Six Qualities of Successful Pastoral Entrepreneurs

I talked recently with a judicatory leader who is launching an initiative to develop pastors as social entrepreneurs. This type of minister would fill a pastoral role in a congregation but also initiate another ministry to serve the community that would be supported either through fees or grants or some combination of the two. This would really be a bi-vocational or dual call for these ministers.

Not everyone can assume such a role. In How to Change the World, David Bornstein identifies six qualities of successful social entrepreneurs. How might these apply to pastoral entrepreneurs?

Willingness to Self-Correct. A successful entrepreneur not only expects failure but is committed to learn from it. Rarely in the church do we provide this level of grace. Many of us confuse ourselves with God. God is perfect, but we are not. When we take a risk or try something new, we may not accomplish everything we wish, and we might even fail. If we learn from our failures, we can make corrections and improvements for the next attempt.
Willingness to Share Credit. Although an entrepreneurial idea may originate with one person, the successful final product is usually the creation of stakeholders, partners, and customers (those who benefit from the idea). We rarely accomplish anything significant without the help of others. This is the way that the church is supposed to operate.
Willingness to Break Free of Established Structures. Perhaps the greatest challenge to innovation in the church is overcoming the gatekeepers. The successful pastoral entrepreneurs must turn gatekeepers into permission-givers and adherents. This may mean establishing new structures for support and accountability.
Willingness to Cross Disciplinary Boundaries. We learn to innovate by getting out of our boxes. The most successful entrepreneurs are often people who have lived in more than one culture. If a person has not had that experience, she or he needs to cross some boundaries and learn from others. These may be business people, educators, social workers, or medical personnel--anyone who is willing to share ideas and/or collaborate.
Willingness to Do Quality Work. Although the initial efforts may be rather rudimentary and need improvement and fine tuning, the goal is to provide a quality product, service, or ministry. The quality of what we do reflects our commitment to the task and our respect for the recipient of the final product.
Strong Ethical Impetus. In creating something new and innovative, there is always the temptation to cut corners and act expediently. If we do so, we will come to regret our actions in the long run. Whatever we undertake, we do so with integrity.

Although there have been periods of innovative drought, the church actually has a remarkable record of calling out and encouraging innovators. If a great idea is borne of the Spirit, it will prosper.

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