Entrepreneurial Minister

In a day of economic challenges and shrinking churches and denominational bodies comes a call from God that we enlarge our territory of ministry.  The calling comes not only to churches, but to those called to do the ministry.

For those called to ministry, carrying out the call of the Lord often means taking more responsibility for raising their own support.  An entrepreneurial attitude toward ministry must be developed.

An entrepreneurial minister is creative.  The Lord works in the heart to bring vision - sometimes a new vision no one is even attempting.  But that means there are no tried and true ways to make it happen.

An entrepreneurial minister is self-sufficient.  The entrepreneurial minister recognizes it is up to them to make things happen.  The final responsibility is not shifted to a church or organization, though those partners are gladly welcomed.

An entrepreneurial minister is connected.  That sounds like a contradiction to being self-sufficient.  We all depend on each other.  And it is the wise person who realizes that dependence.  While the entrepreneurial minister is not afraid to take the lead in developing, planning, funding ministry, that same minister welcomes and develops contacts through various networks. No entrepreneurial effort is likely to succeed without a network of support. 

An entrepreneurial minister is ready to fail, if need be.  An entrepreneurial minister is prayerful.  No one is more prayerful than someone who carries so much of the responsibility themselves.  An entrepreneurial minister is willing to do what is necessary to support a family and to make that ministry happen.

Let this be a summons to people with a burden for ministry to take the necessary steps to make that ministry a reality.  Maybe you can depend upon a church to make it happen.  Maybe you’ll have to find other support.  Likely it will take it all.