Welcome to Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets! In this course, we’ll see how Methodism’s history of entrepreneurism has fueled innovative ministries. We will consider how gifts of wisdom, virtue, and vision came from Wesley’s ministerial failure in Savannah, Georgia. Lastly, we will discuss how that spirit of innovation can help us faithfully meet our current moment. As we reflect on how we can nurture entrepreneurial mindsets wherever we are called to serve, we pray your discussions around these questions may be beneficial for your ministry.
Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets
Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets
This course is part of Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism Specialization
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
5 hours to complete
3 weeks at 1 hour a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Explore how attentiveness to society’s needs is key to the Wesleyan idea of building the kingdom of God on earth.
Learn from the successes and failures that have marked the history of Methodism’s entrepreneurial ministries.
Interpret vocational significance of Methodism’s entrepreneurial spirit; explain how God continues to call you to new ways to minister to the world.
Explain how God continues to call you and your community into new, innovative ways to minister to the world.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
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Recently updated!
August 2024
Assessments
5 assignments
Taught in English
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This course is part of the Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 4 modules in this course
What does it mean for the Church to be entrepreneurial? In this week’s lesson, you’ll explore how the language of social entrepreneurship describes the ways Methodists have dared to pursue new ways of bearing witness to the kingdom of God. Whether or not you consider yourself an entrepreneurial person, you can come alongside others in your church to find new ways to participate in God’s ongoing work of making all things new.
What's included
1 video10 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts
Methodism’s history of entrepreneurship extends all the way to the earliest days of the movement. This week, you’ll learn about three examples of entrepreneurial ministries in early Methodism. You’ll also consider how their pattern of seeing needs around them and following God’s call to meet those needs might inform and inspire your church’s approach to ministry.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
What happens when our entrepreneurial efforts fail? Beginning with John Wesley’s failed efforts in colonial Savannah, Georgia, this week’s lesson explores the wisdom God offers us through failure and the resources the Methodist tradition provides to help us absorb that wisdom. As schools of mission, our failures can equip us with the character, humility, boldness, and vision we need to faithfully pursue what God has called us to do.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Innovating new forms of ministry to meet the demands of a changing world is hardly a new challenge for Methodism. In this final lesson, you’ll be reminded of the unchanging mission and core affirmations that ground our common Methodist identity, and you’ll see how Methodists are imagining new patterns of ministry that faithfully express this identity in a wide range of ways. What new expressions of the heart of Methodism might God be calling you and your church to pursue?
What's included
1 video6 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts
Offered by
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Duke University
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Frequently asked questions
For pastors and other ministry professionals in need of Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits for their professional development, CEU credits are available for this course. Upon successful completion of this course, you can provide your Coursera certificate and the course description to your employer for recognition of earning 0.5 CEUs. Contact divinityonline@duke.edu with any questions regarding CEUs for this course.
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.