We were given a lot of advice, when the Lord led us to launch Founder's Table Network.
With a passion for God's Kingdom, and compassion for the countless entrepreneurs living on the margins of their church, we knew the Lord was ready to move in the marketplace.
So, we started asking questions. We interviewed key leaders from the big workplace, marketplace, and entrepreneur ministries.
They all said the same thing: skip the local church. Time after time we heard: "They don't get it. It's too hard. Build something apart from the church."
Being good entrepreneurs ourselves, we ran in the opposite direction of that advice.
We are committed to the local church. Period.
We feel a deep conviction that entrepreneurs need the local church just as much as the local church needs their gifts and networks.
Every program we launch, every curriculum we build, and every decision we make goes back to this uncompromising commitment. Because Jesus loves His bride. And so do we.
We know that entrepreneurs need their local church community. They need discipleship from Christ-centered shepherds in their own towns. People that can walk with them, pray with them right there on the spot, worship beside them, and be part of their tribe.
As a result, everything we do at Founder's Table is for the local church. It isn't a new parachurch organization, nor is it a network of faith-oriented entrepreneurs outside the local church. It is a program designed to help local churches reconnect and light a fire inside business leaders of all sizes and business types in the context of a local church.
If you're a pastor or church leader who wants to enfold and inspire entrepreneurs in your church, then the Founder's Table Network is for you.
How we operate, transparently.
The Founder's Table Network is a nonprofit program that is funded by the generous support of a family foundation. We made the intentional decision to make everything we offer a gift to the local church. That means, we don't charge for curriculum, training, the journals provided for each member of your group, or the coaching and group facilitators' guide.
Since we also know that some paradigm shifting is needed with entrepreneurs, we also provide grants directly to churches to host a kick-off dinner in the style of a "secret supper club" in the local church. That kick-off sets the stage for a new way of thinking about church, and fosters a much stronger commitment to the group and personal growth.
For entrepreneurs, there are differences about what the Founder's Table Network offers, too. Since the church decides what kind of entrepreneurs to invite (they may include anyone from dreamers, to seed-stage, to traditional start-ups or existing businesses) there's no litmus test for participation. That's unlike what entrepreneurs find in most of the other groups, where they have to be able to afford a $4,000 to $12,000 annual fee, or be a business that's over mimimum revenue size. Since what they were looking for was someone to know them and provide mentoring, we want to eliminate barriers to connecting with a local church.
So, no cost to the church, and no barriers or cost for the entrepreneur. And we pay for all of the materials, training, plus provide a grant for dinner. That leaves one big item- a local church that wants to enfold catalytic, passionate, resourceful people into their life and ministry.
All of this, and everything we do, is about the local church. The entrepreneurs you invite need the shepherding and discipleship that only your local church can provide. We provide the resources, and your church does the caring as you unleash catalytic people into your ministry
So, what is the Circle app for?
You might want to know what the catch is. Why do we have a digital network if we're so committed to the local church? And why are we giving away so much money? Do we have some kind of ulterior motive?
The Circle App places resources online that are designed to provide resources for churches, facilitators, and participating entrepreneurs.
Most importantly, we create a special space for each and every church inside the app. So your entrepreneurs will have access to a chat, managed and facilitated by your leader, and filled with local entrepreneurs from your church. It also has the curriculum in digital format so that people can re-watch videos or see content from any weeks they missed. The facilitator will find additional resources that they can share with group members, or even provide additional discussions that focus on a specific need
The Circle app also contains minimal but intentional resources that entrepreneurs desperately need, giving them access to information that will help their faith grow deeper. We provide content geared toward their specific needs and challenges. We sometimes offer short-term mentorship groups that allow them to focus on an entrepreneur-specific topic.
We are dedicated to keeping your entrepreneurs anchored in your church, receiving discipleship from your leaders, and growing in community in your local fellowship.
That means we will never:
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Have long-term, digital studies that draw people out of local community
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Try to draw entrepreneurs into countless digital experiences that disconnect them from their local church
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Try to grow our own brand or personal connection with them as evangelists of our own agenda
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Collect their information and market additional opportunities to them
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Sell their information or use the platform as a place to upsell them into services
We also *welcome* pastors into the app. This is a place where entrepreneurs are seen and valued, and we want them to experience that same feeling from their relationships inside your church.
After all, our curriculum is designed to be 100% integrated into your church. This is not our study to run. It's yours. This is not our group to disciple. It's yours.
If you'd like a tour of the app prior to your grant commitment, please email Amy Alexander (amy@founderstablenetwork.org). We'd love to show you around.