The Preaching & Ministry Journal: May 2024, Bi-Vocational Ministry

To appropriate the 1970’s Sharon Vaughn hit, “Our heroes have always been preachers, and they still are it seems.” This issue of The Journal is long overdue. With this edition we highlight bivocational preaching and preachers. The debate can rage on over whether there are more bivocational guys today than there were yesterday or this decade than last (I doubt we will ever know), but the church needs both full-time and part-time ministers. Some of our family members as well as some of our dearest ministry friends are bivocational in their ministries.

In this issue our writers have all served in bivocational roles. They will share both God’s Wisdom as well as personal insight into this vital work. You find encouragement to consider both roles. You’ll see tools to help the bi-vocational minister. But most of all you will be encouraged.

We hope you will not only benefit personally from these articles but that you will share them with bivocational ministers whom you know that may not receive TJI materials.

Finally it might be that you know guys who are growing in their faith and abilities and might be interested in bi-vocational ministry. If so, we think this issue may benefit them. Please pass it on.

Thanks for all the encouragement you give us as a result of The Journal. Let us hear from you.

In His Service, Jeff & Dale TJI@TJI.Life

ITGETTING DONE

By Tony Brown brownline@bellsouth.net

Zion Rest Church of Christ Marietta, Ms Co-owner of Brown-Line Printing

It is 5:00 am on Monday morning and as he watches the local news and drinks his first cup of coffee, his mind is racing away. He is thinking about who was not at church services yesterday, how did the sermon go, and Wednesday night Bible class is coming. As he pours his second cup of coffee, his mind shifts to his secular job he is about to go to. As shop foreman he is wondering: who will be out today,

The Preaching & Ministry Journal

can we possible meet our deadlines, and reckon what time those supplies will arrive? Just as he is about to back out of the driveway, his phone rings. "You are not very busy today, are you?" I really need to talk with you says one of the church members. I'm not going to say he lied, but his response "Come on by, always got time for you.” After a long Monday (they are the worse.) his phone rings again "The grandkids are playing on field number 2 see you at 6:30," says his wife. So he heads to the park and just as he opens the door, he is met by one of his customers, "Can I bring my print job by in the morning before I go to work? You don't mind coming in a little early, do you?" He did not have the heart to tell that customer that the early morning is general reserved for Bible study. He makes it home about 9:00pm, falls in his chair, and finally makes it to bed, only to do it all again tomorrow!!

Who is this man? Let me introduce you to Mr. Bi-Vocational preacher, notice I did not say "part -time preacher" because there is no such man!

This is a common schedule of men all across our great brotherhood who have dedicated their lives to preach for smaller congregation who cannot fully support a “full-time” preacher. These men serve a great role and provide a needed service. They do not preach and do secular work to "pad their pocket,” but do it because they love the church and have found their place in the Kingdom. Someone perhaps told him: "smaller congregations need preaching too, and we know you can help us.” His reply, “Iwill do my best" and so he pushes forward.

What does it take to get it done as a bi-vocational preacher? Having been doing this for 35 years I can tell you what works for me. First, you must have a very supportive wife and family. They must buy into your ministry, because they know that sometimes they will get "short- changed". I have been very blessed. My family has been very patience and has worked with me! The second thing you must have is a supportive eldership or leadership. They must understand your limitations that come with wearing 2hats. You cannot be at every surgery, funeral, or lectureship.

The leadership needs to understand for you to eb prepared to preach on Sunday, some of the other work may fall on them. I have been so blessed; the elders I work with are so good to work with me. The third thing you must have is an understanding company or boss. They must be willing to work with you, because they understand your ministry comes first. I have found that most B-i Vocational preachers works for people that support and respects their efforts.

Many have asked me, "How do you make it all work? " I try to live by Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with all thy might.” Whether I'm making preparation for a Sunday morning lesson or printing a set of business cards, or watching my grandchildren play ball, give it my all!!

People ask other question "Is there any advantage ot being bi-vocational?” I tell them there are some advantages, such as, I am seen in the public a lot, I'm easy access for people to find me (I think this is good, HA), and if the leadership thinks it is time for a preaching change, guess what? I am not unemployed!!

If bi-vocational preachers are honest we feel inadequate, overwhelmed, and tired. But, make no mistake; we love what we are doing!! For me personally, I do not know if I could serve the Lord any other way! I have the best of both worlds, my ministry and my secular complement each other very well.

If bi-vocational preachers are honest we feel inadequate, overwhelmed, and tired. But, make no mistake; we love what we are doing!!

It gives me great joy to know that as a biocational preacher, I believe I have helped lay the foundation that the next preacher at our congregation will be able to serve the Lord in our area as a "full-time" minister if he so chooses. Our congregation has come along way in 35 years. If no one had been willing to serve the role as a bi-vocational minister, who knows what might have happened. I am not saying this because I am one, but the bi-vocational preachers may be the "unsung heroes" in the church.

I got to go! Dale Jenkins is waiting on this article, I am preparing for Wednesday class on Revelation 9, one of my customer called with a rush job, Nora said supper was ready and the grandkids play on field 3 at 8:00pm!! Woo, getting it done!!

But, I love it!!! To God is the glory!!

My life has been spent in bivocational ministry. Part of the reason is financial – trying to make ends meet. The biggest reason, though, is that I have had the opportunity to do the two things I love the most: preach for a local congregation and teach in a Christian school. You might say I have enjoyed the best of two worlds. However, there have been challenges for my family, employers, and me. It is certainly not for everyone. Yet, I can truthfully say the joys far outweigh the sacrifices.

Bi-vocational ministry finds its origins in scripture. Paul made tents, preached, and taught (Acts 18:1-4). While we do not know exactly what they did for a living, it is probably the case that his traveling companions and coworkers in the faith – Barnabas, Silas, etc. were also bi-vocational ministers. Presumably elders and deacons in the early church were as well (1 Timothy 5:17). And it is true that all Christians are bi-vocational ministers or “ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Helping or ministering to others is the responsibility of every Christian (James 1:27). So, what are the benefits of bi-vocational ministry, especially when it comes to helping others? Here are ten blessings for your consideration.

First, it is a great “opportunity” to “do good to all” people, and not just to those who are of the “household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Bi-vocational ministry opens doors in our communities, workplaces, schools, etc. to make a difference in the lives of others (Matthew 25:31-46), chances preachers do not

always get being caught up in the hectic day-to-day work of a full-time, located minister.

Second, not only will bi-vocational ministry lead to ways to help others it will also provide ways to perhaps bring them to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). In Michael Shank’s, Muscle and a Shovel, a couple is converted by the husband’s co-worker who simply sought a Bible study with him. The book has led to countless other conversions – many tied to the workplace. Most people seem to be more comfortable studying the Bible with someone else outside of church buildings or services.

Third, bi-vocational ministry enables the preacher to connect and remain relevant with his congregation and their needs (1 Corinthains 9:19-22). For example, a bi- vocational minister knows what it is like to work a 40-hour week in a secular job, live from paycheck to paycheck, deal with worldliness and stress at work, juggle time with family and friends, and find a way to faithfully attend all services of the Lord’s church. Bi-vocational ministry will make our preaching more effective, empathetic, and applicable to the lives of others. I know it has helped me understand things about working with a congregation that I did not learn in school or college.

Fourth, because we also have a secular job, like members of our congregations, we have a unique opportunity to model before them a tireless work ethic, genuine effort to attend all church services or activities, give generously to the work of the church, and make sacrifices for community service or outreach (2 Thessalonians 3:7-10). So, as the tentmaker Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Fifth, as a bi-vocational minister we literally save our congregations much needed funds to be invested or used in other programs, seeking to help others and win them to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:6, 11-12, 23). This might also allow the hiring of other ministers, like a youth minister, educational minister,

missions minister, etc. Just think of all the mission work we can do – locally or overseas with a bi-vocational minister arrangement.

Sixth, bi-vocational ministry empowers preaching the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). The Apostle Paul deserved to be paid by the congregations he served for his work (as do all ministers); it was his right, a right he would forgo for the sake of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:23). As in Corinth, this allowed him the freedom to be bold in his preaching. Because we are free from the daily challenges or pressures of working with a congregation full-time for a living, we can be free to say, preach, or teach whatever needs to be said, but always in love (Eph. 4:15) and empathy (Galatians 6:1). We become, like Paul, more of an evangelist than merely a minister.

Seventh, due to being a bi-vocational minister, the preacher cannot do everything in or for a congregation; therefore, he must carefully, prayerfully delegate some of the work to other Christians who are willing and capable (Acts 6:1-7). This helps or trains them to realize their gifts or service to the congregation, feeling like they have found their place in the church (Romans 12:3-8). Too often, some believe, erroneously so, because he is paid by the congregation the preacher is expected to do everything – including their teaching, personal work, hospital visits, community outreach, etc. With a bivocational minister, it literally takes everyone to make the local congregation grow. The church becomes what God always intended it to be – a family created for His glory (Ephesians 3:15) and body where every member counts (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). It is literally all hands-on board when you have a bivocational minister.

Eighth, bi-vocational ministry helps the minister to feel less stressed and more secure about providing for the essential needs of his family. For example, a secular job helps with health insurance for his family and retirement, which most congregations, especially smaller congregations, cannot afford to provide. And it may allow his wife who desires to stay home with their children the blessing of doing so. Also, with financial pressures relieved, a

preacher is often happier, more productive in his work, and more likely to stay long-term with the same congregation, leading to much needed stability in the community.

Ninth, interestingly enough, several bi-vocational ministers confess their work provides them with flexibility and variety. They can change jobs or even careers and it does not alter their work with the local congregation. Obviously, all conflicts of interest must be avoided. The way this arrangement aids bivocational ministers in helping others is that it simply broadens his field of opportunities, influence, and contacts or potential converts. Some bivocational ministers may change jobs or careers multiple times for various reasons within the same city and still maintain their invaluable work with the local congregation.

Tenth, for many, bi-vocational ministry is their gift they offer to the Lord and His church. In other words, if they can support themselves with their secular jobs, not requiring the local congregation pay or support them, they personally feel a great blessing or reward, much like the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 9:18-23). In my 30 years of teaching Bible at Freed-Hardeman University, I have found this to be so true with many of our young men, regardless of their majors. They want to preach but they also feel bi-vocational ministry is a way of helping smaller, local congregations. They see it as their gift to the Lord. I know they are idealistic, and the world will try to sour them on this most noble of pursuits. Let us counter this temptation by encouraging our young men in our congregations if they want to preach, even in bi-vocational ministry, “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2).

Certainly, there are challenges to bi-vocational ministry. It is time-consuming perhaps even robbing the minister of precious time with his family. There is the possibility of financial uncertainty, conflicts of interest, or even neglecting selfcare. However, for some ministers, who find they do not possess the personality, mindset, or skill set to work with a congregation full-time as a located preacher, bi-vocational ministry offers them a viable and rewarding alternative.

My gratitude to Jeff and Dale, ministers serving ministers, for the incredible work they do at The Jenkins Institute! The Better Conferences are a blessing to us personally, spiritually, professionally, and will serve us all very well for a long time. I hope you will attend a Better Conference soon if you haven’t already – it’s worth the effort! Thank you for receiving this journal and I hope the contributions throughout the year add value to your ministry as they do mine.

I love the church and I love all those who are courageously committed to the mission at hand – thank you! Paul reminded us that because Jesus was raised from the dead, our preaching is not in vain! The church is growing – maybe in number but for sure in love, in generosity, in unity, and in many other good ways. I’m so blessed to be part of this body and thankful we get to do ministry together.

As asked, I am happy to briefly write about bi-vocational ministers and our study. The first thought that came to my mind was, “They have asked the wrong person, because I need more quiet time with God myself!”. The second thought was, “I wonder how many other ministers feel the same way?” All preachers struggle with managing their time, however, it be argued that the bivocational minister has an added pressure due to his other job.

I’ve been in bi-vocational ministry for over 20 years and worked in various leadership roles in emergency services through those years (Law enforcement chaplain, PIO, Director of EMS/EMA, and the Medical Examiner’s Office). While there are many preachers who have served better in dual roles and for longer periods of time, I am happy to share my thoughts with you in hopes that it might help the increasing number of bi-vocational ministers serving their communities. Jeff and Dale have requested us to be very practical so let me try to honor their request in this article. So, let’s get to it: The bi-vocational minister and his study! Let me be clear – I am no Bible scholar, however, the single best thing that has helped with my study (and life in general) is going paperless. It may seem insurmountable at

first but before long you will be a believer. Some of your questions may include, “what are we going to do with all the filing cabinets” or “how can I get all my books paperless” or “I love my journals where I doodle all my ideas?” No matter what hotel, what city, what plane, what conference, what educational event, what hospital waiting room, what office, or what time – I always have my entire library with me. And not just my library, but every document I have ever created, saved, or edited since 2002. No filing cabinets filled with outlines, clipping, papers, and documents. No drawers filled with paper (my desks do not even have drawers to prevent the temptation). I always have everything I need to do my job no matter the situation (shameless Dropbox plug!). I understand that Logos is a very popular option, however, it is a relatively expensive option – especially when the books are on your shelf. So that’s helpful to me personally.

When you look at the time management matrix, ministers are so tempted to spend most of our time in Q1 putting out those fires and responding to the next crisis. However, our time as leaders and ministers, is most effectively and efficiently spend in Q2. The more time we spend in Q2, the less time we will spend in Q1. You run your calendar – don’t let your calendar run you…here’s how! Amy Glass was a tremendous young lady and her life was tragically ended at a young age. What was shared at her funeral has had a profound impact on my life and ministry - in the front of her Bible was written, “you always have time for what you put first”. When thinking about bi-vocational ministry, priorities take first place. God. Spouse. Kids. Ministry. Intentionality. We must always have time for those we put first.

Another tidbit to share with you regarding study is to rise earlier than needed to get your day going – if you need to get up at 7am, try getting up at 6am. If you need to get up at 6am, try getting up at 5am. In our men’s ministry, we have recently been talking about the benefits of implementing this practice to promote spiritual growth/development as leaders. Let use this time wisely before folks start calling and pulling at us – enjoy that quiet time between you

and God. Mark recorded that Jesus rose a great while before day, went to a solitary place, and there He prayed to His Father. What a powerful example!

Another thought I wanted to share is to evaluate your secular job – one of the ways to make our lives easier and lighter – is to make sure our secular jobs are streamlined, effective, and efficient. I believe in a “shared governance” model of leadership – mainly because it works. Not only in the secular world but also in the church – where the answers of how to best accomplish a goal are in consensus. Where everyone has a friend and a job. A place where those without titles are given the opportunity to lead, minister, and serve. Where “getting-in-places” are created to allow others the opportunity to get going with kingdom work. If micro-management if more your style, there might be some tough days ahead in bi-vocational ministry and your study. Dear friend, ministry is not a sprint – it’s an ultra-marathon! Therefore, make time along the way for yourself. It will aid your study by promoting personal growth and development. As someone said, “self-care is not me first, it’s me too.”

Unfortunately, we won’t always get the time management piece right as ministers. But if we can do our very best often, we will enjoy greater peace, joy, longevity, effectiveness, and efficiency as God’s ministers. May God bless you, your family, and your ministry for His glory!

In Service, Stephen

The Beauty of Bi-Vocational Ministry

Allen Jones, Glasgow, KY, allenjones_88@yahoo.com

“When you want to quit, remember why you started!”

Bi-Vocational Ministry is a behavior, not a title.

Being given the opportunity to serve as a Bi-Vocational Minister in the Lord’s church is to have the best job in the world! Why? You, so many others, and me are seeking to be pleasing to God by growing our faith and helping others grow their faith across a variety of venues (Hebrews 11:6).

We know being classified as “Bi-Vocational” means we receive some financial support from the church while we maintain a “full-time” job in the secular workforce. We serve our congregation on a “part-time” basis, but we know we are full-time in relation to our emotional, intellectual, instructional, and relational investments. This is in addition to “working” at our full-time job(s). Most BiVocational Ministers I know, myself included, “carry,” maintain, or contribute (100%) to their own retirement plan (system) while paying for family plans of dental, health, vision, and life insurance. As far as I know, the majority of BiVocational Ministers only receive a salary (what is worked out between that BiVocational Minister and the Eldership/Leadership of the congregation being served). In terms of compensation packages, contracts, agreements, etc. I can only speak to my specific situation. What I know about the “arrangements” of other Bi-

Vocational Ministers comes from observations and conversations due to only serving my congregation.

Dave Ramsey, when he fields a call from a caller on his show, is typically greeted by the caller asking him how he is doing. Dave always responds by saying, “Better than I deserve.” I will give Mr. Ramsey full credit as I borrow his phrase. I get to serve the South Green Street church of Christ in Glasgow, Kentucky as a Deacon (12 years) and as Associate Minister (9 years). I truly am treated “better than I deserve” by our Elders, fellow Deacons, our Minister, other staff members, and our congregation! I truly have the best job in the world. But, it doesn’t stop there. In addition to being allowed to serve my congregation in various roles, I also serve in one of our local school districts in my little community as a Special Education Teacher (29 years of service) and as a Bus Driver (2 years of service). I sincerely have the best jobs in the world and I have the best opportunities to share Christ! I view opportunities as doors. My roles within the local church and with one of the local school districts allows me to have access and insight most do not have, a door to open for a conversation with someone (many folks) about Jesus.

Why Do You Serve As A Bi-Vocational

Minister?

What Are Your Battles?

I Corinthians 5:8 plainly tells all of us who our “adversary” is. One of the many beauties of serving the church is being in the Lord’s Army! We battle, but we battle together. Aside from battling Satan, living in a fallen world, and all the while dealing with our own struggles, we seem to be fighting so many “battles” on so many fronts. A friend of mine who is a third generation “radio man” told me one of his jobs at the radio station is advertising. He told me the key to advertising is “establishing the need” and “making yourself the solution.”

We know as a servant in the Lord’s church “the need” for everyone is to avoid sin while the “solution” is Jesus. As Bi-Vocational Ministers, may we focus on this when we are seeking to overcome challenges that come our way. I’ve learned the foundation of “dealing” with problems is humility. T.S. Elliot said, “Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important.” The battles we battle may be how we view ourselves (low self-esteem), our education level, critics, and feelings of “Am I enough?” or our emotions. But, let’s remember Jesus overcame the world. If we are humble and submit ourselves to Him, we can

overcome our obstacles, challenges, and battles. When we acknowledge Jesus in all our ways, we are no longer weak, but can stand firm in the face of combat.

Challenge Those Who Love You The Most To Grow With You!

In the country song by John Anderson, “I’ve Got It Made,” one of the lyrics says, “I’ve got a few good friends and all my bills are paid, I got the moon and stars above and I’ve got it made.” We are so lucky to have friends and family on our journey, along with our spouse, our children, Elders, Deacons, our congregation, other staff members, and the community we are blooming in. The beauty of being in the Lord’s Army is we simply do not have to “shoulder” everything on our own! I have never served in the United States Military (the best military in the world by the way), but I have grown up playing, watching, coaching, and supporting my kids in relation to sports teams. Militaries, sports teams, and organizations all have a need for teamwork and everyone “playing their position” to be successful. Everyone on the team has a “role” or “job” to accomplish. Scripture is plain on everyone contributing when it comes to “the church” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). I’ve heard it said that you are only as strong as your weakest link. As a Bi-Vocational Minister, we have the capability to challenge those who are servants with us and those whom we love. We know that “challenge” is where the growth comes from. Consider how we can challenge:

Our spouse- No one on earth knows more about you than your spouse. When it comes to Bi-Vocational Ministry, success is defined as the ability to serve. Your ability to serve is enhanced by the level to which you are supported by your mate. How can she do this? Continue what she’s always done. Encourage by being a cheerleader and critic. She is there to help you see things you don’t. Listen to what she has to say and don’t argue. She’s on your team and she wants to help you not only with restraint, but with resilience. Remember, without her, where would you be? We challenge our spouse to participate in our ministry both publicly, privately, and emotionally by listening to her.

Our children- No one knows our vulnerabilities more than our children. They may see the best of us, but they also see the worst of us.They will take the good with the bad, but let’s make sure they see us walking with Jesus. We challenge our children by letting them know that while we are “Bi-Vocational,” we love what we do so much, we would do it “pro bono.” May they grow closer to Christ because of our example, not because of our employment.

Elders- No one wants us to serve greater, achieve more, and bring others to Christ more than our Shepherds. We challenge our Elders by listening to their wisdom, acting on their direction, and invite them to share our vision of service. Our Elders, like us, have a life to live. As we want them to be sensitive to us, let us not forget to be sensitive towards them.

Deacons- Deacons really are special servants. We challenge Deacons by teamwork, making a connection to their assigned ministries, and valuing with acknowledgment of their efforts. Deacons are allies, not adversaries. I’ve heard it said that if you want something accomplished, give the task to someone who is busy. Deacons are busy not for self-serving reasons, but Kingdom-serving desires. If we go with them in service, they will grow with us in ministry.

Our congregation- We challenge our congregation by delivering messages in various platforms that not only cause them to absorb, but think. When we challenge our congregation by communication, they will want to serve Christ because of connection.

Our community- We challenge our community by being an “ambassador for Christ.” When our community witnesses the local church living out Scripture they will desire to know about the Great Commission and not the greatness of self.

Ourselves- Not in a selfish way, but in a productive way, challenge yourself to be a student, to strive to maintain good health/exercise, and to develop your skills not only for the church, but also to be self-supportive if you need to be. Your congregation deserves the best version of you and you deserve to plan for your future as you lookout for your ministry and family. May we never take the opportunity to serve the Lord’s church for granted. Challenge yourself to be greater than your insecurities, but humble enough to hold Jesus’ hand.

Why Do You Stay?

A Minister friend of mine once told me that he keeps his resignation letter saved on his computer (or saved in the cloud, he uses Google). At first, I found his statement concerning. At his telling me about this, I subconsciously felt maybe he wasn’t as committed to the mission as he should be or he had one foot in the world and one foot in the church so to speak. But with the passing of time, I have to come to realize he felt “less” in many ways as he sought to help others see their potential. Sadly, he couldn’t see his.

Please remember, when the day is done and you are tired, maybe you have been criticized in some way by a brother or sister in the church, or you have finished a meeting that has you wanting to leave, remember, your family needs you, Jesus truly does love you, the church values you, and even those who may oppose you, want you to continue to serve and go to Heaven. “When you want to quit, remember why you started!” That’s the beauty of Bi-Vocational Ministry!

A bi-vocational ministry provides us with a very delicate balance of our ministerial duties and our secular professions. While the main ingredient in this balance is time, our time becomes a precious commodity, making it essential we know how to utilize it best. While a secular job may give us some rigid parameters concerning our work week, ministry is not so

structured. Sometimes, our work is consumed with unforeseen interruptions and circumstances that limit our study and sermon preparation time. Yet, personal study and sermon prep and development are the essential ingredients if we wish to become successful in our preaching. Our biggest challenge is allocating enough time and resources to be better prepared to preach each Sunday and help us avoid the dreaded Saturday Night Special. One way we can help alleviate these pressures is to develop some plan for our preaching. On the surface, the term "planned preaching" can sound intimidating to those of us ministers who are bi-vocational. Yet, the Bible is full of warnings that encourage us to be prudent in our planning. The book of Proverbs has a good bit to say, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty" (Proverbs 21.5). Solomon also encourages us to follow the example of the ant who "…prepares her bread in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest" (Proverbs 6.8). The question then becomes not "Are you planning your preaching?" but "Why aren't you planning your preaching?". Although the concept can seem overwhelming, it is an attainable task. The good news is that there are many ways in which you can plan your preaching, and the possibilities are endless if you follow a few general guidelines. First, our sermons must remain Biblical and accurate to the teachings of Scripture. Then, we also need to ensure that we provide a good balance of Old & New Testament as well as topical and exegetical. Over my thirty years of ministry, here are a few practical suggestions that have helped me.

First, make sure you involve the congregation in your planning. One of the most intimidating aspects of planning your preaching is finding a place to start. This responsibility should not be a burden you have to carry alone. One way to help alleviate that burden is to solicit input from your congregation. Allow them to provide ideas that you can use to brainstorm to help you discover their wants and needs. Not only will it provide you with some feedback, but it will also allow you to see if there have been

any deficiencies in your sermon presentation. This feedback can be collected with a simple questionnaire or a more intimate approach by selecting a smaller group of people with different backgrounds and ages within the congregation. Also, make sure that you include your elders in your process. They are your shepherds and are responsible for ensuring that the congregation is fed correctly. Their input should provide enough information to help lighten the load in the planning process.

Another suggestion is to take baby steps in the planning process. Some of my ministry colleagues will take a weekend retreat and dedicate it to planning their sermons for the calendar year. These men can already tell you the exact text and title of the sermon they will preach nine months from now. That plan is terrific for some but becomes more challenging for those in the bi-vocational role. Begin your planning process by planning one month at a time or even one quarter at a time. The last thing you want to do is become overwhelmed and quit before you start.

A third suggestion is to make sure you maintain some flexibility. Just because one minister plans his preaching one way does not mean his way will work for you. You can determine a plan for your preaching in many ways. By being flexible with your approaches, you can learn to adapt and react to any changes that might help you with your plan. One way that has allowed me to remain flexible in my ministry is to plan my preaching using a theme-modeled plan. A theme-modeled plan provides input from the congregation as to what they feel they need from your sermons while at the same time giving me the flexibility to deviate from the plan if needed. For instance, after input from our members and elders this year, we wanted people to see more of Jesus within our congregation. The result became an overall theme of "Come and See" with monthly topics such as His Compassion, His Love, His Grace, His Promises and His Forgiveness. By having an entire month to cover the topic, I have the freedom to take the topic any way I feel necessary, as well as the flexibility to move off the

topic for specific Sundays to cover special occasions, holidays, or a random lesson. These themes gave me purpose and direction for my sermons, saving me a tremendous amount of time in my sermon preparation. This type of planned preaching also gives the congregation a united purpose, clarity of the message, and consistency that keeps us focused on our goals and purpose. Lastly, remember to prioritize self-care in your bi-vocational ministry. Personal study, rest, prayer, and reflection are essential for your physical and spiritual well-being, enabling you to minister to your congregation effectively. Always remember, you are a Christian first and then a minister. Bi-vocational ministry may be challenging, but with proper planning, it can also be rewarding. By planning your preaching, you can reduce stress, save time, and enhance your overall ministry. I hope these suggestions will serve as an encouragement and guide in your work.

Most bi-vocational ministers have never considered the above question. Most brothers serving the church in the capacity of bivocational minister never anticipated or planned on doing such. Most simply fell into it. They chose to step-up into the position when the church had a need. In fact, some may be like one brother I knew who was asked to fill in for a few weeks and ended up “filling-in” for decades. Yet, this question is worthy of asking for both the ones considering bivocational ministry and those active in it.

I come from a unique perspective. I spent 20 years in full-time located ministry as a pulpit minister before coming to work at Freed-Hardeman University as a Bible professor. For the last three years, I have been engaged in a part-time or bi-vocational work with the Beacon Church of Christ near Parsons, Tennessee. I understand the rewards and challenges of both the full-time and part-time work. I seek to train men to fulfill both duties given their life experiences and desires at FHU. So, here is my list of who should and should not be a bivocational minister. Keep in mind that each of these are principles not strict

As my son said when I read him the list for further suggestions, “Well, you shouldn’t be doing it from that list.” He was teasing, but there is certainly truth in jest!

Who Should be a Bi-Vocational Minister

1. Those who have a heart for the Word of God. To do this work well you need to love the Word of God. You must love studying, teaching, and proclaiming the word of God. It should be a fire in your bones that you must get out (Jer. 20:9)! The description of Ezra should describe each minister no matter their vocational classification; “Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and teach his statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

2. Those who see the need in the church. This is not about being the best, it is about offering your best. Bi-vocational ministers offer their talents to meet the needs of the church. Many smaller congregations are dependent upon a bi-vocational minister for survival. It may be helpful to picture yourself as the young boy who through Andrew offered a meager offering of five loaves and two fish to the Lord. This small offering in the hands of the Lord was multiplied to feed thousands (John 6:1-14).

3. Those who are trained. Bi-vocational ministers should seek training. The local church is the primary leadership training organization for spiritual leaders. Future ministers should seek to gain experience through the local church by teaching classes, gaining godly mentors, leading ministries, and making visits. But bi-vocational ministers should also seek further training through training schools, online education, or attending seminars and lectureships.

4. Those who love people. Being a minister involves diving into the lives of church members and seeking to understand their struggles. Often a person who works a secular job can better understand the challenges church members face. They are also able to develop community relationships with unbelievers. Love for people can cover a multitude of shortcomings because of inexperience or lack of time to devote to the work.

5. Those whose job allows them to serve. Ideally one’s secular job will offer flexibility, reasonable work hours over a week, and a regular schedule that allows for service times to be free each week. A supportive secular employer can be a tremendous blessing.

6. Those who develop an identity as God’s servant. We typically tie our identity to our occupation. A bi-vocational minister should foster an identity as God’s servant. Rather than rigidly compartmentalizing your work life, I would encourage you to see yourself as God’s minister all throughout the week. My counsel would be to seek to merge the two works together into your core identity as God’s servant.

7. Those who are active in church work already. Those who serve as bivocational ministers exhibit the traits of leadership and love for the church weekly over months and years before they are asked to work with the local church. They should seek to be active in the church and offer their talents to the Lord regardless of pay or official position. This will also prepare them and open doors for greater service if the Lord wills.

Who Should Not Be a Bi-Vocational Minister

1. Those who neglect their family obligations. A wise steward must consider they are taking a second job. The work of ministry will require hours of time and often days or nights away from home. A man must ensure his wife is supportive of this decision. Attention must be given to prioritizing his marriage. He must also make sure he does not neglect his obligation to nurture and train his children in the Lord.

2. Those who do it solely for the money. While the need to support your family may be a reason and motivation for doing bi-vocational ministry, it should not be your sole motivation. The admonition Peter gives elders to not serve for “shameful gain, but eagerly” should apply in principle to bi-vocational ministers. If you are doing it solely for the money, your work will be insufficient. The members will see your motivations and lack of passion. The Lord’s cause is the greatest cause on earth and deserves better!

3. Those who want power in the church. It may be a temptation for a man who has been serving in the church for years with little recognition or authority to consider doing it for the notoriety, influence, and power perceived in the local church. It is possible Diotrephes was serving the church as some type of bi-vocational minister (3 John 9). He certainly had a leadership role in the church. But he was doing it for power and preeminence.

4. Those who do not have enough time to study. Teaching and preaching God’s word requires time for preparation. If a man is going to be a diligent worker who rightly divides the Word of God, then it will require time (2 Tim. 2:15). A man should consider his weekly schedule and build regular times into his daily routine for lesson preparation. He will burnout or do a poor work if he is always scrambling on Saturday night to pull together another lesson.

5. Those who are not self-disciplined or hardworking (1 Thess. 2:9). We must not be lazy with the Lord’s work (Heb. 6:12). While this is an important attribute for full-time workers, this attribute seems even more important for bi-vocational ministers who must maximize their time. They will often work from home and have little accountability.

6. Those who are not willing to delegate and involve others. A bivocational minister should follow the Apostles’ example in Acts 6 of delegating ministries of the church. The church understands he has other obligations and is usually eager to help him in the work. He must be willing to share the load.

While these lists are not exhaustive, I believe they do lay forth clear expectations for who should and should not be a bi-vocational minister. This is a needed and wonderful work in the kingdom, but should come with prayerful consideration.

STAYING CONNECTED TO MEMBERS WHEN YOU ARE NOT FULL-TIME

Chris Miller, Hatton Church of Christ, hattoncofc@yahoo.com

There’s no doubt that staying connected to church members can be a challenge for all ministers. Additionally, those who have a part-time or full-time secular job face some added challenges compared to those who don’t have that demand upon their time. All ministers must dedicate the necessary time to study and preparation for Bible classes and sermons, so how can we balance the available time between that and growing the relationships we have with church members?

First, we must have realistic expectations for ourselves. Any true minister is going to push the limits of what he expects to accomplish already. Some, wellmeaning brethren and some not so well-meaning brethren, will often times expect from a bi-vocational minister the same things they would from a full-time minister. You cannot be at every surgery, every funeral, every wedding, or even every church activity. But you can be at some. And that’s exactly where relationship building is crucial, where you are involved in their daily lives when you can be. There is a polar swing between the lazy minister who excuses himself from just about everything to the minister who burns out being unrealistic with the time demands he places upon himself. Exodus 18 is a great example of this where Jethro warned Moses with the intention of helping him discern what is realistic in his service to God. We must be good judges of the

same in our time management. We can be ministers within our congregations, which means we must be intentional is growing those relationships.

Second, redeem the time. Make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16). Distance crushes effectiveness. Someone once said that a minister who is involved overcomes a thousand mediocre sermons preached. In other words people appreciate a minister who appreciates them and draws close to them. Be purposeful during every opportunity where you are around church members. Get to the building early and stay later, talking and visiting. When events coincide, such as ballgames, sit with members, cheer for their kids. If need be get up an hour earlier or stay up an hour later and do things that can be accomplished during that time so that during the day you may have more time open up to drop by a member’s house, or go by the hospital. This is accomplishing time management instead of coming up with excuses which often lend to a selfish approach to ministry.

Third, schedule or plan times to have members over to your house at least once a month, if not more. There is no setting where relationships grow more than at the supper table. Going to restaurants is an option, but not as good of an option as opening up your home. You aren’t restricted by time like you are at a restaurant. I have seen in my years of ministry that the people I grew closer to were often the ones we have invited to supper at our home. Expand this beyond your friend circle. Use it for evangelism. The church will appreciate the effort. Many ministers only know what it’s like to sit behind a desk with an office door closed. Or for the bi-vocational preacher the members many only see him on Sunday or Wednesday. If you can schedule time to go to the local coffee shop where other members gather before work, then go.

Fourth, use the tools we have available today for communication, but don’t rely solely upon them. Church members who are on social media will appreciate that their minister took the time to wish them Happy Birthday. A simple 2 minute activity like this may bring them joy and change their day. Send texts

checking on different members throughout the day. Buy a box of cards and each day send one to a different member telling them how much you appreciate what they do for the Lord. Or take some card stock paper and make some bookmarks, write a note of encouragement to different members and each time you gather slip one into a member’s Bible that was written to them. They will love you for it. And most likely it will stay in their Bible until they leave this life. Be the Candy Man for the children. Bring a bag of simple candy, sit down on the pew and watch the children gather around. What’s the big deal? It’s about loving people, sharing, relating. Don’t be the guy who only shows up on Sunday thinking it’s all about your sermon. The sermon is crucial, and I’m sure it’s great. But it will be even better of a sermon when the people know you are not just a speaker, but you are a minister. Working a secular job and ministering can be tough. But with time management and using some wisdom you can be extremely effective in working for the Lord.

So what’s your week look like? Busy? Take 5 minutes to send an encouraging message to 5 different members, and you will be doing one simple task that will help you to stay connected to the people who love and respect you so much.

Serving the Lord as a minister is a very rewarding vocation. If you’ve already been in ministry or are just starting out, thank you for your desire to serve the Lord! For the past 32 years I’ve served both in bi-vocational and full-time ministry roles. While my experiences may differ from others, I’m convinced that the church needs BOTH full-time AND bi-vocational ministers.

My father, Gerald Baker, was a minister for 40 years until his death at age 58. For the first 30 years he was full-time in ministry. During the last 10 years he preached for a smaller church and had another job. His work was productive and rewarding for his entire career and the change from full-time to bivocational benefitted him at that time in his life.

He lived in church owned

houses for the first 30+ years, which was the norm for his era. His pay was much less because his house was provided. That meant he didn’t build any equity or value. By being bi-vocational later he was able to purchase his first house and increase his income while still providing a needed ministry for his congregation. He managed his jobs in such a way that both the church and his secular job valued his time and contribution to their missions.

When I was preparing to enter Freed-Hardeman College, my father encouraged me to get a degree in something other than Bible so I could be better prepared to provide for my family. His advice was solid. He knew I enjoyed preaching and would receive good Bible instruction at FHC. He also knew that having other options for employment was a good thing.

I received a business degree and enjoyed a good career in telecommunications. Then I was pulled into teaching and eventually preaching by our minister in Georgia. He saw a future in me that I had yet to envision. Over the course of a year or so I began filling in to preach for smaller congregations in the region. One Sunday, a small congregation I had been at for several weeks asked if I would consider being their preacher. I accepted but kept my other job. I’ve been preaching ever since.

The Lord blessed that first work and each congregation I’ve been with since. Seeing the need for more ministry education, I soon acquired a bachelor’s degree in Bible and later a Master of Ministry. I am blessed to have served in both bi-vocational and full-time ministry.

Bi-vocational ministry can be very challenging and rewarding. I already had a house and a job with retirement and insurance when I began preaching. So that first small congregation received preaching and ministry without having the burden of fully supporting a preacher. The decision to go into ministry was made easier by knowing that the need was real and that I could meet that need. Our minister who encouraged me to start teaching and preaching had helped me gain experience and confidence.

My benefit was excellent experience in learning ministry without having to worry about expenses. That congregation was so helpful, and we had many baptisms which encouraged us all. Having two jobs meant extra work and coordination so that neither job felt neglected nor overlooked.

After 6 years of bi-vocational work I moved into full-time ministry which had its own challenges and rewards. The compensation was better but didn’t always include benefits such as insurance or retirement. The ability to focus on just one career instead of two was a plus, but some work took well above 40 hours per week.

Looking back, I’m sure I would have made some different decisions. But any decision I made would have included me sharing the gospel and ministering to others in the best possible way for me and for my family.

Here are some areas to consider before you move from bi-vocational to fulltime ministry.

Motivation. Why do you want to go into full-time ministry? Is a congregation already asking you to serve or will you be looking for one? Do you have a track record for reaching the lost and for growing a church spiritually? Do you desire better compensation? Remember, the church is in dire need of both bivocational and full-time ministers.

Family. Please be sure to talk things over with your wife and family. Is your family on board with your decision to enter full-time ministry? While many bi-vocational ministers may leave one congregation and work for another in the area without having to relocate their family, the same is not always true for full-time ministers. Is your family ok with the possibility of moving to other areas where churches have openings? Ministers do not always get to choose the time of year a transition happens.

Finances. Full-time work often includes better compensation. But sometimes it comes with restrictions on working outside of your church duties. Does the prospective congregation have a history of giving raises to past ministers? Will they allow you to have a side-gig if you need additional income? Can you live on what they offer? Does it include taxes and insurance? Be sure to have a solid budget for going full-time and don’t accept a position that puts your finances in jeopardy. Communicate your needs and desire clearly as this will become your sole source of support.

Benefits. If you currently have insurance and other benefits with another job and you are considering full-time ministry, be sure to inquire about benefits from the church as you apply for a position. Not all congregations provide insurance or other benefits.

Training. Are you ready for full-time work? Do you have a good foundation of coursework for the preparation of lessons as well as the work of a minister? Do you have practical experience in counseling, visitations, funerals, etc.? Be proactive and seek out continuing education. There are courses online to audit for free from some universities and schools of preaching.

Mentoring. Seek out more experienced ministers and learn from them. Ask specifically to be mentored on a regular basis. Use them as sounding boards for the problems that will inevitably arise in your ministry. You will find the friendship and advice to be invaluable.

Whatever you decide about full-time ministry don’t forget to include your decision in your prayers to God. It is a great undertaking to proclaim the word of God and to spiritually guide a congregation. You have a passion to serve the Lord. Use it in the best possible way.

As Paul told Timothy, “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

The Pluses and Minuses of Vocational (Full-Time)

Ministers or Co-Vocational Ministers[I]

By: Gary W. Dodd ~ dodd.gary.w@gmail.com

Sunset International Bible Institute

Every aspect of your life has a spiritual dimension. The Holy Spirit provides God’s perspective through the apostle Paul that every person God chooses and makes alive in Christ is to live and work with an eternal perspective (cf., Col. 3:1-25). Applied to how we are to live as Christians, the biblical text specifically commands, “23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ”[i] (Col. 3:23-24). This is true if you are compensated for full-time ministry or are working a second or more jobs to financially support your ministerial work. At one time in my life, I worked three different jobs to support the ministerial work in which I was involved.

The Etymology of Vocational Ministry and Co-Vocational Ministry

When we speak of our “occupation,” we tend to focus on what one does as “the principal business of one’s life.”[ii] The Latin term “vocatio” is transliterated as “vocation” in English. Beginning in the 15th century, the word “vocation” in the English language “referred specifically to a summons from God to perform a particular task or function in life, especially a religious one.”[iii] It is important to acknowledge that “vocation…has a secular position in the English language as a word for the strong desire to do a certain kind of work or as a word for the work itself.”[iv] So we commonly use the terms, “occupation,” “vocation,” and “calling” interchangeably.

If you go back to the 4th century AD, church leaders began to conceptually divide what vocations were secular or sacred.[v] We also easily make these distinctions today when we speak of ministry and secular work. But when you think of the

prefix “co-“, it can be used to mean “In or to the same degree”[vi] Based on the above, does it not make sense to see that when a minister or missionary is fully compensated, partially compensated, or provides his own compensation, that all the work is coextensive to God’s glory without the necessity of dividing the vocations as sacred or spiritual?[vii]

The Evidence of Vocational and Co-Vocational Ministry

Rabbi David Evan Markus reports that he serves “full-time in the New York Judiciary, and part-time as rabbi of Temple Beth El of City Island (New York, NY).” [viii] In 2020, he stated he was then “North America’s only pulpit rabbi simultaneously maintaining a full-time public oath of office.”[ix] Rabbi Markus reveals that historically well-known Jewish rabbis during a history of 2,000-plus years also had “co-vocations” (i.e., woodchopper, field laborer, laundry worker, textile dealer, school teacher, scribe, wine merchant, or physician).[x]

In the New Testament, we learn that various women financially supported the ministry of Jesus (cf., Luke 8:1-3). Acts 4:32-37 implies that early believers including Barnabas were supporters of the apostles’ early ministry. The apostle Paul self-reports that early and later in his ministry, that members of the Philippian church financially partnered with him in his ministry (cf., Philippians 4:14-18). Additionally, Scripture also show that the apostle Paul at times provided at least part of his compensation when he stayed and worked with Aquilla and Priscilla in Corinth while Aquilla and Priscilla were provided their own compensation (cf., Acts 18:1-5).

The Equation for Vocational and Co-Vocational Ministry

Congregations that are larger in numerical size can often provide full-time support for one or more ministers. A cover story in the Christian Chronicle in December 2021 referenced a publication of 21st Century Christian reported that “roughly three-quarters of the nation’s nearly 12,000 Churches of Christ have fewer than 100 members” and that “the median congregational is 67.”[xi] If Church of Christ congregations continue to decrease in size, the future for most congregations will trend toward only having the ability to partially compensate part-time ministers who will be required to be co-vocational ministers. The International Studies department of Sunset International Bible Studies is training ministers of congregations in Africa on how to make their ministries more sustainable by

learning how to work in vocations that can partially support their ministries financially.

Pluses and minuses for vocational (full-time) ministry and co-vocational (part-time) ministries exist. The following general contrasts are based on personal reflection and anecdotal statements:

\Increased time to study the Word

More time to serve the members

More flexible schedule for visitation

More time for local evangelistic outeach

Increased time for community involvement

Viewed as more fully committed to ministry

Reduced chances of conflicts of interest

Increased opportunity to find work-life balance

More time to foster better health habits

Danger of more involvement in church politics

Being a W-2 employee with withholding

Possible increased compensation benefits

Less time to study the Word

Decreased time to serve the members

Less flexible schedule for visitation

Less time for local evangelistic outreach

Reduced time for community involvement

Viewed as less fully committed to ministry

Conflicts of interest must be well-managed

Less opportunity to find work-life balance

Less time to practice better health habits

Less time devoted to church politics

Being a 1099 employee without withholding

Rely on other vocation(s) for job benefits

Members’ understanding of roles vary widely

Possible expectation to be an administrator

More isolated from members’ lifestyles

Decreased empathy for members’ schedules

Expectations minister spend time with members

Increased focus on the minister’s assets

High expectations for sermon preparation

Ministerial roles may be better understood

Reduced or no administrative expectations

Less isolation from members’ lifestyles

Increased empathy for constraints of jobs

Spends more time with non-members

More focus on the church members’ assets

More balanced expectations for sermon and delivery preparation and delivery

Less understanding of the cultural environment

Small %age of larger churches provide retirement

Greater perception of community culture

Higher %age of non-church employers may and insurance benefits provide retirement and insurance benefits

The Equivalent Realities of Vocational and Co-Vocational Ministry

Vocational ministers and co-vocational ministers share many similarities. Both ministries can provide great joy. The work of ministry is demanding and often difficult. The labor of love of every minister is to be a disciple-maker (cf., Matthew 28:18-20). Fulltime and part-time ministers need well-written job descriptions that clearly delineate their roles. Ministry functions should be defined and boundaries set for their local work. Ministers are often placed on pedestals from which they can come crashing down. Every minister that has ever lived, including Jesus, faced temptations and must guard their hearts. Full or partial compensation should not diminish the spiritual dimensions of the business in which the minister is engaged.

Much more can be written than the spatial limitations of this article allow about the pluses and minuses of vocational (full-time) ministry and co-vocational ministry. Ministers, whether full-time of part-time, are to depend on God’s power to save (cf., 1 Cor. 1:18-25). All citizens in the kingdom of God are to “lay up treasures in heaven”[i] that are incorruptible and cannot be stolen by thieves (cf., Matt. 6:19-21). Both vocational and co-vocational ministers are called to remember that “godliness with contentment is great gain”[ii] and to “take hold of the eternal life to which they were called”[iii] (cf., 1 Tim. 6:2c-21). May God help each of us to bring him glory as vocational or co-vocational ministers.

[i] Some ministers/missionaries receive full financial compensation from one congregation and other ministers/missionaries receive partial financial compensation. Some ministers/missionaries may completely provide their full compensation.

[i] The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

[iii] “occupation,” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occupation. Accessed 4/17/2024.

[iv] “vocation,” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocation. Accessed 4/17/2024.

[v] Greg Wigfield’s Blog: http://www.gregwigfield.com/2017/10/16/co-vocational-vs-bi-vocational/

[vi] Ibid.

[vii] “co,” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/co. Accessed 4/17/2024.

[viii] In this article, I will advocate for the use of “co-vocational” instead of “bi-vocational”.

[ix] https://kenissa.org/2020/02/the-part-time-dual-role-rabbi-secular-and-spiritual-entwining/

[x] Ibid.

[xi] Ibid.

[xii] https://christianchronicle.org/bivocational-ministry/

[xiii] The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

xiv Ibid.

xv Ibid. The Preaching & Ministry Journal

The presidents of church of Christ affiliated Colleges and Universities get together once per year to exchange information about the status of and best practices in Christian Higher Education, as well as to wrestle with cultural, legal, religious trends. I do not go to all of these gatherings but go regularly because the information helps me to do my job more effectively and I gain valuable information that is difficult to obtain elsewhere. A few years ago, one of our sessions revealed that 60% of congregations of the churches of Christ are less than 100 members. This reality combined with recent economic struggles in the US, means that it is increasingly difficult for many congregations to financially support a preacher and his family with enough funds to live on. Additionally, there are congregations which have work and opportunities available for more than one financially supported minister, but they do not have the funds. Thus, it is my opinion that the focus of this article is going to be even more critical in the years to come: “Hiring a Bi-Vocational Associate as a Second Man.”

Clarifying the Terms

First of all, I approach this article with the understanding that all Christians are called to minister in the name of Jesus but some focus on teaching God’s word and equipping others for their ministries (Ephesians 4:11-16). I use the phrase “vocational ministers” to refer to ministers who are at least partially supported by a community of

By Kirk Brothers, kbrothers@hcu.edu

Hiring a Bi-vocational Associate as a Second Man

believers. I prefer the terms “full-support/partial-support” instead of the terms “fulltime/part-time” to avoid the baggage attached to the latter terms. Some who have partial support may in fact work more hours for the church than those with full support. Bi-vocational implies that some of the minister’s support comes from a community of believers and some comes from other sources.

Biblical Precedent

The apostle Paul functioned in both situations I described in the previous paragraph. An example of this is his work with the church at Corinth. When he first arrived in Corinth, he made tents during the day with Aquila and Priscilla and taught God’s word in the evenings and on the weekends (cf. Acts 18:1-4). When financial support arrived from Macedonia, “He began devoting himself completely to the word” (Acts 18:5). My point is there is biblical precedent for both situations. My father is a trained as an engineer, but he has served as a bi-vocational preacher and as a preacher without any financial support (there are many of these at small churches across the world).

Strengths and Weaknesses of Bi-Vocational Ministry

There are strengths and weaknesses of going the bi-vocational route as a congregation and it is important to think through them before moving forward. Some of the negatives for the congregation is that the minister will have time restraints from his other job/s and thus there will be time he cannot spend on works of the congregation. For the bi-vocational minister himself there are also negative aspects. One is that he will be working long hours. My experience has been that bivocational ministers often work more combined hours than ministers who are completely supported by the congregation. Often, they work at least a 40-hour work week for the church even though they are not financially supported for that many hours. There is a real danger for elders and members to have unrealistic time expectations for bi-vocational ministers. They often feel torn and as if they never get an opportunity to slow down. Burnout is a real danger.

On the strength side, bi-vocational ministers have access to people that many fully supported ministers do not have. They work in jobs and areas where they interact with people daily. These interactions provide countless opportunities for ministry. Another significant asset is that they understand what life is like for the members of their congregations. Many preachers and youth ministers struggle because they live in a work world very different from the members they serve. Supported ministers

become frustrated when members do not participate in certain projects or activities but forget that they are financially supported so they have time to be at all these activities. Their members are working 50-60 hours and still trying to be involved in the works of the congregation. A bi-vocational minister will better understand this and may be able to better connect, to better apply his lessons to the members, and to better motivate members to action.

General Tips

Now it is time to get down to the fine details. Let me share four things that I would see as critical in the process or hiring a bi-vocational associate minister: Job Description, Tax Assistance, Communication, and Capitalizing on Connections.

Job description

Before Jesus sent out the 12 and the 70, He gave job descriptions (Luke 9-10). I believe that one of the key mistakes that often hinders congregations (in addition to doctrinal error and a lack of evangelism) is a failure to have clear job descriptions for both volunteer and financially supported workers in the congregation. Marlene Wilson, in her book Volunteer Job Descriptions and Action Plans, observes, “Until you can explain what a volunteer is supposed to do, most potential volunteers won’t agree to come on board to give you a hand. Nor should they—because you aren’t ready to put them to work doing something significant” (2004 Job Descriptions, 40). I spend a great deal of time in my Lead Like the Lord book talking about this. Here are some of the values of written job descriptions:

1. It is impossible to hit a target that has never been set up. 2. If there is no job description, there will be many.

3. In the absence of something, you will be expected to do everything. 4. When we do not know who is supposed to do a task, either everybody fights over doing it, or nobody does it.

5. Without a job description, ministers will be held accountable for things you were never told were important.

6. People forget, and elders come and go. This is not an issue of integrity; it is an issue of memory.

Tax Assistance

Bi-vocational employees are going to be working in two worlds and will often have a different tax structure for each vocational setting. In one setting they are viewed

as self-employed but in another they are not. In one setting their employer pays half of social security but in the other they pay their own. In one setting they can have a housing allowance and in the other they cannot. In addition, many elderships and deacons of finance do not understand these differences. Someone I know that is an expert in congregational finances and ministerial taxes tells me that many congregations to not follow the law in how they do finances and taxes. It is not that they are dishonest, they just do not know the relevant laws. I would recommend you get an expert in religious finances and ministerial taxes. Just because someone is an accountant does not mean he or she knows ministerial taxes.

Communication, Communication, Communication

Every time we do an employee survey and seek ways to improve as a university, someone will mention communication. The same was true at the last Christian school I worked for. I strongly believe it is true in almost every congregation of the Lord’s church. Because of different schedules it is going to be very important that there be intentional healthy communication. Regular staff meetings and elder/staff meetings are a must. There could be value in leadership group texts and emails (some use apps for this) to facilitate communication. It is also important to get agreed upon understandings in writing.

Capitalize on Connections

I mentioned earlier that one blessing of bi-vocational ministry is that “the other job” often puts the minister into direct contact with the general public. I would explore this in interviews with potential ministers and brainstorm how these connections can become opportunities for ministry. Look for ways to connect both vocations. As you do this, you will need to be careful not to cross any ethical boundaries with their other jobs.

Conclusion

Bi-vocational ministry will be an increasing need and a potentially tremendous opportunity in the future. Yet, there are also pitfalls. I pray that this article has helped you to begin to think about what the opportunities and challenges might be. Most importantly, proceed with clear expectations, healthy communication, and an abundance of prayer.