Enterprise in Religious-Based Organizations

Abstract

Personal interviews of representatives of selected Jewish and Christian religious organizations yielded data on 105 commercial enterprises. Four case studies illustrate the types of religious enterprise that were identified. The sacred and secular dimensions of the assets and constraints that affect management in religious enterprise are also discussed. Sacred assets identified include committed leadership and staff, committed constituents, volunteers, working environment/spiritual vision, and spiritual tools. Tax exemption was identified as a secular asset. Sacred constraints identified were religious laws and imperatives, mission conflict, and refusal to exploit supporters. Secular constraints include staff compensation, limited busi ness experience, and threatened loss of tax exemption.