Confession: I’m Bi-

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bi_vocational_pastorAs you network with other people involved in ministry, what is your first impression? Is it that they must serve full-time in ministry somewhere? Many people have thought that about me as I have served in ministry and maintained resource web sites offering guidance to many in ministry. As I served in the local church, there were members who thought that I was a full-time pastor.

The truth is…. I am bi. That’s right, I’m not full-time, I’m bi-vocational. For those who don’t know, that means that I have a “secular” job and serve (work) in ministry. Most of the time I have been a volunteer, for several years, I did receive a small compensation as a children/youth pastor in the church.

Being bi-vocational has it’s challenges:

  • The full-time job drains you during the day and it can be difficult to focus on ministry in the evening – By the time I get home from my full-time job, I have been awake and on the move for over 12 hours.
  • Time for ministry is limited – Total time available in the evening is about 5 hours. In that 5 hours I need to manage dinner, paying bills, spending time with family, preparing lessons, planning for future activities, building relationships with those in my ministry, communicating with the ministry team, etc.. That does not include the evenings that there are meetings for church, or regular church activities.
  • People expect the same time commitment and activities as if you were full-time
  • Networking events are held during the day while you are at work and you cannot participate. – people serving full-time in ministry use the evenings as family time when many bi-vocational ministers/volunteers are just beginning their “ministry day”. I’ve found it is hard for those serving in full-time ministry to relate to those who are volunteer or bi-vocational.

The same things will apply if you are volunteer and work a full-time job. Time is at a premium and time management is critical. Do you ever feel “alone” as a bi-vocational or volunteer minister? Rest assured, you are not; most churches are “small” and cannot afford a full-time staff. Even though, the time commitment can be challenging, there are many rewards as well. I have been blessed to serve in a bi-vocational role.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced being bi-vocational? What are some of the blessings?