LOUISVILLE, Ky.  Are church leaders that come from business different than those that never work outside the church? Do their ministry priorities and effectiveness differ? What about their leadership strengths and weaknesses?
According to a recent survey by Church Central, an estimated 380,000 of today's church leaders have been called out of business and into ministry.
The research revealed that business-to-ministry leaders indicated evangelism was an area of needed improvement more often than non-business leaders. In addition, business-to-ministry leaders were more concerned with improving their fellowship, budgeting and fundraising skills than their non-business background peers.
"We've found that budgeting and fundraising are considered weaker areas by former business people," said Tom Harper, publisher of Church Central. "This was a surprise to us. It appears that people with business backgrounds believe these skills are more important in ministry than the non-business church leaders do."
But Harper said he wants to know more, to better understand the calling that has moved so many from the marketplace into ministry. A new survey on www.ChurchCentral.com will study this trend in more detail and hunt for lessons and wisdom that can help others make the same journey.
"We want to hear from those who have already made the career crossover," Harper said. Church Central anticipates turning the study into a book offering guidance to the thousands who will leave the business world for vocational ministry.
From big-name players such as Ken Blanchard, who began in business and has now embarked on a career in training leaders based on the model of Jesus, to everyday people who turn to ministry after experience in the business world, the study promises an in-depth look at the reasoning, the response and the results of finding God's call in a career move.
With more than a third of all pastors, ministers and church leadership staff in the United States from a business background, Harper said he is interested in understanding their motivation.
"We want to understand the factors contributing to this movement from the business world, and help guide the thousands more who are thinking about crossing over."
The new survey is available for church leaders on www.ChurchCentral.com. Participants in the business-to-ministry survey will receive the results free.
About Church Central:
Church Central's mission is to equip leaders to grow healthier churches based on the six purposes of the church: worship, fellowship, ministry, discipleship, prayer and evangelism.
Church Central offers free online resources, including daily news and articles on church health topics; features on evangelism by Vineyard pioneer Steve Sjogren; and devotions and leadership how-to articles from Bob Russell, senior minister of Southeast Christian church, one of the top 10 largest churches in the United States.
Church Central publishes a weekly e-mail newsletter with the latest research from Dr. Thom Rainer, author of "The Unchurched Next Door" and president of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Church Central also trains church consultants and distributes the Church Health Survey  a 160-item questionnaire that measures attendees' perceptions of their church.
