Round Table on “Theology of Labor and Business”
On April 2nd at 6 p.m., St. Petersburg Christian University held a round table on "The Theology of labor and business, a discussion of entrepreneurship in the churches." 
Ivan Makarenko, vice rector of public relations of SPbCU, greeted and opened the discussion.
Further, the round table was greeted by the reector of SPbCU, Alexander Negrov, who spoke on the theological aspects of entrepreneurial activity of believers. Alexander highlighted that business in the 21st century may be one of the most important problems. It is underestimated by the Christian environment, while it needs theological reflection. As examples, Negrov referred to our ancestors the ancient Slavs and the Protestant understanding of business and labor. Fasting and labor, or spiritual-mystical and the acquisition of labor, is what described the Slavs. The ancient Russian saints were laborers. Only later was there a division between the world and the clergy. In Protestantism, the concept of business is not separated from belief. Protestant ethics, the theology of work is everyday spirituality; creativity is the interaction of ideas and energy. God is an entrepreneur who created everything very well, who invited one to a partnership, which, unfortunately, and then went not according to God's plan. In constructive work, business must alternate with creativity, not to be routine and just trying to make money. We must realize that today God invites man to be his fellow workers; if a person believes he is taken. Every Christian should consider himself as an accomplice in the creative activity of God and do one thing with God, which will multiply believers. These were the main theses of Alexander Negrov's speech.
He was followed by a presentation of Alexander Vladimirovich Karagodov, an entrepreneur, with nearly 20 years of service activities. A more practical aspect of business was heard in his speech.
"Today, there is a perception that doing business activities is difficult and there are many obstacles. In fact, the complexity is not the point. You must first understand what you want to be: a leader, get a position in society, just to make money, what will the money be for." Alexander Karagod gave the basic definition of an entrepreneur - a person, first and foremost, who takes action. After that, he briefly described the specifics of commencement of business, legal and practical aspects of entrepreneurship. Also, he noted that the family, church, authority, emotional ups and downs have a strong influence on the conduct of business. But the basis of business for Karagodov is the Christian view of ethics that derive from the basic commandments: love for God and neighbor. Hence the need to be socially responsible business, as a negative example of the misuse of social conduct business, was cited in Pikalevo and concluded that "cannot gain momentary change in the future."
Pastor Rendle, of the church "Appearance of Strength and Spirit", explained the basic theme of the round table "of entrepreneurship in the churches". In his opinion, there is no Christian business, there are Christians who accept Christ and do business. The paradox, which he said is poverty, which some time ago became a saint. "But if we ourselves are the poor and hungry, how can we be those who feed and clothe Christ in the way of man's woes." The main points of his speech were the following. If we are called into business, then we as believers should operate in business upon high moral standards. However, in Russia there is practice when their own pastors urge believers not have anything to do with business and, at the same time, go to the same business for help. We should not forget that Jesus himself was in business with his father, Joseph, they made furniture, which was a commodity. According to the pastor Rendle, the task of the pastor to bring up the moral responsibility of the entrepreneur, his honesty in business. "If you are faithful in small things, then delivered over many thou shalt give unto the LORD, and not vice versa," said the pastor of the church "of the Spirit and power."
At this remark, his opinion added other participants of the round table on that the faithful Christian principles are possible in any business, and people managed to carry the preaching of the Gospel, even in the most unique and even absurd situations.
The next aspect of the Christian enterprise noted the entrepreneur and an attendee of the church "Appearance of Strength and the Spirit", Alexander:" For the Christian Businessman any decision involving money is connected to moral characteristics", and added one more remark about the believers and labor: "The church should inspire diligence, otherwise the Christian religion justifies his laziness."
Roman Nosach, editor of the publishing house "MIRT":
"In relation to the Christian workers there is an illusion. Over-expectation from Christians as businessmen is unnecessary. Not all bearing the name of Christian are living as a Christian ought to live ". On the other hand, according to Roman Leonidovich, the church should not promote a targeted investment, to create the church business.
Alexander Akimov, director of the mission "Youth for Christ ":
"I would divide the faithful into the following groups: clergy, businessmen and laborers. Our society needs a new Martin Luther, who will change people's view on business. Education in this area is very necessary, needed publication. All are tired of slogans, the prophecies that will all become billionaires while at the same time talk about the fact that poverty is sacred. It is necessary to sound like doctrine. In our country, there are too many lazy people, who rely on a rich uncle or are waiting for assistance from the state. In this business people are always busy and practical, they need from each meeting to receive some benefit, the educational market could enable the exchange of practical experience."
In continuation of the round table, the question was raised for the staff SPbCU: "How can theological education help entrepreneurs". The Round Table gave the following answers:
"First of all, keep them from the emotional ups and downs of trying as quickly as possible to earn and so on."
"Recent economic discipline is aimed at maximizing the goal, but the funds operated by the economists and marketers are far from Christian values and the many who pass the classic secular school, it is interesting to obtain information from a Christian perspective."
"When you come to the Lord , changing complete directions, you are temporarily fall into a stupor, restructuring should take some time, so the pastor of the church is vital in helping the business in such matters."
"Before the Christians, entrepreneurs often raise ethical issues in interaction with various state agencies, fiscal authorities and, eventually, a religious person make a choice in the direction of hope in the Lord. What about difficulties in the business? Can they be if the business is from the Lord? How to get up, if you fall, how do you learn? Business and spiritual growth has always come together."
"Any businessman needs support, especially from family and a pastor. The pastor's advice should be directed not at the practical implementation, it need not be competent in matters of business, but to teach people to obey the moral law, to be spiritual, and so on."
"A businessman must be humble, and not consider himslef the most intelligent and successful, not try to calculate everything, because it is impossible to have the humility, the spiritual view of things, to experience difficult situations, as Jesus did during the storm, trust in God, rejoice in the tests because these are the lessons of life."
Alexander Karagod added, "falling and rising - that is the lot of many, I have been in business 19 years and only recently decided to go forward and not fall. If there is profit, there is money. And businessmen's appetite is aroused fast, distortion starts and they try to get quick profits, but at this point the devil gets involved, offering his temptations."
Roman Nosach as a wish, made the remark about theological education in the principle: "Theological education can also be different, it can remove a person from the real life, and may contribute to the practical existence of the people."
The rector of SPbCU summarized the theme of theological education and entrepreneurship as follows: "People who have learned to make money, have not learned to take care of those who take them. Business has become dangerous, certainly laid the paradigm of deception, therefore, Christians have an opportunity to show their attitude to these issues. The experience of Christian businesses shows that not ennobling lie, but truth, attracts customers, as the current advertising slogan is: ‘To tell the truth is profitable'."
SPbCU wants to have theological programs which will be of value to local churches, provide skills not only to the pastoral activities of a minister, but also for leadership. A pastor with skills and knowledge on leadership, financial management, strategy, and mechanism of parachurch organizations do much good for the modern flock. The Kingdom of God is greater than the local church, and we go beyond serving the local church, in carrying out its mission to serve the Church and society.
At the end of the round table Alexander Negrov said: "We need to educate young people in the following perspective - to know God, not superficially, not abstractly away from the experience of living, but achieve the Gospel through the prism of knowledge and experience. Now, in a society there is certain ignorance in the matters of business, and many spiritual leaders, too, and it is difficult to understand the business and help them. The challenge is for a Christian businessman, as for any Christian to go himself to Christ and lead people as he goes. "