Entrepreneurial Faith: Launching Bold Initiatives to Expand God's Kingdom

Entrepreneurial Faith: Launching Bold Initiatives to Expand God's Kingdom

by Kirbyjon Caldwell and Walt Kallestad Waterbrook Press, August 2004 $19.99, ISBN 1-578-56837-4

Kirbyjon Caldwell, a best-selling author and pastor of the largest United Methodist Church in America, along with coauthor and pastor Walt Kallestad, takes readers on an entrepreneurial journey that is mixed with faith. The life of faith, as explained in this easy-to-read book, calls for bold initiative and entrepreneurial action, applying the wisdom of Scripture to the ministry of the church. The 245-page book offers exceptional biblical insight into an entrepreneur's focus, discipline, imagination, passion, and decision-making ability.

The pastors, having a combined 60 years of ministerial experience, pour out their hearts through a stern warning that "church as usual" is guaranteed to fail. They warn, "The United States is no longer a Christian nation, if it ever was one. Past assumptions about spiritual needs and beliefs, religious attitudes and allegiances, no longer hold sway. All this means that the past ways of doing ministry no longer speak to the needs of most people." In response, they emphasize the need to take the church to the local community. Their individual successes in Houston, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, respectively, are noted examples of this truth.

This wonderfully written and thought-provoking book begins with a detailed description of the ultimate entrepreneur--Jesus. It then offers brilliant tips on the life, God's vision, faith and work of the spiritual entrepreneur. In conclusion, the pastors do not leave readers wondering what to do next. Instead, the appendices are filled with a sample strategic plan, an operations plan, and a funding proposal.

That said, the book may help to lead the expansion of God's kingdom--through entrepreneurial faith.

Kevin Wayne Johnson, author of Give God the Glory! (Writing for the Lord Ministries, March 2001), lives in Clarksville, Maryland.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Cox, Matthews & Associates
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group