Innovation with Integrity: How Brian Clark is Reshaping Ministry through Missional Entrepreneurship

In a world where church attendance is declining and institutions struggle to remain relevant, Brian Clark is charting a bold new course—one rooted in innovation, intentionality, and unwavering integrity.

Clark, who serves as Director of the Missional Incubator for the National Capital Presbytery, brings more than pastoral wisdom to his work. He is a visionary entrepreneur with deep experience bridging faith and community. His journey includes founding Riverside Presbyterian Church in Virginia and launching Ridgetop Coffee and Tea, a community-centered café that doubles as a financial engine for mission-driven outreach.

For Brian, innovation is not a buzzword—it is a calling.

“People come [to Ridgetop] because it’s fresh—fresh waffles, fresh guacamole, fresh ideas,” Clark said. “What started as a business plan became the reason people show up.”

This blending of innovation and community is at the heart of missional entrepreneurship—a concept Brian now teaches and mentors others to adopt. It is not about running a church like a business. Rather, it is about equipping faith leaders with the tools to build sustainable, community-serving ventures that align with their mission.

As part of May is Innovation Month at Personal Finance Reimagined (PFR), I had the opportunity to interview Brian about how entrepreneurship fits into faith leadership, and what lessons today’s innovators—whether in ministry or business—can draw from his journey.

The Power of Intentionality

One theme echoed throughout our conversation was intentionality. Brian emphasized that entrepreneurship, especially in a faith-based context, must be rooted in purpose, not ego.

“Really know why you’re doing this,” he said. “If your intention isn’t clear—if it’s not about serving people—then don’t do it.”

This clarity of purpose allows leaders to build ventures that are not only viable but transformative. From his early days at Riverside to his current work with new church leaders, Brian has consistently challenged the traditional “you come to us” model of church. Instead, he believes in taking the mission to the people—sometimes literally—in the form of coffee, coworking spaces, and community events.

Innovating Beyond the Pulpit

Innovation in the church might sound like an oxymoron to some, but Brian views it as essential.

Churches, he explained, are often hindered by outdated assumptions. “Change will happen,” he said, “but whatever plan you have, whatever you think is going to happen, isn’t going to happen.”

This openness to change has made Brian a critical voice in reimagining how congregations operate. By helping faith leaders create business plans and adopt entrepreneurial tools, he is redefining ministry for the information age. It is less about sermons and pews, and more about participation, community, and self-sustaining structures.

A New Kind of Partnership

As part of this shift, Brian has partnered with Personal Finance Reimagined to bring financial clarity and structure to the ministry ventures he supports. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all business model, our collaboration focuses on aligning resources with mission, helping church innovators navigate everything from LLC formation to long-term sustainability.

But this is not a commercial. The goal is deeper: to equip leaders with decision-making tools that give them confidence and clarity. Brian’s approach and our financial frameworks complement each other. Together, we help ministries move from abstract vision to concrete execution.

What Entrepreneurs Can Learn

Although Brian works primarily with church leaders, his insights speak to a broader audience of entrepreneurs and innovators. His core message—integrity, intentionality, and openness to change—applies just as well to startups as it does to seminaries.

In his words:

“Don’t bait and switch. Be who you are. Integrity matters.”

This, combined with a willingness to adapt and a commitment to community, creates ventures that last.

Final Thoughts

Brian Clark is a pioneer in a field not traditionally known for disruption. His ability to blend mission with enterprise, and theology with strategy, offers a roadmap for anyone seeking to build something meaningful—whether in faith, business, or education.

He reminds us that the future of innovation is not limited to Silicon Valley. It also happens in sanctuaries, in coffee shops, and in the minds of people who believe that service and sustainability can go hand in hand.

As Brian said in closing, “God doesn’t always tell us the plan. But our job is to show up, lead with integrity, and keep figuring it out.”

That is the essence of innovation with purpose. And it is a lesson worth remembering—this month, and every month.