This is a guest post by John Sampson.
John is a Residence Director who supports discipleship and missional work for Oasis Church in Pasadena, CA. He blogs on church mission, leadership, and life at Jon Sampson. Jon also Twitters at @jonsampson.
Rhett’s recent post on bivocational ministry caught my attention. I guess it makes sense. The bivocational thing is the life I’m living as a Resident Director on a college campus and a Life Group’s pastor at a local church.
For me (and I’m sure, a lot of others), bivocational ministry is not a short-term thing for someone who can’t get a full-time ministry job. It’s a choice of ministry style based on what it produces. I believe bivocational ministry can be healthier for both the pastor and the church. Not only that, but it instills some powerful values in the organizations where actions speak louder than words.
But before we dive in to some of the why, let me share a little of the context. The models we have today aren’t disappearing. I don’t think the bivocational thing is the only way. But if we want Christianity to thrive as a culture changes and resist marginalization, we have to be willing to try all sorts of models to connect with all sorts of people.
I believe the bivocational thing is one way this is going to happen. It allows ministries to grow slowly and keeps Christians outside of the church where they can connect with others. I’m still learning how to do this thing, but I believe that despite the challenges, it’s important.
I recently shared six reasons why I believe bivocational ministry makes a difference on my blog. Here they are with quick summaries and an additional thought.
- Why Bivocational? Shared Responsibility: All Christians have a job to do. We can’t leave the ‘ministry” side of life to the paid “sage on the stage.”
- Why Bivocational? Money Goes To Ministry: Less overhead forces/enables people to look at what God is doing around them and see how to serve and bless others. (This is especially true in a house/simple church model).
- Why Bivocational? A Good Kind of Messy: Removing the strong “staff–everyone else” divide flattens the power structure, which may usher in more conflict. But it’s conflict that would be there in any model–It’s just hidden in others. Here, people are forced to deal with problems instead of ignoring them.
- Why Bivocational? It’s Sustainable: If you’re planting a church, it’s tempting to grow quickly to become self-supporting. But often that leads to shortcuts that transfer Christians rather than reach out to engage people outside of the church. Bivocational ministry allows for slower growth pattern.
- Why Bivocational? You’re Not Special: When you no longer get paid to have a quiet time and think spiritual thoughts, others who have 9-5 jobs find it easier to connect with your message.
- Why Bivocational? You Can’t Do It Alone?: Time is limited. You simply can’t do as much as a full-time minister. But that’s a good thing. It forces reliance upon teams. More people are involved in ministry. More gifts are used. Everyone wins.
And Finally–Vocation Is A Powerful Connecting Point
My job as a Residence Director has done more to inform how I mobilize and lead groups at church than any seminary class or church experience I ever did. And as an added benefit to my employer, my work at church preaching, connecting relationally, problem solving and casting vision has made me a better communicator, problem solver, and connector at work.
On a simply “practical” side, bivocational ministry allows for a constant cross-pollination within two areas of passion. When we are in one place for too long, it’s easy to get tunnel vision and only see how things have been done in the past. But the “job-church” lifestyle forces us out of those patterns.
But beyond simply learning new ideas for leadership, these connections within a “non-clergy” job allow us to form real, lasting relationships within the community. It’s amazing the kinds of relationships and connections that are formed simply from working alongside people over time. Those connections go beyond one job and move along relational lines through the whole community. Through these day-to-day interactions, friendships are formed in ways that enhance the ministry of the church and are–honestly–just healthy for the minister.
So those are my raw thoughts. I’m still fleshing this out. It’s new. But I see value in it. It’s challenging, but I really feel it’s worth the challenges.
What benefits would you add? Or possibly debate?
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t think you’re too far off, Jon. One thing that I’ve always appreciated about Rhett’s position is that he believes there is a new model of ministry coming into the church. I agree. What you are describing is part of that new model.
Bi-vocationalism is a voluntary move to become the “underground” church here in the U.S. We’ve had our chance in the spotlight and, unfortunately, have not done a very good job of stewarding that attention. We have used it to our benefit instead of sharing the reality of Christ. Bi-vocationalism makes an effort to reach people where they’re at and join in what God is doing in their lives.
The church is more than just what happens behind the four walls of a church building. Much more. Bi-vocationalism is an effort to bridge that gap between the “holy huddle” and the real world.
Great thoughts. I can see how going bi-vocational can be a very beneficial stance and example for the church. Thanks for sharing.
i’m actually tri-vocational at the moment…wouldn’t recommend it.
Preach it John. It’s the direction we’ve been moving. Thanks Rhett for letting John post his thoughts here. Word needs to get out the Church structure/model needs to change. It’s coming, whether we like it or not.
I am a bi-vocational student minister but it came out of necessity not exactly choice. I could have stayed full time but family needs outweighed the church’s compensation after a few years of no raises. I agree that having a secular job gives you a new perspective, what that secular job is can affect your ministry job if they aren’t compatible.
I say the following with the idea that God is the God of the impossible.
With that said, bi-vocational preachers (think Paul) would be sweet if:
1. If we could preach on weekends and that kingly and priestly duties were given to other people
2. If I am able to preach, live and work all within the same community (think bicycle distance) in order to stay really tight with your Jerusalem
3. If there wasn’t an expectation by your flock that they needed access to you 24/7.
I love your ideas about getting your church plant to become self-sustaining as fast as possible. I want that idea to stick with me if God calls me to church plant.
I would have to disagree with you John. I have been on both sides of the fence and I find that my ministry is more effective being able to be full-time ministry.
btw the apostle Paul said, “This one thing I do…” maybe if Christians focused more on their ministries we would see America brought back to were it once was spiritually.
I am the pastor of a church in Portland, OR. I have always believed in multiple streams of income. We have built vacation homes and rent them out to skiers and summer guests. It’s a lot of work. It’s not only extra income for us but it’s therapy. It gets us out into the real world, dealing with real people. We relate to business people on a different level because we now own and operate and trouble shoot a thriving home business. We also are not do dependant upon the church providing our only source of income and it’s not all about preaching for a pay check. I believe that wants to bless us and what He does is provide us with investment opportunities that can enhance our bottom line and these properties will provide for us a great retirement income when they are all paid off. Now I do not know how long I can personally manage them as the church grows but I sure like getting out of the office and banging a few nails and painting a few walls. It’s all therapy!
Just checked in – great thoughts! Like I said, I’m still learning in this, so I love hearing where people are in this whole thing…
Justin – Yes! What I love about bivocational approaches is that they open the door for various models. I’m working with a more “traditional” model of church right now, but eventually hope to work with and support more of a house church network. That’s where a lot of this thinking comes from. We must have other ways to support different styles.
Jim – I’m sorry to hear it. I know there’s a fine line between an opportunity and a challenge. I don’t think it’s for everyone, and I believe it requires the right kind of job. I know for me, it’s not as easy as full-time ministry, but the belief it’s where I’m supposed to be pushes me on. Plus, like I mentioned in one post – this is the type of life everyone in the congregation lives – following God and using time to serve him while working another job. I do think it works best with a scaled down ministry model. It’s very hard to be a bivocational pastor in a traditional “full time” role of preaching, leading, etc. I think it’s healthy when we can build teams and lead/serve together (like thought #6)
Jared – I completely agree about the compatibility piece. It takes the right kind of job.
Micaiah – I think I’ll have to lean on the piece I mentioned that this isn’t for everyone. I actually think a lot about that idea of focus (It’s going to be my next blog post, I think). It’s best to focus in and do one thing. But one thing may not mean one job, but one focus. It’s important to focus in on our gifts and passions, but I know the gifts and passions I have are being used both at my job and in my ministry. They feed each other.
I agree with some of the points, but over all I do not feel it is in the best interest of the church, or the pastor and his family, for him/her to be bivocational. I am currently bivocational and have been in full-time ministry. I can say I worked just as hard full-time as I do now, but it was in furthering the church and the work of the ministry. I did not have 9-5 quite times and I resent anyone saying that. It makes full-time ministers look lazy, and my experience is that is simply not the case. We also have the model in Acts of the Disciples committing themselves to prayer and the Word.
This mindset might be good for someone wanting to have a small church, but a growing church continues to demand time, resources and people. I look forward to the day I have a full staff whose goal is to further the work of the ministry and touch the lives of people.
I must say that I do agree wholeheartedly with the money drain statement. I believe in multiple streams of income and have begung to model that to my church. Pauls was a tent maker, but he traveled full-time for most of his ministry, so he had a stream of income that did not take his time and attention off of his ministry.
What I think that bivocational requires that I am in full support of is teams. Many bi-vocational pastors still try to do it on their own and that will kill them eventually (or their marriage, or their church, or their paying job). We just aren’t built to work 80 hours a week every week and raise a family and maintain a marriage. We can’t do it all.
But bi-vocational teams can bring a group of people together around a shared purpose focused on the gifts that each has. It is also rare that they all will have life or work issues at the same time and can take up the slack from one another temporarily.
Hi, I’m a bivocational pastor in Scotland, and we’re virtually unknown over here. I’ve therefore written a straightforward, practical guide on how to be bivocational but stay effective and healthy. If you want it, give me your e-mail address and I’ll happily send it to you. We’ve just seen our church grow three times in size in four years, but it’s been very challenging with constant adjustments along the way. Blessings to you, Gus.
Gus,
I would love to get a copy of the guide to effective and healthy bivocational ministry. I’m an all-volunteer guy right now, but I am interested in the model. Thanks!
Curtis Marshall
Hi Gus, send me a copy.
JT – I agree that the bivocational thing is tough – and it’s probably too much if we just take the traditional “pastor” role and expectations and add another job to it. I look at it within more of a house church network context, but I’ve also seen it work with very intentional teams in a more traditional format with weekly Sunday services, etc.
And the 9-5 quiet time thing was meant to be more about perception of some in churches than reality. Sorry if it came across as something else in the summary above. There are many full time pastors who work hard for 80 hours/week with little thanks, support or appreciation. I think that also speaks into our need for new models.
Adam – Yes! Yes! Yes! We can’t do it alone, and we’re going to be more effective the more people get involved and use their gifts.
Thanks for all the continuing input and conversation on this. I’m still learning on this, and it’s not always easy, but it’s a fun journey….
Love the interaction here. Thanks for the post Jon.
Thanks for this post. It is right on target. Would you mind making your readers away of my new book, Developing Leadership Teams in the Bivocational Church, which will be released by Crossbooks, a division of Lifeway on September 1. I wrote this book because I have served since 2001 as the Director of Missions for the Green Mountain Baptist Association in which 30 out of 37 churches are bivocational. I am excited about how this book will help the pastors in my area. I believe this book can be a blessing to bivocational/small church pastors in your area too. You can read all about the book and purchase a copy September 1 by going to http://www.terrydorsett.com and clicking on the picture of the book.
Thanks for taking five minute to check out the book. If you have questions, I am happy to answer them.
Dr. Terry W. Dorsett
Green Mountain Baptist Association
30 Jones Brothers Way, Suite B
Barre VT 05641
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