The 4 Levels
Page 1 of 1
The 4 Levels
swaraj Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:37 pm
Extract from Ed Silvoso's book, Anointed for Business (p123)
[The role played by the Christian is] always determined by the kind of relationship Christians have with the marketplace. The four levels are:
To be a Christian in the marketplace
To be a Christian who applies Christian principles in the marketplace
To be a Christian who does business in the fullness and the power of the Holy Spirit
To be a Christian committed to the total transformation of the marketplace[/list]
On the first level are those who believe the marketplace is an evil place but feel they can hold their ground as Christians. Survival is their objective and they need a lot of maintenance because they see themselves as POWs, forced to live with dignity in an undignified place.
The second level represents those who apply Christian principles in the market place. They have a more positive outlook than those on level 1 but do not believe that applying Christian principles can do much for the corporation where they work, much less for the market place as a whole. Those principles allow them to overcome temptations and to keep good testimony. Basically, they have settled for a draw: they will not change the marketplace and the marketplace will not change them.
On the third level we find Christians who wholeheartedly believe that they work in the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit. They seek God everyday, they hear from Him, and they implement what He tells them.
The fourth level represents those who, after they have experienced God’s transforming power in their business, see themselves on a mission to transform the marketplace.
[The role played by the Christian is] always determined by the kind of relationship Christians have with the marketplace. The four levels are:
To be a Christian in the marketplace
To be a Christian who applies Christian principles in the marketplace
To be a Christian who does business in the fullness and the power of the Holy Spirit
To be a Christian committed to the total transformation of the marketplace[/list]
On the first level are those who believe the marketplace is an evil place but feel they can hold their ground as Christians. Survival is their objective and they need a lot of maintenance because they see themselves as POWs, forced to live with dignity in an undignified place.
The second level represents those who apply Christian principles in the market place. They have a more positive outlook than those on level 1 but do not believe that applying Christian principles can do much for the corporation where they work, much less for the market place as a whole. Those principles allow them to overcome temptations and to keep good testimony. Basically, they have settled for a draw: they will not change the marketplace and the marketplace will not change them.
On the third level we find Christians who wholeheartedly believe that they work in the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit. They seek God everyday, they hear from Him, and they implement what He tells them.
The fourth level represents those who, after they have experienced God’s transforming power in their business, see themselves on a mission to transform the marketplace.
Last edited by swaraj on Fri May 02, 2008 4:46 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Included Page number)
swaraj- Posts : 8
Join date : 2008-03-23
Comments on the 4 Levels
swaraj Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:42 pm
Commentary for discussion on this model (extracted from document drafted by Sally Orwin)
There has been both agreement and questioning expressed in relation to this model, one question begin
whether it is more helpful to think of these steps as a description of four discrete approaches which are
not necessarily linked together in a maturity sequence (as suggested by the term ‘four-step’). They have
equal qualitative value in terms of spiritual maturity. Different consultants will find themselves in any
one of these four situations in the particular circumstances of each client and project and there is not
necessarily greater spiritual maturity in working to step 4 than working to step 1. A Christian may be
committed to the total transformation of the marketplace and may seek to contribute to this by applying
Christian principles in the marketplace because a different, perhaps more ‘active’ approach might be
counter-productive. Does the phrase ‘committed to the total transformation of the marketplace’ imply
particular activities or form of delivery and are these of their nature more ‘transformative’ [successful?]?
Some theological issues for discussion as well, for example, does a Christian work other than in the
fullness and power of the Holy Spirit? In what ways does this model speak of grace?
Which is God calling us to in the particular circumstances of this client or project? How can these
descriptions inform the process for each particular case (see Appendix 1 below)?
There has been both agreement and questioning expressed in relation to this model, one question begin
whether it is more helpful to think of these steps as a description of four discrete approaches which are
not necessarily linked together in a maturity sequence (as suggested by the term ‘four-step’). They have
equal qualitative value in terms of spiritual maturity. Different consultants will find themselves in any
one of these four situations in the particular circumstances of each client and project and there is not
necessarily greater spiritual maturity in working to step 4 than working to step 1. A Christian may be
committed to the total transformation of the marketplace and may seek to contribute to this by applying
Christian principles in the marketplace because a different, perhaps more ‘active’ approach might be
counter-productive. Does the phrase ‘committed to the total transformation of the marketplace’ imply
particular activities or form of delivery and are these of their nature more ‘transformative’ [successful?]?
Some theological issues for discussion as well, for example, does a Christian work other than in the
fullness and power of the Holy Spirit? In what ways does this model speak of grace?
Which is God calling us to in the particular circumstances of this client or project? How can these
descriptions inform the process for each particular case (see Appendix 1 below)?
swaraj- Posts : 8
Join date : 2008-03-23
Qualifications
swaraj Fri May 02, 2008 3:54 pm
It may help to further qualify these 4 levels in two ways:
1) The four levels are just that - not steps that should be climbed by every Christian - though it can be taken that way. Ed Silvoso just says that these are 4 levels that characterize the "kind of relationship Christians have with the marketplace". There may be good reason why one may have to be content and remain in a particular level at some point in their lives/career. Its up to the individual to decide if they are at the level that God is calling them to.
2) The marketplace you operate in is not necessarily the "open market" - it could be the internal market if you are working in a large corporation/organisation. Ed Silvoso sometimes talks about business owners and at other times about someone who just works for a business owner - and hence who has less freedom or opportunity to influence the marketplace that he/she finds themselves in . In either case, there is an equally valid role that Christians can play.
I believe we are all called to be changemakers in some way and we should be looking to influence those around us - in the marketplace that God has called us to. To be pushing the envelope.
1) The four levels are just that - not steps that should be climbed by every Christian - though it can be taken that way. Ed Silvoso just says that these are 4 levels that characterize the "kind of relationship Christians have with the marketplace". There may be good reason why one may have to be content and remain in a particular level at some point in their lives/career. Its up to the individual to decide if they are at the level that God is calling them to.
2) The marketplace you operate in is not necessarily the "open market" - it could be the internal market if you are working in a large corporation/organisation. Ed Silvoso sometimes talks about business owners and at other times about someone who just works for a business owner - and hence who has less freedom or opportunity to influence the marketplace that he/she finds themselves in . In either case, there is an equally valid role that Christians can play.
I believe we are all called to be changemakers in some way and we should be looking to influence those around us - in the marketplace that God has called us to. To be pushing the envelope.
swaraj- Posts : 8
Join date : 2008-03-23
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum|
|
|