Business Leaders for City Flourishing
A Conversation with George Commons
Courageous Conversations Study Guide
Episode Overview
In this episode, Ray and Gary sit down with George Commons from The Barnabas Group Kansas City to explore how business leaders can strengthen ministries and nonprofits through practical insight, strategic coaching, and collaborative problem-solving. George shares the Barnabas model—connecting ministry passion with business expertise—plus a powerful story of justice work helping survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives through expungement. The conversation also introduces George's emerging vision for "cause solution communities": mapping what's already happening across KC and connecting leaders to collaborate instead of duplicating efforts.
Key Themes
The Role of Business Leaders in Kingdom Work
Collaboration Over Isolation
Ecclesia: The Broader Body of Christ
Strategic Stewardship of Gifts and Talents
Justice and Advocacy for the Vulnerable
Discussion Questions
Opening Question:
What stood out to you most from George's story and the work of The Barnabas Group?
Understanding Ecclesia (12:38 - 15:18)
George redefines "church" using the Greek term Ecclesia—a gathering of the community to meet needs, not just a Sunday service.
Questions:
How does thinking of the church as Ecclesia (the gathered community) change your understanding of your role as a believer?
George says, "The traditional four-wall church isn't gonna solve this by themselves, but the Ecclesia—the business community and the church ministries coming together—can really make a difference." What are some practical ways your church or organization could partner with the business community?
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, God judged the religious leaders for ignoring the hurt in front of them. What "hurt" is right in front of you or your community that you might be walking past?
Stewardship Beyond Money (13:04 - 16:48)
George emphasizes that business leaders bring more than financial resources—they bring talent, strategy, networks, and wisdom.
Questions:
Gary shares that when he was running his IT business, he didn't need money as much as he needed advice and introductions. Have you ever been in a situation where non-financial support was more valuable than funding? What was that like?
What gifts, talents, or networks do you have that could be stewarded for Kingdom impact beyond just financial giving?
How can we shift the narrative in our churches from "real ministry happens in church buildings" to "ministry happens everywhere, especially Monday through Friday"?
The Expungement Initiative (8:22 - 11:30)
George shares how attorney Andrew Spiker helped a trafficking survivor get her record expunged, which then scaled into a nationwide justice initiative.
Questions:
What does this story teach us about the power of one person saying "yes" to God's nudge, even outside their area of expertise?
How can the church better support survivors of trafficking and other forms of exploitation in practical, life-rebuilding ways?
George says, "This is a great success, but there's hundreds of trafficking victims that need this kind of help, and there's only one attorney standing here." How do we move from individual acts of kindness to scalable, systemic solutions?
Cause Solution Communities (29:08 - 32:00)
George introduces a new vision: bringing together leaders with a shared burden for a cause (homelessness, trafficking, racial reconciliation, etc.) and mapping regional capacity to collaborate rather than duplicate.
Questions:
Why do you think ministries and nonprofits often work in isolation, even when they share the same mission?
George says, "None of us can solve that problem in isolation, but if we can solve it together in communities." What would it look like for your church, business, or organization to collaborate more intentionally with others working on the same cause?
What cause or issue has God placed on your heart? Who else in your city is working on that issue, and how might you connect with them?
Roxanne's Miracle (20:27 - 28:33)
George shares the story of his wife Roxanne's sudden cardiac death and miraculous recovery, supported by prayer from over 1,000 people across three continents.
Questions:
How does George's story illustrate the power of the global body of Christ praying together?
George says the experience caused him to "double down on valuing relationships." What relationships in your life might God be calling you to invest in more deeply?
How do seasons of crisis reveal what we truly value? What has a difficult season revealed to you about your priorities?
Reflection & Application
Personal Reflection
Gifts Inventory: Make a list of your professional skills, networks, and resources. How might God want to use these for Kingdom impact beyond your workplace?
Collaboration Audit: Are you working in isolation on something God is calling you to do with others? Who could you reach out to this week?
Ecclesia Mindset: How can you begin to see yourself as part of the broader Ecclesia of your city, not just a member of your local church?
Group or Church Application
Host a Barnabas-Style Event: Invite business leaders in your church to share their expertise with local ministries or nonprofits. Create space for connection and collaboration.
Map Your City's Capacity: Choose one cause (homelessness, foster care, racial reconciliation, etc.) and research who is already working on it in your area. Host a gathering to explore collaboration.
Justice Initiative: Identify a vulnerable population in your community (trafficking survivors, formerly incarcerated individuals, refugees, etc.) and ask, "What practical, life-rebuilding support could we offer?"
Key Quotes
"When you combine ministry passion with business insight, it's a powerful combination and it helps ministries thrive." — George Commons
"The traditional four-wall church isn't gonna solve this by themselves, but the Ecclesia, the business community and the church ministries coming together can really make a difference." — George Commons
"Life is a gift. Every day is precious. We just gotta steward it well." — George Commons
"There's a lot of good work going on, but it's in isolation. When we start to bring together those individual points of light in a unified strategy, we become a much brighter point." — George Commons
Scripture for Further Study
Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-27; 11:22-26 — The story of Barnabas, the encourager and advocate
Luke 10:25-37 — The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Ephesians 4:11-16 — The body of Christ working together
1 Peter 4:10 — Stewarding our gifts for one another
Psalm 46:1 — God as our refuge and strength
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gifts, talents, and resources You've entrusted to us. Help us to see ourselves as part of the greater Ecclesia—the gathered community called to meet the needs around us. Give us courage to step out of isolation and into collaboration. Open our eyes to the hurt in our city, and give us wisdom and compassion to respond. May we steward every day, every relationship, and every opportunity well, for Your glory and the flourishing of our city. Amen.
Connect & Learn More
The Barnabas Group Kansas City: Learn more about how business leaders can engage with ministries at [insert website if available]
Unite KC: Find more resources, events, and conversations at UniteKC.org
Share Your Story: How is God calling you to use your gifts for Kingdom impact? Share with your group or email Unite KC.
Next Steps
Listen to the full episode at https://f.io/T81Tp_VX
Share this study guide with your small group, church, or business network
Join the conversation using #CourageousConversations #UniteKC
