That religion can be big business is not news to anyone. But this Zenit analysis by Fr. John Flynn is an especially good synopsis of the current state and size of the “Christianity market” in the United States. On a roughly related note, I’ve been meaning to mention the creation of a new blog on faith and business: the Business as Mission Network blog run by Justin Forman. It tracks news in the “business as mission” movement, which envisions businesses,...

Acton PowerBlogger John H. Armstrong is with us this week in Grand Rapids for Acton University. He is founder and director of ACT 3, a ministry aimed at “encouraging the church, through its leadership, to pursue doctrinal and ethical reformation and to foster spiritual awakening.” Here’s his post on Wednesday’s conference activities: The relationship between integrity, virtue and vision is not often developed in the business world. Yesterday the Acton University experience afforded me a unique opportunity to understand better...

Kris Mauren (far right) and African guests get ready to visit GFS. Acton University is now well underway, and on Wednesday a group of seven African attendees joined Kris Mauren on a visit to Gordon Food Service’s Grand Rapids headquarters for an up-close look at ethical capitalism. Mauren called it a great opportunity for people from countries with barren and corrupt markets to see an efficient, principled business for themselves. “The management of GFS also has a strong concern for...

Today’s lectures from Acton University 2007 (updated as more audio es available): Protestantism and Natural Law: Dr. Stephen GrabillTheology and History of Globalization: Dr. Samuel GreggThe Catholic Social Encyclical Tradition: Kishore JayalabanKnowing Good Works: Guidelines for Effective Compassion: Dr. Fred DeJongThe Political Economy of Globalization: Michael MillerSubsidiarity and Effective Private Charity: Ismael HernandezEconomics and Human Action: Jeff TuckerCatholic Social Teaching: Basic Principles: Stephen Haessler ...

Diet Eman talks with Rev. Robert Sirico at Acton University Acton University 2007 got underway last night with Rev. Robert A. Sirico’s traditional opening address, which was delivered with a major twist – the participation of Diet Eman, who joined Father Robert to describe her experiences as part of the Dutch Resistance to Nazi occupation during World War II. Eman’s presence and perspectives added a very powerful element to what was already a very stirring address. You can listen to...

Last Friday evening, Rev. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), gave a joint plenary address to the Assembly of World-Wide Partners and to the CRC Multiethnic Conference. The talk was titled, “Partnering in a Global Context: Principles and Patterns that will Shape Us,” and focused on three main sets of issues. What is the meaning of being called to mission in partnership today? What are the characteristics of the global contexts that we find...

A sampling of today’s lectures at Acton University – Bumped – additional lectures added: Market Economics and the Family: Dr. Jennifer Roback MorseLord Acton’s Histories of Liberty: Father Peter LairdEconomic Thought Before the Enlightenment: Michael MillerThe New Deal and the Great Society: Moral and Economic Failure: Anthony BradleyTechnology, Culture, and the Market: Dr. Jay W. RichardsEvangelical Social Thought: Justice Grounded in Love: Anthony BradleyWealth in Scripture: Father Peter LairdPope Benedict XVI and His Vision for Europe: Dr. Samuel Gregg Bonus:...

Sometimes e across a story that’s so powerful that it DEMANDS to be posted. This is one such story: “Usually, if a turd gets into the Senate, it’s because he or she was elected,” Emily Heil reports for Roll Call. “But on Wednesday, several large piles of actual, nonmetaphorical ‘No. 2’ found their way into the Capitol, and the source isn’t yet clear.” It was the first sentence that got me. ...