Why Many Business and Money Making Ventures by Pastors, Missions and Christian Organisations Fail

I know of some missions and ministries that have tried to establish a business or farming income and have failed. Many pastors who became involved in business and MLM projects have failed. Why is this? Should one not expect the Lord to bless such ventures for the sake of extending His Kingdom? Can I not trust God to bless my business — especially if I am primarily doing it for Him? I am sorry to disappoint you, but God does not want to bless your business! He has no interest in your business! Why is that?

If you are not called to be in business, you are in the wrong place

God is only interested in His business, not yours. Therefore, if you are called to be a pastor or missionary and you involve yourself in business, you are stepping out of God’s business and calling for your life. Get back as quickly as you can to the place where God had called you to, and be faithful in that calling until God leads you differently. “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2Ti 2:4 NKJV)

This is why I have pointed out in another article that the most important qualification for a Business Ministry Manager is a calling. A business ministry manager, like a pastor or missionary, is a calling — not a job, and if this is not your calling, stick to the task God has called you to. This is an important reason why many pastors and missionaries fail in business.

A lack of business training and experience

A second reason why many pastors and missionaries fail in business is because of a lack of business training and experience. If a layman could fulfil the role as pastor just as well, there would be no need for training as a pastor. Likewise, if a pastor could fulfil the role of businessman just as well, there would be no need for business training. However, both assumptions are wrong, as both tasks require specialised training and experience. Although there are exceptions to the rule, don’t count on them as they are few and far between.

Divided focus

The third reason why many pastors and missionaries fail in business is because their focus is divided. In order to be successful in business requires your undivided attention — and as a matter of fact, also your ministry. I know of a full time pastor who also runs his own restaurant. I must admit I don’t know which task he does best, but I will be very surprised if he does both equally well.

Multi Level Marketing projects are great for dividing pastors’ and missionaries’ focus. I know, as I have personally targeted many pastors with my own MLM projects. I now realise that this was a mistake. This is the reason why I recommend the appointment of a Business Ministry Manager whose calling and task it will be to drive and manage business projects on behalf of a ministry, mission or organisation.

A very important secret of success in every sphere of life, and particularly in business is focus. Focus means to concentrate and maintain your attention fully on your subject or object. Using a magnifying glass to light a fire is a good example. The magnifying glass focuses the rays of the sun onto a specific point, with the result that the intensity of the concentration of rays causes such intense heat that it lights a fire. This truth also holds for a spiritual ministry. “O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.” (1Ch 29:18 NKJV)