Episode 356 - What Entrepreneurs Actually Need From Their Church | Mark Grunden & Josh Seabaugh

Jan 6, 2026

Mark Grunden, a marketplace ministry leader from Saddleback Church, and Josh Seabaugh, a former campus pastor with a focus on faith-and-work, delve into the vital partnership between churches and entrepreneurs. They share eye-opening Barna research showing entrepreneurs are trusted twice as much as pastors, highlighting the need for churches to engage with business leaders. The duo discusses the importance of starting initiatives with entrepreneurs to generate momentum and the practical steps churches can take to become hubs for faith-driven entrepreneurs.

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ANECDOTE

A Blessing That Encouraged A Business Owner

An entrepreneur invited Mark to bless their new warehouse and documented biblical values on the walls.
Mark's simple visit and prayer deeply encouraged the business owner and affirmed their mission.

INSIGHT

Entrepreneurs Are Increasingly Trusted

Society now trusts entrepreneurs more than many traditional leaders, including pastors and politicians.
That trust comes because entrepreneurs are seen as people of action and problem solvers.

ADVICE

Start With Entrepreneurs First

Start marketplace ministry by convening entrepreneurs first rather than a general 'everyone who works' group.
Serve that core because entrepreneurs cascade influence and bring resources to the wider church.

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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.

Mark brings unique insight from seven years at Saddleback Church pioneering marketplace ministry, while Josh shares lessons from a decade as a campus pastor before joining FDE full-time. Together, they reveal why starting with entrepreneurs—rather than broad "faith and work" initiatives—creates sustainable momentum that cascades throughout entire congregations and communities.

Key Topics:

Barna research reveals entrepreneurs are trusted 2X more than pastors (and 9X more than politicians)
Why starting with "everyone who works" causes entrepreneurs to leave the room
The difference between convening for community vs. convening for mission
Breaking free from the "parking jacket and coffee" trap for high-capacity leaders
Why churches need entrepreneurs more than entrepreneurs need the church
How 250 churches are becoming hubs for faith-driven entrepreneurs in their cities
The simple 8-week pathway any church can start this week (no cost, no catch)

Notable Quotes:

"Entrepreneurs are trusted two times more than pastors. I don't know if the influence of pastors is actually waning, but I think it's more that the impact of entrepreneurs are actually increasing because people are tired of talk in our society. They're looking for people of action." - Mark Grunden

"If you get a pastor alone, he's intimidated by the entrepreneur. If you get an entrepreneur alone, he's intimidating by the pastor, which is why I'm excited that we can be the bridge." - Josh Seabaugh

"If you start with everybody, you'll never get the entrepreneur. But if you start with the entrepreneur, everybody will follow." - Mark Grunden