My brother and I have both worked full time for churches in the past. Now we both have our own businesses. We were talking today about how poorly most churches engage business owners and industry executives.
Upon learning that you own a business or lead in a company, most pastors start to imagine ways that your business can help the church. They realize you are a self-motivated, high-capacity person and they want you to take on a leadership position in a ministry in the church.
That generally comes across as a load of hot, steamy crap.
If you are building a business or leading in an industry you don't need to expend your limited credibility and time doing the church favors. If you are trying to keep people employed in a down economy you probably don't have time to lead a program at the church (serving in one is probably your max!).
So, dear pastor, please put the business owners and industry executives in your church on an official "committee that doesn't meet". Write them notes of encouragement. Let them take you to coffee or diner at their invitation. Encourage them not to spend their time making your ministry happen or saving you a few dollars. Instead, ask them to turn their business, which they already do full time, into a ministry. Ask them to search their heart, read scripture, and talk to other business leaders in the natural course of their busy lives until they find a way to make of their business a God-honoring ministry. Offer them your ear and your encouragement whether they try and fail, or try and succeed.
