Advancing sustainable solutions to material poverty through church missions.
The North American Church is losing ground in attendance, influence, credibility and virtually every other category that really matters. In this day and age, many see the church as the hope of the world only as it “proves” itself in practical ways that touch the everyday needs of everyday people. But that’s not a cry for more traditional forms of charity or the missionary model of the past 200 years. Instead, thoughtful people, from Millennials to Boomers, are looking for churches that have moved from simply doing good things to solving real problems in lasting ways. Churches that invest in this kind of mission work become more helpful in lifting people out of poverty and better partners to ministries on the frontlines. They also become more relevant and credible to their community, more fulfilling to both pastor and people, and more appealing to those on the margins looking for a reason to attend a church.
Our mission is to help churches reframe their missions and charitable work around sustainable solutions and create room for business-minded people who can help that happen. Our annual SATtalks and other resources highlight some of the most innovative churches and faith-based ministries around the world working to move missions in this direction. We do this because the Church needs the stories of early pioneers and innovators to inspire and help us see what could be!
Tom Bassford, Founder/President | Significant Matters & SATtalks
A Millennial Perspective: There Shouldn’t Be a Line by John McGovern & Lindsey Strickler
John and Lindsey talk about how Millennials, Boomers, and other generations can collaborate and work together for change and erase the line between secular and sacred as well as business and ministry. John’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2010 utilizing skills in engineering, design and technology. In that short time he’s had the opportunity to work across a wide variety of industries including industrial construction, fund management, political consulting, data analytics and retail sales. He was also part of the group that developed the “1 Million Cups” program for the Kauffman Foundation, a national program designed to educate, engage, and connect [...]
Missions 3.0 Network by Tom Bassford | Significant Matters
Tom Bassford of Significant Matters discusses what's involved and what it takes to move a church's missions work into more sustainable approaches. It's a process that takes 3-5 years of hard work and is best done in a Peer Learning Community. Learn more about what SATtalks and the Missions 3.0 Network is doing to accellerate the learning curve for churches.
Value of SATtalks | Panel Discussion of Business People
We pulled together a group of business people from the audience at our last SATtalks to share their thoughts on sustainability, church missions and the value of a forum like SATtalks for them. A candid conversation on ministry and marketplace people working together.
Connecting the Least Connected by Justin Carney | Business Impact Networks
Justin Carney, with Business Impact Networks, shares how human flourishing through business creation can break the cycle of poverty.
Metrics Matter: What We Measure and Why | Panel Discussion
Either consciously or unconsciously we all measure the things that matter the most and that applies to what we do in the realm of missions. One of the big challenges we face in the effort to create sustainable change is how to measure success. At SATtalks we are convinced that metrics is a key to creating sustainable results and we’re committed to advancing that conversation and our understanding of metrics at SATtalks. In this SATtalk we asked our 2016 presenters to answer three questions: (1) What do you measure? (2) Why do you measure that? (3) How do you measure [...]
What We Have in Our Hands by Christine Baingana | Hope International
How do you transition from implementing a non-profit program in underserved contexts to equipping the local Church to own, lead and grow a vibrant and sustained ministry? At HOPE International, we’re learning that communities flourish when we ask ourselves, our Church partners and those we serve, “what has God placed in your hands?” Christine serves as the Business Development Director for HOPE International (HOPE). She graduated with a master’s in public administration (MPA) from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government in 2010. Her professional background includes over 20 years of experience providing financial services in the private sector as well as corporate management. [...]
