Marketplace Ministers
Danita’s passion is to inspire and encourage Christ-followers in the marketplace to holistically integrate work & faith while authentically and courageously demonstrating God’s love.
In Tanzania with CheetahDevelopment.org
For the month of August, I’ll be in Tanzania working on a project with www.CheetahDevelopment.org. Since I’ll be without technology (panic!), we’ll need to pick up our dialogue the first of Sept. 
Christian Business owner: Can You Trust God with your ToDo List?
I recently read this poem in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. May it challenge you, even as it challenged me and my ToDo List Addiction!
“Trust Me enough to spend ample time with Me during the day.
Trust Me, knowing that I can bend time and events in your favor.
Trust Me that you can get more done in less time with Me.
Trust Me to tell you what’s important and what’s not important.”
I’m interested in hearing from you about how you stay in trust mode! Share your story!
The Rewarding Risk For Every Christian Business Person
You may have heard of the book God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew, where the author tells of his adventures as a Bible Smuggler behind the Iron Curtain. I spent a summer while in college with a sister organization, Slavic Gospel Association, which was founded by Peter Deyneka. I wrote this article about 8 years ago while reflecting on one of the adventures in Eastern Europe. I hope you find the question as provacotive for you today as when I wrote the article. I’d love to hear your own reflections. 
The Rewarding Risk
At 1 o’clock A.M., we tap lightly on the door of their second-story apartment, hoping not to waken others in the building. As Yolonda and Yori cautiously crack open the door, we murmur, “We’re Americans…..with Bibles.” Delighted, they quietly and quickly open the door to their tiny apartment, whispering their incredible story.
Only five days earlier, the Politzi (Russian police) swept through their village located only seven miles from the Russian-Polish border. They confiscate all Bibles and Christian literature, pile them in the middle of the floor and then set the pile ablaze. All that remains is a charred hole in the middle to their church floor.
And, now, only five days later, they have a new supply. A Miracle!
In 1980, I delivered Bibles to Christ Followers in Communist Europe through Slavic Gospel Association. For Christ followers living in the Communist empire, it was illegal to share their faith with their children, family, friends, or neighbors without significant risk. To do so meant that they could be ostracized from their communities, lose their job, face imprisonment, or in some cases, sacrifice their lives. Even accepting Bibles and Christian literature from Americans was illegal. Yolanda and Yuri were risking their lives for this miracle delivery that came on the heels of such destruction.
The Easy Question
More than 23 years later, the courage of Yolanda and Yori still inspires me–and challenges me. When reading of those persecuted around the world for following Jesus Christ, I often ask myself, “Danita, are you willing to die for your beliefs in Jesus Christ?” Without hesitation, I have responded, “Yes, absolutely! If I had to choose between renouncing my relationship with God through Jesus or face death, I would choice death.”
The Difficult Problem
However, the follow-up question is more difficult for me to answer, “Am I willing to LIVE for my belief that God showed His love to the world through Jesus?” Am I willing to risk a friendship, when talking with a neighbor who’s having a personal crisis, to ask gently, “May I pray for you?” When I work with a client who’s lost all confidence because his business is failing, am I willing to risk the contract renewal to ask respectfully, “Where is God in all this?” When I sit across the restaurant table from a successful entrepreneur, am I willing to risk my reputation and ask encouragingly, “ What’s your purpose, your calling, in life?” Am I willing to not only die for my beliefs: am I willing to LIVE my beliefs in my interactions with my family, friends, colleagues and clients?
The Rewarding Risk
An ancient Jewish wisdom writer says that considering all that God has done for us, “Take your everyday, ordinary day—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life– and place it before God as an offering, a living sacrifice. ”
What’s an offering? What’s a sacrifice? Webster defines offering as “a gift or contribution” and sacrifice as “the act of giving up.” What’s the ancient writer saying to us? He’s encouraging us that as we talk with friends, meet with clients, lunch with colleagues and laugh with our families, that we “give up” our comfort zone and “offer” our lives as a gift by sharing God’s love, joy and peace.
For many of us, sharing our walk as a Christ Follower in an increasingly pluralistic, post-modern society is incredibly risky. It feels like we’re endangering our reputations, our sense of control, our self-adequacy, our friendships, our comfort, or our community. However, as we confront our fear, break through our comfort zone and embrace the risk, we will reap the rewards. The most satisfying reward is that every interaction is an opportunity to share God’s intense love.
Our lives are comfortable. In the midst of our comfort zones, are we willing to live a life of adventure and accept the challenge of Yolonda and Yori who risked everything for their walk with Christ? Are we willing to risk not only dying, but also living for our faith, every day? More pointedly, are we willing to risk our reputations, our fear of rejection, our comforts, or our prestige to walk with Jesus Christ as our leader every day in every interaction?
Copyright. 1992. All Rights Reserved.
As a Marketplace Minister, Are You As Radical As Jesus?
A friend of mine, who’s not a Christ follower; proceeded to tell me all the reason that Christianity and Jesus aren’t the “intelligent” pursuit for someone in the 21st Century. She said, “Danita, don’t you know that Jesus didn’t embrace women!” Shocked, I asked her, “Where do you get that idea?” She retorted, “Well, look at his 12 disciples…they were all men. That should demonstrate his disrespect for women right there.”
I see her point…and I don’t see her point. In fact, I see Jesus as incredibly Radical when dealing with and interacting with all the “out” groups of that time, including women. 
For example, let’ look at John 4 and 5. This section starts with Jesus interacting with a much-hated Samaritan. But, just wait; it’s not just any Samaritan. Double problem—it’s a woman. Women are considered second-class citizens in the ancient near-eastern world. And yet, Jesus, the Radical One, and initiates a conversation with her. He doesn’t just respond to her requests, he’s radical enough to initiate the conversation, interacting with her respectfully and honorably. Jesus is the Radical One.
Next, we see Jesus healing an official’s son. Understand this—the official was probably Roman. What was a Jewish teacher doing interacting with a gentile! And, not just any gentile, but one that is hated by the Jewish people because of the Roman occupation of their land. Not only does Jesus interact with him, he heals his son. Jesus is breaking all sorts of cultural norms by respectfully and honorably interacting with this gentile. Jesus is the Radical One.
Finally, Jesus is walking along and passes by the Pool of Bethesda. There are crowds of sick people, crowds of lame people. People who’ve spent their whole lives sick. In those days, healthy people didn’t really like being around sick, lame, injured people. Why? Because they were considered unclean, unholy. Not Jesus. He walks right amongst the sick and lame. Very counter-cultural. Very radical. And, he doesn’t just walk through there; he engages with a sick man, one who’s been sick for 38 years….and heals him!
As marketplace ministers, are we following in the footsteps of Jesus and being Radical and intentionally and respectfully interacting with those from other cultures and other religions, those that may be shunned by the average American?
Do we go out of our way to respectfully interact with those who aren’t accepted by society, who are seen by some as “taboo”?
Do we hang out with those shunned by society, those who are really in need of someone who will share Jesus’ love for them?
That’s what Jesus would do.
In fact, according to the well-respected theologian, John Stott, in his book, The Radical Disciple, nonconformity to the cultural status quo is the first characteristic of a radical disciple.
Radical!
North American Conference on City and Nation Transformation
I’m planning on attending the 
North American Conference on City and Nation Transformation. What about you? Will you be in Elk River also on July 7-10?
Here’s an excerpt from an eMail from Ed Silvoso, author of Anointed for Business, one of my all-time favorite books which I’ve blogged about.
“You will hear first-hand from the Elk River leadership team about the joys and challenges of leading a “city transformation movement” for more than a dozen years. Elk River continues to be on the cutting edge of modeling a strategic partnership between “pulpit and marketplace ministers” for the sake of impacting a whole city for Christ.
“You will hear from partners like:
· Mayor Stephanie Klinzing, who is committed to ending “systemic poverty” in the City of Elk River.
· David Monroy, an attorney who has developed a strategy called “The Business Roundtable” to bless and disciple Kingdom Companies.
· Pastor Greg Pagh who has developed resources to help pastors disciple Transformation Churches.
· Scott Powell, from Elk River Ford.
· Mike Matter, from Zylstra Harley Davidson.
…and many others who are part of the transformation team in Elk River, Minnesota.
“You will hear from Ray Pinson and Kevin Mitchell and their team at OPIN Systems in Bloomington, MN. This software company has pioneered an Apprentice Program that is training and equipping the next generation of marketplace leaders.
“International guests will include Brian Burton from Phuket, Thailand and Pastor Poncho Murguia from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Brian is a “Brit” serving in Buddhist Thailand. The devastation of the Tsunami in 2004 called his congregation out of the building and into the streets. As they began to “pastor their city,” miracles began to happen as God began to transform lives from the poorest of sea gypsies to the Provincial Mayor.
“Poncho serves in the city known as the murder capital of the world. God has raised him up as chief advisor to the Mayor of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. From the prison to the city streets the grip of the drug cartels is being broken. His life is literally on the line everyday in pursuit of this vision of city transformation.
“I will be sharing insights from my new book, Anointed for Politics: How To Swim in Dirty Water Without Drinking It, as well as “kingdom” developments from my recent trips to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Spain. God is touching high ranking officials from business, education and government with the love of God and a vision for transformation as never before.”
I’ll be there on Thursday and Friday. Hope to see you!
Spiritual Disciplines of Workplace Ministers
On January 3rd, 2009, I visit a elderly friend, Priscilla, whom I served in spiritual leadership with at Hope Covenant Church in St. 
Cloud and whom currently lives in Covenant Village. As I entered her apartment with a “Happy New Year!” she immediately says, “Oh, I have a word from the Lord for you,” and hands me a white, 3X 5 postcard.
Her words are a bit unusual, however, I consider her one of the wisest, more godly women I know. If she was a character in Star Wars, she’d be cast as Yoda!
Curiosity mounting, I read the carefully, hand written words: “My dearest, I have often longed from you to tell me your needs. You bear the load yourself. Don’t! I am with you in every situation. I am upholding you, strengthening you and blessing you. You have a heavy load to bear, a huge job to do for me. Let me bear the load. Rest totally in my ability to accomplish the work laid out for you. You will be used but my strength will accomplish it. Peace.”
Tears well up in my eyes. It was as if the Lord had spoken directly to the core of my being knowing exactly what I need to hear and exactly what spiritual discipline I need to practice in order to be more effective for His Kingdom.
So, for the first quarter of 2009, I work on developing a habit of writing in my journal every morning all those things that are heavy on my mind. The lesson I learned is that God desperately wants us to bring ALL of it to Him…to hold nothing back, no matter how little or insignificant it seems to us.
So, do you hold your needs bottled up inside of you? God is inviting you to let Him bear the load and to rest in His ability to accomplish the work laid out for you. The result? Peace.
Sisu… and the Perseverance of the Workplace Minister
For my readers, you know that I rediscovered one of my favorite words, SISU, at Hostfest in Minot, ND last fall. Consequently, I’ve written a number of articles on SISU, including Filling Your Sails-and Making More Sales-With Sisu, and numerous blog postings:
- Sisu: From Conforming to Courage
- Sisu: From Contenting to Community
- Sisu: From Confusion to Clarity
- Sisu: from Couragelessness to Confidence
- Sisu: From Complacency to Calling
Today, I found a definition for SISU through Urban Dictionary that I found interesting: “A uniquely Finnish quality; the word used to typify the Finnish spirit; a concept that is at the heart of how all Finns view themselves; a certain feature or value considered by Finns to be typically Finnish – endurance, resilience, tenacity, determination, perseverance – an inner reserve of diligence, capacity, the ability to face head-on and always overcome – craziness: the recklessness that inspires a person to take on something in the face of incredible odds – bravery, empowerment, inner strength.
“Gritting your teeth, continuing to fight against an overwhelming enemy, clearing a forest with your bare hands, continuing on to win a race even after falling.
“Sisu means that you finish what you start, you don’t quit in the middle of a job, and you don’t whine.
“Quote: It doesn’t take sisu to go to the North Pole; it takes sisu to stand at the door when the bear is on the other side.”
Again, as I reflect on SISU, I’m reminded of the encouragement from scripture to persevere in always doing good. James 1:2-4 says, “My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
Ma your faith in the Almighty God help you in facing the onslaught of trials in your life.
P.S. SISU is included in Chapter 7 in my new eBook: Leadership Shift. Download your complimentary copy.
I’m so driven…HELP!
I’m so driven, so hard of hearing,
I don’t really hear
the cry of the world around me,
the voices of despair,
the plea for help in those I meet and work with on a daily basis.
I confess that I’ve lost my sense of hearing.
Lord, help me to hear, really hear,
that your love can flow through me and people will know that you love
them and really hear them.
I’m so driven, so out-of-touch & cold hearted,
I don’t really feel,
the pain and frustration of others,
the helplessness of those locally and globally who are desperate for live-giving food and water,
the dance of celebration, when others are finally right with you.
I confess that I’ve lost my sense of feeling.
Lord, help me to feel, really feel,
that others may know that You really feel and are with
them in their pain.
I’m so driven, so tunnel visioned,
I don’t really see,
the pain and anguish in people’s eyes,
the lonliness and cry for love,
the life that’s searching for purpose and meaning.
I confess that I’ve lost my ability to see.
Lord, help me to see, really feel,
that I may see where You are working in people’s lives
that I might join you in accomplishing Your task.
By Danita Bye
Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.
Things God Won’t Ask the Christian Entrepreneur
I found this poem today while sorting through some old journals. It’s a good reminder for us a Christian entrepreneurs and business people to keep a check on our priorities.
God won’t ask you what kind of car you drive,
but He’ll ask you how many people you helped get where they needed to go.
God won’t ask you the square footage of your house,
but He’ll ask you how many people you welcomed into your home.
God won’t ask you about the clothes that you had in your closet,
but He’ll ask you how many you helped clothe.
God won’t ask you how many friends you had,
but He’ll ask you how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won’t ask you in what neighborhood you lived,
but He’ll ask you how you treated your neighbors.
God won’t ask about the color of your skin,
but, He’ll ask about the content of your character.
Author Unknown
Fresh Insights from Marketplace Ministry Readers
I appreciate the tremendous feedback you’re to my recent blog posting: The Floor if Flat Before the Throne. Here are a couple of eMail comments that I thought we’d all find challenging as we think about how to be more effective in our own work.
From Cathy: We had a sermon today (since it is Pentecost) about both God coming to His followers with his Spirit in the form of wind and fire but also the Old Testament story of the Tower of Babel – or people trying to get closer to God and in the process trying to become God themselves. Our pastor’s message was not that it was a bad thing to strive and do well in this life, but that it needs to be done on our knees, waiting for God to come to us and show us His will for our life. If we are striving to make a name for ourselves for our own 
benefit and not God’s, that is when our own Tower of Babel might not get finished. In other words we need to kneel to get closer to God. I thought it tied into your blog about the floor being flat before the throne.
We are all kneeling no matter what we do!
From Tom: One of my seminary profs pointed out a significant word during one of our “worship” classes. He told us that one of the Hebrew words translated “worship” actually meant “temple sweeper.” Now part of the job of the temple sweeper was obviously to clean the place up. What struck me about this was that the daily routine at the temple was in part to slaughter hundreds and perhaps thousands of animals as part of the ritual sacrifices that people presented according to the law. The sweeper’s job, in a very hot Middle Eastern climate, was to clean up all the parts not worthy for sacrifice. This would not have been a pleasant job in any way … stinky, smelly, dirty, flies, blood – which would have made the sweeper “unclean” according to the law … and yet, the Holy Spirit has seen fit to help us understand that the God in all His fullness, views the lowest, dirtiest, nastiest job as an act of worship.
I interpret this to mean that the work we do, no matter how menial or low on the ladder of social acceptance can be, it is an act of worship for the believer. Hence, the mandate in the New Testament to work as one serving the Lord rather than as one simply serving a human master.
No act of worship goes unnoticed by the Lord.
Therefore, the most mundane thing that you and I do is lifted by the Creator to the highest level of relating to Him.
Our work MATTERS. YOUR work MATTERS.
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About Danita
Bold and Refreshing
Danita has a special gift of igniting others into action. Her skill and experience, partnered with ministry insight, makes Danita a powerful marketplace minister! Her sharp precision cuts right to the heart of business matters – assisting others in breaking new ground for Kingdom Advancement!- Rhonda M. Kalal, President
MN Christian Chamber of Commerce