Sean Benesh's Blog, page 3

God’s Preferential Option for the Poor

“For me, the first question of theology is how do we say to the poor: God loves you? I understand that the words ‘God loves you’ are not difficult to say. But this message––true as it is––presents a monumental challenge given the daily life of poor persons and their experience of exclusion and non-love, of being forgotten, of having no social rights.” –– Gustavo Gutiérrez

A few weeks ago, in one of the undergrad courses I’m teaching, we wrestled with this quote from Father Gustavo Gutiérrez. We d...

Why You Should Consider Launching a Startup as a Ministry Leader

Many who pursue a ministry calling are not able to do so full-time. Meaning, ministry is not their full-time job. For a privileged few, this is a reality where their calling also delivers a full-time income where they can dedicate their “work hours” to paid ministry. Yet, for the majority of ministry leaders around the world, they need to derive their income and livelihood outside of ministry.

Why not launch a startup business then as a way to meet your personal financial needs?

Paul did. You know...

With Startups There's No Such Thing as a "Closed Country"

We know that bivocational ministry is as old as the New Testament. Paul was the shining example of this and all the tensions he faced when funding his ministry. Sometimes churches supported him in the same way we support foreign missionaries today. However, most of the time, we know he simply worked his trade to care for his financial needs. Simultaneously, we can also see how his actual physical presence in the marketplace in cities like Ephesus provided him access to relationships that would n...

A Free Gift (book) for You. Thank You for Following Along.

It doesn't matter where I go; there are always inequities and even injustices in the ministry world. No, I'm not talking about far-fetched conspiracy theories or anything like that. More like a subtle unevenness. For example, as a whole, why are white church planters better funded than black or Hispanic church planters?

I was in Brazil this past week for board meetings and a missions conference. We talked with numerous Brazilian missionaries who worked on teams comprised of other internationals. ...

Here's the Reason Why We Don't Have Church Planting Movements in the U.S. and Why Most Church Plants Fail

I am continually reminded of what’s at stake regarding church planting and the conversation regarding personal financial sustainability for church planters and ministry leaders. I recently talked with a church planter who immigrated from Africa (I forget which country he came from). He mentioned that back home in Africa, they were used to planting churches with no money. None was needed. Church planters and pastors simply worked a job and had careers outside of ministry. But when he moved to the...

Launching Startups for Economic Development

There are many motives behind our desire to start new businesses. Typically, there is more than one. Also, it’s not simply about making money, even though that is vital. Usually, it goes like this … we want to start something meaningful to us. The startup idea is something we’re passionate about and care deeply about. We know that whatever we start needs to be profitable because, for many, the startup represents a career shift. Or, for many in ministry, the startup needs to pick up the slack fro...

Why You Should Consider Starting a Social Enterprise

What is the ultimate outcome for you and your business? Financial success and plenty? Set up your family for generations to come? Ability to afford a lifestyle that will only be achievable with a certain level of wealth? Those are all great motives and are worth pursuing.

And yet, for many others, that’s not enough. They want to make an impact through their startups. To do good. Meet a need. Address an issue plaguing a community, a group of people, or a region. We would call these kinds of busine...

Leveraging Your Startup to Make a Difference

Lately, I’ve been exploring the topic of the double bottom line in business. Last week I asked the question in an article, “What is your double bottom line?” Today, I am moving this conversation forward as I want to talk with you about leveraging your startup to make a difference. What can you do? What do you want to do? This is important because many in ministry want to launch startups that not only generate income for them and/or their church but connect with people and meet a pressing need.

It...

What is Your Double Bottom Line?

Seth Godin, in his book This is Marketing, writes, “Instead of asking, ‘How can I get more people to listen to me, how can I get the word out, how can I find more followers, how can I convert more leads to sales, how can I find more clients, how can I pay my staff …?’ You can ask, ‘What change do I seek to make?’”

That question is a game-changer. It’s even more so for all of the ministry leaders I am coaching (or have previously coached). Why? Most of them are starting businesses that go beyond t...

Finding Meaning and Fulfillment Through Startups

For several years I worked as a regional church planting strategist. It was one of the most riveting things I have ever done. I vividly recall feeling giddy with excitement when Mondays rolled around because I was so stoked to dive in and make things happen.

In my mind, I was creating something from scratch as I was trying to build an infrastructure to foster church planting, which included recruiting planters, raising up local planters, and other things like assessment, training, coaching, and m...