7 Spheres
of Influence
Do You Know Your Sphere of Influence?
Every career field and every calling fall into one of the 7 Spheres of Influence categorized below
(Dr. Bill Bright, Loren Cunningham, and
Francis Schaefer 1975)
Origins: 7 Spheres of Influence
In 1975, two Christian leaders, Dr. Bill Bright and Loren Cunningham, got together to give each other a message from God. To their amazement, each had the same message, independently given to them by God, to give to the other.
Bill Bright was the founder of the world’s largest ministry, Campus Crusade for Christ, a worldwide ministry with 26,000 full-time employees and missionaries in 191 countries. Loren Cunningham was the founder of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), a ministry with 20,000 full-time staff of more than 150 nationalities. Both of these individuals brought the gospel to millions around the world.
However, God shown both of them that many areas of modern culture still needed the Gospel. The Lord showed them seven major areas of society, or “mountains” as they called them, which needed godly people to influence them, thereby influencing untold millions who were engaged in those seven mountains of society. About a month later, Francis Schaeffer, leader of L’Brai Fellowship, heard the same thing from God.
These seven mountains are business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, family and religion. God was showing them, in 1975, that His Kingdom would win back our culture through these fronts. God wanted these men to equip people to go into these seven mountains of culture and to change them: to begin reconciling culture back to God.
Church Sphere
The Church is God’s plan to reach the world. Some are called to serve within the church. The role of those within the church and with these Kingdom Gifts is to equip Christians to do the work of service. Ephesians 4:11-16
Family Sphere
If the The Church is God’s plan to reach the world, then the family is God’s plan to reach the individual. Some are called to serve within the family structure of husband and wife. The role of those within the family are made clear in the verses: Ephesians 5:22-6:4
Education Sphere
Every child around the world goes through some form of education process. After the church sphere and the family sphere, the education sphere is the most influential sphere of influence. Educators can serve in formal educations systems (schools) and informal education systems (apprenticeships, internships). The Bible is clear on the importance of biblical education starting from infancy. Proverbs 22:6
Media Sphere
Media advertisers spend millions and billions of dollars to advertise on media platforms (news, information, entertainment). Advertisers understand the power of media to influence large audiences. In today’s world media shapes how many individuals around the world think. Media can either point an individual toward God or toward the world’s system. Romans 12:2
Public Service Sphere
Public Service
Public service is a calling, serving the wider community through medicine, law, civil roles, and government offices. The government structures establish community conformity through rules, laws, and regulations for the benefit of the community. Matthew 20:25-28
Business Sphere
Business includes the management, production, distribution, and consumption of the communities’ resources, goods, and services. It also includes the business and the trading of goods for a profit. Those in business are commanded to deal
fairly and honestly.
Proverbs 20:23, Leviticus 19:35-36
Arts & Athletics Sphere
Arts & Athletics sometimes referred to as “celebration.” The Arts and Athletics sphere of influence should be a celebration of gifts. Yes, athletics are often a competition, yet even in the act of competition there is a celebration of gifts.
Psalm 19:1, Corinthians 9:24-27