What Kind of Entrepreneur was Paul the Apostle?
by Min-Dong Paul Lee and Dave Pederson, Wheaton College
On the road to Damascus, Paul’s life was transformed from a self-promoter to a steward of the gospel to the gentiles. A curious fact is that Paul never quit his job as a tentmaker. Why did Paul remain a leather-worker artisan throughout his missionary career? Could it be that this daily business was an integral part of his ministry? We use the lens of a modern entrepreneurship theory called entrepreneurial effectuation theory to unlock Paul’s combining of business and ministry.
Effectuation theory offers a unique perspective explaining the entrepreneurial process. Most entrepreneurship theory assumes that entrepreneurs start with a goal (i.e., creating products or enterprise) in mind and mobilize resources to achieve the end. Effectuation theory offers a very different perspective. It argues that entrepreneurs begin with assessing their available resources and determining the next best step given the resources, allowing them to adapt their goals and strategies as circumstances change. This approach emphasizes flexibility and improvisation over rigid planning, creating a more dynamic model for understanding the entrepreneurial process.
While some may distill effectuation theory into ‘going with the flow,’ there is a clear strategic emphasis that entrepreneurs exercise, especially when following a goal that is impressed upon them rather than manufactured by themselves. As a steward of God’s mission, Paul had a specific goal that was given to him. Yet, he seems to adapt his methods at nearly every turn to find the best approach to launching and building churches. Paul combined his tentmaking work with ministry to find and create opportunities and solve problems. Let us use the lens of four principles of effectuation theory to examine Paul’s unique ministry.
Bird-in-Hand Principle (Start with What You Have)
The Bird-in-Hand principle asserts that successful entrepreneurs create solutions with immediately available resources, such as their skills, knowledge, and networks.
When Christ confronted Paul on the Damascus road, he sent him on a mission to the gentiles. Paul immediately had to make a resourcing decision. According to a Roman Stoic philosopher, Musonius Rufus, an itinerant teacher like Paul could provide for themselves in four ways: (1) Paul could find a wealthy gentile patron; (2) he could collect tuition from his students; (3) he could beg for a living; (4) he could work with his hands. Paul learned leather-working skills from his youth. So, he chose to apply his skills in supplying for his needs and worked in the trade throughout his life. In fact, even when he was under house arrest in Rome at the end of his life, he worked to pay for the rent (Acts 28:30).
In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul addresses his decision to continue working as a tentmaker. This builds on the discussion in chapters 8 and 9, where he tackles everyday realities like eating and working. In 1 Corinthians 8, the main issue is straightforward: everyone needs to eat. Similarly, everyone engages in daily work. Paul, a traveling tentmaker, likely lived near the poverty line based on what we know about such professions historically. However, 1 Thes 2:9, Paul explains that he worked tirelessly to avoid being a (financial) burden on the church.
There is another reason why Paul’s artisan work was integral to his ministry. Historians show that philosophers often visited and taught in the shops where people worked during the day. It was the only way to have sustained conversations with those who worked for a living. A leather shop was a quiet place, ideal for conversation. Socrates, for example, often visited Simon the Shoemaker’s workshop to dialogue with merchants and his pupils. While cutting and stitching leather, Paul must have had opportunities for extended conversations. In other words, Paul didn’t complete his day job so he could get on with ministry later in the day. His job opened doors for dialog about the faith. His shop was a place of ministry.
Crazy Quilt Principle (Form Partnerships)
Crazy Quilt principle proposes that expert entrepreneurs seek partnerships to bring new funding, fresh new ideas, and open new doors. However, the principle also dictates that partnerships should not be formed with those who might not share the mission or excitement for the product, even if the potential partner might have considerable influence in other areas.
Paul was a masterful quilt creator who weaved together a disparate group of people with a shared vision. Paul’s missionary band contained Jews, Gentiles, and Men, Women, and Slave, Free, and Rich, Poor. The shared passion for the mission determined inclusion. At the same time, Paul did not hesitate to move on from partnerships that didn’t fully embrace the mission. We often see that in his exits from synagogues after the leaders rejected his gospel. We also see his intentionality in partnership forming in his removal of Mark from the team, leaving cities where there was little fruit (such as Athens), and denunciations of those who undermined this shared commitment to the mission (such Demas). After all, the colors of a quilt must blend well.
Pilot-in-the-Plane Principle (Ride Rather than Control the Currents)
The Pilot-in-the-Plane principle says that the pilot heads in a direction but is aware that turbulence and wind currents might affect the altitude or route of the plane. Effectual entrepreneurs are prepared to actively navigate uncertain environments, such as when the pilot is steering the plane in wind change. This principle is active in Paul’s ministry as he allows his future to be guided by the Spirit. He seems to change plans during a missionary journey to Ephesus, where the Bible says he was prevented by the Spirit from heading in that direction. His following the wind of the Spirit resulted in the introduction of the gospel into what is now known as Europe.
Lemonade Principle (Leverage the Unexpected)
The Lemonade principle is probably the most obvious of the effectuation theory principles. Whether singing during an unjust imprisonment, thriving after a shipwreck, rejoicing in a Roman jail, or writing that he knows how to get along with much or little, Paul was an expert in making lemonade out of lemons.
Effectuation theory, which emphasizes resource-driven decision-making, might offer insights into understanding Paul’s approach to ministry.
Perhaps by reflecting on this theory, you can consider how similar principles could benefit your own business as mission venture. Look for what is available. Be aware that perhaps what is available has been put there by the ultimate Owner of the mission goal.
Dave Pederson, PhD
Online and Projects Coordinator in the Litfin School of Divinity at Wheaton College
Dave served in the pastorate in Greece, South Korea, The Philippines and the United States. He chaired the Living in Korea Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Seoul and has served on various education boards. Dave’s current research focuses on four areas: the expatriate Christian, the intersection of addiction and theology, the social theories behind Paul’s community building, and the mindset of the modern entrepreneur. His favorite authors are John Owen and GK Chesterton. Dave and Debbie parent five grown children and one grandchild who has stolen both of their hearts.
Min-Dong Paul Lee, Ph.D.
Co-Director of M.A. in Leadership; Norris A. Aldeen Professor of Business, Department Chair
Min-Dong Paul Lee’s passion is to see God’s people redeem and transform businesses to serve Christ and His Kingdom. He came to Wheaton with a very diverse set of experiences (e.g. ministry, corporate career, and international development) and training (e.g. theology, history, sociology, and business management). He is elated that, at Wheaton, all these experiences and training can come together in a meaningful way toward equipping God’s people to make positive impacts in the marketplace. Currently, the focus of his research revolves around three themes: corporate social responsibility, compassion in workplace, and faith and business as a mission. On the personal side, God has blessed him with a wonderful and godly wife, Caroline, and three hilarious children who cause him to give thanks to the Lord all the time.
Photo by Taneli Lahtinen on Unsplash
