Sean Benesh's Blog, page 16

Mandatory Innovation in Difficult Times

Change is difficult. We all get into established rhythms of our days and weeks. Most often this serves us well. I have the same routine every morning wake up, fill the electric kettle and turn it on, grind coffee, and brew it using an AeroPress. Then I have my quiet times / devotions afterwards. I need this. I need my bike rides every other day and my gym routine on the opposite days. I need to read every day. Write every day. It helps me thrive.

But change? Innovation? That only happens...

Is There Such a Thing as a Pandemic- and Recession-Proof Church Plant or Startup?

Its as if this is a scene in a movie of some distant dystopian future infectious disease pandemic, outbreak, global crisis, economic crash, and loss of lives and livelihood. Like a movie we wait hoping that the credits will roll. Movie over. Or that this is a nightmare that well wake up, shake our head, and breathe a sigh of relief that it was just a nightmare. But we cannot wake up. This is real.

Many are affected. Many are not. Those whore not affected simply shrug and comply with the...

Survivability and Sustainability in Church Planting and Startups

I am amazed as to how much our world has changed in less than a week. It was only several days ago Sunday to be exact that I was sipping on a cortado at one of my favorite coffee shops. Now? Most coffee shops I frequent have either moved to carryout-only (along with online orders to ship coffee) or shuttered their stores altogether. It seems like yesterday was an especially painful day as some of Portlands most iconic roasters have announced massive layoffs almost their entire staff and...

How Culture, Circumstances, and Geopolitical Realities Shape WHERE and HOW Churches Meet

One of the thoughts that has been bouncing around in my head since this weekend is related to how most churches across the U.S. are stopping corporate or public worship gatherings. As the coronavirus spreads all over the world countries are taking drastic measures to mitigate the spread. From gatherings now of no more than five to ten people to restaurants and coffee shops either closing completely or moving to carry-out only it is forcing us to adjust how we live. Not only that, but how...

The Vulnerability of Small Business Owners and Part-Time Pastors / Church Planters During the Coronavirus Outbreak

This past Sunday was a new experience for many in the church, particularly in the U.S no Sunday gatherings. Immediately that set off ripple effects as churches whore used to public gatherings grapple with how to be the church that is not Sunday-dependent. For many it was an abrupt transition while for others it was life as usual. But Im not here to talk about the church gathered vs. scattered and so on. Ill leave that in the hands of those more qualified.

Honestly, I wasnt anticipating...

The Future of Church Planting is Part-Time

This is an excerpt from an upcoming book Im working on related to part-time pastoring / church planting. Im co-writing with my friend Andy Littleton who co-pastors Mission Church in Tucson, Arizona as well as runs Midtown Artisans .

Ive been around Portland long enough now to see the typical church planting storyline. Church Planter A moves from Houston, Dallas, Nashville, or from a small town in the Midwest. Their denomination or network is desperate to get a foothold in Portland. Not just...