Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Shrinking the Camel

Home
Careers, Workplace and Religion
Social Entrepreneurs: Get Ready to Change the World!

Social Entrepreneurs: Get Ready to Change the World!

Last updated on: July 8, 2011 at 5:37 am by JBW

Social Entrepreneurs: Get Ready to Change the World! 2011-07-08T05:37:04-05:00 JBW

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

In his book, “Lynchpin,” author Seth Godin takes the concept of work to an art form.

Not that work isn’t going to be hard and monotonous some of the time. But Godin points out that the elements of art – passion and initiative and the burning desire to create something meaningful for others – is the essence of what our daily labor should be about. So why not tap into it?

“Art is unique, new and challenging to the status quo,” he says. “It’s not decoration, it’s something that causes change.”

When passion meets up with important work that can actually make a difference, this is where true art is created – whether it is in a corporation, a garage, or the kitchen table.

But what if this burning desire also incorporates your faith? What possibilities might that open up?

What if you believed your idea could literally change the world for the better?

Oh, wait – forget it, because this is the part where friends and family talk you off the ledge, steering you back to the Help Wanted ads. It’s too risky, they’ll say. Too difficult.

Too dangerous.

Well, they don’t know about Praxis.

Praxis is a faith-based organization that supports entrepreneurs tackling major social issues. And by support, I don’t mean just a subscription to their blog. We’re talking mentorship, advice, and money.

Praxis recently announced the opening of applications for the inaugural Praxis Accelerator program. Each year, they will select 12 non-profits and mission-driven for-profits for a development program, where mentorship, peer support, and a myriad of organizational development resources will be provided, culminating with a pitch event with $100,000 in cash awards.

Can you say Ka-ching?

These worthy entrepreneurs get to attend three collaborative events along the way, where they will receive guidance from over 20 highly experienced mentors, including Gabe Lyons, founder of Q, Charles Lee, founder of Ideation, and Peter Greer, CEO of HOPE International. The culminating event will be held in 2012 during Q Washington, D.C. where the $100,000 in cash awards will be given to the top three organizations, as voted on by the Praxis Fellows and the Q audience.

Seth Godin also says this in Lynchpin: “Most of all art involves labor. Not the labor of lifting a brush, or typing a sentence, but the emotional labor of doing something difficult, taking a risk and extending yourself.

Applications for the first class of Praxis Fellows are due July 15, 2011.

Go for it.

Visit the website at www.PraxisLabs.org to apply and for more information. You can also follow the program on twitter @praxisinfo.

Image by Kelly Sauer. Used with permission.

Faith in the Workplace

Previous Post

July 5, 2011

Happy Accidents

Next Post

July 12, 2011 Three Questions You Must Answer Before You Die

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ambition Blogging Career Culture Executive Career Development Failure Faith in the Workplace Family Feeling Stupid Leadership Managing People Purpose Reviews Spirituality Uncategorized Work-Life Balance

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What Christian group is known for its historic peace churches and pacifism?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Presbyterians Pentecostals Methodists Quakers