Melnet

MELnet

Australian Marketplace Connections Inc.

2007 Year of Opportunity

Bulletin 2007-2

Rising to the occasion:
How AMC can strengthen Your hand in the Marketplace

As we launch into 2007 the challenge before us is magnificent: to take the transforming knowledge of Christ into the marketplace.

Never before are genuine Christians more needed to be influential for Christ in their sphere of influence. The reality is that by almost every measurable standard Australia without Christ is being unhinged. Consider:

	Bushfires raging in Victoria have burnt out over 1 million hectares despite the heroic best efforts of our fire fighters.
	The severest drought in 100 years with Melbourne running out of water and electricity. Take a moment to relate this situation to Deut 10:12 to 11:15.
	Massive failures in multiculturalism where tribal issues from other nations are being fought out on the streets of Sydney and Melbourne.
	Massive failures in hedonism where petrol-heads rampage out of control in Noble Park.
	Loss of the primary values of truth and trust resulting in probably over half the total human energy of the nation being wasted on trying to cope with endemic dishonesty.
	Widespread fear and lack of hope resulting in rampant depression with attendant record rates of male suicide, teenage suicide and soaring use of anti-depressants by children.
	Out of control sexual licentiousness contributing to nearly half our marriages failing and round 40% of our children being unable to live with both of their biological parents under the same roof.
	Soaring abortion where the womb has become the most dangerous place in the nation to live.
	Record numbers of lives being ruined by substance abuse.
	With some great exceptions, a church asleep at the wheel… locked into divisions of style, doctrine and judgmentalism and disconnected from the biblical mandates that are the life blood of the nation. This has resulted in the shocking state of much of the church being unable to adequately represent Jesus to the nation.

The message is here for all to see: we are facing issues greater than our self-sufficiency.

This is our day. This is our challenge. This is our time to rise to the occasion!

Accordingly we invite you to join the reformation of God in the marketplace. We invite you to be part of taking Jesus to the community through the place where you spend 70% of your waking time Monday to Friday, the place where you connect with not-yet Christians the most often.

But you can't do this alone. There is an essential need for new networking and peer support to help you make a difference in your workplace.

AMC is one of the new entities God is raising up to serve the body of Christ in the marketplace. Accordingly you are warmly invited to get involved with the following exciting opportunities:

Join an Integrated Leadership Group (ILG)

CEO’s, company directors, mission leaders and managers join a tailored ILG because they understand the value of being strengthened by peer leaders engaged with similar aspirations and issues.

ILG members enjoy:

	being in a small group of similarly positioned colleagues where business practices are filtered through Kingdom principles and values
	encouragement in the use of spiritual gifts in the marketplace
	enhanced commercial outcomes as a result of peer mentoring
	exploration of a deeper integration of faith at work
	finding a place where prayer and intercession undergird leadership roles
	mutual support and encouragement through dark valley deadlines
	opportunities to contribute to the development of emerging leaders
	opportunity to hone business acumen and leadership skills
	regular confidential and non-competitive space with like minded colleagues who provide challenge, insights and accountability
	relationships with leaders who enjoy a similar spiritual journey in Christ.

Currently there are four ILG groups in Melbourne that are tailored to large, medium and small companies and missions. There is also a business and professional women’s group starting up this February. To learn more about these opportunities visit our web site at: www.marketplaceconnections.com/ILG

AMC also network and support leaders of Christian small groups in business, professional and civic employment. We have a Marketplace Champions Forum for leaders of small groups in the Melbourne CBD. To learn more about Christian groups in the marketplace visit: www.marketplaceconnections.com/groups.asp.

Finally AMC run marketplace workshops in local churches who are asking the question: “how can we better minister to the workplace”. For more information on seminars visit: www.marketplaceconnections.com/forums/workshop.htm.

To book a seminar or find out more about how you can be a marketplace minister in the course of your daily occupation, please contact our office on (03) 9882-9773, 9888-5381 or email.

Business Bible Gift Suggestion

As well as the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs in Today's English Version, The Business Bible contains testimonies from well-known successful Christian business people, includes introductory pages on subjects such as ethics and integrity in Business. With its compact size, leather cover and stylish design, The Business Bible is ideal for colleagues, business contacts or for personal use throughout your working day. Great idea for: