"The Innovative Marketplace Christian - Blog Hosted by Rick Hubbell"

Why Do Christian Entrepreneurs So Often Fail to Create Superior - Let Alone Average - Business Outcomes?

So as believers we are supposedly tapped in to the God of the universe, part of His family. And, what’s more - He owns the cattle on 10,000 hills and is on our side, right? He is preeminent in every realm including Business. Agreed?

If that is the case, why is it that so often we as Christians fail to create superior business outcomes? I surely have failed, know it’s part of life, yet have witnessed far too much failure among Christian entrepreneurs.

Whatever we set our hand to is supposed to prosper; yes or no? Yet when things go sideways, typically we hide behind the idea that we are “too busy with more important spiritual stuff” as an explanation for our business shortcomings.

Nonsense - especially for the many of us called to business. Another explanation is… that God Himself is against Business. Also nonsense.

Mixing Gap Analysis with Core Competency AND Confirmation

We have already discussed in parts I and II of this series the importance of a gap analysis and ultimately selecting a gap in which we, or members of our team, have core competency and today we are discussing confirmation. Depending on your walk with the Lord, current situation, personality type and experiences, you may be more or less inclined to emphasize one of these.

As believers seeking the will of God in our lives, we do not have the luxury of proceeding simply because something may or may not look profitable. (That said, some things we do attempt are doomed to be unprofitable since often we have not identified a real gap and we are not meeting any needs or truly solving someone else’s problems.) This is one of the areas we must differ from the rest of the pack. Ultimately we MUST listen to Him. Of the three, God’s confirmation or direction is the one to emphasize; and everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

Yet confirmation comes through others as well. What do people you trust and admire think about what you are doing?

In my opinion, however, there is a large group of believers that leans on confirmation incorrectly - which though has a high appearance of spirituality - often produces only a half-baked result. In His infinite wisdom, God has also chosen to allow us to also “do our homework”. We get to be involved in the process by God’s design. Surely He does more than the lion’s share; but our role is NOT NOTHING!

Sharpen Your Skills; Do Your Homework

You can make a choice to sharpen your skills into a solid Core Competency or not.

Can God move on a person who has never played piano to play the most beautiful concerto you have ever heard? YES! On the other hand, is it far more likely that a believer truly called to play the piano who has invested countless hours mastering their craft, even when it wasn’t fun, sometimes through sheer grit and discipline, while also praying for the release of God’s blessings through their gift, becomes the one to play this memorable concert?

You can make the choice to do a real gap analysis WHILE you listen for God’s leading, walking WITH Him as you explore. You can also strengthen your core competencies by studying and applying yourself.

Organic Tomatoes at a Reasonable Price

Now, getting back to what I said before: certain individuals may tend to rely solely on a Gap Analysis; that in fact no one in your area provides organic tomatoes at a reasonable price. And though you know nothing about farming and have no relationships with grocers and distributors and don’t know anyone who does - and in fact you don’t even like tomatoes and never have - you are going to meet this need one way or another. Might work. Probably won’t.

Or perhaps you might have always been told that you have keen insight with numbers and have developed your skills over many years. This is for you truly a core competency. And even more than that, you know you are called to use that particular ability, but where? How?

You forge ahead with your small business accounting enterprise completely unaware that your community has the highest per capita number of accountants, is saturated therefore, and coming off one of the worst years ever. Might work. Probably won’t.

Yes, confirmation is the trump card. For sure. But sometimes certain things we hear from God come as a result of being involved in life rather than removed from it. Food for thought anyway.

ICC.

Identify Gap. Align it with Core Competency. And always be looking for, asking for, listening for and not proceeding without - Confirmation.

Blessings to you, your family & upon your endeavors.

Rick for TI-MC

PS. Here is a phenomenal tool for Christian entrepreneurs that will help you plant and develop a profitable business according to God’s design. Check it out here.