Because of many unwarranted stereotypes about bivocational* ministry in some denominations, congregations, and Christian cultures or tribes, it is unfortunately seen as second-class ministry. This is overwhelmingly not true. Such a perspective limits the possibilities of innovative congregational staffing patterns and new congregational multiplication possibilities.
I actually suspect—although I do not have any scientific research to prove it—that at least 80 percent of all people in ordained clergy and program staff roles in the approximately 350,000 congregations in North America are bivocational. I further suspect that 100 years ago this number was over 90 percent, and 200 years ago over 95 percent.
Bivocational But Had Not Thought About It
It is likely a certain number of people serving in bivocational ministry roles had not thought about themselves as being bivocational. One of many examples that apply to numerous ministers is what they did to provide economically for themselves and their household during their formal educational years.
If they were a full-time student, that was one vocation on which they likely focused a lot of time and energy. That degree was important. They may have had a campus job or a job in the local community. That is a second vocation. Then they may have had a paid role in a congregation. In some traditions they may have even been the pastor of a church. Hey! That’s vocation three.
I admit this scenario fit me. For almost three years I was a full-time student, I worked a campus job, and I was what my congregation certainly thought was a full-time pastor of an inner city congregation. Fortunately I was young, married, but did not have children yet. It took at least 80 hours per week to fulfill all of those responsibilities. I guess I had three vocations.
Bivocational But Their Congregation Does Not Know It
It is also likely a certain number of congregations have pastors and other staff persons who are bivocational, and the congregation as a whole does not realize they are bivocational. The pastor or staff person is operating a business on the side, has a writing or recording business, does consulting or coaching, teaches classes in a local school or online, or the all-time favorite—sells something in a multi-level marketing program.
At times the bivocational nature of an otherwise thought to be full-time pastor or staff person is out of economic necessity. The congregation does not provide an adequate salary and benefits to meet the reasonable needs of the minister’s household. If there is a spouse, that person may or may not be employed part-time or full-time for a multitude of reasons the congregation should not pre-judge.
At other times the bivocational nature of an otherwise thought to be full-time pastor or staff person is out of their desire to maintain an economic lifestyle that is above what the congregation can reasonably be expected to provide. They want more, and they believe they have the right to have more. They could be correct, depending on the situation.
It is even possible the pastor or staff person has talents and energies in various directions that cannot be contained within the ministry role of the congregation. They pursue other interests for fulfillment of their calling. Again, this is a situation we should not judge, yet one about which the pastor or staff person needs to be realistic. They probably need coaching along the way, and perhaps even counseling as to why they pack so much into their lives. Like me, they are workaholics.
The Best is a Spiritual Call
Best yet regarding bivocational ministry is that some people feel a spiritual call to serve in a bivocational role. This is a thing of great beauty as I described in my post Bivocational Ministry is a Thing of Great Beauty. They would likely not leave bivocational ministry even if they had the opportunity of a life-time presented to them.
This does not mean it is easy. It does not mean they do not grow weary. It does not mean time management is not a constant struggle. This does not mean they lack pressure to be places for work, ministry, and family. This does not mean constant low-level stress within their family fails escalate from time-to-time. It simply means this is their spiritual calling, and they are committed to working it out.
If you are in bivocational ministry, what are your reasons?
*“Bivocational” is the term used because it is the more common term historically used to referred to people pursuing a ministry employment role within a congregation, and at least one other role outside of a congregational role. Examples of other words used are dual-career, two-career, tentmaker, conjoint, and multi-focused.