Bi vocational pastors

Bivocational Pastors
Rex Deckard

Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you."
(1 Thessalonians 2:9)

Are you a pastor working a second job? Joine the crowd! Thirty-one percent of Nazarene pastors in the U.S.A and Canada say they are bi-vocational. This is very similar to the 30% of Southern Baptist pastors who are bi-vocational. The number among Pentecostals is probably much higher, possibly as high as 70% in areas. Paul understood the plight of bi-vocational pastors very well:

"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow." (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9)


Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?
(2 Corinthians 12:14-15)

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:34-35)

There is NO SUCH THING as being a ‘part-time’ pastor or minister, any more than being a part-time mother or father.vAll ministry is ‘full-time’, and the church workload of bi-vocational ministers in smaller churches is not less, but usually greater than in larger churches, where tasks may be delegated.

Advantages of being "bi-vocational"

There are in fact many advantages of being "bi-vocational." First of all, bi-vocational pastors are in touch with non-Christians. A full time pastor can be occupied by so many responsibilities that they do not have time to relate to non-Christians. They have opportunities to talk to unbelievers as ministers of religion, but they have less chance to develop friendships and relationships with them.

A bi-vocational pastor, on the other hand, has plenty of time to listen to the hearts of non-Christians. In fact, they work with them and experience the same kind of problems and toils of life that unbelievers encounter on a daily basis. The life of a bi-vocational pastor speaks louder than the best evangelistic sermon of a full time pastor.

Second, a bi-vocational pastor has the advantage of living in the "real" world, so to speak.
It is easy for a busy full time pastor to lose touch of the reality of life that both Christians and non-Christians face. The world is changing rapidly, and it is getting harder each day for a full time pastor to keep up-to-date with what is happening in the world outside of the four walls of the church.

Some pastors, for example, have the impression that they are the busiest people in the world. Hence they find it difficult to come to terms with why Christians do not attend all the wonderful meetings that they organize.

The reality is that it is not uncommon nowadays for people to work close to 60 hours per week, and that often involves after hours and weekend work. A Christian with a young family who actively involves in a local church is possibly busier than the full time pastor.

Bi-vocational pastors are, however, in a better position to understand the "average guy" down the street. These pastors themselves suffer from unstable income, lack of job security, and long working hours — long hours in both ministry and their second job!

Just like any other Christian or non-Christian, they know how it feels to be juggling with family, work and church responsibilities. In short, bi-vocational pastors are living in the real world working with real people.

Third, bi-vocational pastors follow the incarnational model that Jesus adopted. The fact that bi-vocational pastors are constantly living and working with people in the world gives them more opportunities to share their lives with others, both Christians and non-Christians alike.
The Creator of heavens and earth humbled himself and became a human being, showing the world that he did not just say that he cared, but was willing to share the toils and trials of life, even to the point of dying on the cross.

Bi-vocational pastors demonstrate a similar kind of servanthood. Jesus’ incarnational life is the testimony that God genuinely loves the world, and bi-vocational pastors are today’s witnesses to that fact.

Other Advantages

The financial base of both church and pastor is usually stronger. Church can budget more for mission and ministry. Two incomes bivocational pastors provide better for their family.
Bivocational pastors have greater degree of freedom to lead, functioning effectively as congregations' leaders, because their total livelihood is not threatened by non-supportive leadership.

Bivocational churches are more likely to adapt team leadership, a biblical model, due to pastors' time constrain.

In the next blog, we'll discuss the disadvantages of being a bi-vocational pastor.