I’m still processing all that took place at the General Conference Sessions in July. I think one of the highlights for most of us in attendance was the presentations brought by our keynote speaker, Brad Brisco. If you haven’t downloaded Brad’s e-book, RETHINK: 9 Paradigm Shifts for Activating the Church, you can still do so by visiting www.cggc.org. In Tuesday morning’s session, Brad led a workshop on Bi-vocational Ministry that was particularly impactful. You can watch that session here.
My impressions growing up in the CGGC was that bi-vocational ministry was okay, but full-time ministry was better. I remember the connotation that those in bi-vocational ministry weren’t as committed to their calling from the Lord because they hadn’t given up their secular employment. I also remember a general sense of bi-vocational ministry as being the “minor leagues” of ministry with the ultimate goal being to land in the big leagues of full-time, vocational ministry. Of course, these are my impressions – perhaps I misunderstood or even laid my own bias over what I believed I saw and heard. But the point is, that’s not what I believe today!
Brad briefly shared what he sees as the benefits of bi-vocational ministry and bi-vocational church planting. He named three primary benefits of valuing bi-vocational ministry:
- Missional Engagement
Those who serve in bi-vocational ministry have access to a mission field that would be impossible otherwise. Having a place of employment outside the church opens up relationships and connections with folks who would probably never walk through the doors of your church. During the workshop we heard from pastor Timothy Welsh of the Manteca Church of God in Manteca, CA, whose job as a teacher is clearly part of God’s calling on his life and that is his ministry, or at least, it’s part of it.
- Financial Freedom
The financial benefits of bi-vocational ministry are multifaceted. The pastor’s family is often benefited by less financial strain and the potential access to benefits like health insurance or retirement benefits through outside employment. The local church benefits by having more of its resources being available for mission and ministry. Likewise, when the church isn’t so heavily invested in payroll, it can take more risks. Its existence isn’t primarily to justify the pastors salary, but is instead to use it’s resources for mission. When it comes to planting, the denomination or region benefits because it allows the possibility of doing more together (long gone are the days when one church plant might receive hundreds of thousands of dollars of support to be able to launch a new ministry).
- Shared Leadership
The final benefit of bi-vocational ministry is the gift of shared leadership. Depending on the crowd, this might seem like a detriment, not a benefit, but I assure you, it really is part of God’s intended design for ministry. Someone working a full-time job while pastoring or planting a church can’t possibly do all that’s required to carry on the ministry of the church. You need a team. Bi-vocational ministry encourages shared leadership where a group of leaders share the burden of ministry rather than place all the expectations on the back or gifts of one person. Shared leadership opens up the possibilities of APEST (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher) ministry that empowers the local church to attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.
There was a lot of energy in the room as Brad presented his thoughts around the importance of bi-vocational ministry. There were a number of bi-vocational pastors who felt celebrated, understood, or supported in new ways. There were also a number of others who acknowledged that we haven’t always supported or celebrated those who serve bi-vocationally and that needs to change.
Brad closed his time with a quote from the great missiologist Lesslie Newbigin: “Believers participate in Christ’s priesthood not within the walls of the Church but in the daily business of the world.”
The future that’s unfolding around us is going to require us to rethink a lot of our approaches to ministry and there are enormous opportunities for those who serve bi-vocationally. In fact, Brad has predicted that bi-vocational ministry is likely the future of ministry for the majority of American pastors. All of this is not to say that vocational ministry is bad and should be thrown out, but that we have historically downplayed the value of bi-vocational ministry, and it’s time for that mentality and stigma to end. I’m praying for a host of bi-vocational and co-vocational ministers to rise up and take hold of the work that the Lord’s calling them to take up and that we can help celebrate and support the good work being done for God’s glory.
Christ’s Peace,
Lance
CGGC eNews—Vol. 16, No. 32
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