My post, 14 Reasons to Consider a For-Profit Status for Your Ministry, gets more reads than all of my post combined. The reason is that it answers the money question for people who are planning a marketplace ministry.
“How can I make money doing what I love and what am I called to do.” That is the question that thousands of people ask as they seek to take care of their family and themselves, yet find satisfaction in their work and career.
So what will YOU do?
Everyone gets a certain number of heartbeats. There’s a start time and a stop time. All of the fun happens in the middle. That’s why you can’t spend your entire life ignoring the desire to make a difference in the world around you. Planning a marketplace ministry is a great answer that allows you to have a career and a ministry.
Your Marketplace Ministry
Planning a marketplace ministry gives you the opportunity to bring your ministry to your work and career. Instead of quitting your job, you excel right where you are. You learn to function in your faith, love others, make a difference, and still do what God is calling you to do. Your ministry can be big or small. It can be as simple as sending encouraging notes or planning a toy drive for children in the hospital. You can be as creative as you want as long as it makes a difference and people can see your faith in action.
Ask yourself this question . . .
“If money wasn’t an issue what type of work would I do and why?”
Now, share the answer with someone you know and listen to yourself talk about what you are passionate about. Now, think about how you can integrate some part of your answer in your life today. Then pray about what it takes to make this real in the future.
Just to get started, you may have to:
- Read about it
- Volunteer for it
- Join a club or group that is doing it
- Start doing a part of it
- Help someone else do it
- Start planning to do it
- Start saving for it
- Give to it
Whatever you have to do, do something. Life is too short to pass on what you feel passionate about. You were born to make a difference. Every day that you don’t do anything is one less day for you to do what you love.
Here’s what we’re doing at The Extra Life . . .
We’re taking it to the next level and updating this site, now called, The Extra Life, to help you as you plan and manage your marketplace ministry (that’s doing your ministry right where you are).
What’s the Extra Life?
It’s about living well. It’s about second chances – living over the top. Optimizing your heartbeats!
Also, we’re bringing you all sorts of set up ideas, ministry ideas, management techniques, and everything you need to start and manage your ministry.
You CAN make money AND do what you love.
Be sure to register on this site and look for more posts, more tools, and more ways to do your ministry right where you are. You’ll find encouraging videos on YouTube and an opportunity to join our Facebook group here.
Let’s do Life Together and optimize the heartbeats that God has given. Let’s start right where we are.
Yes. Thank you for sharing my passion for the awesome work that God is doing! Praying for God to bless your ministry.
Greetings in Jesus’ name. My wife and I have formed Covenant Home Fellowship. A seed to a vision for a Christ centered community center focused on bringing hope, decipleship-relational evangelism and equipping believers for their work of ministry. We are funding our ministry through our real estate business. This vision began twenty years ago long before we had any idea how to or real experience walking in faith. Its a big challenge but we serve a big God.
I am excited to see what God is doing as He shapes and fashions this work of grace. Life on Fire with love of Christ and the power that raised Jesus from the dead living on the inside. What a privilege.
Yes, all is kingdom! Our ministry never stops, even when we are working. Being a realtor is a great ministry opportunity. I see my insurance agency in the same way. We can’t stop when there are so many opportunities to win people for Christ. Thanks for commenting. God bless you and all that concerns you!
One of my mentors constantly reminds me that it is all kingdom. I have struggled with the ministry vs business all or nothing mindset for years.
My calling is to catch the people who fall through the cracks in the floor of the church to: disciple, evangelize and equip the saints for the work of the ministry.
But as a Realtor? I see a community center in my home-town that fulfills that mission, but regulation, organization, full-time ministry… This model makes it possible and gives me hope.
Great move with the insurance. I have seen cases where it was such a blessing when people needed the money.
It’s always best to talk to a CPA/Attorney about how to set-up your business. You can be for-profit or non-profit. What matters is how you plan to make money (donations or earnings), use your earnings, and approach your taxes. I continue to operate as a for-profit because I do not want the restrictions. However, I offer some services free and charge for others. For example, I am building a Bible study at no cost, but I have a book that’s about to be published that will cost. This way, I pay more taxes, but the freedom to own my own business is worth it. No matter what you choose, you will still need to officially register your business name. The Small Business Administration website is also a good source for questions.
Blessing and success to you!
Hi I do work full time in insurance as well but I have also started a teaching ministry with a website. Most of my classes will be free with donations for those who want to sow seeds however I will have resources for sale. I have not registered my name etc. Should I set that up as a non-profit entity?
Hi Rob and Shelby. High five to you! Wow! Your idea is awesome.
I believe God is calling us to get it done in totally new ways. I am planning to bring any help and encouragement that I can.
I would recommend that you speak to an attorney about the best way to file. The goal is to keep your ministry as free as possible from rules that govern making money and using it however you please. I have some members who favor the LLC. Others like the S-Corp. There are so many factors to consider that it’s worth talking to attorney or legal professional.
Let me send a prayer your way –
Father, I lift up Rob and Shelby today. They are seeking your guidance as they serve and honor you in their business. I pray that you provide for them in amazing ways. Provide the answer they need for the best business set-up. Give them special deals and favor as they purchase supplies and make other design and business decisions. I pray that you place a special favor on their business so people feel the love as they taste a great burger and any other food they offer. I ask that you meet all of their needs personally and financially. Give them a huge dose of creativity to attract more people than they have imagined. Enourage them daily. Amen.
Thanks so much or reaching out.
Be sure to register on the site for more helpful tools.
Rhonda Ware Williams
Wonderful, wonderful article and insight!!! We completely agree with your mindset to bring in money (for many purposes) for our small ministry in Florida.
We are wanting to open a pop up hamburger establishment on the weekends to raise money for my faith based organization and trying to find the best routes to make this happen. And without having to jump through the many hoops for food establishment licensing as many non-profit organizations (civic or faith based) are automatically waived from requiring the standard food licenses needed for temporary events. Should I file as an LLC with my Ministry name? Or what do you suggest to file under?
Thanks so much for your wonderful information, thoughts and insight!
Rob and Shelby