But hear him out. He adds a crucial caveat:
I’m not interested in someone who says, “We have these few. That’s all we ever want. That’s all we ever need.” If that’s your attitude, God bless you (I don’t think he will).
I want people who want to innovate … who realize that maybe because of their gifting it works better in a small setting. But it’s not about settling. Never settle. Never settle.
Couldn’t agree more. Thank you Karl! (Here’s his whole interview.)
I just wonder if part of that innovation is going to come from people (even in small churches) with the gift of apostleship. If the church as a whole is going to grow, this has to become an all-skate.
There are at least five crucial skills (gifts) entrepreneurial leaders bring to the table:
1. The willingness to risk.
The early church took incredible risks. People risked their health, safety, financial security and their very lives for the sake of the Gospel.
In a time when too many churches are trying to figure out how to survive, we need leaders who will change the question to how the church is going to thrive.
You can’t do that without risk. Being willing to risk what you have today is the best way to get to a different tomorrow.
2. Experimentation.
Have you ever asked yourself what it would have been like to be in the New Testament church?
It was an audacious experiment that God was completely behind. Everything changed in a generation; the place of worship, who worshipped, where people worshipped, how they worshipped, how they connected to each other, how they gave and how they forgave.
There isn’t a single element of everyday life that looked the same after a decade of life in the church.
If the church is going to grow, it’s going to have to change. (I wrote about 11 characteristics of future churches here.)
3. A restless discontent with the status quo
Entrepreneurs and apostles are never satisfied. While it can be frustrating to work with someone who is never satisfied, it’s an essential gift in birthing what’s new and expanding a current mission.
Entrepreneurs are not only discontent with what others have created; they’re soon discontent with what they’ve helped create.
Paul died in prison longing to do more. Why do we make fun of church leaders today who have the same sense of urgency?
