Doing Well by Doing Good

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.

Author Biography

Brendan Barnicle is the rector of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Wilsonville, Oregon. Prior to the priesthood, he worked for over twenty years as a corporate lawyer, investment banker, and high-tech entrepreneur. He holds a PhD in practical theology.