Doing Well by Doing Good
The Missional Benefits of Church-Based Economic Enterprises
- Church Leadership & Ministry
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
Brendan Barnicle explores what happens when congregations risk reimagining their missional and financial models, living into the work of the Holy Spirit as they focus on mission and finance together. What he's found demonstrates how new ways of being can advance social justice, address economic inequality, enhance personal agency, increase membership, and develop economic sustainability. Churches doing this work are embracing the missio Dei--and provide examples for all of us to learn from. Doing Well by Doing Good combines practical theological analysis with case studies of four congregations, each of which has addressed the challenges of reimagining mission and finance in distinctive ways. Barnicle guides readers through the contextually grounded experiences of each congregation, offering insight into how very different approaches share similar themes. In addition, he shares the results of original quantitative surveys that illustrate broadly shared experiences of congregational vitality growing in tandem with churches' creative approaches toward church-based economic enterprises. The overarching lesson of Barnicle's research is that church-based economic enterprise is not just a path toward financial sustainability, but a theologically grounded way to share in the work of the Holy Spirit in our communities. Congregations, denominations, and seminaries will benefit from careful attention to Barnicle's findings--and to his stories of thriving ministry and purpose across diverse faith communities.
Endorsements (4)
“Brendan J. Barnicle presents a sweeping academic case for the missional (and financial!) benefits of church-based economic enterprises. Grounded in practical theology, Barnicle's book helps congregation leaders see ways in which these enterprises are rooted in and expand God's mission in the world. His in-depth case studies of four congregations bring us inside their stories to see how these enterprises center mission and not money, require deep community discernment, and rely on an interplay of clergy and active lay leadership. This will be a great book for clergy and lay leaders alike who are skeptical of churches starting and/or incubating businesses.”
“Written with practical theological insights and a deep knowledge of congregational leadership, Doing Well by Doing Good demonstrates how church-based economic ministries can revitalize local communities and lead practitioners into a deeper understanding of mission for the twenty-first century. Barnicle's study furthers the conversation regarding the need to empower the vocations of all, both inside congregations and in our wider communities, to offer the gifts and resources of the church for the common good. Rather than rehashing traditional models of church growth, this book introduces imaginative and transformational examples of active participation in God's mission through social justice and economic sustainability, which also increases local agency and membership.”
“Church leaders, anxious about the viability of their parishes and congregations in post-Christendom North America, too often turn inward, seeking church-centered means of survival. In this well-written, data-based study grounded in real-life examples, Brendan J. Barnicle conclusively demonstrates that participating in God's mission through local economic enterprises offers a hope-filled future for congregations. Read this book and be inspired to participate in the missio Dei in your neighborhood in new and exciting ways!”
“Doing Well by Doing Good provides practical advice for parishes inspired to carry out their missio Dei by establishing economic ventures. More than that, it offers historical, biblical, and theological perspectives on financial support of the church. This book is a must-read for parishes that are prayerfully and creatively exploring financial options to support their mission.”
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