Bivocational ministry is on the rise. At least 30% of all Southern Baptist pastors are bivocational or part-time. Additionally, if we consider that more churches are continuing to die it only makes sense that more churches are going to struggle to pay a pastor a full-time salary. I truly hope that for the glory of Christ, men will be willing to consider bivocational ministry so that churches can be shepherded and replanted. However, I know of many who are not willing to even consider a bivocational church as an option. <\/p>\n
A question that must be asked is: “Are pastors willing to do whatever they can do in order to serve the Lord?” If a man cannot answer this in a resounding “yes” then replanting might not be a good fit (I might even say that pastoring is not!).<\/p>\n
A replant needs a pastor regardless of their size or budget. I continue to have conversations with men who want to pastor, but will not consider a church that cannot pay a certain level of a salary. While I understand the need for a certain level of financial security, I regretfully see a certain level of comfort that is being sought. I currently serve a smaller church that pays me a bivocational salary. In order to provide for my family (which is my call not my church’s) I do a number of things: teach English at our local high school, coach football, drive a bus, teach some Adjunct classes at Belhaven University, and other things. I understand the challenge of this, but without doing this other work I could not serve where God has called me. Sure, working as much as I do is difficult…but this is only way that I can serve my church, and I gladly (although sometimes tiredly) do it.<\/p>\n
While a full-time church might be desired, we cannot simply ignore the smaller churches. Jesus loves his Bride. Jesus faithfully serves his Bride. So should we—this is what replanting is all about.<\/p>\n
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Bivocational ministry is on the rise. At least 30% of all Southern Baptist pastors are bivocational …<\/p>\n