How to Turn Your Idea into a Marketplace Ministry

Some ideas are so inspired that you know it’s not just an idea, it’s a calling. Has an idea been spinning in your mind about ministry or business? If so, it may be more than just a thought. It may be a God inspired next step. Decide if it’s real, then do whatever it takes to learn How to Turn Your Idea into a Marketplace Ministry.

Do you feel a call to community and purpose?

If you are still reading, then you already feel an attraction to integrating faith and business as a Marketplace Ministry. I know the feeling when you see value in business yet feel called to ministry. It took me years to realize that I could do both. In Marketplace Ministry, we honor God by using the gifts that He gives us in business, ministry and anywhere else that an opportunity presents. When you use your spiritual gifts and talents in your business or career, you are stepping into a place that fulfills your purpose and infuses you with an overload of personal satisfaction. It’s time to let go of doubt and delay and make your idea a reality.

Silence Your Inner Critic?

When a new idea comes to mind, you get excited. But as you consider it really happening, your inner critic tears it down with reasons it won’t work. Let’s shut down that pesky inner critic. It doesn’t matter what you want or how you feel led. The inner critic finds a reason for it not to work. It has one goal, that is to keep you doing the same thing repeatedly and never moving forward. It hates fresh adventures and loves repetition. The inner critic is not your friend.

Clarify Your Vision

When you are creative, many ideas come to your mind. Sometimes, they show God is leading you. Other times, ideas are fleeting thoughts that are interesting and good for others, but not right for you. While ideas come and go, when God leads you, He plants the thoughts beyond your head, so they stir in your heart. When God leads, it’s not fleeting, it’s lingering.

Pay attention to how God is leading you. Think about your spiritual gifts and ways you can represent God in your daily activities. Try to write a statement that clearly defines your faith inspired business practices and what you want to accomplish as a big picture. Afterwards, break down the goal into small activities, identifying what you can do immediately.  

As you reflect, plan to make money, but also to make a difference in the lives of the people you touch. Remember, the goal is not to do something grand. It’s just to make a difference and multiply opportunities for yourself and others.

Refine Your Idea

Ideas usually start with a big picture. By refining your idea, you bring it closer to reality. Think about what you can do now (small steps) then gradually advance to your big picture.

• What do you need for the initial set-up? Consider your website, social media pages, products, payment system, marketing items and equipment (phone, apps, etc.). Think about the bare minimum requirements to get started and keep your budget manageable.

• How can you test your idea? Most ideas go through a few changes before they arrive in a place where profits flow. You need to test your idea to see if you have the right demographics or need to change a part of your business. There are many minor changes that need to be made in the beginning to save you money and time.

• How will you fund your idea? Starting a business can be costly, but not always. It depends on how you start. I rarely recommend getting a loan to start a business. It may work if you have an established business and you can make predictions for success with certainty. Instead, I recommend starting small and allowing your business to fund itself as you learn and grow. The best way to fund your business is to work for yourself and your personal needs. Then, allow the business to grow and use the business income to invest back into your business. So, you don’t take money from your business in the early years. Instead, wait until the business has enough profits to take care of you and itself. Also, think about for-profit and non-profit status and seek the best set up for your idea.

Make it a Marketplace Ministry

Any business can be a Marketplace Ministry. To start, pray over your business. Pray about your mission, decisions, customers, appointments and transactions. Everything you do needs prayer. Then ask God how you can make an impact and honor him in your business. Here are a few ideas:

Live your Christian life openly. Don’t hide your faith. Live it in your decisions, conversations and how you treat people.

• Share your faith at every opportunity. You don’t have to be pushy, but be willing. Let people know you are a person who prays and goes to church. Say, “I am thankful” and don’t hold back when they ask questions. Let them know you trust God and He is leading you to your business’ success.

• Start a Bible study or invite people to attend a Bible Study.

• Start a prayer time before or after work.

When you open your doors for God’s presence, He shows up. People will come to you for advice and guidance. They sense God’s goodness with you and it attracts them to Him through you. In your prayer, ask God to show you what to do, then watch and listen.

You will have your marketplace ministry and your new idea.

When that happens, there is no limit to what God will do.

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