5 Takeaways from 7 Years of Bi-vocational Ministry
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. —1 Thessalonians 2:8-10
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages. —1 Timothy 5:17-18
My claim to fame will forever be that I went from bi-vocational to full-time ministry two weeks before COVID hit the States. Quite providential, wouldn’t you say? I spent a good year raising up ministry partners and doing all the prep work necessary to make a smooth transition, and I’m so thankful I did!
Let me take a step back for a minute so you can see the wider picture: in 2012, I started planting New Creation Church (Anglican) in Hagerstown, MD. We just celebrated our ten year anniversary this past November, and what a joyful day it was! In the journey from “living room church” to parish, I and my people learned many lessons – some things we did well, others, not so much. Whether you’re in bi-vocational ministry, seeking to go from bi-vo to full-time, or supporting a pastor who is, I think I have some worthwhile takeaways to share.
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My Five Takeaways
1. Bi-vocational ministry builds up the ministry of the local church without draining the budget
In the church planting context, a commitment to raising bi-vocational priests and deacons takes the weight and burden off a new plant to “make it” in a set amount of time. It makes it okay to be small and sustainable. Many of us can think of real-life examples where a plant didn’t get beyond “seedling” phase because the pastor was under pressure to grow to a certain size in a set amount of time. With the bi-vo approach, pressure is (somewhat) off. I believe this is an especially key insight for our Anglican context. In smaller towns and cities, Anglican plants most often are simply not going to have meteoric growth rates. The bi-vocational approach takes account of this.
In a more established context, this approach can free up the rector and diversify the ministry capabilities of the local church. When bi-vocational presbyters and deacons are raised up, the opportunities for ministry multiply – without needing the budget to multiply! For example, I have a friend locally who is a lay leader at Chambersburg Anglican Fellowship. He’s happily employed as a pharmacist, but is pursuing the vocational diaconate as a way to build up the ministry of this fellowship. This is a small, sustainable approach that creates bridges into the community CAF is targeting, while also building up the Body of Christ without the immediate pressures of financial need.
There are pitfalls to consider here, however. Especially in the church planting context, one of the biggest pitfalls is waiting too long to go full-time (more on that below). A related pitfall is being unwilling to trust the Lord with moving into full-time (if that’s what he’s called you to do!). Starting bi-vocational shouldn’t become an excuse not to go beyond it.
2. It tells the laity, “You’re in this, too!”
In the church planting context, the laity must realize that the priest cannot do everything. It’s just not conceivable or possible (not that it’s ever right to believe such a thing – that would be a poor theology of the Body of Christ!). In a more established context, the laity can be drawn into the ministry being led by bi-vocational priests/deacons (e.g. evangelism & outreach, visitation, mercy ministry, etc.).
Here, pitfalls in the church planting context include a satisfaction with “jr. church.” What I mean by this is that a mission/fellowship can become so overly comfortable with “our lovely little group” that they fail to connect with their community, disciple outsiders, and reach out in love to neighbors, co-workers, etc. The synergy of the clergy and laity working together has to face outward into the community, not just inward into the life of the congregation, lest the body become ingrown.
3. Bi-vocational ministry establishes a strong bridge with the world
As I mentioned above, in the church planting context, work can become a huge mission field in your community! In fact, some prefer the term “co-vocational” to bi-vocational, expressing that one’s vocations inside and outside of the church should ideally work together, not against each other or separate from one another.
In more established contexts, this is also true! Again, having bi-vocational priests and deacons will only plant more seeds, extend the reach of the Gospel, and (hopefully!) elevate the church’s reputation in the community.
And there are lots of creative ways to be bi-vocational. Anglican Compass alone features the stories of a barista priest/planter, a flight dispatcher for American Airlines, and a banker.
There is a big potential pitfall here. You must be sure your secular vocation leaves you the energy you need to fulfill your ministry in the church (and your home – remember, if you’re married, you probably took your marriage vows first!). That was the big “plus” in my work as a project manager for a large healthcare insurance company. I was a WAH (work at home) employee with regular hours, no immediate reports, and the ability to hop out to pastoral meetings and other events as needed. It worked well (until it didn’t – more to come on that).
4. Establish your trajectory and purpose early on
In the church planting context, setting a goal and moving concretely in the direction of full-time leadership raises our faith and invites God to get the glory. In more established contexts, this is also true! Bi-vocational priests/deacons can go on to establish long-term, well-loved ministries in the church, or go on to eventually plant new works. This can be said of many of the vocational deacons within my diocese. They have faithful, flourishing evangelistic ministries with the church, many of which have stood the test of time.
Here we need to note that it is not wrong to be supported by the church bi-vocationally (see 1 Timothy 5:17-18 above)! In fact, you probably should be (I am aware that there are exceptions here, especially for the vocational diaconate). I was supported by New Creation from almost day one, and the level of support grew at an appropriate level over time.
Here’s a related question for priests who are considering going full-time: are you actually learning how to raise support and funds? Are you thinking and planning towards that? I recommend People Raising by William Dillon. Or, if you just want the starter kit, Anglican Compass has a great article by David Roseberry on “How to Find Funding for your Church Plant.” These are skills you’ll never outgrow as a priest.
Some of the pitfalls under this takeaway include being fuzzy on the call (bi-vo to full-time or remaining bi-vo). Another one is not letting go of your safety nets. You know what I mean…that is to say, not actually moving forward in faith.
Here, it’s also tempting to take too long to move to full-time. This would include things like simply not talking about it enough, which can result in being under-supported by your own people or outside ministry partners (e.g., “he’s only bi-vocational, so we don’t need to give more!”). This is something I probably did wrong. Towards the end of being bi-vocational, it was very difficult to keep up with the needs of the parish. I probably should have been concretely preparing to go full-time far earlier than I did.
5. Bi-vocational ministry is probably not realistic long-term
The last takeaway relates to burn out. Based on my experience, I believe it is highly unrealistic to ask a priest to establish a full-fledged congregation as a rector and remain bi-vocational long term. You need to help your people and leaders understand that, biblically speaking, it is their responsibility to take care of you, both spiritually and financially (again, see 1 Timothy 5:17-18). Yes, St. Paul made a living bi-vocationally, but you are probably not St. Paul. And, it seems that even St. Paul would agree!
Consider the Exhortation from the service for the Ordination of a Priest:
Seeing that the demands of this holy Office are so great, lay aside all worldly distractions and take care to direct all that you do to this purpose: read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Scriptures, that you may show yourself both dutiful and thankful to the Lord; and frame your conduct, and that of your household and those committed to your care, according to the doctrine and discipline of Christ. Know, however, that you cannot accomplish this of yourself; for the will and the ability needed are given by God alone. Therefore, pray earnestly for his Holy Spirit to enlighten your mind and strengthen your resolve. (2019 Book of Common Prayer)
May God give you wisdom to know when to pick up your station in life… and when to leave it in obedience. I have found him faithful in both.
Trust and Give Thanks
Trust me when I say this calling, taken on in the right spirit, will be good for your sanctification and the spiritual growth of your people. You’ll never view vocational ministry as a “job” but as a grace and a privilege. There is nothing better than learning in a new and deeper way just how faithful God is! In fact, I’d make this unqualified statement: nothing has been better for my growth in Christ (and my family’s growth in Christ) than becoming a church planter and priest. Like St. Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:8-10, you will know toil and labor, working night and day (as I did for quite some years), but you’ll also be so very thankful if/when the Lord opens the door for you to move into full-time ministry, too.
Believing in bi-vocational ministry also affirms that God calls his people into vocational ministry in all seasons of life. There is no one “cookie-cutter” way to become a priest or deacon. And, although there are best practices, there is no one “right” way to move into full-time ministry, either!
For church planters, this approach also has an added benefit: if/when the Lord calls you into full-time vocational ministry and you need to fundraise, you’ll have something to show for it! You won’t just be talking about a wish, dream, or vision, but you’ll be able to point to a budding community that’s already in existence. Your people will get to trust the Lord with you along the way as they experience your journey into full-time ministry with gratefulness to God and ownership of a shared work together. There’s nothing else quite like it!
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
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