In the time of Jesus, it was not at all uncommon to find rabbi's running their own businesses. In fact the apostle Paul was a successful tent maker! What has happened to that notion? Well, as time has rolled on, it seems as if an ugly chasm has separated the principles of business life from the life of the church.

There has thus been a distinction between secular life and church life! Until very recently, and still to this day, people battle to see how business and church can go together. Churches have tried their best to be charitable organizations, relying heavily on donations, generosity and subsidies to fund God's work. The majority of churchgoers are business people, who have difficulty in living out their faith through their work.

The idea of business people within a church coming together with a common purpose, to raise funds and contribute resources for God's work through our churches, has had little support. God calls us to live our lives as people who seek to be like Christ, and who do their best to increase God's kingdom. When Jesus calls us, he does not call individual parts of our lives. He requires that we give our entire life to Him.

Because of this simple fact of faith, we have to find ways to marry our vocation and career with that of our faith life.
What is the NBI?

The Northfield Business Initiative seeks to bring business and the church closer together, and to create the means whereby business talents and resources can be better utilized for the benefit of God’s kingdom.

The objectives of the NBI include:

* Create a platform for ministry and support to business
* Encouraging Christian principles in business
* Managing the commercial aspects of the church more effectively
* Creating sustainable income streams for the benefit of the church and selected outreach projects
* Creating employment opportunities
* And giving business people or professionals the opportunity to use some of their gifts and abilities for God's work.

Mission

We are a structured organization, accountable to the Northfield Methodist Church, run by Christian business people who are serious about helping meet the church's needs. We aim not only to serve Northfield, but also the Faith community of Benoni, as God leads us.

We are an organization that is open to all Christian business and professional people longing to use their gifts and talents for the spreading of the Kingdom.

The NBI currently has 105 members, with a diverse spread of gifts and talents, working in many different businesses and professions. We are seeking to grow this membership, without reference to race, colour or sex.

There are no membership fees, the only membership criteria being a love for God, and a desire to utilize individual talents and abilities in the way God intended.
What the NBI Offers

* Fellowship amongst business men & women
* An outreach ministry
* Christian based internet / web advertising
* Employment sourcing
* Event management, co-ordinating & implementing
* Website design resources
* Existing distribution channels for published Christian books Our Mission
* Utilizing Business Talents for God's Kingdom