June 19
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In a world where business and faith often live in separate boxes, Brett Johnson is on a mission to tear down those walls. Speaking on the Corral Call with Mr. Mark and Dr. Je, Brett unpacked what it means to truly integrate discipleship with daily work, a movement he calls Bizcipleship.
Born in South Africa and now based in the U.S., Brett has spent decades equipping business leaders to run their ventures with a Kingdom mindset. His book, DiscipleSHIP: Recovering the Lost Purpose of Business, was born out of a startling realization: traditional discipleship models often ignore the place where most of us spend the majority of our time — work.
During a 2017 training in South Africa, Brett asked business participants to define “discipleship.” They gave textbook answers — mostly disconnected from business life. But then, he challenged one business owner, who made greenhouse tunnels, to describe his workflow. Step by step, Brett showed how each task — from answering the phone to delivering a quote — could reflect the nature and character of God.
“Your receptionist should smile when she answers the phone — why? Because God is joyful,” Brett said. “When you put together a quote, do it with integrity — because God is a God of truth and excellence.”
This sparked a powerful idea: what if every business process became a discipleship opportunity?
One of Brett’s strongest claims is that every business — no matter the industry — should function as a discipleship community. He explained how the workplace provides far more exposure to people than most churches do.
“As a pastor, I had maybe an hour or two a week with people,” Brett explained. “But as a business owner, you have your team for 40 to 50 hours a week — and you pay them to be there!”
Jesus didn’t disciple in a classroom — he did it in daily life. Joseph, his earthly father, likely taught him about integrity in carpentry, fair pricing, and customer service — discipleship through craftsmanship.
Brett shared a striking story from Lagos, Nigeria. While working with the state governor, he observed how the administration brought order to chaos. Okada (motorbike) drivers were required to get licenses and wear helmets. Order began to replace lawlessness — not through preaching, but through policies that shaped habits and mindsets.
“That governor discipled a city better than many pastors disciple a church,” Brett said.
What’s a LEMONpreneur?
Luminaries (idea-driven)
Entrepreneurs (opportunity-driven)
Managers (efficiency-driven)
Organizers (task-driven)
Networkers (people-driven)
Understanding your type can help you serve more effectively in both business and ministry. For example, Jay shared how his financial background shapes how he thinks. Recognizing your LEMON type helps integrate your work, calling, creativity, and community.
Another highlight was Brett’s concept of inspired innovation — how God still gives his people ideas today. Whether through dreams or unexpected insights, Brett believes God has countless inventions waiting to be discovered.
He told the story of an entrepreneur who asked God for an idea. The result? A plumbing valve that solved a five-year municipal problem — with a 32,000-unit order to prove it.
“God has millions of products on His mind that haven’t hit the earth yet,” Brett said.
Addressing a question from Godwin in Nigeria about purpose and career, Brett affirmed:
“You are called to work. Business is a calling. Work is worship.”
He emphasized that unless God redirects you, assume your current role is part of your divine assignment. Whether you're in finance, tech, or hospitality — every job can reflect God's nature.
He referenced Psalm 78:72:
“God took David from being a shepherd of sheep and made him a shepherd of a nation.”
Same skill — new purpose.
Brett encouraged a broader view of the Great Commission. While many focus on reaching ethnos (people groups), scripture also uses cosmos (systems) and eschatos (the un-reached or neglected). That means God isn’t just calling people — He’s redeeming industries, governments, and economies too.
“God was in Christ reconciling the cosmos — not just souls, but systems.”
French listeners asked about collaboration between ministry and enterprise. Brett emphasized that major breakthroughs in the past 200 years came through teamwork — not lone geniuses.
“You can invent a pencil sharpener alone, but to solve society’s big issues, you need collaboration,” he noted.
Brett encourages every business leader to begin with these truths:
Work is good.
Work is worship.
You are called to business — unless redirected.
Every process is a chance to disciple.
@ BrettJohnson.biz, you’ll find free resources, assessments, training, and a “15 Foundational Truths” PDF to jump start your journey.
“The only way we’ll complete the Great Commission,” Brett said, “is by integrating discipleship into everyday processes.”
Brett Johnson’s message is simple but transformative: discipleship doesn't stop at Sunday — it should saturate Monday through Saturday. Your business isn’t just a place for profit. It’s a pulpit. It’s a classroom. It’s a mission field.
How can I reflect God’s nature in every part of my workflow?
From there, you're not just doing business.
You're building the Kingdom.
Tags
Christain Business, discipleship
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