I used to have another blog – Interregnum – that focused on SBC/church issues. I have closed that web log but wanted to republish some of the posts here. The post below has been expanded from the original to include some of the comments.
It began with a comment from Debbie: “The heading on your blog would have convinced me you were a minister. Your picture alone looks minister-like (no not sinister, minister).”
To which I responded: “I am an ordained, bi-vocational minister whom God occasionally sends to a church as a long-term interim pastor. So… I love to tweak the noses of those “full-time” guys. Bi-vocational pastors do everything the full-time guys do plus we hold down a real job. None of this Fridays off, golf twice a week, and leaving town for (conferences)! Don’t get me started… on my more radical days, I think every pastor should be bi-vocational.”
Just for the record, I am not in a particularly radical mood today and I don’t really believe every minister should be bi-vocational. I do believe bi-vocational pastors are undervalued in today’s climate and bring some unique gifts and perspectives to the table.
(Although, I understand the politically correct terms are partially funded and fully funded.) Some of the advantages of being bi-vocational include:
1. Paul was “partially funded” and it’s hard to go wrong with Paul as your role model. Yes, I know Paul wasn’t a pastor; I still think it’s hard to go wrong with him as a model.
2. There is a built in argument against the “hired gun mentality” that is prevalent in so many of our churches. When no staff member, including the pastor, is full time the laity must step up. Or watch the church die a slow death while lamenting the lack of a full-time pastor.
The ideal may well be a full time pastor – or even a staff of full time ministers – and a congregation of active lay people. I just don’t see that happen as often as I would like. I see the hired gun thinking far more often than I’m comfortable with. I overheard a conversation at my own church lamenting the lack of outreach and evangelism taking place.
“Maybe”, one key lay leader said to another, “We need to call a minister of evangelism after we find a pastor.”
“Or maybe”, I thought, “the members need to be obedient to fulfill the Great Commission ourselves and not leave it to the professionals.”
I’ve known some congregations caught up in pride or concern for their standing in the community. They’ve always had a full time pastor, music minister, and youth minister; changing one or more of the positions to bi-vocational would be seen as an admission of failure. One product of this kind of thinking is that nothing changes; admitting a failure is the first step to making a course correction. Another result this kind of thinking is three underpaid ministers instead of men who are earning a decent wage.
I recently has a conversation with a friend from one of the churches I served as a bi-vocational interim. He had wonderful things to say about their new pastor and the changes that have occurred at the church in the three years since I left. “But”, he said, “It’s different now. I cant’ explain it… we just did more when you were here. Now it’s kind of like we’ll just wait until (the pastor) can do it.” I think he was trying to say the absence of a full time pastor on the field presented it’s own challenges but the advantage was a greater sense of ownership of ministry.
3. It is easier to be fearless. I believe men are hard-wired to be providers for our families. Even the most faithful of men will think twice – and possible shy away from taking a much needed stand – if their livelihood is on the line.
As a bi-vocational minister, I am completely at ease over this kind of tension. The worst thing the congregation can do to me is fire me… in that case I’ll simply go to my office and make more money there than what the church was paying me. Meanwhile, I’ve taken a firm stand on the issue(s), maintained my integrity, my family is provided for, and the congregation is free from any kind of prolonged battle over whatever the issue was.
I would like to think most men would do the right thing no matter what the cost. Experience tells me otherwise.
The disadvantages to being/having a bi-vocational minister are obvious and cliched (serving two masters, burning the candle at both ends, etc.). Can anyone add advantages I haven’t covered?
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
Bowden,
I’m glad to see that you practice blog recycling. I hear its good for the environment.
I started to comment on your excellent post, but then I hit the Burleson rule (“After three pragraphs, put it on your own blog instead”).
I agree with your three advantages and I also add two more. Thanks for bringing this subject (back) up.
Taran,
Since I’ve closed the other blog I don’t think of it as recycling. “Saving for posterity” is where I was headed.
Bowden,
I’ll add a couple of advantages that I perceive. One is that the bivocational pastor is typically more immersed in the life of his community due to his “secular” work, thus helping him to sense the heartbeat of what’s happening there. That in turn generates a couple of additional advantages–his sermons are more relevant, and he will have more contact with non-Christians with whom to share the gospel.
Really good points…I’ve always been in churches with full-time staff, so I know next to nothing about bi-vocational pastoring. All of this is good food for thought.
Bowden: I do remember that comment and I stand by it.
The more I have read of your comments and posts, the more convinced I am. As a bi-vocational pastor, you are one knowledgeable guy both Biblically and as a counselor that would truly be an asset to any church. I respect you. Like EF Hutton when you talk, I listen.
Thank you.