Nick Priggis concludes this series by considering how to reinvest the profits from social enterprises.
Reinvesting Profit
Some of the most interesting and innovative historical enterprises that Christians have been involved with have come from the Quakers. Due to their non-conformity Quakers were prohibited from much public life and service, save for the business world. Much of their creativity and faith was therefore focused on growing businesses with Christian integrity and ethics through peer-reviewing business proposals and, where needed, lending money to invest in those businesses. The tremendous social impact of Quakers such as Cadbury and Rowntree is well documented and provides an historic model for Christian Entrepreneurs today.
What is less well-known is the story of the Moravians and Basel Mission Society. Both these historic missionary movements intentionally invested in businesses to support and sustain missions in unreached nations. These commercial entrepreneurs were viewed as missionaries as much as the evangelists and teachers they sought to resource.
As well as seeing philanthropic giving as a means of resourcing mission, Christian entrepreneurs must be envisioned by the experience of those who have gone before to believe that trade and commerce can provide the needed resources for Christians to make disciples of all nations.
At Hope Initiatives, we are currently focused on establishing trading partnerships with those from other nations with the express intention of reinvesting profits for Kingdom purposes from both our and our partners’ perspectives.
The Future of Christian Social Enterprise
I believe that there is a great need for Christians who are gifted and interested in Social Enterprises and Entrepreneurship to mobilise and use their business acumen, experience and drive to create employment. Through such profitable enterprises there is opportunity to train the next generation of young people, and to trade effectively in order for profits to be reinvested with the purpose of making disciples not just in the UK but in all nations.
Here are some questions to consider:
- How might commerce release funding for church planting and community support in overseas nations?
- How can like-minded business people pool resource, experience and investment in seeing Christian Social Enterprise play its part alongside the mission of the church?
Going forward
If you are interested in being part of this movement then you may be interested in our annual conference called God at Work (May 11th 2019 in Shrewsbury) which focuses on issues raised through this blog on Social Enterprise as well as other areas of work. for more information contact me.
Likewise, if you would like to know more about our Social Enterprises please see our website or email me
Nick Priggis
Nick is married to Tracey; they have four children. They have lived in Shrewsbury for the last 10 years, having moved there to help serve in a local community church that Nick now helps to lead. Nick is one of the founders of a Social Enterprise which presently includes two community interest companies and is also a Trustee of a charity which supports churches that care for the poor and most vulnerable in the Ukraine and Zambia.