Starting a new church is like beginning a new business because both are entrepreneurial activities. An entrepreneur is defined as someone who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a business venture. Leaders of new churches face the same three challenges. This activity will focus on the willingness to take risks, both as individuals and as a group.

Your church is an established ...

Topics:	Church planting, Discipleship, Focus, Recruiting, Strategy, Teamwork, Vision
Filters:	Christian education, Church Plant, Church planting, Discipleship, Elder, Emergent ministry, Mentoring, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 25:14-30
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

—Fred Smith Sr. Adapted from Leading with Integrity (Bethany, 1999). Used with permission.

Discuss

1. Which of these traits are my strengths? What areas need strengthening for me? For our team? What can we strategically implement to improve in this area?

2. How do these traits compare with those in Scripture (1 Tim. 3:1–13; Titus 1:7–9)?

Topics:	Accountability, Calling, Character, Decision making, Leadership
Filters:	Church staff, Deacon, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 25:14-30, Titus 1:7-9
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Adapted from Leading with Integrity (Bethany, 1999). Used with permission.

1. Which of these traits are my strengths? What areas need strengthening for me? For our team? What can we strategically implement to improve in this area?
2. How do these traits compare with those in Scripture (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:7-9)?

Topics:	Authenticity, Character, Christlikeness, Health, Leadership
Filters:	Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Preaching, Shepherd
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 25:14-30, Titus 1:7-9
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

The Case
Giving was down, the church struggled to meet its budget, but several church leaders opposed conducting a stewardship campaign.

"If a person is walking with the Lord, the Holy Spirit will tell him or her what to give."

"Every fight this congregation has ever had has been about money. It's too sensitive and personal an issue to bring up."

"Look at what happened to our sister church when they ...

Topics:	Committees, Conflict, Controversy, Fundraising, Missions, Objectives, Revivals, Spiritual direction
Filters:	Church board, Church staff, Counseling, Discipleship, Financial officer, Fundraising ministry, Spiritual director, Stewardship
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 25:14-30, 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
Date Added:	July 31, 2007

Late one evening, a young pastor called me, a frantic tone in his voice. He quickly got to the point: he feared he was about to be fired.

He outlined his story. Nine months earlier, when he accepted the church's invitation to become pastor, the church's needs and his gifts had seemed a good match.

Although the church had a budget, the former pastor and treasurer had never followed it. Upon the death ...

Topics:	Accountability, Administration, Budget, Church board, Conflict, Evaluation, Management, Stewardship
Filters:	Business administrator, Church board, Finances, Financial officer, Fundraising ministry, Management, Pastor, Stewardship
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 16:10-12, 1 Timothy 6:3-19
Date Added:	August 01, 2007

The misuse of money blocks more ministry in the local church than any other single cause. The reason may be too much money, too little money, or misuse of just the right amount of money, but the result is the same: fractured relationships and spiritual atrophy. A pastor taking a new church had better get the financial picture of the church well in hand before anything else is attempted.

That's not ...

Topics:	Accountability, Administration, Budget, Church board, Conflict, Evaluation, Management, Stewardship
Filters:	Business administrator, Church board, Finances, Financial officer, Fundraising ministry, Management, Pastor, Stewardship
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 16:10-12, 1 Timothy 6:3-19
Date Added:	August 01, 2007