Hello friends, Dr. Charles Apoki here.
Over the years, I’ve conducted economic empowerment and entrepreneurship seminars with churches. This message is particularly for pastors and church leaders who need to balance spirituality with practical, productive activities that meet everyday needs. Our biblical calling does not exclude us from the realities of life—school fees, transport costs, and utility bills. If we want our churches to thrive, we must find ways to support our members economically.
The Bible is a blend of spirituality and practical living. Jesus shared parables and illustrations on productivity, sowing, and entrepreneurship. We can’t live as if we’re in an agrarian society when we’re in a modern one. Ministries often place too much emphasis on spirituality alone, expecting miracles to replace the work of our hands. But without practical steps, even the most devoted churchgoers can end up in economic hardship.
As a church, we have resources and people—why not utilize them to provide economic benefits? I’ll highlight a few simple, practical businesses that churches can establish to generate income and create jobs for their members.
1. Stocking and Sweater Production
- Stockings and sweaters are necessary in many schools and organizations. Some Catholic sisters here in Nigeria have taken up this industry and are meeting a high demand. Churches can set up small knitting factories to produce items like sweaters and branded stockings for schools. Imagine if Catholic schools nationwide bought their stockings from such a source—the impact would be immense.
2. Bakery
- Bakeries are highly profitable, especially when located in areas with high demand. Many churches have the space and congregation size to make this work. Bake bread, label it with a good name like “Hallelujah Bread” or “Bread of Life,” and supply it fresh at church events, conventions, and beyond. Members could work in distribution or run their own outlets.
3. Event Services and Protocol Security
- Many churches already organize elaborate events. Churches could create formal event management and protocol security outfits. You could even name them something like “El-Shaddai Protocol Services.” This would make guests feel safe and welcomed while creating jobs for church members.
4. Guest Houses and Accommodation
- Housing and accommodation needs are vast. My Bishop here runs a solar-powered, clean, and well-maintained guest house, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to visitors. Churches could do the same—acquire or build guest houses, providing affordable, comfortable accommodation with a Christian atmosphere.
5. Water and Uniform Production
- Water factories, especially for convention events, are another straightforward business model. Churches could also create uniform production companies, especially if they run schools. In my case, we spend a significant amount on uniforms for our schools—producing them in-house would save money and generate income.
6. Printing Press and Poultry Farming
- Printing presses can serve churches, producing everything from workbooks to weekly reports. I run a small press myself, and we’re so busy with internal projects that we rarely take external work. Poultry farming, too, can provide steady income, especially around holiday seasons. Churches with adequate land could produce feed, raising birds for eggs and meat.
7. Cooperative Societies and Small Scale Industries
- Forming a cooperative society within the church allows members to contribute financially and benefit together. If a congregation of 1,000 members contributed even ₦1,000 each week, that would total ₦52 million annually. That’s capital enough to invest in sustainable income-generating ventures, like building hostels for students near universities.
These are just a few ideas that churches can start with. There are many others: pig farming, recycling, real estate, and even small-scale industrial ventures. If we, as the body of Christ, are to support the economic well-being of our communities, we need to open our eyes, see the opportunities around us, and act.
I’ve shared this vision with many church leaders, and the results are evident. We can and should do more to make our church communities financially secure and vibrant. Let’s think, plan, and build sustainable businesses together as a means of service to our God and our communities.
It’s time to use our heads as well as our hearts in service. God bless you!
