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A Word For the Bi-Vo’s Working the Harvest

  • Sam Peters
  • Jan 21
  • 9 min read

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. – Acts 18:1-4 NIV

Imagine juggling two full-time roles—pastoring a small church and holding down a secular job. It's a challenging yet rewarding journey, one that I've navigated for over four decades. Like the Apostle Paul, who was a tentmaker by trade while spreading the gospel (Acts 18:1-4), many of us find ourselves balancing the sacred and the secular.

As a bi-vocational pastor for more than four decades, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of working a secular job while also serving Christ in ministry at faithful small churches in a variety of settings. Being a bi-vocational pastor means experiencing the joy of witnessing lives transformed in intimate, small-town settings. It also means facing the strain it places on our personal lives and families. There are moments when full-time colleagues question our qualifications, especially when formal theological training is limited. Yet, deep down, we know that God has placed us exactly where we need to be.

Our congregations benefit immensely from our dual roles. With one foot in the secular world and the other in the spiritual, we relate closely to the daily lives of our members. We understand the challenges of paying bills, maintaining a household, and managing fatigue after a long day's work. This unique position allows us to connect with our communities in ways that full-time pastors, who may remain within "Christian circles," might not.

However, this path isn't without its challenges. Time management becomes crucial as we juggle multiple responsibilities. Feelings of inferiority can creep in, especially when comparing ourselves to peers with advanced degrees leading larger congregations. Limited support, particularly in independent churches, can add to the struggle.

But here's the good news: over the years, I've discovered strategies to navigate these challenges, avoid burnout, and honor our calling. In the upcoming sections, I'll share practical tips and insights that have sustained me through this journey. Whether it's effective time management, overcoming insecurity, or seeking support, these nuggets of wisdom are aimed at encouraging and equipping you in your ministry.

So, stay with me. Let's explore these tips together and find renewed strength in our shared calling.

Be Sure of Your Calling

If you’re just thinking about your calling into pastoral ministry, seek God’s direction and gather wisdom from a trusted mentor (see tip below). If you’ve been a bi-vocational pastor for some time, reevaluate on a regular basis if you are where God is calling you to be.

I found myself at a crossroads many years ago and was about ready to quit when someone under the urging of the Holy Spirit sent me a card of encouragement. In only the way God can do it, it was a miracle message directly to my heart. If you’ll indulge me, let me brag on how God can assure us of our calling.

I was in Colorado on a business trip and I took my Bible with me as I visited a place called Maroon Bells. I walked down the hiking path to a bench and as I sat there reading my Bible I found myself pleading for God to let me know if I needed to stay in ministry. When I returned home to Ohio I was scheduled to do a wedding on Saturday. After the ceremony the mother of the bride gave me a card with an honorarium inside. I didn’t open it, I just stashed it in my coat pocket. Later that day I opened the card. On the card was a picture of Maroon Bells and this verse:

So, two good things happen as a result of your gifts—those in need are helped, and they overflow with thanks to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:12 TLB.

Inside was an inscription that said, “God has blessed you with a talent for caring for others and spreading happiness.”

I asked the woman the next day when she bought the card and did she know anything about the picture on the front of the card. She picked out the card the same afternoon I was praying about my calling, and she had no idea what mountains were on the card, she just thought they looked pretty.  Can I say a big “WOW!?”

God couldn’t have been clearer about where I was supposed to be.

Set Priorities

If you’re a bi-vocational pastor, I don’t have to remind you that there is always more to do in a day than you have time for. Don’t let the “urgent” take priority over the “important”. I’ve learned that when I let go of the urgent and focus on the important, the urgent usually gets done by someone else or dissipates into vapor because it wasn’t really that urgent. God knows you and He knows your schedule. Allow Him to lead you through it.

Learn to Balance Life and Ministry

You need to be intentional about this. The idiom is true – those who fail to plan, plan to fail. I used to use a Franklin Day Planner, but now I use a Google Calendar. I put nearly everything on it that has to be done. I plan time for work, sermon prep, fun, rest, and family. My wife and I have scheduled Tuesday nights as date night each week. One Tuesday night after getting my third phone call from a church member with a random question, I politely told him that Tuesday was my date night, and I would be happy to talk to him more about it tomorrow. That Sunday he announced to the whole church to leave the pastor alone on Tuesday nights because it was date night and we all need to help him keep that promise to his wife.

It's hard to keep all the plates spinning. The more intentional you are about your schedule, the less you will be overwhelmed by surprises.

Build in Breathing Room

I’ve always heard that if you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans. The unexpected always happens. Don’t plan your schedule so tight that you can’t handle those unexpected moments that naturally occur in life and ministry.

Delegate

By delegating some of the tasks needed done at church you are actually helping your congregation learn to serve Christ. This helps them in their own personal discipleship journey. Ask people with gifts in certain areas to take on for you. One of the areas I’ve had success was to invite a small group of women and men to be part of the pastoral care team. Having a secular job may keep you from visiting the shut-ins and hospital bound parishioners. Ask people with the gift of empathy to make phone calls and visits on your behalf. Have them notify you when a visit from the pastor is needed. This greatly lightened up my load as a bi-vocational pastor and brought a lot of joy to church members that had the time and the heart for visiting others.

Plan Your Sermon Calendar

Saturday night specials are not your friend. Take the time to plan out a sermon schedule to make your sermon preparation less frustrating and much more impactful. I typically take two weeks in November to plan January to June, and two weeks in April to plan July to December. Whether you’re doing topical series style messages or following the Lexionary, planning ahead gives each week a starting point. You don’t have to write or outline every message, just have a topic or title and a main text to get you going.

I know some people will say that planning like that doesn’t allow the Holy Spirit to inspire us and be in the moment. They couldn’t be more wrong. I can’t tell you how often the Holy Spirit led me to a message in November that was the perfect message for March. God isn’t limited by time. He knows exactly what we need next year as easily as He knows what we need today. As you plan and prepare, spend time in prayer and trusting God to lead you on what to preach or teach.

In 2018 I was planning my sermons for the first half of 2019 and there were two Sunday’s back to back in May that God just kept me from figuring out. I trusted that when the time came He would open my heart to the Word He intended. In His perfect planning those two weeks happened to coincide with my last Sunday at my current church and my first Sunday at a new appointment. God knew those Sunday’s were coming long before I did.

Take a Sabbath or the Sabbath Will Take You

I will admit this is my biggest problem area. The Sabbath wasn’t a suggestion—it made God’s Top Ten list of things. I’ve learned that if I don’t take time to rest and connect with God, God will make me take time one way or another.

Sometimes it has felt like taking time off was impossible when I was trying to work and be a pastor, but I needed to find a way. Taking a Sabbath is part of our personal worship of God. Find a day or a couple of half days in your week that you can schedule a time of Sabbath. Trust God to multiply your time in ways you never dreamed of when you put Him first in the Sabbath.

Commit to Growth

Even as bi-vocational pastors and preachers, our calling demands more than just maintaining the status quo—it calls us to continue to refine and expand our gifts and abilities to serve others effectively. Answering the call to ministry is a journey not a destination. Committing to growth involves a willingness to embrace lifelong learning, whether through continuing education, reading widely, or engaging with others that inspire and challenge us.

This commitment requires discipline and humility. It means carving out time in our busy schedules to attend workshops, enroll in courses, or simply reflect on how we can improve. It’s not about achieving perfection but about honoring our calling by striving for excellence. When we invest in our personal and professional growth, we honor God, enrich our ministries, and set an example for others to follow. Growth isn’t just an option; it’s an essential part of being faithful to the work we’ve been entrusted with.

Find a Mentor

Having others to guide and hold us accountable is essential, especially in bi-vocational ministry. The demands of leading others can make us feel isolated, as though we’re navigating an island of ministry alone. It’s easy to believe that no one truly understands the unique challenges we face, but the truth is, we’re not meant to carry this burden by ourselves.

As a young pastor, I was blessed to have senior pastors who took the time to mentor me, teaching me the ins and outs of ministry. Those relationships were invaluable, shaping my journey and giving me the tools to navigate the complexities of pastoring. Over the years, I’ve consistently sought out mentors and accountability partners to walk alongside me, providing wisdom and encouragement in the wilderness of ministry. Now, in this season of life, I have the privilege of mentoring other pastors, passing along what I’ve learned. Ministry is not a solo endeavor—others can help you along the way. Don’t isolate yourself; the cost of doing so is far too great.

Use Resources to Help

Today there are so many resources online that can help you do the able work of a pastor. Don’t be afraid to use them. Online Bible resources can help you flesh out a sermon much faster than you trying to find something you think you may have read before.

Even something as simple as crafting an announcement for the Sunday bulletin can be done much faster today and have more impact than just “winging it” from the pulpit. Several online AI resources can take your rough draft and improve it for understanding and impact. By using some of these online tools you free up time to work on your sermon or spend time with family.

Conclusion

Small church, bi-vocational pastors should be applauded for the service they provide for the Kingdom of God and the smaller churches they lead. Your church and community benefit from the sacrifice you make to pastor there.

Bi-vocational ministry is a unique and rewarding calling that requires intentionality, resilience, and a heart for both your congregation and your community. The balance can be challenging, but with clear priorities, a commitment to growth, and the support of mentors and resources, you can serve faithfully while finding joy in your ministry.

If you feel isolated or overwhelmed, remember—you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Whether you’re looking for practical advice or deeper accountability, I’d be honored to come alongside you as a pastoral coach and mentor. Let’s connect and work together to strengthen your ministry and renew your passion for the harvest. Reach out today, and let’s explore how I can support you in your calling.

You can connect with me via email at sam.peters@smallchurchcoaching.com. Follow me on social media for regular encouragement and insights:

Let’s work together to strengthen your ministry and renew your passion for the harvest. Reach out today!


 
 
 

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