Bi-vocational ministry is not the plague. It’s not the end of the world as you know it. It’s not a perfect situation, either. There are pros and cons to it. At least 11 of them! I am not writing this article out of research only. I have lived many years of my ministerial career as a bi-vocational pastor. So I get it. I wanted to focus on leading my church and the ministries I was asked to manage. I felt the tension of making tough decisions regarding my time management. It’s not always an easy lifestyle.
I did ask a few other pastors, school, and non-profit part-time leaders. I didn’t want my opinion to be too biased. What I discovered is that all of them lived out tensions that needed to be managed, not resolved. Someone told me once, “This situation needs an answer, not a reaction.”
I hope that by the end of this article, you will be at peace, at least a little more, with the idea of this non-perfect situation. Also, if you are considering a bi-vocational position, you may actually enter into it with clarity.
Note: I believe these pros and cons are different sides of the same coin. It really depends on how you see it and look at it. Paul often mentions that your mindset determines how you approach your ministry (2 Timothy 2).
Pro Bi-Vocational Ministry
1. Bi-Vocational Ministry Is a Biblical Concept
Bivocational is a totally acceptable way to live out ministry. It is a well-known fact that Paul made tents to make a living, as it is said in Acts 18:2: “(Paul) was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade” (ESV).
The apostle Peter was a fisherman by trade, and he kept his business running while he followed Jesus. Proof of that is that he returned to his work right after Jesus’ death. Other disciples lived out the same concept. Isaiah was a prophet and worked in the king’s court. Living out bi-vocational ministry is a very biblical concept, and that is a pro for sure.
2. Bi-Vocational Ministry Is the Work of Ministry
Paul declares the 5-fold ministerial positions in the church in Ephesians 4:11: “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers” (NIV). Many of us understand this as being paid, full-time, or in a vocational ministry. The issue with that understanding is that it doesn’t say that at all! Ephesians only state the roles, not the manner of payment or time involvement. But Paul does say that whatever title comes with the position, “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, NLT).
Your role isn’t to be paid full-time. Bivocational ministry is about equipping people to do the work. This allows lay leaders to fulfill their calling.
3. Bi-Vocational Ministry Saves Money
We think of our personal budgets when we work. We all do. Let’s think about the church budget for a second. Bivocational ministry makes the church’s finances more manageable. It may not be your favorite consideration, but I get it.
When money is freed up by not receiving a bigger salary, it permits the church to invest in initiatives that will help its community. Saving tens of thousands of dollars may go to feeding the homeless, taking care of the widow, or even investing in departmental ministries.
After all, “Religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help” (James 1:27, NCV).
4. Bi-Vocational Ministry Invests in New Hires
The saved money could also be invested in hiring bi-vocational ministers to lead departments like children’s or youth ministry or even whatever the church wants to pursue or needs. Think about it: if you saved $30,000 from a full-time salary, you could hire a couple of part-time people who would take some load off your work plate.
5. Bi-Vocational Ministry Provides Freedom
Bivocational ministry gives you all the liberty you want when it comes to choosing what you want. I know many pastors who wished they could do a part-time writing gig or continue enjoying the significant benefits of the small business they had. Freedom has a price tag attached to it.
My wife refused a full-time ministerial job to stay part-time as this allowed her to pursue other things she wanted. With the saved money, the church hired a part-time pastor who eventually became my successor a few years down the road.
6. Bi-Vocational Ministry Focuses on Needs
When you’re bi-vocational, all of a sudden, the scarcity of time and energy forces you to focus on what is really important. You don’t have time for the “unimportant things” ( I know, everything is vital in ministry)—those you delegate to others, which enables point 2.
7. Bi-Vocational Ministry Can Create an Entrepreneurial Spirit
One of the titles we give to God is that He is the “Creator”, which He is. Being bi-vocational helps you live out that creative spirit within you. You can become creative with your time, sources of revenue, or leadership abilities. Being entrepreneurial is not only about business. It is about launching initiatives as well. Bivocational is excellent for this.
Bi-Vocational Ministry Cons
8. Bi-Vocational Ministry Can Result in a Stretched-Out Schedule
One of the more complicated things to live through is the stretched-out schedule. To make ends meet, you will have another side job that will bring in the money you need to make a living. Some people with weaker time management skills will find this very hard to live with.
Yet, when you look at it differently, if you are full-time, your schedule will not be lighter. It might actually get busier as most of the church responsibilities will fall back on you … forcing you to develop time management skills! The illusion that working full-time and leaving bi-vocational work will better your schedule is a lie! Those 50-60 hour weeks will continue, only now; it would be for one job, not 2 or 3!
9. Bi-Vocational Ministry Can Blurry Boundaries
This bi-vocational ministry reality comes with busy schedules and very blurred life, time, and role boundaries. You will need to stop working at one point. It is hard to set healthy boundaries that will allow you to respect your life and other people’s demands. While it is doable, it’s not easy.
10. Bi-Vocational Ministry Can Turn Make You Jack of All Trades, Master of None
It is said that a jack of all trades is a master of none. I’ve heard many bi-vocational leaders say, “I’ll never get to be very good at anything if I don’t get to focus on one thing.”
In his 2019 book Range, David Epstein proves otherwise, thus his subtitle, Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. A jack of all trades can become a benefit when you view it from another angle. A jack of all trades becomes a master of more than one.
11. Bi-Vocational Ministry Can Lead to a Lack of Fulfillment
This flows from the precedent points. When you’re a bi-vocational leader, you may feel some lack of fulfillment. This stems from the belief that you need to focus on one thing, invest all your energy in a task, or that there are so many other things you wish you could do but can’t because you are part-time.
As a reminder, look at what Paul accomplished being “a part-time church planter!”
God Has Your Back
Breaking free from the ideas of pros and cons can be helpful. I get it, though; it is easier financially to have one income that covers all expenses. Your calling is not tied to revenue, though; it is a higher calling than that. It is about purpose, vision, and having the God of it all backing you up. Bi-vocational ministry can make you a better leader. Embrace it, with its difficulties and challenges, and love it for its benefits and rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions pastors might ask:
1. How does bi-vocational ministry impact a pastor’s family life?
Balancing dual roles can significantly affect family dynamics. The additional workload may lead to reduced time with family, potentially causing strain in relationships. Bi-vocational pastors must establish clear boundaries and prioritize quality time with loved ones to maintain a healthy family life. Open communication and involving family members in decision-making can also help mitigate potential challenges.
2. How can bi-vocational pastors prevent burnout?
Preventing burnout requires intentional self-care and time management. Pastors should schedule regular periods of rest, engage in hobbies, and seek spiritual renewal. Delegating tasks within the church and secular jobs can alleviate pressure. Additionally, setting realistic goals and acknowledging limitations are essential steps in maintaining long-term sustainability in both roles.
For more information on how to prevent pastoral burnout, see our article 7 Struggles of Ministry That Aren’t Talked About Enough.
3. Does bi-vocational ministry affect the perception of pastoral authority?
Some congregants may question a pastor’s commitment or authority if they are not serving full-time. However, bi-vocational pastors can demonstrate dedication through effective ministry and by highlighting the biblical precedent for such roles. Openly communicating the reasons for a bi-vocational approach and its benefits to the church community can help in reshaping perceptions and fostering acceptance.
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