Comments on: Why Bivocational? 6 Reasons Why

By: David Wilson

David Wilson — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:31:27 +0000

Does anyone have information on multi-staff bivo churches?

I was bivo until I came to this church ten years ago. We’ve almost broken growth barriers several times but fall back. Lots of the money that comes in go to me and the bldg mortgage and insurance. I can’t help wonder if we could benefit from a multi bivo model.

Also, I was bivo before this church, and I actually think I was more effective in that role than full time. Now I’m available 24/7, but have fewer contacts with people outside the church.

Thanks for any help,

David

By: Bree

Bree — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 04:56:19 +0000

Hi Gus, send me a copy.

By: Dr. Terry W. Dorsett

Dr. Terry W. Dorsett — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:26:37 +0000

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

By: Curtis

Curtis — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:39:44 +0000

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

By: rhettsmith

rhettsmith — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:45:55 +0000

Love the interaction here. Thanks for the post Jon.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:58:55 +0000

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….

By: Twenty Items of Interest (v.57) | Caffeinated Thoughts

Twenty Items of Interest (v.57) | Caffeinated Thoughts — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:29:52 +0000

[...] Bivocational pastors? Six reasons why. I can resonate with this since I’m currently a bivocational pastor, albeit an interim [...]

By: Gus Mac

Gus Mac — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:36:43 +0000

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.

By: Adam S

Adam S — Tue, 05 May 2009 02:30:49 +0000

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.

By: JT

JT — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:59:14 +0000

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.