Bi-vocational pastors serve outside the spotlight. Though estimates vary, at Church Answers, we estimate there are around one million part-time pastors and staff in North America. They are many, but they get only a fraction of the attention given to pastors of larger churches. They receive little recognition, but they are the workhorses of churches who do much of the heavy lifting.
I served as a bi-vocational pastor of a tiny church in central Kentucky. We started with six people. It was my first pastorate, and I had no idea what I was doing. I drove two hours one way to get there. My preaching was awful, and I had to lead music with a karaoke machine. The church was dying. The people were tired. The building was falling apart. And there was no air-conditioning.
I loved that church. Still do.
The people forgave my less-than-spectacular sermons. I encouraged them to reach outward. And, truly by the grace of God, the little church grew. Not to 500. Or 250. Or even 100. More like 40. But we knew God was working. It was great.
God revealed much to me while I was their pastor. I know I learned more from them than they got out of my sermons. Let me share with you a few things I figured out during my time as a bi-vocational pastor.
Ministry is not about ideals. I had several ideals, a big vision, and grand hopes for the little church. My plans were not wrong. But the people had heard it all before from other short-term pastors. I learned that before a church family follows the grand vision of a new pastor, you must first love them where they are.
Ministry means working alongside people. One of our first projects was to paint the church and install air conditioning. If I hadn’t shown up with a paintbrush on our Saturday workday, I would have lost the respect of the people. At the end of the workday, the folks gave me the honor of painting the church bell red—it was a big deal.
Ministry requires you to laugh at yourself. I made more mistakes than I had successes as a younger pastor. And the people knew it. You can laugh at yourself and help everyone feel comfortable. Or you can pretend and make everyone feel awkward (or angry).
Ministry means loving people deeply. I will never forget the gifts people gave me when I transitioned to another ministry assignment. The church was poor, but the people lavished love on us. I didn’t deserve it, but they gave it anyway. The love between a church and its pastor should be like nothing else. The church demonstrated God’s love to me, and it still encourages me two decades later.
I wasn’t a great bi-vocational pastor (or even close), but most are incredible kingdom workers. Many have served faithfully for years. They love their churches. Their churches love them. And God’s kingdom is larger because of their faithfulness.
At Church Answers, we created two resources with bi-vocational church leaders in mind.
The first is Church Answers University (CAU), an affordable, accessible, and attainable way to train and equip church staff. Not only do we believe this ministry certification is perfect for bi-vocational and co-vocational church staff, but we also believe it works well for those in full-time ministry.
We also created a bi-vocational certification for those serving in these roles. With certification, you will be better equipped to understand the changing world of bi-vocational ministry and lead in a part-time capacity while keeping your family the priority.
Posted on November 23, 2022
As President of Church Answers, Sam Rainer wears many hats. From podcast co-host to full-time Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Sam’s heart for ministry and revitalization are evident in all he does.
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16 Comments
AS A Bi-vocational PASTOR I IDENTIFY VERY MUCH WITH THIS ARTICLE AND THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO WRITE ON THIS SUBJECT. I BELIEVE THAT GOD TAKES ACCOUNT OF WHAT WE Bi-vocational PASTORS DO BECAUSE ONLY HE AND OUR FAMILY KNOW THE GREAT AND BEAUTIFUL EFFORT WE MAKE SO THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD CONTINUES TO MULTIPLY! I LOVED THIS ARTICLE
Thank you Rudy for your encouragement and your ministry!
“If I hadn’t shown up with a paintbrush on our Saturday workday, I would have lost the respect of the people.”
That’s true for any pastor who serves in a rural or working class community. I’ve never forgotten what a church planting strategist in northern Michigan once told me. He was interim pastor of a church, and earlier that week he had helped one of his members cut and haul firewood. He said, “People need to see the preacher get outside and get his hands dirty once in a while.” I’ve never been a bivocational pastor, but I’ve been a rural pastor for 27 years. Believe me, people will respect you a lot more if they know you’re not afraid of a little manual labor.
So very true. Great additional thought!
I like the term Co-vocational. Every job we do is sacred unto the Lord! Great article!
Thank you for being a bi- vocational Pastor to serve Jesus Church with patient heart.
Many thanks.
Good evening,
I have one statement on one of your statements. “we estimate there are around one million part-time pastors and staff in North America”. The problem with that statement is the word part-time. There is no such thing as a part-time pastor. It is partially funded pastor. I think I could say that most “part-time” na partially funded pastors spend almost as must time as a ” full-time” na fully funded” pastor working in his church. Most of the partially funded pastors has to wear many hats as well as prepare sermons and bible studies. But it is a great blessing to be used by God in a small church.
Randy,
I couldn’t agree with you more! There are no part time pastors I have seen this in my life after 20+ years of Co-vocational ministry. God Bless you and the mighty church you pastor!
All the posts are very interesting. Hoping God can make it possible for me to come over as a pastor
I served as a chaplain in the South African Police Service for 10 years. Helped many Pastors grow their churches. I’m 68 yeas old. (Indian)
Thank you for your ministry and testimony . Its encouraging.
God bless you.
It’s great serving as a bi-vocational pastor, and though not easy; I will do it over and over again; your article encouragement and a feeling of not being alone. well done
Thank you, James!
What a great article on being a bi-vocational Pastor. I have been one for just over 7 years now and EVERYTHING you said is so true. Many thanks.
Thank you for reading! And for serving Jesus’ church.
I was s bivocational pastor for 15 years. Every word in this article is my experience.
Many thanks Jerry! You are appreciated.