The Pros and Cons of Being a Bi-Vocational Pastor
The pros, cons, and practical tips for bi-vocational ministry. Learn how pastors can balance full-time work and church leadership without burning out.
Ministry is an ever-evolving landscape. Certain aspects of being a church leader (should) always remain true: commitment to Christ and service to others; adherence to the Scriptures; and practicing a life of prayer.
However, other aspects of being a pastor or church leader change from century to century, decade to decade, and even year to year. Think of how much church has changed since 2020, for example. In this article, we’ll look at an emerging reality for many church leaders: the calling of a bi-vocational pastor.
What is a Bi-Vocational Pastor?
A bi-vocational pastor engages in both full-time ministry and paid work in the marketplace. This kind of pastor might act as the lead pastor of a church and have a full-time career that pays the bills, so to speak. Bi-vocational pastors may be conventionally employed by a company, or they may run their own businesses. Or, a bi-vocational pastor may have an unconventional job that allow for longer swaths of work-free days (such as being a firefighter). Some bi-vocational pastors may be heavily aided by an executive or teaching pastor.
In any case, bi-vocational pastors typically pursue this path because of a) financial need, b) a calling to the marketplace, or c) a combination of these two factors.
Bi-vocational ministry is nothing new. Paul was a tentmaker, along with several female church leaders (Acts 18). Nineteenth-century Scottish missionary David Livingstone was a physician and more importantly, an abolitionist. Contemporary pastors like Robert Nieves are able to work from home during the day, relying on industries like sales and software development.
And yet, bi-vocational ministry remains somewhat of a mystery to most church leaders today. The most pertinent question is: How do you balance the myriad responsibilities of being pastor with holding a full-time job?
Pros and Cons of Bi-Vocational Ministry
If you’re considering this unique path, it’s critical to consider the pros and cons of life as a bi-vocational pastor. Here are several factors to consider before seriously considering bi-vocational ministry.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry reduces financial stress.
This one is obvious, but it’s worth repeating: bi-vocational ministry can significantly reduce financial stress. If you’re the pastor of a small church–like most pastors–this can be a game-changer. Not only will you gain stability, but you’re free to take a reduced income (or no income) to limit strain on small church budgets.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry creates opportunities to share the Gospel.
Pastors typically live and breathe “church.” Outside of developing relationships with neighbors, it can be tough for a pastor to forge connections with not-yet-believers. However, most jobs will afford ample opportunities to meet and connect with people outside the Church. Bonus: Telling your coworkers you’re also a pastor can be a great conversation opener and lead-in to the Gospel.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry gives you powerful insight.
Pastors always risk losing sight of what life looks like for many people: working a 9-to-5 job that pays the bills and typically has nothing to do with ministry. Working in the marketplace gives church leaders richer insight into the daily lives of their congregants.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry can be challenging for leaders of small churches.
Pastors of small churches tend to wear many hats and have a limited number of people to rely on for assistance. That can make it difficult to accomplish all your responsibilities as a pastor and work a FT job.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry can limit your ability to connect with congregants.
Bi-vocational pastor aren’t as readily available to directly serve congregants. Your congregants will need to understand that because of your job, you may not be free to chat after church, visit a sick relative in the hospital, or have a midweek phone call.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry calls for hard work and focus.
Warning: If you’re not ready for a life of non-stop dedicated focus and work, then you’re not ready to embrace bi-vocational ministry. That doesn’t mean that bi-vocational pastors never get a day off; it simply means that additional planning and intentionality is required to make sure you avoid burnout. “The demands on time are very, very serious,” says bi-vocational pastor Robert Nieves. You must be an absolute rockstar at time management!
Tips for Successful Bi-Vocational Ministry
If you’re not deterred yet by the idea of bi-vocational ministry, then read on. Here are several tips for successfully pursuing life as both a pastor and a marketplace professional.
Balance time with your family
You probably know pastors who have sacrificed a healthy family life for their church. Or maybe you’ve gone through a season where your family has suffered because of ministry. In any case, it’s vital that you continue to prioritize time with your family, even through the busyness of being a bi-vocational pastor.
Delegate, delegate, delegate
As mentioned above, pastors have a lot of responsibilities to juggle. Taking on a job on top of preparing and delivering sermons, attending meetings, caring for congregants, and managing a church may feel impossible.
That’s why delegation is so critical. Determine which tasks that only you can feasibly accomplish, and then delegate others out to church members, staff, and volunteers. Ultimately, this will create a healthier culture where church becomes less of a spectator sport and more of a well-oiled machine of ministry.
Consider the long-term plan
Are you interested in bi-vocational ministry because you feel called to the marketplace, or because you’re under financial stress? If getting a conventional job is a temporary solution to generate additional income–but you’d like to eventually pay the bills as a pastor–that should affect how much time and energy you pour into training and career development. It will also shape how you set expectations and maintain your role as pastor.
Pursue excellence
Finally, pursue excellence in both your jobs. Even if your marketplace job is as simple as working at a retail store or flipping burgers, your witness is critical. It is possible to do both well, but it will require lots of focus, firm boundaries, and a church that’s willing to step up and serve.
Over to You
Ultimately, bi-vocational ministry becomes infinitely easier when you have the tools to help run your church with ease and efficiency. Tithely is a suite of tools designed for churches that need a streamlined platform to run online giving, volunteer management, database management, communication, and more. It’s easy to use and integrates smoothly with other tools. Best of all, it’s affordable for churches of every size.
Sign Up for Product Updates
Tithely provides the tools you need to engage with your church online, stay connected, increase generosity, and simplify the lives of your staff.
With tools like text and email messaging, custom church apps and websites, church management software, digital giving, and so much more… it’s no wonder why over 37,000 churches in 50 countries trust Tithely to help run their church.
Ministry is an ever-evolving landscape. Certain aspects of being a church leader (should) always remain true: commitment to Christ and service to others; adherence to the Scriptures; and practicing a life of prayer.
However, other aspects of being a pastor or church leader change from century to century, decade to decade, and even year to year. Think of how much church has changed since 2020, for example. In this article, we’ll look at an emerging reality for many church leaders: the calling of a bi-vocational pastor.
What is a Bi-Vocational Pastor?
A bi-vocational pastor engages in both full-time ministry and paid work in the marketplace. This kind of pastor might act as the lead pastor of a church and have a full-time career that pays the bills, so to speak. Bi-vocational pastors may be conventionally employed by a company, or they may run their own businesses. Or, a bi-vocational pastor may have an unconventional job that allow for longer swaths of work-free days (such as being a firefighter). Some bi-vocational pastors may be heavily aided by an executive or teaching pastor.
In any case, bi-vocational pastors typically pursue this path because of a) financial need, b) a calling to the marketplace, or c) a combination of these two factors.
Bi-vocational ministry is nothing new. Paul was a tentmaker, along with several female church leaders (Acts 18). Nineteenth-century Scottish missionary David Livingstone was a physician and more importantly, an abolitionist. Contemporary pastors like Robert Nieves are able to work from home during the day, relying on industries like sales and software development.
And yet, bi-vocational ministry remains somewhat of a mystery to most church leaders today. The most pertinent question is: How do you balance the myriad responsibilities of being pastor with holding a full-time job?
Pros and Cons of Bi-Vocational Ministry
If you’re considering this unique path, it’s critical to consider the pros and cons of life as a bi-vocational pastor. Here are several factors to consider before seriously considering bi-vocational ministry.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry reduces financial stress.
This one is obvious, but it’s worth repeating: bi-vocational ministry can significantly reduce financial stress. If you’re the pastor of a small church–like most pastors–this can be a game-changer. Not only will you gain stability, but you’re free to take a reduced income (or no income) to limit strain on small church budgets.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry creates opportunities to share the Gospel.
Pastors typically live and breathe “church.” Outside of developing relationships with neighbors, it can be tough for a pastor to forge connections with not-yet-believers. However, most jobs will afford ample opportunities to meet and connect with people outside the Church. Bonus: Telling your coworkers you’re also a pastor can be a great conversation opener and lead-in to the Gospel.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry gives you powerful insight.
Pastors always risk losing sight of what life looks like for many people: working a 9-to-5 job that pays the bills and typically has nothing to do with ministry. Working in the marketplace gives church leaders richer insight into the daily lives of their congregants.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry can be challenging for leaders of small churches.
Pastors of small churches tend to wear many hats and have a limited number of people to rely on for assistance. That can make it difficult to accomplish all your responsibilities as a pastor and work a FT job.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry can limit your ability to connect with congregants.
Bi-vocational pastor aren’t as readily available to directly serve congregants. Your congregants will need to understand that because of your job, you may not be free to chat after church, visit a sick relative in the hospital, or have a midweek phone call.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry calls for hard work and focus.
Warning: If you’re not ready for a life of non-stop dedicated focus and work, then you’re not ready to embrace bi-vocational ministry. That doesn’t mean that bi-vocational pastors never get a day off; it simply means that additional planning and intentionality is required to make sure you avoid burnout. “The demands on time are very, very serious,” says bi-vocational pastor Robert Nieves. You must be an absolute rockstar at time management!
Tips for Successful Bi-Vocational Ministry
If you’re not deterred yet by the idea of bi-vocational ministry, then read on. Here are several tips for successfully pursuing life as both a pastor and a marketplace professional.
Balance time with your family
You probably know pastors who have sacrificed a healthy family life for their church. Or maybe you’ve gone through a season where your family has suffered because of ministry. In any case, it’s vital that you continue to prioritize time with your family, even through the busyness of being a bi-vocational pastor.
Delegate, delegate, delegate
As mentioned above, pastors have a lot of responsibilities to juggle. Taking on a job on top of preparing and delivering sermons, attending meetings, caring for congregants, and managing a church may feel impossible.
That’s why delegation is so critical. Determine which tasks that only you can feasibly accomplish, and then delegate others out to church members, staff, and volunteers. Ultimately, this will create a healthier culture where church becomes less of a spectator sport and more of a well-oiled machine of ministry.
Consider the long-term plan
Are you interested in bi-vocational ministry because you feel called to the marketplace, or because you’re under financial stress? If getting a conventional job is a temporary solution to generate additional income–but you’d like to eventually pay the bills as a pastor–that should affect how much time and energy you pour into training and career development. It will also shape how you set expectations and maintain your role as pastor.
Pursue excellence
Finally, pursue excellence in both your jobs. Even if your marketplace job is as simple as working at a retail store or flipping burgers, your witness is critical. It is possible to do both well, but it will require lots of focus, firm boundaries, and a church that’s willing to step up and serve.
Over to You
Ultimately, bi-vocational ministry becomes infinitely easier when you have the tools to help run your church with ease and efficiency. Tithely is a suite of tools designed for churches that need a streamlined platform to run online giving, volunteer management, database management, communication, and more. It’s easy to use and integrates smoothly with other tools. Best of all, it’s affordable for churches of every size.
podcast transcript
Tithely provides the tools you need to engage with your church online, stay connected, increase generosity, and simplify the lives of your staff.
With tools like text and email messaging, custom church apps and websites, church management software, digital giving, and so much more… it’s no wonder why over 37,000 churches in 50 countries trust Tithely to help run their church.
Ministry is an ever-evolving landscape. Certain aspects of being a church leader (should) always remain true: commitment to Christ and service to others; adherence to the Scriptures; and practicing a life of prayer.
However, other aspects of being a pastor or church leader change from century to century, decade to decade, and even year to year. Think of how much church has changed since 2020, for example. In this article, we’ll look at an emerging reality for many church leaders: the calling of a bi-vocational pastor.
What is a Bi-Vocational Pastor?
A bi-vocational pastor engages in both full-time ministry and paid work in the marketplace. This kind of pastor might act as the lead pastor of a church and have a full-time career that pays the bills, so to speak. Bi-vocational pastors may be conventionally employed by a company, or they may run their own businesses. Or, a bi-vocational pastor may have an unconventional job that allow for longer swaths of work-free days (such as being a firefighter). Some bi-vocational pastors may be heavily aided by an executive or teaching pastor.
In any case, bi-vocational pastors typically pursue this path because of a) financial need, b) a calling to the marketplace, or c) a combination of these two factors.
Bi-vocational ministry is nothing new. Paul was a tentmaker, along with several female church leaders (Acts 18). Nineteenth-century Scottish missionary David Livingstone was a physician and more importantly, an abolitionist. Contemporary pastors like Robert Nieves are able to work from home during the day, relying on industries like sales and software development.
And yet, bi-vocational ministry remains somewhat of a mystery to most church leaders today. The most pertinent question is: How do you balance the myriad responsibilities of being pastor with holding a full-time job?
Pros and Cons of Bi-Vocational Ministry
If you’re considering this unique path, it’s critical to consider the pros and cons of life as a bi-vocational pastor. Here are several factors to consider before seriously considering bi-vocational ministry.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry reduces financial stress.
This one is obvious, but it’s worth repeating: bi-vocational ministry can significantly reduce financial stress. If you’re the pastor of a small church–like most pastors–this can be a game-changer. Not only will you gain stability, but you’re free to take a reduced income (or no income) to limit strain on small church budgets.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry creates opportunities to share the Gospel.
Pastors typically live and breathe “church.” Outside of developing relationships with neighbors, it can be tough for a pastor to forge connections with not-yet-believers. However, most jobs will afford ample opportunities to meet and connect with people outside the Church. Bonus: Telling your coworkers you’re also a pastor can be a great conversation opener and lead-in to the Gospel.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry gives you powerful insight.
Pastors always risk losing sight of what life looks like for many people: working a 9-to-5 job that pays the bills and typically has nothing to do with ministry. Working in the marketplace gives church leaders richer insight into the daily lives of their congregants.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry can be challenging for leaders of small churches.
Pastors of small churches tend to wear many hats and have a limited number of people to rely on for assistance. That can make it difficult to accomplish all your responsibilities as a pastor and work a FT job.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry can limit your ability to connect with congregants.
Bi-vocational pastor aren’t as readily available to directly serve congregants. Your congregants will need to understand that because of your job, you may not be free to chat after church, visit a sick relative in the hospital, or have a midweek phone call.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry calls for hard work and focus.
Warning: If you’re not ready for a life of non-stop dedicated focus and work, then you’re not ready to embrace bi-vocational ministry. That doesn’t mean that bi-vocational pastors never get a day off; it simply means that additional planning and intentionality is required to make sure you avoid burnout. “The demands on time are very, very serious,” says bi-vocational pastor Robert Nieves. You must be an absolute rockstar at time management!
Tips for Successful Bi-Vocational Ministry
If you’re not deterred yet by the idea of bi-vocational ministry, then read on. Here are several tips for successfully pursuing life as both a pastor and a marketplace professional.
Balance time with your family
You probably know pastors who have sacrificed a healthy family life for their church. Or maybe you’ve gone through a season where your family has suffered because of ministry. In any case, it’s vital that you continue to prioritize time with your family, even through the busyness of being a bi-vocational pastor.
Delegate, delegate, delegate
As mentioned above, pastors have a lot of responsibilities to juggle. Taking on a job on top of preparing and delivering sermons, attending meetings, caring for congregants, and managing a church may feel impossible.
That’s why delegation is so critical. Determine which tasks that only you can feasibly accomplish, and then delegate others out to church members, staff, and volunteers. Ultimately, this will create a healthier culture where church becomes less of a spectator sport and more of a well-oiled machine of ministry.
Consider the long-term plan
Are you interested in bi-vocational ministry because you feel called to the marketplace, or because you’re under financial stress? If getting a conventional job is a temporary solution to generate additional income–but you’d like to eventually pay the bills as a pastor–that should affect how much time and energy you pour into training and career development. It will also shape how you set expectations and maintain your role as pastor.
Pursue excellence
Finally, pursue excellence in both your jobs. Even if your marketplace job is as simple as working at a retail store or flipping burgers, your witness is critical. It is possible to do both well, but it will require lots of focus, firm boundaries, and a church that’s willing to step up and serve.
Over to You
Ultimately, bi-vocational ministry becomes infinitely easier when you have the tools to help run your church with ease and efficiency. Tithely is a suite of tools designed for churches that need a streamlined platform to run online giving, volunteer management, database management, communication, and more. It’s easy to use and integrates smoothly with other tools. Best of all, it’s affordable for churches of every size.
VIDEO transcript
Ministry is an ever-evolving landscape. Certain aspects of being a church leader (should) always remain true: commitment to Christ and service to others; adherence to the Scriptures; and practicing a life of prayer.
However, other aspects of being a pastor or church leader change from century to century, decade to decade, and even year to year. Think of how much church has changed since 2020, for example. In this article, we’ll look at an emerging reality for many church leaders: the calling of a bi-vocational pastor.
What is a Bi-Vocational Pastor?
A bi-vocational pastor engages in both full-time ministry and paid work in the marketplace. This kind of pastor might act as the lead pastor of a church and have a full-time career that pays the bills, so to speak. Bi-vocational pastors may be conventionally employed by a company, or they may run their own businesses. Or, a bi-vocational pastor may have an unconventional job that allow for longer swaths of work-free days (such as being a firefighter). Some bi-vocational pastors may be heavily aided by an executive or teaching pastor.
In any case, bi-vocational pastors typically pursue this path because of a) financial need, b) a calling to the marketplace, or c) a combination of these two factors.
Bi-vocational ministry is nothing new. Paul was a tentmaker, along with several female church leaders (Acts 18). Nineteenth-century Scottish missionary David Livingstone was a physician and more importantly, an abolitionist. Contemporary pastors like Robert Nieves are able to work from home during the day, relying on industries like sales and software development.
And yet, bi-vocational ministry remains somewhat of a mystery to most church leaders today. The most pertinent question is: How do you balance the myriad responsibilities of being pastor with holding a full-time job?
Pros and Cons of Bi-Vocational Ministry
If you’re considering this unique path, it’s critical to consider the pros and cons of life as a bi-vocational pastor. Here are several factors to consider before seriously considering bi-vocational ministry.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry reduces financial stress.
This one is obvious, but it’s worth repeating: bi-vocational ministry can significantly reduce financial stress. If you’re the pastor of a small church–like most pastors–this can be a game-changer. Not only will you gain stability, but you’re free to take a reduced income (or no income) to limit strain on small church budgets.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry creates opportunities to share the Gospel.
Pastors typically live and breathe “church.” Outside of developing relationships with neighbors, it can be tough for a pastor to forge connections with not-yet-believers. However, most jobs will afford ample opportunities to meet and connect with people outside the Church. Bonus: Telling your coworkers you’re also a pastor can be a great conversation opener and lead-in to the Gospel.
Pro: Bi-vocational ministry gives you powerful insight.
Pastors always risk losing sight of what life looks like for many people: working a 9-to-5 job that pays the bills and typically has nothing to do with ministry. Working in the marketplace gives church leaders richer insight into the daily lives of their congregants.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry can be challenging for leaders of small churches.
Pastors of small churches tend to wear many hats and have a limited number of people to rely on for assistance. That can make it difficult to accomplish all your responsibilities as a pastor and work a FT job.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry can limit your ability to connect with congregants.
Bi-vocational pastor aren’t as readily available to directly serve congregants. Your congregants will need to understand that because of your job, you may not be free to chat after church, visit a sick relative in the hospital, or have a midweek phone call.
Con: Bi-vocational ministry calls for hard work and focus.
Warning: If you’re not ready for a life of non-stop dedicated focus and work, then you’re not ready to embrace bi-vocational ministry. That doesn’t mean that bi-vocational pastors never get a day off; it simply means that additional planning and intentionality is required to make sure you avoid burnout. “The demands on time are very, very serious,” says bi-vocational pastor Robert Nieves. You must be an absolute rockstar at time management!
Tips for Successful Bi-Vocational Ministry
If you’re not deterred yet by the idea of bi-vocational ministry, then read on. Here are several tips for successfully pursuing life as both a pastor and a marketplace professional.
Balance time with your family
You probably know pastors who have sacrificed a healthy family life for their church. Or maybe you’ve gone through a season where your family has suffered because of ministry. In any case, it’s vital that you continue to prioritize time with your family, even through the busyness of being a bi-vocational pastor.
Delegate, delegate, delegate
As mentioned above, pastors have a lot of responsibilities to juggle. Taking on a job on top of preparing and delivering sermons, attending meetings, caring for congregants, and managing a church may feel impossible.
That’s why delegation is so critical. Determine which tasks that only you can feasibly accomplish, and then delegate others out to church members, staff, and volunteers. Ultimately, this will create a healthier culture where church becomes less of a spectator sport and more of a well-oiled machine of ministry.
Consider the long-term plan
Are you interested in bi-vocational ministry because you feel called to the marketplace, or because you’re under financial stress? If getting a conventional job is a temporary solution to generate additional income–but you’d like to eventually pay the bills as a pastor–that should affect how much time and energy you pour into training and career development. It will also shape how you set expectations and maintain your role as pastor.
Pursue excellence
Finally, pursue excellence in both your jobs. Even if your marketplace job is as simple as working at a retail store or flipping burgers, your witness is critical. It is possible to do both well, but it will require lots of focus, firm boundaries, and a church that’s willing to step up and serve.
Over to You
Ultimately, bi-vocational ministry becomes infinitely easier when you have the tools to help run your church with ease and efficiency. Tithely is a suite of tools designed for churches that need a streamlined platform to run online giving, volunteer management, database management, communication, and more. It’s easy to use and integrates smoothly with other tools. Best of all, it’s affordable for churches of every size.
Sign Up for Product Updates
Tithely provides the tools you need to engage with your church online, stay connected, increase generosity, and simplify the lives of your staff.
With tools like text and email messaging, custom church apps and websites, church management software, digital giving, and so much more… it’s no wonder why over 37,000 churches in 50 countries trust Tithely to help run their church.
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