Why Be An MDO

by Cynthia Dunbar

Many believe that when it comes to their day-to-day lives they have two options: either work in a typical business setting or do ministry through a church or nonprofit. In the corporate world of business, C-corporations are legally mandated to focus on profits; in short they work for the almighty dollar. In the nonprofit ministry world, efforts are legally restrained to sowing into not just unprofitable ground, but ground that is defined as NOT profitable. In fact, they’re actually sowing into ground technically owned by the Government, or entities we say are “owned by Caesar, subject to Seizure.” For the kingdom-minded this means we must choose between mammon or burying our talents like the unfaithful steward.

The pitfalls of profit-minded businesses are apparent to most, but the Church has been conditioned to see the nonprofit option as good. We assume that by denying profits, we are rejecting mammon, avoiding greed and avarice, and ultimately doing good for our communities. That’s a nice enough sentiment in theory, but it’s not what the legal structure of nonprofits demands.

The current election under 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code does not allow organizations to be owned, self-sustaining, or transfer an unfettered inheritance to future generations. Stagnation is not, nor has it ever been, holy. Neither has censorship. Like Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of stew, many well-intentioned people have sold their voice for a tax-exempt status, minimizing their ability to be God’s voice of truth to a lost and dying world. This is the very essence of why Jesus advised we should instead render taxes to Caesar rather than diminish or abridge our ability to fulfill our duties to God.

The good news is there’s now a third, hybrid option. Public Benefit corporations, often referred to as B Corps, offer a viable kingdom choice. They avoid the pitfall of being solely profit-motivated like traditional for-profit corporations. They simultaneously sidestep the pitfalls of a 501(c)3 of having to commit to being NOT profitable as well as surrendering first amendment rights to free speech.

Instead, by electing to be a benefit corporation you publicly declare that you will operate your church, foundation, or business with a stated goal that is both profitable and missional. This model seamlessly aligns with a kingdom mindset. So, what does that look like practically?

It looks like operating with certain unifying goals: building a collective voice to link arms in defense of religious liberty and free speech; promoting transparency of missions to draw likeminded individuals to your ministry or business; facilitating employee/staff engagement in community service and mission fulfillment for purpose-driven lives; implementing standards to create favorable work/ministry environments; and uniting providers with end-users through kingdom alignment. If it's Kingdom-focused, MDO Certified is working to find ways to assist Mission Driven Organizations fulfill their stated missions.

At MDO Certified we hope to not only change minds but mindsets. We want to help the church step away from old for-profit and nonprofit mindsets by effectively operating as Mission Driven Organizations. By joining the movement of ever-expanding Mission Driven Organizations, you will help enlarge both the universe and influence of MDOs. Your alignment will increase the collective voice of MDOs to stand in defense of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. You will move out from under the oppressive control of the Internal Revenue Code's chilling effect on 501(c)3s with its silencing of the corporate body of Christ. Your adopted standards will draw like-minded consumers/supporters to your doors. Becoming certified as a Mission Driven Organization frees you to effectively engage society and the Certified economy at large.  We believe that it is time for the Church to B the Church! 

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