When Your Side Hustle Becomes Part of Your Ministry

Bi-vocational ministry isn’t new. The Apostle Paul was a tentmaker. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John were all fishermen. Matthew (also called Levi) was a tax collector. Luke was a physician.

Throughout history, pastors and leaders have pursued a calling to follow Jesus, continuing to work both within and outside the church.

Each of the Bible characters mentioned above had a side hustle – something extra to supplement their lives and ministries. 

So, the question isn’t whether it’s okay to have a side hustle. The real question is, how can you serve your church and run your side hustle in a way that honors God?

When informed by God’s word, your side hustle can move from “extra income” to an extension of your God-given mission.

Why Pastors and Church Leaders Start Side Hustles

Every person has their own reason for starting a side hustle. Here are some of the most common.

Financial Pressure in Ministry

Life is expensive, and unfortunately, many church leaders can’t survive on their ministry salaries alone. Too many bills. Not enough cash. It’s enough to put a strain on any pastor or church leader. 

According to the Tithely Church Salary Guide, church staff often earn significantly less than they would in comparable roles within nonprofit or corporate organizations. 

Hence, the need for a side hustle. 

A side hustle enables you to earn additional income beyond your church salary, which can help cover the gap between your salary and your bills.

The Apostle Paul worked to provide for himself and give him the ability to travel and spread the gospel. 

“After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met Aquila and Priscilla… and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.” — Acts 18:1–3

Paul made tents. This work didn’t distract him from his mission. It funded it.

Using Creative and Entrepreneurial Gifts

In addition to feeling a call to ministry, many pastors and leaders feel called to use the gifts God has given them outside the church. Maybe you’re an artist. Or an entrepreneur. Or maybe you’re really good at coaching people. 

All of these gifts can be used to glorify God, both in ministry and as part of a side hustle. In some churches, particularly small ones, you may not have an outlet to use your creativity and gifts. A side hustle gives you the space to express your gifts outside the church walls. 

The Rise of the Gig Economy

The ways we can earn money have exploded in recent years. There’s Instacart delivery, online tutoring, Etsy selling, course creation, Zoom music lessons, and so many more.  

The gig economy, online tools, and remote work make it easier than ever to earn income from multiple streams. This extra income is a welcome addition to the budget. 

Plus, you can fit your side hustle into your existing schedule, rather than having to work specific shifts.

When Work Becomes Worship

There’s no such thing as “sacred” and “secular” work. Everything we do can be sacred if we seek to do it to the glory of God. Preparing a sermon? Sacred. Designing a website? Sacred. Running a photography business? Sacred.

As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Don’t separate your side hustle from your ministry. Yes, there are some practical considerations, like when you work and whether it should be under the umbrella of your church salary or on top of it. Nevertheless, your side hustle can further your ministry impact. 

It can become a mission field where your faith influences every transaction and conversation. 

The Blessings of a Ministry-Aligned Side Hustle

We’ve already touched on this, but it’s worth exploring more. There are numerous benefits associated with a side hustle. 

Financial Freedom That Reduces Burnout

An effective side hustle can relieve financial pressure and reduce burnout. You know the stress of trying to make ends meet while leading a congregation. It’s a constant burden, and that pressure often leads to exhaustion or even leaving ministry altogether.

Additional income can give you room to breathe and work much more effectively. When you don’t have to worry about paying the bills, you have more mental and physical energy to give to your church members. Instead of being distracted by anxiety, you can fully focus on the mission in front of you. 

New Mission Fields Outside the Church

A side hustle can put you in circles your church may never reach. You’ll meet people who would never attend Sunday service. However, they watch how you live. The way you conduct your side hustle can point people to God. 

Every email reply or business meeting can reflect Christ’s character. There’s a good chance you’ll never have the opportunity to preach a sermon to these people. But when you work for the glory of God, your entire life is a “sermon” of sorts. 

Personal Growth That Strengthens Leadership 

Running a side hustle can seriously sharpen your skills, which can also be used to strengthen your ministry. 

Your social media marketing business can dovetail perfectly into developing ways to build your church’s presence on social media platforms. Your freelance videography business can hone your storytelling skills. 

Your side hustle can become God’s training ground for your next level of leadership. As you develop new skills while running your side hustle, you become a more effective pastor or leader. 

Rediscovering Joy and Creativity

Side hustles often awaken parts of you that ministry alone doesn’t touch. You probably don’t have many opportunities at church to design stickers for skateboards or sell organic honey. 

A side hustle can open doors that wouldn’t otherwise be available. It can re-ignite joy, creativity, and curiosity. It can remind you that your identity isn’t limited to one job title.

You’re not just a pastor, worship leader, or ministry assistant. You’re a whole person made in God’s image, with multiple callings that reflect His creativity.

Dangers and Boundaries to Watch

As with every good thing, side hustles can go awry. Here are a few pitfalls to watch for.

When a Side Hustle Becomes an Idol

If your side work consistently crowds out prayer, family, or ministry responsibilities, something’s out of whack. If you find yourself resenting any of the above things for taking away time from your side hustle, it’s time to step back and reevaluate. 

A side hustle can be a great tool, but it’s a terrible master. It should serve your ministry, not sabotage it. 

When your side hustle moves from inspiration to idol, something needs to change. 

Ethical and Financial Transparency

Transparency is crucial. As a rule, you shouldn’t use church equipment, contacts, or work hours for personal business, unless you have explicit permission. Keep clear records. Talk openly with your senior pastor or elders about what you’re doing and how it intersects with your ministry role.

Integrity builds trust. Even the appearance of impropriety can damage credibility, so be proactive, not defensive.

Avoiding Burnout and Exhaustion

You’re not God. You can’t do it all. You can’t burn the candle at both ends for a long period of time without consequences. 

Combining ministry and entrepreneurship can consume every ounce of your energy. Many bi-vocational leaders run on adrenaline until they crash.

Make time for rest. Don’t buy into the “grind” mentality that often comes with side hustles. Schedule time off and trust God with unfinished tasks.

Jesus worked hard. He taught all day, fed massive crowds, and sparred with the religious leaders. Jesus also rested. He had unstructured time with His disciples and would often pull away to pray. 

Be like Jesus. Rest. 

How to Integrate Your Side Hustle and Your Ministry

This all sounds great, but how do you actually integrate your side hustle and ministry?

Clarifying Your Calling

Ask yourself: Why am I doing this?

• Is it purely financial?
• Is it a creative outlet?
• Is it a way to reach a specific group of people?

Pray through your motives. Ask God to show you how this work can align with His purposes. When your “why” is rooted in calling, your work becomes worship.

Identifying Overlap Between Work and Ministry

Your two worlds might be closer than you think. A few examples:

• A church communications director designs branding for other churches and learns new marketing insights.
• A worship leader produces albums that reach people outside the local church.
• A youth pastor launches a tutoring business that mentors students both spiritually and academically.

Look for points of overlap where your professional gifts amplify your ministry impact. Points of overlap can be great starting points for side hustles. 

Of course, if your side hustle is something like artisanal cabbage pickling, there probably won’t be much overlap. And that’s okay. 

Setting Healthy Schedules and Guardrails

Establish clear schedules that guide how and when you work. Define work hours for both ministry and business, and protect family time.

Consider simple rules:

• No client calls on Sunday.
• No ministry emails after 6 p.m.
• No screens after 8 p.m.

Healthy boundaries will keep both your calling and your creativity alive.

Build Bridges, Not Silos

Don’t segregate your business from your church, or your faith from your business. Let each strengthen the other. Ask God to help you see opportunities to minister or bless others through your side hustle. For example:

• Pray for your clients or coworkers.
• Treat customers with the same grace you’d extend to your congregation.
• Invite church members to celebrate how God is using their everyday work as a form of ministry.

The goal is to have your side hustle and ministry moving forward together for the glory of God.

Modeling Stewardship and Integrity

Run your business in a way that honors Christ. Charge fair prices. Don’t be a jerk. Treat people with respect. Be reliable. Keep your word. 

And give from your side income. Let your hustle be another avenue of generosity. When people see integrity and excellence in your work, they catch a glimpse of what God is like.

Seek Counsel and Accountability

Before expanding your side hustle, talk with trusted mentors or your church leadership. Transparency protects your integrity and your ministry. Seek advice on balance, boundaries, and priorities. Keep everything out in the open. No aspect of your side hustle should be a secret (unless you’re an undercover spy). 

Celebrate Every Calling in Your Church

Most church members don’t consider their vocations to be particularly holy. It’s that sacred/secular mindset. Encourage your congregation to view their jobs as ministry, too. Preach on vocation. Highlight members who serve faithfully in their workplaces. Help them draw the connection between worship and all of life. 

When your church celebrates all callings, not just pastoral ones, it leads to a deeper understanding of God’s kingdom.

Ministry Beyond the Church Walls

A side hustle done for the glory of God can refresh your soul, sustain your family, and expand God’s kingdom in ways you might never have imagined. Instead of taking away from your ministry, your side hustle can propel it forward and outward. 

As Paul reminds us:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” — Colossians 3:23

Whether you’re working on your side hustle or serving directly in your church role, work with all your heart for the Lord. Doing that ensures you’re always pointed in the right direction. 

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