Free Online
Business Course
Discover how to launch and manage a sustainable enterprise while staying true to your ministry calling. This free online Christian Leaders Enterprise Course from Christian Leaders Institute equips you with essential skills in business, finance, and marketing, empowering bi-vocational leaders to support their ministry through additional income. Inspired by the Apostle Paul’s model of self-sustaining ministry, this course provides practical tools to start and grow an enterprise while serving others. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or seeking financial stability in ministry, this free course helps you build a strong foundation for success.
Course Overview:
This class explores key principles for handling finances and for starting, managing, and marketing a sustainable enterprise. It may be especially helpful for bi-vocational leaders who minister while earning income by other means. This class is inspired by the Apostle Paul. He believed that pastors deserved to be paid, but he himself ministered without payment and earned his income in business. Paul is a model for many bi-vocational leaders. He wrote, "If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it" (1 Corinthians 9:17-18). You may be seeking to be like Paul and minister free of charge. This class will help prepare you for a sustainable enterprise.
Meet Your Professor:

Steve Elzinga - Professor of Christian Leaders Enterprise
Professor Elzinga, MDiv, a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary, is a pastor and church planter with ministry experience in the Philippines, Canada, and the United States. While serving with the Bible League, he traveled to various countries and authored a number of ministry training books
You will Learn and Grow in the Following Topics:
- Learn the basics of starting a business/enterprise endeavor
- Understand concepts of finance and money management for enterprises
- Learn basics of managing and marketing an enterprise
What Other Students Are Saying....
"The Christian Leaders Enterprise course has provided valuable insights into how ministry and business principles can work together to support sustainable Christian leadership. One key takeaway is the importance of entrepreneurial thinking in ministry—learning how to identify opportunities, manage resources wisely, and create long-term solutions for financial sustainability while staying true to the mission of Christ. This is particularly relevant to my work with Magdak Relief Centre, as we seek to establish a self-sustaining spare parts business to fund community support initiatives. I appreciated how the course emphasized biblical principles in leadership and business, showing that faith-driven entrepreneurship can advance the Kingdom of God. The lessons on stewardship, integrity, and servant leadership reinforced my belief that business can be a powerful tool for ministry when done ethically and with a clear purpose."
Boniphase Ongonga
"In this class, I have gained a deeper understanding of how to lead effectively in a ministry context while also focusing on sustainable growth and impact. I have learned how to create a strategic plan for my ministry, develop a clear vision, and apply sound leadership principles to ensure that I am effectively reaching and serving others. The course also emphasized the importance of stewardship, financial management, and entrepreneurship within ministry, which I can apply to create a more sustainable and impactful ministry. I particularly appreciated the practical approach of the course. It wasn’t just theoretical—it provided actionable steps that I can immediately implement in my ministry. The material was both thought-provoking and motivating, and the case studies helped me envision how to apply the principles to my own situation. I also found the sections on leadership and strategic planning very beneficial for developing my long-term vision as a ministry leader."
Oluwaseun Gabriel Olagbemiro
"This class has provided me with valuable insights into how to integrate entrepreneurial principles with ministry work. I've learned about creating effective business plans, managing time and finances, and the importance of having a clear vision. This knowledge will help me enhance my tent-making efforts, allowing me to support my ministry financially while serving my community more effectively. I appreciated the comprehensive nature of this course, covering various aspects of entrepreneurship and ministry. The practical advice and real-life examples were particularly helpful, making complex concepts easy to understand. The course also offered a balanced approach, emphasizing both financial prudence and faith-based decision-making."
Julian King
Number of Students Who Have Completed This Course
0
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