Building business

It's time to get past the stigmas of "business".

Shaping spaces for sacred encounter.

Mansion or mission... a serious "why am I here?" question for young adults eyeing the confusing life of higher education. And it only begs even more questions: "Who am I? What do I believe? With whom will I surround myself?"

In his day, Pete Steen's battle-cry was "Life is Religion." Now, of course, we're much cleaner, clearer, more precise, with slogans like "creation-fall-redemption" illustrating Christ's redemption of all things. But let's not forget—or let's meet in these pages—an academic Johnny Appleseed who was a serious life-saver, controversial and feisty and... pioneering: Pete Steen, a twentieth century neocalvinist prophet.

Institutions like family, business, government, church, law . . . Christian political theorist Jacques Ellul argues that all of these are stop-gap measures made necessary only after the fall into sin. A dialogue on the Christian's redemptive role.

As part of Comment's ongoing mission to build Christian leaders, we approached Christian business and management faculty on campuses across North America, and asked for the best advice they could give their students and proteges.

Bethany Warren and her husband aren't just building a coffee shop . . . they're creating an emporium of community—"a connecting-place". In an old house-turned-shop on a small town's main drag, they are projecting—from their complex business plans right down to their simple cups of joe—a business of dignity, and a service that hints of its Inspiration. Beaver Falls Coffee & Tea Company opens soon in southwestern Pennsylvania, but Bethany and Russ have a story that matters far beyond.

"We have too much to live with and too little to live for," writes Os Guinness. And it's true that more and more, leaders in business and in broader culture have no end beyond their own satisfaction, their own short-term gain at long-term expense. The next generation of Christian cultural leaders needs to look beyond today's circumstances, and learn stewardship for tomorrow.

Someone once said, "Seek fruit that lasts" by seeking fruit in the lives of people. Seeking fruit in others by mentoring may bear fruit elsewhere . . .

A liberal arts background may be preferable to MBAs among employers looking for management track hires. Here's why . . .

A call for Christians to understand the Islamist narrative, and to adopt a Christian response.