WHAT IS ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

Entrepreneurship is the act of mixing and turning personal skills as well as all factors of production into a profitable business venture that will offer goods or services to an identified market in need of it.

WHO IS AN ENTREPRENEUR? Someone who organizes a business venture and assumes the risk for it. – Word Web Someone who starts a company and arranges business deals. - Longman Active Dictionary Businessperson: somebody who sets up and finances new commercial enterprises to make a profit. - Microsoft® Encarta®

WHO IS A CHRISTIAN ENTREPRENEUR? A Christian Entrepreneur is a disciple of Jesus Christ who has chosen to “express himself” or fulfil his stewardship by setting up a business venture to provide essential products or services that will meet the need of, as well as add value to, an identified market (people) in the society.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A CHRISTIAN ENTREPRENEUR? ¡ He is a steward 1 Corinthians 4:2: Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful ¡ He is a Non-compromiser ¡ He is a Non-conformist with the popular conventions of business practice ¡ He is a Faithful Servant Matthew 24:45-47: Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods. ¡ He is a Treasurer ¡ He is a Minister/Evangelist in the marketplace Acts 1:8: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. ¡ He personifies Love in his offerings and dealings The integrative principle that must guide Christians in the marketplace is that of love. ¡ Love compels Christians to put their faith into action and to live what they believe. ¡ Love will motivate Christians in the marketplace to follow the example of Christ in the incarnation. ¡ It will move them to identify with those who are lost and alone in a dark world. ¡ It will allow them to share in the sufferings of those they care for and by bringing the presence of Christ into the marketplace also bring transformation and hope.

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL QUESTIONS 

1. What do I have the resources, ability, interest and contacts to do? 

2. Do I have the necessary commitment needed to succeed in a business undertaking? 

3. Am I prepared to work extremely hard, to devote long hours of labor to my business? 

4. Do I have the mental stamina and concentration to meet the demands my project will impose on me? 

5. Do I accept new ideas easily? Do I treat other people with respect? Am I able to make decisions right away? 6. How do I deal with problem solving: Am I prepared to spend time analyzing a problem and find a solution? Or am I the type who just closes his eyes and hope for the best? 

7. Am I ready to commit to the long term, knowing that a company’s success is never an overnight miracle? 

8. What back-up resources do I have? Will my family members or friends invest in my company or tide me over during a rough patch? 

9. Am I good at concentrating on details? 

10. Am I ready to sit down and write a careful analysis of my business prospects? 

11. Am I by nature an optimist? Knowing that mistakes and setbacks are bound to occur, am I able to learn from my mistakes without getting derailed or discouraged?