e a rl s .Th e h e a rt o f h e r h u sb a n d tru sts i n h e r c o n fi d e n tl y a n d re l i e s o n a n d b e l i e ve s i n h e r se c u re l y, so th a t h e h a s n o l a ck o f [ho n e st] ga i n o r n e e d o f [d i sh o n e st] sp o i l .Sh e c omfo rts, e n c o u ra ge s, a n d d o e s h im o n l y go o d a s l o n g a s th e re i s l i fe wi th i n h e r.S l o a d e d wi th fo o d fro m a fa r [c o u n try]

The Proverbs 31 Page

This page serves to honour the women who choose to work from home to answer the noble call of full-time homemaker. Just like the mothers who have answered thecallintothemarketplace,many of these women have micro-businesses which allow them to use their talents and giftingsandearnextramoney.For as little as R195 per month you could be CONNECTED to a market that will support your product and service. Call Sherrene on 082 456 0348 to find out more.


The true Gospel of Jesus Christ is an awesome transformational force that should result in the systems of this

world (ways of thinking and doing things) being turned upside down and replaced by the system of the Kingdom of God. The early church was made up of radical ‘transformational agents’ who went about changing the world through the power of love and the message of the Cross. These ‘transformational agents’ fearlessly went about their task because they understood their identity in Jesus Christ and the power and authority that their ‘Commander in Chief ’ (Jesus) had given

them (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 28:18-20).

The mandate of establishing the Kingdom of God – and hence His will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10) – is being severely hindered. Why? Because a large part of the body of Christ is holed up seeking safety in man-made religious bunkers while everything outside the church walls rots away (or effectively goes to hell). The Lord wants us to aggressively go out and reclaim lost territory from Satan... and then leave the timing and

conclusion of history to Him, because the timing of the end of the world is in God’s

Invading Earth with the Kingdom... or seeking safety in the bunker?

The body of Christ is holed up seeking safety in man-made

religious bunkers while everything

outside the church walls rots away (or effectively goes to

hell).



hands (Acts 1:6-7). Matthew 6:10 clearly tells us that God wants His will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven; and Revelation 11:15 further promises that the kingdoms of this world will someday all belong to Jesus. Right now, we should be advancing towards these goals.

The church is God’s chosen vehicle to establish His rulership (Kingdom) on Earth. Interestingly, the word ‘church’ comes from the Greek word ‘ekklesia’, which literally means ‘those elected and called out to rule’. The church of Jesus Christ is elected and called by God to rule in all sectors of society, in our communities, cities and country.

Unfortunately a large part of the body of Christ has adopted a safety position inside the bunker and would rather assimilate themselves into the ways and thinking of the world than take the position of Kingdom soldiers fighting against the systems of darkness that currently prevail in the world. This bunker mentality has effectively led to the manifestation of what Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong,

haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

(NKJV)

Let’s take some time to imagine.Imagine… The church being the primary provider of healing.

Medical research shows that 87-95% of all diseases have been traced back to what goes on in our thought life. In her book Healing Begins with Sanctification of the Heart, Zimbabwean Dr MK Strydom says, “I am not against doctors otherwise I wouldn’t be a doctor myself.

However I have to say that the worldly doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists today are the result of the frustration due to the failure of the church to be the primary place of healing (James 5:14). Because the

church has failed in this area, people have turned to doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists who have become the ‘pastors’ of the world offering disease management instead of the disease eradication that God promises in His word.”

We as the body of Christ need to rise up and take dominion of healing so that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord in this area can fill the earth and the world can come to the true source of healing.Imagine… Business being conducted on biblical principles.

In a lecture to professing Christians, the revivalist Charles G. Finney

Invading Earth with the Kingdom...

The church of Jesus Christ is elected and

called by God to rule in all sectors ofsociety,inourcommunities,

cities and country.

We as the body of Christ need to rise up and

take dominion of healing so that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord

in this area can fill the earth and the

world can come to the true source of

healing.


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 ResponseSo 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 fol-lowing our own agendas and plans (individu-ally 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,

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 KuwanaTransformational [email protected]




The Problem with Handouts.

Itwaslikeclockwork.Everymonth,a church volunteer team would visit a nearby impoverished community and drop off the donated clothes they had faithfully collected over the previous weeks. With bright smiles and happyhearts,thisministrycontinued with great vigour as the months ticked by.

Many volunteers participatedintheexcitementof engaging with the community. But some of the clothing recipients soon grew wise to how the priority of distribution worked: neediest to least neediest. The solution... to look the neediest.

How? By burning their own clothes so they would look more needy and get new clothes!

When it became clear what washappening,thevolunteersfelthurtandbetrayed that their generosity was being abused in this way.

Whenengagingwiththepoor,wefirstneed to ask: how do we help without

hurting? How do we foster the God-given gift of work instead of reducing people and their abilities to dependence on our leftovers?

The Bible is clear: God gave humanity the GIFT of work.

IntheGardenofEden,Godtold Adam to work the land and produce a harvest. Every capable man and woman should be engaged in some kind of work. No-one is meanttositidly,dependingonly on the latest drop of stuff from a charity or church. There is something about good,honest,consistentlabour that produces self-esteem,dignityandrespectin an individual. Work is not a curse,it’sablessing!How We Engage with Poverty.

Asbelievers,thewayweunderstand poverty plays

a major role in determining the solutions weattempttousetoalleviateit.Often,we think of poverty as a lack of material things–money,food,clothing,housing,etc.However,aWorldBankstudyofover60,000

Entrepreneurship: An Effective Ministry

to the Poor

When working with the material poor,itiscrucial to

determine whether relief or

development is the

appropriate intervention


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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,itiscrucialtodeterminewhetherrelief or development is the appropriate intervention.

“Relief”istheurgentprovisionofemergency 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,oftenmaterial,tothereceiver,who is largely incapable of helping himself.“Development”isaprocessofon-goingchange 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 meansthereceivers’skillsandresourcesarenotutilised,whichunderminesthestewardship 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 SouthAfrica,whichcontinuestobattlewithunemployment rates which are reported as being between 23 – 40% (depending onwhoyouask),therealityisthatmanypeoplejustcan’tfindjobs.

Entrepreneurship as a SolutionForthisreason,thepooroftenhaveno

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.Theproblemis,mosthaveneverrun 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,shesoonfoundthattheplacewasteeming with job-seekers just like her and there were not nearly enough jobs for everyone.

Aftermonthsoftryingtofindwork,Siphofinally took stock of her skills and realised thatsheknewhowtosew,andthatsheenjoyeddoingit.Shestartedmakinghats,scarves,tablecloths,children’sclothes–anything she could think of that people around her seemed to need.

AlthoughSiphosoldhergoods,shesoonfoundthatattheendofthemonth,shesimplydidn’thavethemoneyshethoughtshehadmade.Neverhavingrunabusiness,shecouldn’tmakesenseofit.Wereherpricestoolow?Wereherlivingexpensestoo high? Were people stealing from her? What was the problem?

Havingnowheretoturnforhelp,Siphobecame discouraged and soon turned to relying on handouts… skills and abilities unused,dignitylost,overwhelmedwithshame.

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 –howtofindatargetmarket,


set prices with a mark-up that covers their costs,keepgoodrecords,issueinvoicesandreceipts,etc.Thisgapofsimpleknowledgekeepsthemtrappedinpoverty,strugglingtomakeaprofit,fallingintodespair,feelinglikeafailure,withoutknowingwheretogain the needed skills.

Down the road from Sipho was a well-meaningchurch,offeringbreadtothepooreachTuesdaynight.Onevolunteer,Steve,was a managing partner and accountant at a highly successful start-up company.

Everyweek,ashehandedbreadtoSiphoandhertwochildren,hefeltastingofguiltanduneasiness.Hebrieflyknewherstory,but no-one had taken the time to find a way to empower her. Everyone was content just togiveherbread,whilehertalentswentunused in the prime of her life. He knew thatthebreadonlyfilledherfamily’sbelliesforafewhours.Itwasn’tactuallychangingher situation.

ButSteveknewalotaboutbusiness,bankingandentrepreneurship.Onenight,onhiswayhome,ithithimlikeatonofbricks: His knowledge and her need could be matched!

Notonlythat,herealisedthatifhecouldget to know her – and others like her – as hetaughtthembusiness,hecouldalsointroduce them to Christ! They did not have the opportunity to build long-term relationships while merely passing out bread.What If?

Most people are capable of helping themselves. This does not mean we should donothingtoassistthem,itjustmeansthatdevelopment,notrelief,istheappropriateintervention. The development approach aims to avoid paternalism. This means we do not do things for people that they can do for themselves.

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 forchurches,Christianbusinessforumsand 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 capableofworking,andstartedofferingeffective,sustainabletrainingprogrammes?Maybe,withourcollectiveefforts,wewouldseepovertydecline,unemploymentreduced and thousands more come to know Christ–eachtransformedintodignified,productivemembersofsociety,inturnmaking their OWN eternal difference in the world.

What if?

Jedd SchroyExecutive Director, Paradigm [email protected]

Some concepts in this article were adapted from the book, When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.



The key to the heart of success for both individuals and companies is to discover what I call Factor X – and

then be set free to use it. Factor X is that ability in a man or a woman that is a natural strength – it sets them apart from the pack. The problem is that in life we are dogged by people who want us tobejustlikethem,or,incompanies,bymanagerswhosay,“Thisisthewaywe’vealwaysdoneit.”Maybeourparents have pressurised us totakethecareerthat,giventhechance,theythemselveswould have loved to pursue. The problem is that it is theirdream,notours.Iam convinced that most people have never had the opportunitytoconsider,letalonediscover,whattheirnatural strengths are.

Thisisn’teasy–especiallyin small organisations of less than twenty people. The needhereisforpeopleto“muckin”,oftenin an effort to simply keep the ship afloat.

The last thing a director needs is a finance assistant who spends his day dreaming of being a sales representative. But that said,itmakessensetoconsiderwhetheramongst our staff we have some gifts thatarejustwaitingtobediscovered.It’ssobering to meet the head of sales of our

major competitor – for whom our previous secretary now works – who tells us that the person who used to type our letters has an incredible gift and has just won the annual sales prize for the third year running.

Often when companies discover a glimmer of Factor Xinamemberofstaff,theyfirsttrytocontrolit,thenregulateit,andeventuallyextinguishit.Theysay,“He’sarebel,”or“It’snotpolicytodoitthatway,”or“That’snotinherjobdescription.”Butifyou’refortunateenoughto have somebody in your

business with Factor X – change the job to suit them.



I am convinced that most

people have never had the opportunity toconsider,

let alone discover,what

their natural strengths are.

Finding your Factor X



I have seen companies killed by their refusaltoallowFactorXtoblossom.I’veoften been asked to help professional practices develop their new business. Fifteen partners may be aroundtheboardroomtable,but their firm is dying on the vine – desperate to break into new markets. I begin by saying,“Iknownoneofyou,butI’llbetthere’ssomebodyaround this table who is brilliant at new-business development. This person buildsrelationships,createsopportunities,dreamsmarketing. They only have to walk down the High Street to come back with a hatful ofwork.”Fourteenheadsturn and look at Laura who blushes slightly. I drop my gaze to the departmental fee targetsandask,“Thenwhyhaveyougivenher£150,000ofauditcoststobringin?Setherfree.”

What a tragedy it is when nobody takes thetimetohelpusdiscoverourFactorX,and what desperate lives many of us are condemned to as we try to be what others want us to be.

SometimeagoIsawa“motivationalposter”.Itread,“Thereisno‘I’inTEAM.”Well,whoeverdesigneditgotthespellingright,butthephilosophywillkillacompanydead in the water. Great teams are made up of brilliant individuals who are allowed to play to their strengths. I have yet to see SirAlexFerguson,managerofManchesterUnitedFootballClub,demandthathisgoal-keepers practice taking penalties. Who woulddothatwhenthey’vegotRooney?Great captains and great managers have the same skill: they create team spirit whilst allowing individual brilliance to shine.

How can companies effectively reward those who have special strengths? By

giving them more opportunity to use those strengths.Ifyouhavealeadingsalesman,you may think you are rewarding him by pulling him off the road and making

him a manager. But we somehow have to create a culture that will make him feel valued whilst allowing him to continue doing what heisuniquelygiftedtodo.Don’t give him a bigger office; give him a bigger challenge.

There’snothingmoretragic than seeing somebody clinging to a promotion with whiteknuckleswho,inreality,is stifling their real gift and driving everybody crazy. The problem is caused because so often companies measure success in such a limited way. But great managers create

ladders. They realise that sometimes you have to shape the job around the person. In other words: develop your strengths - staff your weaknesses.

InthefilmChariotsofFire,EricLiddell,whowontheOlympicgold,said,“Godmade me fast and when I run I feel His pleasure.”LiddellhadfoundhisFactorX.Ibelieve that each of us has a responsibility to help at least one person find theirs. That istruewhetherweareparents,friendsorCEOs of companies. People are our greatest strength. Our competitors can copy ourtechnology,buttheycan’tcopyourpeople. And people allowed to play to their strengths are an awesome force.

Adapted from The Heart of Success by RobParsons,ChairmanandFounderofCarefor the Family.

Rob Parsons is in South Africa for February. See infomation on page 28 to attend “The Heart of Success” Breakfast. Connect will be there!

Great captains and great

managers have the same skill:

they create team spirit

whilst allowing individual

brilliance to shine.

Making significant impact

Significance is all about having Meaningful and Measurable impact – personally and in business. We can actively choose to impact people in a way that drives them closer toward their God-given purpose. Perhapstheyneedawordofencouragement,adviceorpracticalassistance.WhatcouldyousayordotoedgepeopleclosertotheirGod-ordainedsuccess?AsChristians,wehavethemindofChristandcan tap into the thoughts of our King to discover how we can impact those around us. Then we can bethesparkthatignitesthemtoreachtheirdestiny.TalkaboutbeingequippedforSignificance!Useyourimpacttobringaboutmeaningfulandmeasurablechangeinpeople’slivesandbusinesses.ThatSignificance results in True Success!

“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?Isitextrinsicorintrinsic?Isittangibleor purely spiritual… or both?

Onethingisclear…wherethereisunity,the Lord commands His blessing.

2010 marked the 150th year celebration of the1860exodusofIndianstoourshores…many bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. In preparation for this historic occasion,attemptsweremadetobringthe Christian Indian fraternity together to celebrate their history and heritage. This proved to be a difficult undertaking and LazarusPillaysawtheneedforanoutside,non-affiliated,interdenominationalbodytoassistinthisendeavour.Overthisperiod,avision for Christian unity was birthed. In the wakeof‘Celebration150’,aquestionwasleft hanging… Is this declaration of unity for only one cultural subset of the Christian body,orshoulditaimtobringtogetherevery cultural and denominational group in our nation and ultimately our world? The answertothisquestionmanifesteditselfinthe formation of CNI – Christian Network

International. Some might say that this was a bold and audacious statement of intent… othersmightsaythatthisistheheart’scryof many in the body of Christ today.

During2011,CNIstartedtonavigatethetangibility of unity and find a niche that served a need. What would create and sustainamind-setofunity,ratherthanseeing it for a glorious fraction of time at a well-orchestrated event? Events certainly areeffectiveandhavetheirplace,andmany 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 exploredandtested…andCNIrealisedthat there was still much learning and listeningtodo.Essentially,wediscoveredthat unity manifests itself in relationship… relationship with one another and with Jesus.Drawingconclusionsfromthis,thefelt need was for platforms and initiatives that motivated and sustained these relationships,particularlyacrossculturalgroups,denominations,regionsandpersuasions in our handsomely diverse rainbownation.Whatwasrequiredwasa motivating cause to bring the church together… and what better cause than the Great Commission itself?

At a noteworthy Kairos point in this journey,LazarusPillayencountered


A STORY OF TWIN IDEALS....UNITY AND TRANSFORMATION

something special whilst on a business trip to Chennai. The whole city was alive with testimonies… testimonies of penetrating personaltransformation.Frombillboards,streetevangelists,postersandflyerstotaxis,TVandradiodocumentaries,hewas bombarded with faces and stories of changed lives. Small blue books were beingdistributed,withevenmorestoriesof change within their pages. The source of thischangewasclearlyandunequivocallyoutlined… faith in Jesus Christ,ouronlysourceof true and lasting transformation.

His curiosity intenselypiqued,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,LazarusmetwithDrHannuHaukka,thefounderanddirectorofGCM.HequicklylearnedthatGCMhadconductedthis form of city media campaign in 55 different cities over 10 nations across the world,includingRussia,EasternEurope,Israel,IndiaandNepal…butneverinAfrica. Cities were saturated for 30 days from corner to corner with one repetitious message,“Godgivesyouthepowertochange”.CanGodtransformcities?Yes!Why not our city?

The amazing thing about this city campaignisthatitisplannedandexecutedby… the corporate church of that city! Not oneorganisation,notonemegachurch,butthrough the collaboration and support of dozensofchurches,largeandsmall,fromeverydenominationandculture,acrossacity.Unityexpressingitselfpalpably.

How?Throughaprofessionalexternalbody (GCM) coming alongside the local

church and coaching them through a learned,triedandtestedprocess.Throughalocalpartnerrallyinga‘foolhardy’calltobring 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 GreatCommissionintheircity,together.Through a unified network of committed pastors and leaders contributing volunteers (skilledandunskilled),resources,timeand

effort to take a city for Jesus. Throughcorporate,communal,consistent PRAYER over OUR city that sets off a chain reaction ofeventsthat,uponreflection,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,pleasecontactKatharine 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.

Georgie Busse


One thing is clear... where thereisunity,

the Lord commands His

blessing.

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