Monday Morning Insights

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    4 Things Every Bivocational Pastor Needs to Know

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    1. Bivocational pastors are overworked and underpaid.
    This is a common theme among Bivocational pastors. The difference between them and the fully funded pastors is they seldom if ever complain about it. Most are cut from a very tough bolt of cloth. They don’t worry about the pay, they just love the ministry. Most are in it for the sheer joy of serving and fulfilling their call. They work long hours in both secular and religious circles and most see little compensation. I have found that most of them are happy.

    2. Bivocational pastors are essential to the furtherance of the Kingdom.
    We talk a lot about strategy and reaching our nation and world for Christ. We don’t talk much about the soldiers that fight the battles on the front lines. Bivocational pastors are at the very front of the battle. The churches they serve in are struggling for existence at times and need resources in order to continue. Many were large at one time, others are out in the open country, and still others have always been small and have always struggled because the culture they are in is struggling. Without these outposts the Kingdom of God would suffer. If they ceased to exist, there would be gaping holes in ministry. Bivos must redouble their efforts, holding the line and keeping the Kingdom growing.

    3. Bivocational pastors are the fiber of the Southern Baptist Convention.
    Those who serve Bivocationally make up a tremendous work force. These men are the fiber of the Southern Baptist Convention. They don’t go to many meetings because they don’t have time. They’re too busy doing what God has called them to do and working a job to provide for their families. They stay focused on their ministry because they have little time to accomplish what God has called them to do. With out them our convention would come apart at the seams.

    4. Bivocational pastors are heroes.
    I have had many heroes in my life. One of my biggest heroes is my Dad. He’s not a pastor; he’s an office supply salesman. What makes him my hero is that he seldom gives up. His tenacity and down-right stubbornness is what I really admire about him. He’s a very hard worker. He still works a full week at age 73 refusing to let old age creep up on him.

    The same is true about most Bivocational pastors. I know many that work 40-60 hours a week in secular employment and pastor a church. Some one with that sort of strength and willingness to lay it all on the line should be lifted up as a hero.

    You can read more here at Lifeway.com...

    Monty Hale writes, "There are some things that every pastor needs to know. But there are some things that Bivocational pastors need to know in particular. In my work with Bivocational pastors I have found some common themes come up. These are at the core of the work of the Kingdom and in particular the work of the Bivocational pastor in the Kingdom. Let me share 4 things that every Bivocational pastor needs to know and hopefully address some of these common themes..."

    Comments

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    1. bishopdave on Wed, August 22, 2007

      Amen.  With all the emphasis on the mega, let us never forget the amount of unspectacular yet effective ministry done by the tent-making leaders of smaller churches.

    2. Dan Moore on Fri, August 24, 2007

      Sometimes I believe that bivocational ministry is the only way we can break into new cultures.  I love being bivocational as the doors of ministry and witness are so wide open.  It also allows me to be less dependent on pleasing the church and more focused on pleasing God.

    3. Mitchell Baker on Sat, August 25, 2007

      I too am a bivocational pastor. Our church plant is nearly 2 years old. I do not worry about numbers, though they are reassuring. For me, being bivocational keeps me “honest”. I can not waste time, I must choose the fires to extinguish and those that someone else is called to put out, and as mentioned earlier, it is a witness to those I meet.

    4. T. C. Smith on Mon, August 27, 2007

      I too am a BiVo, and this Monday morning I am tired. I see the need for my ministry, I see the needs of my congregation, I know God has put me here for just this job, the job of shepherd.


      It’s not that I don’t see the need, It’s not that I don’t feel called, I just don’t have enough time in the week for my ministry, my family, my home school child and my self employment job.


      Monday mornings are the worst.


      However, when our Wednesday youth group rolls around, God will give me the strength to be there again. When next Sunday rolls around I will get that second breath and leap out of bed and do it again.


      However next Monday I will be very tired again, and then I will start our home school time, get on the phone with my secular clients, help take care of my cancer recovering wife, and do my notes for next Sunday’s sermon.


      If this sounds like a rant, OK! But it is still the best job that I hate to not do.


      Any others like me?


      Just an observance. Rember us BiVos in your prayers.

    5. Fred McQueen on Mon, August 27, 2007

      I understand where T.C. is coming from. Mondays can be hard sometimes, but it also makes me feel like I have accomplished something the day before.


      Actually, I am just glad to see someone including us because I haven’t seen much respect coming from my co-laborers. What God has called me to, and how He’s positioned me to accomplish that, is different, and certainly not the preferred route. But God works according to His plan.  I just wish that some of my brethren here in the Cincinnati area would lend a hand here and there, extend a courtesy, or just include me in some of their fellowships. Bivocationals and small churches (we are both) seemed to get excluded from so many things.


      Otherwise, I wouldn’t trade places with anyone for what I have learned and what I have seen God do in the process. I am praying one day to go full-time in ministry again, but for now I try to balance all that God has put into my hands.

    6. Dr. Jim on Thu, May 07, 2009

      Thanks for the tip of the hat to these mighty heroes. My free newsletter for bivocs, TentMakersTips, comes with a ministry tool directory that will help them make the most of the little bit of time they have (when did Sunday start coming around every 36 hours?).  It includes software, literature, guidebooks, ministers manuals, and lots more . . . all FREE @ http://www.goinghigher.faithweb.com

    7. Piper on Tue, July 07, 2009

      Excuse me. History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.


      I am from Arabia and learning to write in English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: “Credit card debt settlement what to do to settle your debts! By jared mcdermottif you are sick of carrying a huge amount of credit card debt, then it is time you learn how to use credit card debt settlement to help you lower your payments and balances.Credit card debt consolidation the basics by jim bankscredit card debt consolidation is a term that gets thrown around on tv a lot.”


      Waiting for a reply :-D, Rosabel.

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