6 Lessons from Entrepreneurs Pastors Can Use to Grow Their Church
It’s not easy being a leader. Whether you’re an entrepreneur pastor at a megachurch or small town minister, you’ll eventually face unprecedented challenges. While religion should not be considered a business, you as pastors are in the business of coaching and guiding people. The church members and donors who follow you and support your church are your market. Your team needs to be strong; your values aligned.
Even if you serve at the tiniest of churches, the world’s entrepreneurs can offer a few lessons. Their mindset and heart for success can lead to great things when used appropriately within the ministry.
1. Invest Where it Counts
Entrepreneurs are used to taking risk. They have given up the promise of a steady paycheck and become their own boss. With leading the church, you might have a stipend or minimum wage, but you learn that your investments should be on growing the church.
You foresee digital trends and how they fit in with growing your mission. You are willing to make investments in a digital transition if it means greater success in the long run. This is something entrepreneur pastors — and successful business executives in general — have always known.
2. Know Your Risk, be willing to Take it
Entrepreneurs, and pastors as well, must look at the risks they take and know which ones are worth it. Look for the more secure investments, and invest in proper planning of your church’s digital strategy. You want to have peace of mind because a lot of your members are trusting in the decisions that you make. Wisdom is crucial in knowing when or where to invest.
3. Don’t Wait for “Perfect” Conditions
Here are a few great quotes from successful entrepreneurs to inspire you to begin your digital transformation and lead the church in a new way.
“Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.”–Allan Cohen
“Success can be attained in any branch of human labor. There is always room at the top in every pursuit.” — Andrew Carnegie
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” — Steve Jobs
“A small business is an amazing way to serve and leave an impact on the world you live in.” — Nicole Snow
“I knew that if I failed, I wouldn’t regret that. But I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.” — Jeff Bezos
4. Embrace Change
Great leaders and entrepreneurs know that change is part of the process. In fact, they are often instigators of change. They don’t shy away from technology, but learn to experiment and test so that they can pass the learning curve quicker. In fact, many famous entrepreneur pastors grew so quickly because of their acceptance of new tech. They get comfortable with change, learning to adapt and adopt.
5. Befriend Failure
Did you know that up to 32% of churches fail within the first four years? If you don’t want your church to become just a statistic, remember that you can turn even your failures into successes.
The Bible is full of examples of leaders who could have been considered failures:
One of the most well-loved leaders was King David, in the Book of Samuel, Chapter 2. He sinned so many times yet always got back on the road to repentance. Consider the prophet Elijah, whose unshakable faith was the key to miracles. But even he let fear cause hi a setback for a while, when he hid in the wilderness from the wrath of queen Jezebel (1Kings). But it was there, in the desert, that he learned to hear God’s still, small voice.
And what about the apostle Peter, beloved by Jesus, yet the one who would deny Christ just before the crucifixion. Peter is a classic example of a leader who still made great mistakes. He went on to become one of the greatest leaders of the church, and one of the first to start travelling as a missionary.
6. In It For the Long Haul
Entrepreneurs know that success does not come overnight. They are willing to keep preserving years on end, until they reach their goal. Churches can take a considerable amount of time to grow. That is why you need patience, and the best tools available to you for sharing your message and reaching the multitudes online.
Bible Verses on Leadership to Inspire You
“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” Matthew 20:26
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9:10
For more tips and resources for transitioning your church in a digital era, read our other blogs on DonorWerx, or contact us today to Get started. You don’t have to be an entrepreneur pastor to help your ministry excel with an entrepreneurial spirit!
