GoStrategic Newsletter: Second Quarter 2025

First published in 1995, Doing Business God’s Way by Dennis Peacocke marks its 30th anniversary this year! A pioneering book that preceded the modern marketplace ministry movement, its inspiration came from a seminar Dennis led in the late 1980s called The Freedom Series. Written at a time when the American church largely subscribed to the dualist perspective of work as a carnal nuisance and business as a “second-class” calling, it challenged the prevailing mindset that our “true” spiritual calling awaits us in heaven. Dennis shattered these misconceptions, powerfully presenting work as worship and the marketplace as a vital field for evangelism. His message was revolutionary: God desires to partner with us in our work, and the workplace is a frontline for advancing the Kingdom.

Historically, there were fewer than 10 faith-at-work parachurch ministries in the 1980s. The numbers have doubled every decade since the 1960s.¹ Until 1978, all evangelical publishers combined released no more than five Christian books on faith and work per year. A stirring began in the 1980s, and by the year 2000, the number had grown to a total of 350 titles; by 2005, it skyrocketed to more than 2,000.² Today, any believer on LinkedIn can attest to the explosion of the faith-driven business movement in the last 15+ years.

Back in 2003, Dennis wrote about what he saw coming:

While some may call this emerging Christians-in-the-workplace movement a “marketplace ministries” phenomenon, such a definition is far, far too limited. This awakening of Christian economic theory and practice will do much more than merely legitimize the validity of believers working out a spiritual mission in the workplace. It has the clear potential of radically redefining historic economic theory and catapulting biblical Christianity out of the current stereotype of only concerning itself with sexual morals or abortion-related issues. As vital as those issues may be, they have only served to further isolate and “ghettoize” believers from touching the gears and levers of the economic mechanisms that drive the entire world. Indeed, in a world increasingly preoccupied with issues of economic lifestyle, job, and capital development, for believers to powerfully impact those issues is nothing short of major, historic news. Beyond that, it will truly be an unexpected, strategic “end run” around the current entrenchments that biblical Christians now face in the world system’s marginalization of them.” —Dennis Peacocke, Co-Managing the Earth: The Foundational Work of the Christian Marketplace Ministry

Over two decades later, Dennis’ prophetic insight has certainly come to pass, and we see a significant cultural shift across much of the evangelical world in embracing the concept of “work as worship.” And yet, the need remains to awaken more believers to the truth that God desires to co-labor with us in our work.

Numerous influential marketplace ministries are active in this mission, including C12, whose founder, Buck Jacobs, has served as speaking faculty for School of Business Leadership events. Buck reflects:

I met Dennis not long before he published Doing Business God’s Way and connected with him immediately as a spiritual brother and teacher. I was in the process of starting a business which would become The C12 Business Forums, LLC. As I have revisited the book, I have been so very blessed and thankful to be reminded of the principles and thought-provoking concepts that I had absorbed and then forgotten where they came from. The first was the definition of “worldview” which I had heard but never really realized how critical it is in shaping actions and responses. This led to the overarching life principle governing the philosophy of C12, “One life under the lordship of Jesus Christ,” and our motto, “Building Great Businesses for a Greater Purpose.” I am grateful and recommend Doing Business God’s Way for any and all who seek to change the world of and through business. Thank you, Dennis, for your passion for our King and His Kingdom and your blessing to His servant. —Buck Jacobs, Founder, The C12 Business Forums

Over the past 30 years, Doing Business God’s Way has grown into a global resource. It has been translated into 10 different languages, expanded into a dynamic small-group study series, and published as a devotional plan in the YouVersion Bible App. A seminal part of the GoStrategic ministry, it served as the key inspiration for the founding of our School of Business Leadership, which continues to equip business leaders worldwide.

At its heart, the book explores one of the most critical questions of our time: “How should mankind justly steward the Earth’s resources and distribute its wealth?” Dennis teaches in the book’s Master Principles that work is a holy, eternal calling. Our God delights in work—and He desires to partner with us in it. As Christians, we must live as intentional disciples, renewing our minds and walking in unity to carry out God’s plan for the nations.

Thirty years later, the timeless principles of Doing Business God’s Way remain as relevant as ever. Let’s continue to steward these truths, apply them in our work, and share them with the next generation of Kingdom-minded leaders.

¹ God at Work by David W. Miller
² Saving the Protestant Ethic by Andrew Lynn

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