A bi-vocational pastor is someone who serves as a pastor or minister while also working a secular job. The term “bi-vocational” refers to having two vocations or occupations. While some pastors are able to focus full-time on ministry work, many others choose or need to work additional jobs to support themselves and their families financially.
There are several reasons why a pastor may choose to be bi-vocational:
- Financial necessity – Many smaller churches cannot afford to pay a full-time salary to their pastor, so their pastor must find additional work to make ends meet.
- Desire to stay connected – Some pastors want to stay connected to the “real world” outside the church walls by working a secular job.
- Unwillingness to rely on church for finances – Some pastors want to avoid relying solely on the church for their income in order to remain financially independent.
- Call to ministry later in life – Those who are called to ministry later in life may already be established in a career and unable to leave it.
Serving as a bi-vocational pastor can be challenging as it requires juggling multiple demanding roles. Some key issues bi-vocational pastors face include:
- Time management – Balancing time between a secular job and pastoral duties can be difficult.
- Financial stress – If the secular job doesn’t pay much, finances may still be tight.
- Energy level – Juggling multiple jobs can take a toll physically, mentally, and emotionally.
- Lack of focus – Having more than one job makes it hard to give 100% attention to either.
- Credibility – Some congregants may not view a bi-vocational pastor as a “real” pastor.
Despite the challenges, many bi-vocational pastors find great reward and fulfillment in being able to serve in ministry while supporting themselves and staying connected to the larger community. Some of the potential benefits include:
- Financial independence – Not relying solely on the church for their livelihood gives bi-vocational pastors an extra degree of freedom and security.
- Insight into congregants’ lives – Secular work experience can provide a window into the day-to-day challenges people in the congregation face.
- Outreach opportunities – Non-church jobs provide natural opportunities to build relationships with nonbelievers and be “salt and light.”
- Real-world credibility – The humility and sacrifice of holding multiple jobs can enhance a bi-vocational pastor’s witness.
- Empathy and understanding – Juggling roles builds empathy for those in the congregation who also juggle many responsibilities.
Biblical Perspective
Looking at Scripture, we don’t find an explicit command for pastors to be either bi-vocational or fully funded by their congregations. God calls some to leave professions like fishing or tax collection to follow Him fully (Matthew 4:18-20, Luke 5:27-28), while others like Paul continued tentmaking even as they spread the gospel (Acts 18:3).
Biblically, there are good arguments on both sides. Here are some key considerations:
In Favor of Bi-vocational Ministry
- Paul, one of the most influential missionaries and church planters, set an example of tentmaking so as not to be a financial burden (Acts 18:3, 1 Thess 2:9, 2 Thess 3:7-9). He saw financial independence as an important part of his testimony.
- Most pastors and apostles we read about in the New Testament seem to be bi-vocational, supporting themselves financially in addition to preaching and teaching.
- By working additional jobs, pastors can avoid putting too heavy a financial burden on their small congregations, especially in church plants or economically challenged areas.
- Bi-vocational ministry allows pastors to remain connected to the communities they are trying to reach rather than being isolated in the church subculture.
Cautions About Bi-vocational Ministry
- Pastoral ministry is incredibly demanding, and the responsibilities of leading a congregation should not be taken lightly (1 Tim 3:1, Heb 13:17). Trying to balance another job on top can compromise effectiveness.
- Church members are called to financially provide for those who teach them (1 Cor 9:14, Gal 6:6). A bi-vocational pastor misses out on some of that provision.
- Paul’s tentmaking was strategic missions amongst unreached people groups, not an expectation placed on him by already established churches.
- Unlike Paul, most bi-vocational pastors today don’t have the miraculous spiritual gifts Paul possessed that made ministry easier.
There are good arguments on both sides of this issue from Scripture. The right balance between working and ministry likely depends on each pastor’s unique gifting, calling, and situation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Making Bi-vocational Ministry Work
For those serving as bi-vocational pastors, how can they make this dual role work amidst the many challenges? Here are some tips:
Guard Your Priorities
Be intentional about giving adequate time and energy to both your secular job and pastoral duties every week. Set boundaries and learn to say no to nonessential commitments.
Play to Your Strengths
Look for secular jobs that overlap well with your spiritual gifts and abilities so you are able to utilize your strengths in both roles.
Share the Load
Make sure to delegate, share leadership, and equip others to use their gifts. Don’t try to take on every ministry task yourself.
Take Time to Recharge
Build in Sabbath rests, days off, and times of retreat to prevent burnout. Prioritize self-care disciplines like prayer, study, and proper sleep.
Preach on Calling and Giving
Teach regularly on God’s calling for all Christ-followers to live generously and give sacrificially so the church can fully provide for its pastor (see 1 Cor 9:14).
Leverage Available Resources
Take advantage of denominational support, online training, and other accessible resources to help equip you for effective ministry.
Cast the Vision
Help the congregation see bi-vocational ministry as a strategic opportunity, not just a financial necessity. Paint the picture of reaching your community for Christ.
Find Community
Build relationships with other bi-vocational ministers who can relate to your unique challenges. Don’t try to go it alone.
The Rewards of Bi-vocational Ministry
Despite the many difficulties, balancing a secular career with leading a congregation provides some unique opportunities and rewards:
A Powerful Witness
Seeing your commitment to self-sacrifice and faithful service in the midst of constant demands demonstrates Christ’s love to your congregation in a powerful way.
Increased Ministry Impact
The credibility, connections, skills and insights gained in the workplace can allow you to minister to your community in ways a full-time pastor could not.
More Diverse Relationships
Having a secular job places you in front of more people you wouldn’t normally interact with, providing relationship building opportunities.
Greater Trust from Congregants
As congregants see your willingness to work hard and avoid being a financial drain, they gain respect for your humility and integrity.
Setting an Example
Your model of hard work, sacrifice and dedication inspires the congregation to see ministry less as an event at church and more as a lifestyle.
In many ways, bi-vocational ministry provides a picture of what the early church likely looked like—regular people with jobs being used by God in extraordinary ways in their communities. And God can do amazing things through bi-vocational pastors who walk in humility, faith and the power of the Spirit.
Famous Bi-vocational Pastors
Here are a few notable examples of pastors throughout history who have effectively balanced ministry with other professions:
Apostle Paul
In addition to planting churches and preaching the gospel across the Roman world, Paul supported himself financially through tentmaking and manual labor (Acts 18:3).
William Carey
Carey is known as the “father of modern missions.” In the late 1700s, he worked as a shoemaker, schoolteacher and minister in India while translating the Bible and planting hundreds of churches.
Charles Spurgeon
This famous 19th century London preacher held a number of odd jobs before taking the pastorate at age 20. After becoming a full-time pastor, he continued to design and sell sermons to supplement his income.
Toyohiko Kagawa
A 20th century Christian reformer and evangelist in Japan, Kagawa worked as an author and teacher in order to witness to Japan’s intellectuals while caring for the urban poor.
Martin Luther King Jr.
The famous civil rights activist served as a pastor at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery during the 1955 bus boycotts while completing his doctoral work.
Rick Warren
Before Saddleback Church grew large enough to support him full time, Warren held down a job as a janitor while performing pastoral duties and working to grow the new congregation.
God has used bi-vocational pastors from all walks of life and eras to build His kingdom. When called and empowered by God, a pastor’s professional employment status matters far less than his faithfulness and obedience to Christ’s Great Commission.
Objections to Bi-vocational Ministry
Some common objections arise regarding bi-vocational pastoral ministry. Here are responses to a few of these concerns:
It’s Too Much for One Person
It’s true that handling pastoral ministry and a job can be extremely demanding. The key is relying on God’s strength, delegating tasks, and maintaining self-care. God never calls people to do what He’s unwilling to equip them for.
Quality Suffers
Bi-vocational ministry does limit a pastor’s availability somewhat. However, with proper time management, this need not negatively impact their leadership or preaching. God cares more about faithful service than creating celebrity pastors.
It Promotes Stinginess
There’s a risk churches may take financial advantage of their pastor’s willingness to work without full pay. However, bi-vocational pastors should teach boldly on generosity, while trusting God to provide sufficiently for their needs.
Secular Work is a Distraction
For some this is true, but for others, a job may actually help them reach people they couldn’t otherwise. Pastors should pray and seek wisdom for how to integrate their unique gifts and callings.
With intentionality, hard work and God’s help, these challenges of bi-vocational ministry can be overcome for the sake of making disciples in one’s community.
Supporting Bi-vocational Pastors
For congregations blessed with a bi-vocational pastor, here are some suggested ways to support them:
Express Appreciation
Regularly communicate gratitude for their sacrifice and service. Consider sending encouraging cards or small gifts to lift their spirits.
Be Flexible
Since they have limited time, accommodate your pastor’s work schedule when possible. Seek to protect their days off.
Share the Responsibilities
Don’t expect your pastor to run every program or be at every event. Empower volunteers and other leaders.
Provide Financial Support
Look for ways to consistently bless your pastor financially, even if full salary isn’t possible. Generosity displays love.
Remain Teachable
Be open to how your pastor’s secular employment might uniquely equip them to speak into your life and work situation.
Pray for Them
Lift up your bi-vocational pastor regularly. Pray for provision, strength, wisdom and protection from burnout.
While bi-vocational ministry has its challenges, it also provides amazing opportunities for pastors to shepherd well while developing credibility and connections within their wider community. By embracing this model, churches can see the body of Christ extended throughout their neighborhoods, workplaces and schools in new ways.