Overview

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. If you are a pastor or ministry professional in need of Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits for your professional development, CEU credits are available for this course. Upon successful completion of this course, you can provide your Coursera certificate and the course description to your employer for recognition of earning 0.5 CEUs. Contact [email protected] with any questions regarding CEUs for this course. Each of the 5 courses in the Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism specialization is worth 0.5 CEUs, for a total of 2.5 CEUs for completing all of the courses. 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.

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.

Early Methodist Entrepreneurs

Methodism’s history of entrepreneurship extends all the way to the earliest days of the movement. This week, you’ll learn about three examples of entrepreneurial ministries in early Methodism. You’ll also consider how their pattern of seeing needs around them and following God’s call to meet those needs might inform and inspire your church’s approach to ministry.

Savannah

What happens when our entrepreneurial efforts fail? Beginning with John Wesley’s failed efforts in colonial Savannah, Georgia, this week’s lesson explores the wisdom God offers us through failure and the resources the Methodist tradition provides to help us absorb that wisdom. As schools of mission, our failures can equip us with the character, humility, boldness, and vision we need to faithfully pursue what God has called us to do.

New Patterns of Ministry: From Early Methodism to Fresh Expressions

Innovating new forms of ministry to meet the demands of a changing world is hardly a new challenge for Methodism. In this final lesson, you’ll be reminded of the unchanging mission and core affirmations that ground our common Methodist identity, and you’ll see how Methodists are imagining new patterns of ministry that faithfully express this identity in a wide range of ways. What new expressions of the heart of Methodism might God be calling you and your church to pursue?