Sure, it's a risk coining a new term!  My own son warns me about this. “Dad, that sounds pretty lame!”  And I’m not listening Environmental (Protecting and even benefiting the environment).

The BAM movement (BAM  stands for “Business as Mission” or “Business as Ministry”) removes the gap that claims that “business is business”  and must be relegated to a financial support roles for those doing philanthropic good or even God’s work on this planet.  In fact, James Clifton, author or The Coming Jobs War reports that when people around the world were asked what they saw as their greatest need  they answered: “a good job.”  In other words, they wanted a “hand up, not a hand out.”  In her blog Jo Plummer wrote that the time has come to think bigger about business.  “Business exists to enable humankind to provide for itself and to steward creation. It enables us to develop our standard of living, care for the destitute and live in peace within communities.”

I tell people who seek to understand the BAM Movement: “Give a person a fish, feed him for a day.  Teach him to fish, feed him for a lifetime.  Create fisheries; feed the village for a lifetime.”

Steve Saint, son of missionary Nate Saint wrote, “Business is a high calling, we need to celebrate it so that our children and their children know that if they are called to business then that’s what they should be doing to God’s glory”

So how about you?  Are  you called to BAM?

Here’s a test you may want to take (or pass on to a friend or son or daughter) to see if you might be a “BAMpreneur” or work as a part of a “BAMpreneurial” company.  (Answer “yes” or “no” to each)

1. You have something that bugs you in the world that isn’t being currently addressed adequately… and business may be the most effective way to address that need.

2. You dream of being part of the solution for a better world with less injustice, poverty, disease and with more opportunity and efficiency.

3. You care about living a meaningful life and fulfilling your destiny more than you do being comfortable.

4. You are willingly to risk time, money and other resources to do something to create positive change.

5. You would not be deeply satisfied with collecting a paycheck in a for-profit only company and would even accept less if necessary to work with a business with a meaningful mission.

6. You sense that you are called to some kind of higher calling or destiny.

7. You would feel sad if you were to ignore the problems and plight of the oppressed, the impoverished or others who do not have the same opportunities to fulfill their dreams as you do.

8. You possess business skills that could be utilized to create profits.

0 - 3. Most likely, you’re NOT really a BAMpreneur… at least at this time.

4 - 6   You may want to consider BAMpreneurship.  (At least explore it)

7 - 8.  What are you doing reading a blog post??  It’s time to create some business on purpose!

What do you think?  If you resonate with this, share this post with others.  Also be sure to join the group of others on Facebook at “The BAM Network.”

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead