Podcast episode
Episode 356 – What Entrepreneurs Actually Need From Their Church
Join host Justin Forman with Mark Grunden and Josh Seabaugh for a pivotal conversation about the unprecedented opportunity emerging at the intersection of church and entrepreneurship. Recorded during Faith Driven Entrepreneur’s staff retreat in Charleston, this episode unpacks groundbreaking Barna research revealing that society trusts entrepreneurs twice as much as pastors—and why this isn’t a threat, but rather the church’s greatest partnership opportunity.
EPISODE NOTES
Society trusts entrepreneurs twice as much as pastors. This isn’t bad news—it’s the church’s greatest opportunity. Mark Grunden and Josh Seabaugh reveal why traditional “faith and work” approaches lose entrepreneurs, while starting with entrepreneur-focused ministry creates cascading impact throughout entire congregations.
Recorded at FDE’s Charleston staff retreat, this conversation unpacks lessons from Saddleback Church’s 30-year marketplace ministry journey, recent transitions from pastoral roles to entrepreneurship, and the simple steps any church can take to become a hub for faith-driven entrepreneurs in their city.
Chapters:
00:00 Barna research: Entrepreneurs trusted 2X more than pastors
01:15 Charleston staff retreat and the significance of church steeples
04:42 Mark’s journey: From church plant to Saddleback to FDE
06:20 Two counter-narratives: Declining numbers yet God is moving
07:55 Josh’s story: 10 years marketplace, 10 years pastoral ministry
11:22 The moment we’re in: When did marketplace ministry become normal?
12:38 Why business lunches lose steam after six months
15:14 Society is looking for action-oriented leadership
17:56 Church partnership opportunity overview
18:43 Entrepreneurs need each other in this unprecedented moment
20:09 Pastors transitioning to marketplace have more pastoral conversations
21:33 The “do it all” trap: Why churches get paralyzed
23:22 If you start with everybody, you’ll never get the entrepreneur
25:55 Entrepreneurs are time-starved—give them what speaks to them
27:46 Pastors and entrepreneurs: More alike than different
29:25 Entrepreneurs don’t demand things, they build things
30:30 How entrepreneurs can bridge the gap with their church
32:59 Safe place to wander: What entrepreneurs actually need
33:48 Hockey arena and mall examples: Churches dreaming entrepreneurially
37:35 Foundation Groups and the eight-week pathway
38:50 Simple first steps for entrepreneurs and churches
40:46 The network of 250 churches becoming entrepreneur hubs
42:14 No cost, no catch—just partnership
More Episodes
Stay Connected to the Movement
Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
JOIN A FAITH DRIVEN ENTREPRENEUR GROUP
You need allies. We have groups.
No Cost. No Catch. Online or In Person.
Journey with 10-15 other Entrepreneurs through the
8-week Study. Don’t Journey Alone. Find your Community.