Bivocational Ministry

Reflection and Realignment, Part 2: The Advantages of Bi-vocational Ministry

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

I shared in last week’s blog the challenges I’ve faced after a year in this new season of bi-vocational ministry. Lest you think the past year has been nothing but challenges, I will share some positive aspects I’ve experienced as a bi-vocational pastor.

There are some personal advantages I’ve noted, but also some advantages for the congregation (or at least I see them as advantages). As I started writing my list, I thought I might divide them into personal and congregational, but I discovered they really work in tandem, so I’ll just make one list.

Many years ago, while I was serving as a District Superintendent with the United Methodist Church, I wrote a blog praising the efforts of bi-vocational pastors (read it here). Having now served a year in that same capacity, little did I know just what a sacrifice those guys and girls were making. That’s not to pat myself on the back, but to acknowledge my own failure to give proper respect and gratitude to those who paved the way before me.

Freedom

The first advantage I’ve noted personally is freedom. What do I mean? I mean when I’m dealing with a difficult passage that challenges the congregation, I feel a particular freedom to be more direct in my preaching–to say the hard thing, the challenging thing, to question their assumptions–because my livelihood is not dependent on the paycheck I receive from the congregation.

I’m not saying that I’ve pulled my punches in the past, but I am confessing that I might not have always been as challenging in every aspect of preaching (or leadership) because of who I might offend. Knowing that my livelihood was dependent on the congregation was always in the back of my mind. Call me a coward, but I know I’m not the only pastor who may or may not have done likewise.

I can tell you, personally, I’ve experienced a greater freedom in my preaching as a bi-vocational pastor. I believe that to be an advantage for the congregation as well.

Perspective

I certainly view my role with a new perspective. I get to see more of what the laity see week-in and week-out. The laity get up and go to work every day and we (and by “we” I mean clergy) expect them to have a devotional life and volunteer at the church. I never knew how challenging that was, and I see that challenge as a positive outcome of bi-vocational ministry. As a pastor, laity and clergy are now on the same playing field.

You mean you want me to work 40 – 50 (or sometimes 60) hours a week, raise a family, keep a home, volunteer in the community AND lead a bible study, teach a Sunday school and serve on the church board in addition to attending worship every Sunday and reading the Bible for 30 minutes a day? Well, yes, as a matter of fact, I do. But, I’m doing it, too, so…

Mission Engagement

This one is a no-brainer. Going to a “real” job every day puts me smack dab in the middle of the mission field. It affords me a very unique opportunity to engage the mission field and evangelize every day. I see people in my secular job that I might likely never see if I were in full-time ministry.

Now, do I always take advantage of the opportunity? Well, that’s a conversation for another blog post, but the opportunity exists, nonetheless.

Avoids Isolation

Let me make another confession: When I was in full-time ministry, I tended to isolate myself from the secular world. It was actually fairly easy to do. Always in the office. Making hospital calls. Going to church meetings. Attending denominational functions. Traveling to Christian conferences. Hanging out with other clergy. There was no (or very little) contact with the “real” world. We clergy could easily develop our own “ivory tower” syndrome, just from a religious perspective instead of an academic one.

Secular employment gets me out of the religious bubble that clergy can sometimes live in, and that’s an advantage for both clergy and the congregation.

Financial Freedom

Okay, so I don’t know if “freedom” is the correct word for what I’m trying to communicate. I didn’t take the pastoral position because I needed the money. The Lord has blessed us in our business, so I’m not talking about that aspect of it, but I will say that a part-time salary for many bi-vocational clergy serves as a means to financial security.

I know many retired pastors who supplement their retirement income by serving a congregation. I also know some bi-vocational pastors who use their church income to increase their generosity.

For the congregation as well, a bi-vocational pastor allows them to have a pastor when they otherwise might not be able to afford it. Technically, one might argue that if a congregation can’t afford a pastor, are they legitimately a congregation, but I would argue that the early church couldn’t afford clergy either. There are many, many small congregations that are making a significant Kingdom impact. I pray Haughton Methodist is one of them. Having a bi-vocational pastor frees congregational resources to be directed toward evangelism and outreach.

Leadership

Being a bi-vocational pastor has forced me to rely on laity for getting things done in the congregation. This is an advantage for me and for the congregation. I have had to “let go” of some aspects of congregational leadership, and as a former full-time clergy, this has forced me to deal with my own control issues. Of course, I now have control issues as a small-business owner, so am I really dealing with it on a spiritual level? That notwithstanding, it has definitely been an advantage in ministry.

Likewise, the laity has, of necessity, had to embrace leadership responsibility in the life of the congregation that having a full-time pastor may not have allowed. A healthier and more biblical leadership structure is developing in the life of our congregation as a result. That can only be a positive thing.

Strategic Conversations

By my count, that’s twice as many advantages to the challenges I noted last week. I guess that means I’m doubly blessed by serving in a bi-vocational role. Seriously though, I honestly believe the advantages far outweigh the challenges of bi-vocational ministry. I also believe more clergy and more congregations should explore God’s call to see where He might be leading them. Might bi-vocational ministry become an intentional strategy to enhance ministry and build the Kingdom?

I’d love to hear your answer to that question. Hit me in the comments with your thoughts.

Until next time, keep looking up…

Reflection and Realignment: The Challenges of Bi-vocational Ministry

/ pastorlynnmalone / 2 Comments

Last week was the one-year anniversary serving as “Pastor” of Haughton Methodist Church. I put the title pastor in quotes because most days I don’t really feel like their pastor. I feel more like their Sunday preacher. Please understand, that’s not a reflection on the congregation. It is a reflection on me.

The anniversary gave me pause to reflect on a year of bi-vocational pastoral work. The time of reflection helped me identify some challenges I’ve faced. I share them here as a means of personal processing, acknowledging that my reflection may actually be helpful to other bi-vocational ministers, or to those considering bi-vocational ministry.

Don’t worry! It’s not going to be a long, drawn out blog. I don’t have that much time (I’m a bi-vocational pastor, after all!), and you won’t take the time to read a long post.

Defining Terms

First, I should define the term “bi-vocational pastor.” It’s really self-defining, but just in case, a bi-vocational pastor is one who works a full-time job in addition to serving as the pastor of a local congregation.

I intentionally use the term bi-vocational “pastor” because it is a specific calling within the Church. Here’s the reality–every believer is called to ministry. That means every believer is a “bi-vocational minister,” but not every believer is called to be a “bi-vocational pastor.” Make sense?

Why a “bi-vocational pastor”? One reason is the financial aspect. There are many (and by “many,” I mean a LOT!) of small churches across the country-side that lack the resources to pay a full-time pastor. This is the primary reason for bi-vocational pastors.

However, there are some pastors who feel God’s call to both the marketplace and the Church, so bi-vocational ministry affords them the opportunity to fulfill both callings. There are other reasons, too, but I said this wasn’t going to be a long blog, so…

Why am I a bi-vocational pastor? I am a bi-vocational pastor because when I stepped out of a full-time ministry role, I did not step out of God’s calling to preach the Gospel. When I left vocational ministry in 2019, I wasn’t completely sure what the Lord was calling me to, but I was entirely sure it wasn’t to full-time ministry.

Seasons of Transition

Early in the transition, I thought perhaps this new calling was for simple “pulpit supply.” I’d scratch that itch to preach by filling in for other pastors. Yeah? No! That wasn’t it.

Not long after I stepped away from a full-time role, a congregation called asking me to “fill in” for a period of time. That fill-in role turned into a two-and-half year interim situation. I’m certain the Lord called us there for that season, but I also felt the Spirit’s nudge that the season was over. (Absolutely WONDERFUL congregation, by the way!)

After another couple of interim stints in congregations, I thought the Lord’s call might be lived out in that way. After all, interim pastor is a legitimate need of the Church, and there are pastors specifically trained for such ministry (I’m not one of them, though), but because I wasn’t trained in that ministry, I didn’t have the expertise (nor the time) to lead the congregations in the work necessary to prepare for their next pastor.

Haughton Methodist Church has been different, though. I felt (feel?) called to settle in and be their pastor–their bi-vocational pastor. That calling brought a different mindset to ministry for me, and I suppose it is that mindset that has caused this week of reflection. It might also have to do with the fact that I got another year older this week, so there’s that! Anyway, let me get to the challenges I’ve faced.

1. Time Management and Overload

Margin matters, and as a bi-vocational pastor, I’m finding little margin in my life. Family gets crowded out and rest is sporadic, at best. The most concerning part is that personal spiritual renewal is almost non-existent (dare I confess that?).

That leads to mental and emotional fatigue. My grandfather, who was a businessman, worked all day, went home and vegged out in front of the television. I now know why he did that. He was tired! I often find myself doing the same thing. Many days when I get home I just want to do something totally mindless and that wastes a lot of time.

2. Limited Ministry Opportunities

I know the congregation needs new ministries. I know that I need to be discipling leaders and I know I need to be present in community outreach. There’s that time thing, though. It is difficult to discern and communicate a vision for the congregation while keeping the plates of family, work and ministry spinning. Not an excuse, just a reality.

The only way I know to overcome this reality is to rely on the laity of the congregation. I’ve got some of the best at Haughton, that’s for sure, but laity still need leadership.

3. Identity and Calling Tension

I confess that I wrestle with a “less-than” feeling when compared to my full-time clergy colleagues. I honestly don’t know why because I’m certain the Lord called me away from that. Perhaps it’s that I fear others perceive me as “less-than,” and that is my real problem. I’ve always struggled with what others think of me. Yes, there is more spiritual work I need to do if I’m still worried about what other people think of me.

I’ve tried to figure out who I am in this new season. Am I a pastor who owns a business, or am I a business owner who also pastors? It’s a perplexing question. How I answer the question determines how I set my priorities. I seem to answer it differently on different days, and I can’t think that’s a good thing.

Blessings Abound

These are just three of the challenges I’ve reflected on over the past week or so. There are probably a dozen others, but this post is already too long. Lest anyone think the past year has been all challenges, you would be incorrect. There have been far more blessings, and counting those blessings is one way I’ve managed the challenges. I’ll save those blessings to share for another blog post.

In the meantime, please pray for the congregation at Haughton Methodist Church. Oh, and pray for me, too. We both could use the prayers…and you could probably use the practice.

Until next time, keep looking up…

Sunday Morning Ramblings…

/ pastorlynnmalone / Leave a comment

I’m finding my appreciation for growing for bi-vocational pastors this morning, particularly as I have spent most of this early Sunday morning finishing my message for worship. I have over recent weeks reserved Sunday morning for blogging as a discipline, but the tenor of the week has not allowed me that luxury. We used to joke about the “Saturday night special” sermon, but the joke is on me with this “Sunday morning message” that I pray will preach well since I’m just now able to finish it. Here’s a great article on bi-vocational ministry.

Oh, and the blog, well, it’s just going to be rambling thoughts and that’s only because I need to maintain the rhythm because it is so easy for me to become undisciplined. Of course, it would be too easy just to post the sermon here, but I don’t think it’s a very good sermon and I wouldn’t want you to confirm that for me.

On the plus side, I have found a great place where reflection comes rather easy. It’s my back porch. I can honestly say that one of the best investments we’ve made in our home is the addition of the back porch. I’d much rather spend my time sitting out back (except when it’s 104 degrees) than watching another episode of Everybody Loves Raymond.

Again, let me hand it to all you bi-vocational pastors who have been doing it a long time. I applaud you! I’ve discovered that a bi-vocational pastor really has two full-time jobs (unless he/she is retired) because there is no such thing as part-time ministry. There is only part-time pay! Ministry is a full-time job regardless of circumstances. Kudos to all you guys and gals who have been so faithful over the years. I’m trying my best, but try as I might, some things just get missed in all that needs to be done. I’m just happy in knowing that failure does not have to be final. There is always the opportunity to start over.

So, here’s another random thought (not related to matters of faith–well, it might be!). Can we get Donald Trump to just go away? Yup! I just jumped right into politics, but the question has been on my mind for several weeks now. Yes, it has to do with his legal troubles.

Full disclosure for all you Trump fans out there–I voted for Trump. Twice! More transparency–if he gets the Republican nomination again, I’ll probably vote for him a third time, if for no other reason than a protest vote against the current administration, but I pray with every prayer I can utter that he doesn’t get the Republican nomination. Yes, I know his legal problems are mostly (mostly) politically motivated, but let’s be honest, the political motivation behind the legal troubles only help him with his base and do little or nothing to help with the independent voter who will likely decide the presidential race.

I get the sense that Trump is more interested in vindicating himself and exacting revenge on his adversaries than he is concerned about the direction of our nation. Nothing new there I suppose. He is a narcissist to the nth degree, but I also know it takes a good bit of narcissism to run for the presidency anyway. Trump’s legal troubles will prevent him from running any type of credible campaign and that is what our nation needs now more than ever–a competitive campaign focused on the issues facing our nation so voters can decide which direction our nation should go. Probably won’t happen, but a guy can pray, can’t he?

Enough politics for one blog (should pastors even jump off into politics?)…

Here’s another random thought: Love is not always love. I don’t care what the world says. If the world says “Love is love,” my first reaction is to say, “Let’s be more specific.” It’s on my mind because I’ve been reflecting on this passage from 1 John:

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

Yup, that passage deserves a lot of unpacking, but I don’t have time for it this morning. Worship beckons and I must prepare. Suffice it to say there are some things we shouldn’t love, and there is some love that is misdirected. Fanciful words and quaint phrases can be deceiving. They can be tools of the one we know to be the Deceiver. Let us be careful in the use of our turns of phrase. Let us be intentional in our use of words.

As I read back over this blog, I probably shouldn’t publish any of it, but hey, why not live on the edge? Just so you know…this my blog and any comments I don’t like may be summarily deleted! LOL!

I have more random thoughts, but I may have to save them for next Sunday. Depends on how my week goes and whether I get the sermon done earlier than Sunday morning.

Until next time, keep looking up…