The African American Lectionary

Compact Unit

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUNDAY

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Guest Writer for This Unit: Reginald D. Simmons is a former pastor and an attorney in private practice for twenty-six years. He resides in the Atlanta, Georgia, Metro Area.

The unit you are viewing, Entrepreneurship Sunday, is a compact unit. This means that it is not a complete commentary of the Scripture(s) selected for this day on the calendar, nor does it have a full supporting cultural resource unit and worship unit. Instead, to enliven the imagination of preacher and teachers, we have provided a sermonic outline, songs, suggested books, and suggested article, links, songs, and videos.

I. Description of the Liturgical Moment

An entrepreneur, generally speaking, is a person who organizes, manages, and assumes responsibility for a business or other enterprise. An entrepreneur is an employer of productive labor. Given the degree of unemployment of African Americans in our country along with extensive poverty in our community, the need for more African American entrepreneurs is greater than ever.

Economic empowerment (accumulating savings, land, and operating businesses) would be a breath of fresh air poured into our sometimes-breathless communities that lack hope. This does not just include our free society but those who are housed in the Industrial Prison Complex. Many are unable to re-enter communities and secure employment opportunities because of their criminal record. But people can be reached in prison through prison after-release programs, and the prison system itself, and be taught entrepreneurial skills that could assist them in building their own legitimate businesses when released back into society.

Our education system on all levels would do well to incorporate systems in schools to intentionally, inspire, teach, and develop entrepreneurs. This is especially necessary given the nature of the global economy that pays most workers less and employs them for shorter periods of time than ever before in history. Workers can no longer expect to retire after 30 years of working for the same company and receive a gold watch.

So, now is the time to plant entrepreneurship firmly in the minds of all of our children and young adults. It’s a bold new world. Let’s make certain that they are ready to face it as bold entrepreneurs! There are numerous classes, clubs, and workshops for youth and young adults who want to be entrepreneurs. Be certain that the children and young adults in your church attend these to, at least, have the seed of entrepreneurship firmly planted in their minds and to ensure that early in life they gain an understanding of what is involved in being an entrepreneur.

As in the early Church, we are called to the practical care for each other, shown through the love that we have for one another. It is essential that Christians look out for and up to one another, honoring one another, inspiring one another. We live and show others that God, who lives in us through the Holy Spirit, wants us to take the lead and not be lackluster when it comes to diligence and eagerness, passion and enthusiasm, while doing well for ourselves as entrepreneurs, and serving the Lord as we serve others.

With these words as our backdrop, we provide a sermonic outline for Entrepreneurship Sunday.

II. Entrepreneurship Sunday: Sermonic Outline

A. Sermonic Focus Text: Romans 12:11 (New Revised Standard Version)

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.

B. Possible Titles

i. The Marks of a Successful Entrepreneur

ii. What Does It Take to Thrive as an Entrepreneur?

iii. Building the Christian Community through Entrepreneurship

C. Point of Exegetical Inquiry

In any text there can be several words or phrases that require significant exegetical inquiry. One exegetical inquiry raised by this text is Paul’s admonition to the Christian Community not to lag in zeal. Apparently, there were some laggards in the group. Paul, however, believes that there are certain ways that Christians should behave in order to build up the Christian Community and the Church. He is suggesting that in order to overcome laziness, Christians may want to consider making a personal decision to develop and maintain their fervor for the cause of community building/kingdom building, by always incorporating an eager, healthy desire when pursuing an endeavor. Building up the Church and community requires enthusiasm and diligence.

This same attributes are useful for the creation of successful entrepreneurs. Through a careful word study of the terms lag, zeal, and ardent, along with a careful study of the culture to which Paul was speaking, one will easily be able to discern some of the primary characteristics needed to succeed as a modern-day Christian entrepreneur.

III. Introduction

Entrepreneurship Sunday is a day to highlight and celebrate entrepreneurship. It is significant in that it provides an opportunity to place in the consciousness of worshipers the idea of entrepreneurship. It presents the character traits that are needed to bring forth entrepreneurial success. It is an opportunity to inspire African Americans to consider entrepreneurship as a viable and positive way to make an impact, not only for themselves but for others as well.

Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. However, there are those who have what it takes to be successful entrepreneurs but the idea has never been placed in their mind, certainly not by the Church. However, African American history in America shows that our people were strongest individually and as a community when we operated thousands of our own businesses before the modern civil rights movement began. Many of these businesses grew out of churches and or were highly supported by churches. These entrepreneurs, operating amid staunch racism, had the zeal and tenacity to keep going. Their connection to God removed the spirit of defeat and beat back the fear of getting started or failing, even amidst hostile circumstances. After coming forth stronger because of their trials, their victories as business people were all the sweeter. This is the message that business owners need to hear and believe now in so-called post-racial America: keep fighting and endure. No matter the struggle, the joy of accomplishment will be greater than the struggle. And, through it, all serve the Lord through serving humanity.

Through his faith experiences, Paul wrote as a personal witness of what it means to show zeal, have an ardent spirit, and serve the Lord. Despite being beaten, talked about, imprisoned, and tethered to a Praetorian guard 24 hours a day, he remained focused on building up Christians and the Church.

These same traits are those needed by today’s Christian entrepreneur. For the faithful African American entrepreneur, with God as their guide, the right attitude, and the right skill-set, a wonderful salvific journey lies ahead. Others will be helped through their entrepreneurship, and most importantly, the Lord will be served and glorified.

IV. Moves/Points

Move/Point One – A successful entrepreneur does not lag in zeal.

a. Choose passion over apathy and give your best;

b. Loitering is a habit that the Christian entrepreneur finds too weighty; and

c. Enthusiasm and eagerness travel ahead of and faster than laziness.

Move/Point Two – A successful entrepreneur is characterized by an ardent spirit.

a. An entrepreneurs’ spirit is strong and determined;

b. An entrepreneurs’ spirit exudes zeal; and

c. An entrepreneurs’ spirit is fierce under pressure.

Move/Point Three – We need entrepreneurs who serve the Lord.

a. Serving the Lord is faith in action, always moving forward;

b. Look to Paul and Jesus as model entrepreneurs; and

c. You become that to which you are committed!

V. Celebration

Everyone is committed to something or somebody. But my ultimate commitment is to the Lord. Because of who God is to us, we serve him with all of our heart, mind, strength, and soul. Yes, successful entrepreneurship is a good thing. Yes, entrepreneurs helping folk is a good thing. But it is even more wonderful to see entrepreneurs who serve the Lord. Isn’t it delightful to be around an entrepreneur who loves the Lord? You see, we become what we are committed to. We become more like God as we serve God through serving others.

We keep serving and praising him even when things get too hot for us to handle. We keep serving when we get weary and the weight of work and the world is weighing us down. Why? Because we know God will never leave us or forsake us. When we are in the midst of difficulty, God is in it with us. That’s good news!

As entrepreneurs in a volatile economy, we do not know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future. And we can trust him with our lives. Not only that, but God will bless our efforts. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. He will grant us great success. He will put passion within us. He will stoke our spirits until they become fierce, fiery, and strong. If we but serve the Lord! If we but serve the Lord! If we…Praise him for the victory!

VI. Illustration

The Service Elevator

Mohammed Yunus, a businessman from Bangladesh, was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 2006. Yunus is convinced that the way to bring peace to the world is by eradicating poverty. So Yunus makes loans to people who are in poverty. As a consequence of his conviction, he loans money to poor people so that they can operate their own business and escape poverty; he has served his way to the top.

A few years ago, I was in a hotel in Africa, and my room was on the top floor. The sister who was showing me how to get to my room said I has to use the service elevator because no other elevator was working. That’s what Muhammed Yunus has done. He has recognized that in this life if you want to reach the top, you have to take the service elevator. That’s what’s going to take you up. You do not have to connive. You don’t have to scheme. You don’t have to stab anybody in the back. The way to reach the top is through the service elevator.

—Frederick Douglas Haynes III, Dallas, Texas

This illustration is taken from the Sermon Illustrations section of The African American Lectionary. See the Sermon Illustrations section of The African American Lectionary for additional illustrations that you may wish to use in presenting a sermon for this moment on the liturgical calendar.

VII. Sounds, Sights, and Colors in This Passage

The descriptive details include:

Sounds:	People coming together in the community, the sounds of footsteps walking to the gathering and people talking amongst themselves; people responding in agreement to the positive nature and tone of the words spoken; the wind blowing; a prayer being spoken;
Sights:	People getting up preparing to gather; anxious faces ready to listen; a community coming together for the building up of each other; men, women, boys, girls, and animals mulling around; people nodding, smiling, and greeting family and familiar friends; trees swaying in the wind; and
Colors:	Blue skies; off-white structures; white sheep; brown goats; scattered white clouds; a clear day; and the many colors of items being sold by entrepreneurs in a market or any venue.

VIII. Songs to Accompany This Sermon

A. Well-known Song(s)

Who Would’ve Thought. By Donnie McClurkin
Payday. By Wayman Tisdale and Carvin Winans
Can’t Give Up Now. By Erica Atkins, Trecina Atkins, Curtis Burrell, and Warryn Campbell

B. Modern Song(s) (Written between 2010–2012)

I’m Still Standing. By Kurt Carr
Elevate Me. By Fred Crawford, Damita Haddon, Kevin Johnson, and Roderick Young
Manifest Your Glory. By Tammy Powell

C. Spiritual(s)

Showers of Blessing. By Daniel W. White
I’m Determined. African American Traditional. Arr. by Marilyn E. Thornton
It’s Real. By H. L. Cox
Living in the Imagination of God. By Cecilia Olusola Tribble

D. Liturgical Dance Music

Free Fallin’. By Matt Hamel, Louis Hohl, and Jackiem Joyner
If God Said It. By Pierre Walker

E. Song(s) for the Period of Prayer

I.O.U. Me. By Tom Hemby, Mike Rapp, Billy Sprague, and BeBe Winans
If You Just Believe. By Chris Collier

F. Sermonic Selection(s)

God of Promise. By Richard Smallwood
Wait All the Day. By Williams McMillian and Earnest Pugh

G. Benediction Song(s)

Help Me Make It Through. By Calvin Cooke
You Have Me/You Hold My World. By Lisa Gungor, Michael Gungor, Israel Houghton, Aaron Lindsey, Tommy Sims, and Brad Waller

IX. Videos, Audio, and/or Interactive Media

Echoing Green 2012 Fellowship Webinar: “Opportunities and Challenges for African American Social Entrepreneurs.” Online location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5oHHjAXvcg accessed 2 February 2013.
“Inside the Money Pit: Economic Stars Share Secrets to Financial Success.” Online location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QykUxx2pI8U accessed 2 February 2013.
“Reinvesting in Black Communities” by Earl Graves Jr. Online location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yvSID5nBjc accessed 2 February 2013.
Self-Determination: 1968 Interview with Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman, founder of the Shrines of the Black Madonna of the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church. Online location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrtzGka101 accessed 2 February 2013.

X. Links to Helpful Websites for Entrepreneurship Sunday

Black Business History: An Entrepreneurial Time Line. Online location: http://www.theroot.com/multimedia/work-live-earn-multiply accessed 2 February 2013.
The Black Business Association Supporting Entrepreneurs. Online location: http://bbase.org/ accessed 2 February 2013.
The National Black Chamber of Commerce. Online location: http://www.nationalbcc.org/ accessed 2 February 2013.
The Spirit of the African American Entrepreneur. Online location: http://www.businessinovationfactory.com/pro accessed 2 February 2013.
African American Women Entrepreneurs. Online location: http://afropuffsandponytails.com/category/afri accessed 2 February 2013.

XI. Books to Assist in Preparing Sermons, Bible Studies, and/or Worship Services Related to Entrepreneurship

	Taylor, Ephren W. Creating Success from the Inside Out: Develop the Focus and Strategy to Uncover the Life You Want. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2007.

	Walker, Juliet E. Encyclopedia of African American Business History. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1999.

	Rogers, W. Sherman. The African American Entrepreneur: Then and Now. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2009.
	Boudreaux, Bill. The Complete Startup Guide for the Black Entrepreneur. Pompton Plains, NJ: Career Press, 2004.
	Covey, Stephen R. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1989.
	Cordeiro, Wayne. Attitudes That Attract Success. Ventura, CA: Regal Books, Revised edition, 2001.

XII. Notes for Select Songs