Characteristics of Entrepeneurial Pastors

Written by Ken Gosnell

As I have spoken with recent Bible College graduates and interviewed new church plants, I have discovered the rise of the evangelical entrepreneurs.  It appears as if God is raising a whole generation of church leaders and planters that are not content with the status quo. These leaders will transform the church and it would do her well to be acquainted with this new breed. 

1. They are risk taker and change makers.
These new leaders are decision makers. God has emboldened them with a deep vision and they will make choices and sacrifices to complete that vision. They believe in team ministry, but they have become disillusioned by lack of decision making in the traditional church. These leaders make decisions and not only decisions but bold decisions that they feel will benefit the church and her members.

2. They are passionate about a new kind of church.
The traditional church holds no appeal to most of them. They love God but found the traditional church lacking in meeting needs and transforming lives. They are passionate about their call and about developing and building a new kind of church. They desire to build a church that reaches generations of people in the post modern world. They are building churches that meet the human need with a divine touch.  

3. They have a big box mentality.
Bill Hybels was quoted in a May 23, 2005 Business Week article as saying, “Our entrepreneurial impulse comes from the Biblical mandate to get the message out.”  These pastors not only want to minister to their church, but the community and even the world. They think strategically about how to impact their world, not just their church. 

4. They really believe that the impossible can happen.
They are not afraid of large tasks or creating something out of nothing. They don’t have a defeatist attitude and really believe that they can accomplish the impossible. They not only teach, but live out daily the words of Jesus when he said, “what is humanly impossible is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27). People who love an adventure will love these churches because they never know what to expect. 

The list could continue on and on. These preachers are creative and innovative. They move beyond traditional roles. They believe in marketing and branding a product. The coming of new kind of pastor is upon us. This writer believes that there is a bright future for the church.  I believe that the best and biggest churches are yet to be built.  Maybe God is going to do it through this new type of leader? Maybe he will do it through you?