Going Beyond Profit: Transforming Canada Through Missional Business
LET’S TALK STATISTICS
According to Statistics Canada, there are approximately 1,226,545 businesses in Canada. Of those 1.2 million businesses, 71.02% are Christian-owned, with 7.68% specifically evangelical-owned. This means that there could be as many, or more than 93,175 businesses owned by evangelicals within Canada
With 98% of jobs in Canada stemming from small to medium sized enterprises, the models we as believers adopt in our businesses can significantly impact the majority of the Canadian workforce. It’s crucial to lead our businesses in a way that will glorify God and care for His people.
One way we at BAM Canada encourage this is through a framework called the Quadruple Bottom Line.
THE QUADRUPLE BOTTOM LINE
The Quadruple Bottom Line (QBL) is a model of missional business built on four pillars that equips businesses to not only be sustainable, but to promote human flourishing in a way that benefits local communities. It focuses on:
PROFIT: A QBL business provides positive, sustainable, economic impact for individuals, families, communities, and nations.
PLANET: A QBL business prioritizes the flourishing of people and ecosystems across generations through environmental stewardship
PEOPLE: A QBL business seeks to improve the quality of life for employees, their families, and their communities.
PURPOSE: A QBL business creates opportunities for spiritual growth and the multiplication of disciples.
(Sign up to receive our free kingdom-impact assessment tool and learn more about QBL’s history, examples, and ways to apply it to your own business.)
The QBL model seeks to go one step further than profitable work, and in doing so, promotes a model of business that brings peace, fellowship, and opportunity to its communities.
It’s not just for unreached places but can be used right here in Canada!
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
With Christian-owned businesses already making up 71.02% percent of the business population in Canada, and evangelical-owned businesses making up 7.68%, the time to apply missional business models is now. If we use the influence we already have and shift our business focus from profit to purpose, large-scale transformation for business across Canada could take place.
If even 50% of those 93 thousand evangelical-owned businesses followed the Quadruple Bottom Line, there would be at least 46,587 businesses following the four pillars of the QBL.
This could mean over 46,587 businesses across Canada operating with financial wisdom, caring for God’s creation, showing love to all stakeholders, and intentionally serving God in everything.
HOW COULD THIS IMPACT CANADA?
With these values in place and spreading wide, the image of Canadian businesses could change entirely.
What would our country look like with more purpose-centred businesses?
POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT
With more and more businesses shifting to a QBL model, businesses will start positively impacting the economy by giving a more than they’re taking.
People will feel more trust in their local businesses and be more willing to work with them instead of simply working for them.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Rather than needing to search hard and long to find businesses that promote environmentally friendly practices, it will become a trusted assumption that most businesses are trying their best to take care of the earth.
More businesses will stop taking away from the Earth and start taking care of it.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The QBL model will provide more employment opportunities that promotes a better standard of living.
With a model that loves people, businesses will attract more eager and willing employees, creating a healthy balance between the employer-employee-client dynamic.
GOD-GLORIFYING
The QBL model will allow Christian business owners to reach people through their God-centered business model.
Utilizing the strength and flourishment of their business, owners can shift into a missional mindset as they support their employees and clients, bringing people to Christ as they impact the community.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Don’t forget, 98% of jobs in Canada are created by small to medium sized enterprises, and your very own business qualifies! Use the sphere of influence you have on the business world to bridge the gap between the sacred and secular divide.
Here at BAM Canada, we have resources available to help you feel supported and equipped for your missional business journey. Connect with other Canadian business owners through our private network, or take our God, Business and Me course to learn more about how you can make a difference. Have any questions? Contact us! We’d love to hear from you.
With the power small businesses currently hold in Canada, it’s crucial that we as Christian business owners are focusing on the best ways to honour God, respect our environment, and help our community.
It’s not just about profit anymore. It’s about glorifying God and spreading His Kingdom across the nation, through business.
Happy Canada Day!