Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets from Coursera

Welcome to Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets! In this course, we’ll see how Methodism’s history of entrepreneurism has fueled innovative ministries. We will consider how gifts of wisdom, virtue, and vision came from Wesley’s ministerial failure in Savannah, Georgia. Lastly, we will discuss how that spirit of innovation can help us faithfully meet our current moment. As we reflect on how we can nurture entrepreneurial mindsets wherever we are called to serve, we pray your discussions around these questions may be beneficial for your ministry.

This course is part of the Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism series. This is one of five 4-week online courses designed to help engaged laypeople and clergy (including local pastors in licensing schools) develop core capacities for innovative leadership within the Wesleyan tradition. Through this series, we hope you will experience a deeper grounding in the distinctive elements of Methodism at its best, and a renewed capacity for hopeful, imaginative participation in the mission of God.

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Syllabus

Christian Social Innovation in Methodism

What does it mean for the Church to be entrepreneurial? In this week’s lesson, you’ll explore how the language of social entrepreneurship describes the ways Methodists have dared to pursue new ways of bearing witness to the kingdom of God. Whether or not you consider yourself an entrepreneurial person, you can come alongside others in your church to find new ways to participate in God’s ongoing work of making all things new.

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Introduces students to social entrepreneurship and provides entrepreneurial models from Methodism's history

Covers a range of entrepreneurial topics relevant to ministry

Examines failure as an opportunity for growth and development

Shows how Methodism has historically adapted to meet new challenges

Designed for clergy and laypeople who want to develop innovative leadership skills

Provides opportunities for discussion and reflection on entrepreneurial mindsets

Reviews summary

Nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets for ministry

According to students, this course offers a unique and valuable perspective on entrepreneurship within a faith-based context, particularly for those in Methodist ministry. Learners appreciate its deep dive into historical examples of innovation within the Wesleyan tradition and how these principles can be applied to contemporary ministry challenges. The content on lessons from failure, especially through John Wesley's experiences, is often highlighted as insightful and transformative. While the course provides a strong theoretical foundation, some learners might seek more hands-on strategies for immediate application outside of a specific religious context, suggesting it is best suited for clergy and engaged laypeople rather than general business entrepreneurs.

Best suited for those in ministry or faith-based roles.

"As someone not directly involved in ministry, I found some examples less applicable to my general entrepreneurial interests."

"It's definitely a course for clergy or engaged church members; others might find it too specific."

"While theoretical concepts were strong, I wished for more universal 'how-to' guidance for non-ministry settings."

Content is clear, logical, and easy to follow.

"The course flowed logically from one week to the next, making the learning process very smooth."

"I appreciated the bite-sized modules which made it easy to fit into a busy schedule."

"The organization of topics helped me grasp complex ideas about social innovation clearly."

Offers valuable lessons on resilience and growth through setbacks.

"The section on John Wesley's failures in Savannah was incredibly powerful, teaching me about humility and perseverance."

"I gained a new perspective on how challenges and setbacks can actually lead to deeper wisdom in ministry."

"The course reframed failure not as an end, but as a crucial part of the entrepreneurial and spiritual journey."

Provides a deep, engaging look at Methodist entrepreneurial history.

"The historical examples, especially from early Methodism, were fascinating and well-integrated into the lessons."

"Learning about Wesley's journey, even his setbacks, was incredibly inspiring and provided a solid foundation."

"I appreciated how the course connected past Wesleyan efforts to current needs in the church."

Directly applies entrepreneurial concepts to religious service.

"I found this course incredibly relevant to my work in the church, showing how innovation isn't just for business."

"It really opened my eyes to how entrepreneurial thinking applies directly to ministry and outreach."

"The content made me rethink how my church can approach new challenges with a fresh, innovative mindset."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets with these activities:

Read 'Church on Fire' by Aubrey Malphurs

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Gain insights from a renowned expert on entrepreneurial ministry, exploring practical strategies and case studies to enhance your understanding.

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Reflect on the author's experiences and insights.
Identify key takeaways that resonate with your ministry context.

Explore online resources on entrepreneurial mindset

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Broaden your knowledge by exploring a curated selection of online resources, deepening your understanding of entrepreneurial mindset and its application in ministry.

Browse courses on Entrepreneurial Mindset

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Attend a webinar or online workshop on entrepreneurial mindset.
Enroll in a free online course on entrepreneurial thinking.
Subscribe to blogs or podcasts on entrepreneurial leadership.

Drill the nuances of entrepreneurial ministry

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Reinforce the practical implementation of entrepreneurial mindsets in various ministry settings, ensuring a deeper understanding of its complexities.

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Analyze case studies of successful entrepreneurial ministries.
Role-play scenarios involving common challenges in entrepreneurial ministry.
Simulate brainstorming sessions to develop innovative ministry ideas.

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Volunteer with a local entrepreneurial ministry organization

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Gain practical experience and support the work of an established entrepreneurial ministry organization, learning from their best practices.

Browse courses on Volunteering

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Research and identify organizations that align with your interests.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer training sessions and team meetings.

Engage in peer discussions on entrepreneurial ministry

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Participate in discussions with peers to exchange ideas, share experiences, and gain valuable insights about entrepreneurial ministry.

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Join an online forum or discussion group.
Attend a local meetup or networking event.
Organize your own discussion group with friends or colleagues.

Develop an entrepreneurial ministry proposal

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Solidify your understanding of entrepreneurial ministry by crafting a comprehensive proposal, integrating insights from the course and your own research.

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Identify a specific ministry need or opportunity.
Research and analyze the target audience.
Develop a clear statement of purpose and objectives.
Outline a detailed plan for implementation.
Present your proposal to a panel of peers or mentors.

Launch a small-scale entrepreneurial ministry project

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Put your learning into practice by initiating a small-scale ministry project, providing hands-on experience and a tangible outcome.

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Identify a specific need or opportunity within your community.
Develop a plan, including goals, timelines, and resources.
Gather a team of volunteers or collaborators.
Implement your project and track your progress.
Evaluate the outcomes and share your learnings.

Career center

Learners who complete Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets

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Nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets for ministry

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