Bivocational Ministry

“By the time he sits down to prepare, much of his emotional and mental energy has already been spent elsewhere. Then his phone buzzes. ‘Pastor, when you get a chance …’” - Lifeway

“But what about my aspiration to pastor? Was that something I’d have to give up on? No, far from it! In fact, in God’s kindness, the fits and starts of my journey made my pastoral aspirations even more clear. My aspiration was to be a lay elder.” - 9 Marks

“The National Survey of Religious Leaders (NSRL) report revealed 35 percent of all clergy in the U.S. serve bivocationally….Among evangelical Protestants, bivocational ministry is even more common. The study found almost half (47 percent)” - Baptist Press

“Forty-seven percent of Evangelical pastors work bivocationally, compared to 35% of clergy overall, said Lifeway, which compiled data from the National Survey of Religious Leaders (NSRL) …. The national average increased from 28% in a similar survey conducted in 2001.” - CPost

“I am convinced, however, that at least for now my calling is to bivocational ministry. I don’t propose bivocationalism as the only form of pastoral ministry, but I do offer it as a valid model that can reap eternal benefits.” - Baptist Press

“The Small Church Academy launched a year ago through the Bivocational & Small Church Leadership Network (BSCLN) with three cohorts. Those cohorts – small groups of up to 10 members…. Eight are currently meeting.” - BPNews

“Pastors are getting older, and this trend will likely continue….The future can be bright with bi-vocational and co-vocational pastors.” - CPost

“Whether staff-heavy or staff-light initially, most churches discover, in time, the need for a healthy blend of both paid and unpaid leaders.” - Desiring God

“Though we don’t have precise data, we estimate that there are over one million bi-vocational pastors and church staff in North America alone. That number is increasing during the pandemic. Indeed, most churches have at least one bi-vocational staff member.” - Thom Rainer

“Serving as a bi-vocational pastor has undeniable challenges…both pastors and police officers statistically have high burnout rates. To maintain his mental, emotional and spiritual health, he surrounds himself with biblical support, from his wife and the elders at his church to weekly meetings with a Christian counselor.” - C.Post