Why Spiritual Entrepreneurship is Essential for Modern Ministry

When we think of the Apostle Paul, we often picture the great theologian, the church planter, the missionary who wrote half the New Testament. But there's another side to Paul that's equally important and surprisingly relevant to our modern world:

Paul the entrepreneur.

The Original Spiritual Entrepreneur

Paul wasn't just a minister—he was a tentmaker by trade (Acts 18:3). Even as he planted churches across the Roman Empire, he continued working with his hands, supporting himself through business rather than relying solely on donations from the churches he served.

This wasn't a side hustle or a backup plan, it was an intentional ministry strategy that gave him unprecedented freedom, credibility, and impact. Paul used entrepreneurship as a means of Kingdom growth.

"You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions," Paul told the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:34. "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Paul understood something profound, entrepreneurship wasn't separate from his ministry—it was integral to it.

Biblical Precedent for Faith-Driven Enterprise

Paul wasn't alone in this spiritual entrepreneurial approach. Throughout Scripture, we see God working through business-minded individuals:

Lydia of Thyatira: was a successful businesswoman dealing in purple cloth, one of the most luxurious commodities of the ancient world. When Paul shared the gospel with her, she didn't abandon her business—she used her resources and network to advance the early church (Acts 16:14-15).

Aquila and Priscilla: were tentmaking entrepreneurs who partnered with Paul not just in business, but in ministry. Their workshops became informal ministry centers, and their business connections opened doors for the gospel throughout the Roman world (Acts 18:2-3).

Joseph of Arimathea: was described as a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin and a secret disciple of Jesus. His resources and position enabled him to provide Jesus with a proper burial when others couldn't (Matthew 27:57-60).

These weren't people who happened to be both spiritual and entrepreneurial—they were individuals who understood that their business calling was inseparable from their spiritual mission. These early saints were entrepreneurs, and business owners, and both were necessary for the spread of the early Christian movement.

Why Do Traditional Ministry Models Fall Short?

For centuries, Western Christianity has largely operated under a Greek philosophical dualism that separates "sacred" work (ministry) from "secular" work (everything else). This has created several problems:

Financial Dependency and Stress

Churches and ministries that rely solely on donations are vulnerable to economic downturns and donor fatigue. Many passionate ministers burn out or leave ministry entirely because of financial stress.

In our modern world, the idea of a pastor, church planter, missionary, or Christian leader working in “secular” environments for the sake of mission and provision, is often seen as taboo. The underlying assumption is that a pastor “called” to ministry can only focus on such things. There is no room for “secular” work in the marketplace.

This dualism has caused great harm to the local church and ministries around the world. All work is good according to God (Gen. 1), and part of creation care, culture care, and redemptive purposes. This only adds unneeded dependency and stress on ministries for survival.

Limited Reach

Traditional church models primarily reach people who are already open to attending religious services. The vast majority of non-churched people will never set foot in a church building. Bi-vocational and Co-vocational ministry expands the reach of impact into our communities.

I found this to be true when I was planting churches and doing bi-vocational side hustles. I had more opportunities to get into the broader culture while being not only a pastor, but also a guy who ran his own business.

There was more credibility and trust created because I wasn’t just a guy working in a church office with Christian people. I was participating in the broader culture and community, adding value to my neighbors and the economy.

People are already skeptical about Christ and the church because of the many ways Christians act in society. But when you live in the “real world,” and work in the marketplace, people are more open to hearing about the God you worship. Especially when you live a humble, loving, and faithful life.

Christians aren’t just called to attend church; they are called to “be the church” in the culture in which we live and serve. Spiritual entrepreneurship is vital for this work.

Undervaluing Entrepreneurs and Business People

In our entrepreneurial age, many believers feel their business skills and passion are undervalued in traditional ministry settings. If you work outside the church and are building businesses you’re seen with skepticism.

But many of the Christian and faith-based entrepreneurs I’ve met are passionate about leveraging their businesses for the Kingdom of God. Most of these men and women are some of the most humble, generous, faithful, and loving people around.

The church is unintentionally or intentionally pushing spiritual entrepreneurs and business people away because of this underlying narrative.

Sustainability Challenges

Mission work, church plants, and nonprofit work often struggle with long-term sustainability when dependent on external funding.

I worked for years with a pastor and church planter in India. Their model of ministry was not to depend on the giving of churches from the West. Instead, they trained all of their pastors to learn skills in the marketplace. They were all spiritual entrepreneurs.

This included running a bee farm and selling the honey. I heard about a man who made jewelry and other handmade goods. I also heard of a family who ran a farm with cows and sold milk in the community.

We have to realize that throughout most of church history, ancient, and modern times, and in most parts of the world, a pastor with a full-time salary and benefits is an anomaly.

A few years ago, I ran into a Nigerian pastor in Kansas City. Hearing that I had a full-time salary and didn’t need other work to survive shocked him. He told me that most of his pastors were all bi-vocational by necessity. He saw it as normal, most in our day do not.

Most pastors, planters, and nonprofit Christian leaders should develop skills and find work in the marketplace in some capacity. This will ensure the longevity of their ministry and the impact they’ll make living among the people they are called to reach.

It also provides options in an economic downturn, loss of people in the church, or having the pressure for the church to pay multiple salaries. Everyone should have multiple streams of income for such scenarios, and yet most don’t.

The Modern Case for Spiritual Entrepreneurship

Not all is lost. Today's spiritual entrepreneurs are rediscovering what Paul knew: business can be ministry, and ministry can be sustainable through business.

Business as Mission, a Christian organization using the medium of business for spreading the gospel around the world, says this about its mission:

“We believe business is an essential strategy in God’s global mission. That’s why we’re dedicated to empowering Christian businesspeople to see God at work in their business. By changing the narrative they hear, we’re affirming their God-given calling and igniting their passion for action.”

This organization sees the potential in aligning business with ministry. Business ventures with Kingdom expansion.

There are many other compelling reasons for equipping and empowering spiritual entrepreneurship:

Financial Freedom Enables Ministry Freedom

When ministers can support themselves through entrepreneurship, they're free to minister without compromise. They don't have to water down hard truths to keep donors happy or spend precious time fundraising instead of focusing on their calling.

After coaching hundreds of church planters, pastors, and leaders in nonprofit spaces, the number one cause of stress is money. The number one reason marriages dissolve, leaders call it quits, ministries end, and I’d add other shady things leaders do in desperation, are all related to the lack of finances.

Is this what God had in mind?

Resource Generation

Profitable businesses can fund ministry initiatives that would otherwise require extensive fundraising. Instead of asking for money, spiritual entrepreneurs can give generously to kingdom causes.

How many nonprofits and ministries don’t take big risks because of money lack? This what some call a scarcity mindset versus an abundance mindset. God never runs out of life, energy, and blessing.

Why do we play it small? Our vision of God is often too small.

Multiplication Model

Teaching others to be spiritual entrepreneurs creates a multiplication effect. Instead of supporting one missionary, you're raising up many self-sustaining ministers.

This also forces local churches and ministries not to rely solely on one or two paid staff. Then they must equip other people in the church to do the work of ministry.

Think back to my friend in India. He raised up hundreds of spiritual entrepreneurs to affect India with the good news of Jesus. These men and women were not dependent on the church or wealthy donors in other countries to provide their needs. They were building businesses and planting churches and impacting a country of two billion for the Kingdom of God.

The idea of spiritual entrepreneurship should be our new normal for Kingdom impact in the 21st century. With volatile economies, more and more people leaving church, and ministries barely making it financially, entrepreneurship in line with the tradition of Paul and other saints is a easy decision.

Modern Examples of Spiritual Entrepreneurship

Today's spiritual entrepreneurs are making significant impact across various industries. Many individuals, companies, and entrepreneurs are seeing the value of faith-based businesses in the society.

Tech Industry

Influential figures in Silicon Valley, such as Garry Tan (Y Combinator CEO), are openly discussing how their Christian faith provides moral clarity and guides their decision making.

Christian entrepreneurship in tech also includes networks like the ACTS 17 Collective, which brings together founders and investors to integrate faith and business ethics.

Events such as Code & Cosmos promote collaboration between scientists, entrepreneurs, and faith leaders, discussing how technology can serve humanity.

Startups leverage technology for outreach, ethical business practices, and positive social impact, illustrating the intersection of faith, tech, and global ministry.

Education Sector

Faith-based universities—like Spring Arbor University and Wheaton College—blend Christian values with advanced technology in education, business, entrepreneurship, using digital classrooms, virtual simulations, and learning management systems to enhance learning while promoting ethical leadership and moral development.

Biola University has one of the best film and media departments in the world. They are openly Christian and faith-based in their offerings.

Leadership within Christian higher education advocates for mission-driven innovation, embedding biblical identity and spiritual formation into forward-thinking strategies for their institutions.

Social Causes and Impact Investing

Faith-driven entrepreneurs also focus on tackling social issues by aligning business with spiritual values. Examples include investing in startups for clean energy, healthcare, and education access.

Praxis, a faith-based venture capital firm, is active in supporting companies that produce social and environmental impact aligned with Christian stewardship and justice.

Organizations like Kiva (microlending) and charity: water demonstrate how business models can address social problems while maintaining financial sustainability.

Brands and Faith-Driven Companies

Purpose-driven brands are built on transparency, ethical sourcing, and responsibility, aiming to effect cultural change and support communities in ways consistent with biblical principles.

David Green of Hobby Lobby built his business entirely on biblical principles, closing stores on Sundays and generously supporting Christian education and worldwide ministries.

Truett Cathy (founder) and Dan Cathy (CEO) of Chick-fil-A make faith central to their business model, closing on Sundays, supporting youth initiatives, and championing servant leadership and ethical practices.

In-N-Out Burger is well known for its public display of Christian values, largely shaped by its owners' personal faith. The company prints Bible verse references—such as “John 3:16,” “Proverbs 3:5,” “Revelation 3:20,” “Nahum 1:7,” “Proverbs 24:16,” and “Luke 6:35”—on its cups, burger wrappers, fry trays, and other packaging.

Former company president Rich Snyder, who had become a born-again Christian and wanted to share his faith through the family business, started this tradition in the late 1980s.

The current owner and CEO, Lynsi Snyder, who is a devout Christian herself has continued and expanded the practice. She has spoken openly about how her faith helped her overcome personal challenges and how it influences her leadership and the company’s culture.

Christian entrepreneurs and organizations continue to show that faith can serve as a powerful foundation for successful ventures and lasting social impact in a wide variety of industries.

The spiritual entrepreneurship model challenges us to rethink our understanding of calling. Every believer is called to ministry, but not everyone is called to vocational ministry. For many, their primary ministry will happen through their business or professional calling.

This requires a shift in how we view success. In the spiritual entrepreneurship model, profit isn't the ultimate goal—it's a tool for greater kingdom impact. Success is measured not just in revenue, but in lives changed, problems solved, and communities transformed.

Practical Steps for Modern Spiritual Entrepreneurs

Start with Purpose

Before launching any venture, clarify how your business will serve both market needs and kingdom purposes. Paul's tent-making served the practical need for portable shelters while funding his missionary journeys.

Building with Excellence

Paul was presumably good at making tents—his business supported not just himself but his traveling companions. Excellence in your field gives you credibility and resources for ministry.

Integrate, Don't Compartmentalize

Look for natural ways to integrate your faith into your business practices, relationships, and decision-making. This doesn't mean being pushy or inappropriate, but being authentically Christian in all your dealings.

Think Long-term

Build businesses that can sustain ministry over decades, not just provide quick funding for short-term projects.

Multiply Others

Train others in the tent-making model. Paul taught Aquila and Priscilla, who then trained others, creating a multiplication effect.

The Essential Nature of This Model Today

In our rapidly changing world, the spiritual entrepreneurship model isn't just helpful—it's essential. Traditional funding models for ministry are increasingly inadequate for the scale and complexity of modern challenges.

We need ministers who can plant churches without waiting for denominational support, start nonprofits without extensive grant-writing, and engage in global missions without raising support for years.

Also, in an increasingly secular culture, the marketplace may be the primary place where authentic spiritual conversations happen. People who might never attend a religious service are open to doing business with people of integrity who genuinely care about serving others.

The gospel is often more caught than taught. We need Christian leaders in the marketplace embodying the good news we care about so much.

A Return to Biblical Normalcy

The spiritual entrepreneurship model isn't revolutionary—it's a return to biblical normalcy. For most of church history, ministers supported themselves through trade, agriculture, or other work. The full-time, donation-supported minister is actually a relatively recent innovation.

Paul's approach offers us a time-tested model for sustainable ministry that generates resources rather than consuming them, reaches people where they are rather than expecting them to come to us, and creates value in the world rather than simply asking for support.

As we face the challenges of the 21st century—economic uncertainty, cultural secularization, and global needs that far exceed traditional charitable giving—perhaps it's time to rediscover the entrepreneur who wrote, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10) and who demonstrated that business and ministry aren't opposing forces, but complementary callings in the kingdom of God.

The question isn't whether we can afford to embrace spiritual entrepreneurship. The question is whether we can afford not to.

Spiritual entrepreneurship reminds us that the marketplace isn't separate from the mission field—it is the mission field. And those called to serve there aren't second-class ministers—they may be the most strategic ministers of our time.

-Ryan