Mark Grunden, a unique voice from both business and pastoral ministry, shares insightful perspectives on the trust gap between society's view of entrepreneurs and pastors. He explores how this gap can be an opportunity for impactful church-business partnerships. Discussing practical strategies, he highlights the significance of supporting entrepreneurs in faith settings, the role of mentorship, and innovative community-building initiatives that empower business leaders. Grunden's experiences at Saddleback Church pave the way for transformative collaborations.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Connection Began At The DMZ
Mark and Justin first connected on a trip to the DMZ in South Korea after Lausanne.
That unexpected 'bro date' launched their partnership around faith and work conversations.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Global Missions Shaped Mark's Path
Mark spent nine summers overseas on mission trips between ages 12 and 21, shaping his global perspective.
He later transitioned from a church plant to business and then back into ministry at Saddleback Church.
insights INSIGHT
Entrepreneurs Are Trusted More Than Pastors
Society respects entrepreneurs roughly twice as much as local pastors, signaling a cultural shift in trusted leadership.
Mark Grunden says churches should see this as an opportunity to empower entrepreneurs to lead public community impact.
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When Church Meets Business: Unlocking the Power of Partnership
Join host Justin Forman as he reunites with Mark Grunden, who brings a unique perspective from both the business world and pastoral ministry. Their unexpected connection at the DMZ in South Korea leads to a compelling conversation about why society trusts entrepreneurs twice as much as pastors—and how this presents an unprecedented opportunity for Kingdom impact.
Drawing from groundbreaking research with Barna Group, this episode reveals how 70% of entrepreneurs believe that when churches and business leaders partner together, they can solve the world's greatest problems. Mark shares practical insights from his journey through missions, entrepreneurship, and ministry at Saddleback Church, offering a roadmap for churches ready to empower their entrepreneurial members.
Key Topics:
Why society respects entrepreneurs 2x more than pastors (and why that's an opportunity, not a threat)
The faith and work movement goes mainstream: Insights from Lausanne 2024
How Saddleback Church pioneered faith and work ministry since the 1990s
Breaking the "parking jacket and coffee" ministry trap for high-capacity leaders
Why entrepreneurs are the natural first step for churches entering faith and work
Building sustainable church networks that empower business leaders
Practical tools: Foundation Groups and annual conferences that transform communities
Notable Quotes:
"Society at large, they respect entrepreneurs two times more than pastors of the community." - Mark Grunden
"The way that we're gonna make a positive contribution or impact in the communities that our churches sit within, is really by empowering the entrepreneurs, business leaders of our communities and of our congregations to take that front row leadership voice." - Mark Grunden
"Nearly seven out of 10 entrepreneurs believe that when the church and when business leaders and entrepreneurs kind of come together that man, there's a really good chance of solving some of the big problems of the world." - Justin Forman
Faith Driven Entrepreneur