Not The First
Some Alternatives and Their Distinctives
Infuse is not the first Christian small business initiative out there, in fact a number of known versions of this concept do already exist and have been examined by Infuse’s founders. Here two types be discussed briefly, especially in light of their distinct differences in regard to their connectivity to church. The first is not formally tied to any church or religion, though founded by Christians, while the second frames itself to be a network of small churches. In contrast to these two models, Infuse is distinctly Christian and is ready to assist local churches, while being clear that it is not equipped or called to step into the functions of a local church or network.
To be clear; We at Infuse are choosing to do things differently than the alternatives we’ve chosen to discuss below, but we also deeply respect the groundbreaking work of these organizations. Our aim here is not to critique them, but rather to help define the way that Infuse differs in it’s approach.
Alternative 1
Phoenix is Tucson’s big city to the north, sometimes referred to as little LA. The city has grown exponentially in recent years, and this includes the growth of Christian communities and an explosion of new churches. Small community churches as well as mega-churches such as Hillsong and Mark Driscoll’s new Trinity Church have been recently drawn to Phoenix for its clear growth potential. Hustle PHX is directly tied to their city and its needs, and its aim is to see sustainable businesses emerge, which affirm human dignity and promote community flourishing. Hustle PHX is clear in the fact that it is “motivated by Christian faith” but does not limit it’s services to Christian initiatives. In fact, no religious affiliation is necessary to participate in the program. The services they provide for selected entrepreneurs fall under the categories of intellectual capital (education), social capital (mentorship), and financial capital (access to a pitch day in front of potential investors). Many wonderful and community enriching new businesses have been developed due to the work of Hustle PHX.
Infuse is different from Hustle PHX in that it is committed to seeing specifically Christian mission oriented initiatives developed through it’s program and that it is committed to cultivating a deeper connection between specific local churches and people with missional ideas that already exist within them. Infuse also has room for far smaller initiatives since local churches are able to affirm and sponsor even the simplest idea using Infuse’s toolkit and such ideas will not need to become an administrative burden on the small staff of Infuse.
Alternative 2
The Tampa Underground is an impressive organization. It is a loosely affiliated swarm of small likeminded groups that connect based on a common missional objective. Such objectives range from groups of Young Life leaders focused on specific schools, to groups that run small non-profits together, to groups that gather around objectives such as walking through addiction together. Each of these groups is designated as a microchurch and is a semi-independent worshipping community that chooses to connect to the broader Tampa Underground and come together for large group worship and teaching from time to time.
The unique element of the Tampa Underground is the idea that it is, in a sense, like a broader church body itself and that each small group is a particular church. In the words of their founder, Brian Sanders:
“We affirm microchurch as the most basic expression of the church and therefore, our ecclesiology is simple. When believers work together in sincere worship, and genuine community to accomplish a part of the mission of God, they are the church. Worship, community and mission then are the ecclesial minimum.”
https://www.tampaunderground.com/our-story-index
This element is clearly unique, especially in that fact that it is clearly stated in their manifesto. In a sense though, what the Tampa Underground makes explicit, is exactly what has become true within groups such as mission boards, campus ministries, and other para-church organizations. The participation in the organization becomes the participants “church.”
Infuse differs from the Tampa Underground especially in it’s understanding of the church and of the necessity of connection to the local church outside of itself. Rather than becoming a church for people, Infuse is developed around the commitment to partner with local churches, require local church affirmation and commissioning, and maintain ecclesiastical clarity by not doing for these leaders, what their church is tasked to do.
