When Oscar felt called to plant a church, he didn’t leave his job. He leveraged it. As a high school science teacher in a diverse urban neighborhood, he was already deeply embedded in his community. He knew the stories. He shared life with students and families. He had already built trust that no outreach program or marketing campaign could ever match.
Instead of stepping away from the classroom, Oscar chose to stay. And from that place of relational credibility and everyday presence, a church began to form—not around a platform, but around shared life, conversations and a slow, steady rhythm of discipleship.
Oscar represents a growing wave of covocational church planters and pastors—men and women who choose to remain in their marketplace roles while planting and sustaining faith communities. In a time when financial resources are limited and relational connections are hard to come by, a covocational strategy is a compelling option. It provides planters and pastors with a longer runway to engage their community, make disciples, and plant and grow a church without the pressure to fund a full-time salary. But covocational ministry is more than a financial strategy; it is a return to the roots of mission—ordinary people living ordinary lives with gospel intentionality, where God has already sent them.
Unlike a traditional church model, where leaders are either fully funded from the church or juggle side hustles out of necessity (what is often called “bivocational”), covocational leaders view their profession as a primary context for mission. Rather than compartmentalizing work and ministry, they integrate the two, seeing their workplace as an extension of the church’s presence in the community.
Let’s look more closely at why more church planters and pastors are choosing to be covocational.
1. Relational Connections
Here’s the reality: The majority of pastors spend most of their time with church people. That’s not a bad thing—it’s just the nature of being a pastor. But if the goal is to reach people who are not Christians, living in a church bubble is a problem.
By working in the marketplace, a covocational planter or pastor naturally engages with co-workers, clients and residents—people who may never step foot inside a church building. Their vocation becomes a built-in mission field, providing daily interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds, belief systems and life experiences. A covocational minister sees their workplace as a space where discipleship, evangelism and kingdom influence happen organically. Instead of viewing their marketplace job as a hindrance to ministry, they recognize it as a God-ordained advantage—an opportunity to incarnate and proclaim the gospel in the rhythms of everyday life.
2. Credibility
In a time when the term “pastor” doesn’t always receive the warmest reception, it makes a difference when people see that you work a job just like they do. It builds trust—especially with those outside the church who might be skeptical of religion or organized faith. It shows that you’re not removed from the pressures and complexities of everyday life.
But it’s not just about how outsiders see you. When a pastor works in the real world, the people inside the church notice too. They see that you understand what their Monday-to-Friday looks like. That shared experience can help to break down the “clergy-laity” divide and remind everyone that all work matters. It reinforces the idea that faith isn’t just for Sundays—it’s meant to shape our whole lives, including the workplace. People trust leaders who live in the same world they do.
3. Financial Stewardship
Planting a church or shepherding a small church is hard enough without the added pressure of finances. A stable income from outside the church allows planters to provide for their families without the stress of fluctuating giving patterns. Additionally, many full-time jobs offer essential benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation and retirement plans—provisions that new or small churches often cannot afford to provide.
And for the church itself, not having to fund a full-time salary frees up resources to invest in mission and ministry. You can take time building relationships instead of rushing to grow numbers to support the church budget.
Further, covocational strategies allow denominations and church planting networks to support more planters in more places—especially in expensive and underserved areas where traditional funding models just don’t work. If we want to see a church planting movement in every place and people group, we must engage with covocational leaders.
4. Shared Leadership
When a pastor can’t do everything (because, you know, they have a job), something important happens: People step up.
Covocational ministry creates space for others to lead, serve and grow. They have to. And that’s a good thing. Instead of a “come and watch the pastor do ministry” model, covocational-led churches become communities of participation. People discover their gifts. Leadership is shared. Ownership grows. And the whole church becomes stronger and more fruitful because it’s not built around one person.
This shift also reawakens a powerful and often underutilized truth: the priesthood of all believers. Every follower of Jesus is called, gifted and empowered to be a minister in their own right—not just the person with a title or a microphone. Covocational churches lean into this by necessity, but in doing so, they recover a deeper theological reality: The church is healthiest when everyone plays a role in the mission.
5. Freedom to Speak Prophetically
Sometimes speaking the truth comes with a cost. In a traditional model, where your salary may depend on keeping everyone happy, that can get complicated. But when a pastor’s support comes from the marketplace, they often feel more freedom to speak boldly—whether it’s challenging injustice, calling the church to repentance, or speaking hard truths. When pastors are free to speak with honesty and conviction, the church is in a better position to become a place of real transformation.
6. Personal Growth
Many covocational leaders say their day jobs make them better pastors. Why? Because they’re constantly learning how to manage time, work with people, solve problems, adapt to change, and communicate clearly. These marketplace skills can translate into ministry in meaningful ways. Rather than being a diversion from their ministry calling, the workplace becomes a training ground that shapes them into more well-rounded leaders.
The Greatest Challenge
Now let’s be real. Covocational ministry isn’t easy. Balancing a full-time job and the demands of church leadership takes serious intentionality. It requires boundaries, support systems and a clear sense of calling. And if there’s one challenge that rises above the rest, it’s time. There never seems to be enough of it.
But the good news is that you’re not powerless. Here are five simple yet powerful ways you can take control of your time: calendar, priorities, distractions, margin and team. They won’t magically add hours to your day, but they will help you make the most of the ones you have.
Calendar
A calendar can be a powerful tool to effectively manage time; however, for that to work, you must be the one to manage it. Take a serious look at your calendar to examine what an average week looks like.
In the book Time Traps, Todd Duncan argues for a time budget, which is like a financial budget, except instead of tracking dollars, you track hours. Where’s your time really going? What’s getting crowded out? What’s causing stress?
Perhaps before saying yes to the next meeting request, examine your calendar and determine if it is a good fit for that time and day. And remember, you don’t have to say yes to everything. Saying no is not just a good idea—it has now become a mathematical necessity. If there are 15 good things to do today and you only have time to do 10 of them, you will need to say no five times. As author Anne Lamott says, “No is a complete sentence.” So instead of letting your schedule boss you around, start using it as a boundary-setting tool.
Priorities
Here’s something we often forget: You can’t prioritize everything. That’s why setting clear priorities is key. And when you’re covocational, it’s even more important to decide ahead of time what deserves your best time and energy.
So where do you start? Try this: Put your family and your health—physical, emotional and spiritual—at the top of the list. Block out time on your calendar for rest, relationships and renewal like you would any other appointment. And when someone asks if you’re free, you can tell them you already have a prior commitment.
Remember, if your health collapses or your family falls apart, it doesn’t matter how successful your ministry is.
Distractions
We all know the feeling: You pick up your phone to check one quick thing and before you know it, 30 minutes have vanished. You’re watching cute panda videos, or you are knee-deep in an argument with a total stranger on social media. It’s not just you. We’re all living in a digital world designed to keep us scrolling, clicking and consuming.
Distractions are everywhere. They come dressed as notifications, endless reels, breaking news or even “urgent” work emails that could’ve easily waited. While we can’t eliminate every distraction, we can create a few healthy boundaries to keep us focused and protect our time. Here are a few small, intentional changes to help you reclaim chunks of your day, and over time, your clarity and productivity.
• Turn off nonessential notifications. If your phone lights up every time someone posts a story or likes a photo, you’re inviting constant interruptions. Silence the noise.
• Take regular breaks from social media. Even a 24-hour detox can reset your focus. Make space for what is happening right in front of you.
• Unfollow or mute accounts that stir up stress or drama. Your feed should nourish you, not drain you.
• Be mindful of the content you consume, especially when you’re already tired. When your brain is fatigued it’s more vulnerable to mindless scrolling and emotional triggers.
Margin
When it comes to juggling work, family and ministry, one of the most important things we can do is create space. In his book Margin, Richard Swenson gives us a picture that really sticks. He asks: How crazy would it be if a book had no margins? Imagine every page crammed edge to edge with words—no white space at all. It would be overwhelming, hard to read, and just plain chaotic. Sound familiar?
Swenson says margin is the space between our load and our limits, between thriving and burning out. It’s the opposite of overload. And that space? It’s where rest, healing, wisdom and strong relationships can grow.
Think about it: We don’t tailgate someone two inches from their bumper on the highway. Instead, we make sure there is space in case something goes wrong. We don’t book flights with a two-minute layover in a large airport. We don’t load a boat until it’s almost underwater. So why do we live our lives without breathing room?
This metaphor is a helpful way to talk about time, especially when we’re trying to balance the demands of church, work and family. It gives us a common language we can use when we look at our schedules or check in with each other. We can ask: Do I have margin? Where am I overloaded?
But margin doesn’t just happen. You must plan for it. In fact, in a culture that applauds ambition and perpetual activity, we will have to fight for it.
Team
If you’re covocational and trying to run everything solo, burnout isn’t a possibility, it’s a guarantee. That’s why team matters. A lot. Build a team of leaders with different strengths. If you’re a shepherd at heart, bring in someone with apostolic or evangelistic gifts. If you love teaching, find a partner who’s great at gathering or organizing.
When you lead with others, it multiplies ministry and models the kind of church culture where everyone gets to contribute. By understanding your own strengths and intentionally building a team, you can foster a church culture where ministry is shared, mission is advanced, and people are equipped to serve in their sweet spot. Building a team not only creates sustainability, but it also reflects the diverse ways God has designed the church to flourish.
Everyday Impact
Covocational ministry isn’t just about balancing a budget. It’s about embracing a whole new way of being on mission. When you work in the marketplace and lead in the church, you begin to blur the lines between the sacred and the secular. You show people that faith doesn’t just live in Sunday services—it shows up in office breakrooms, construction sites, classrooms and board meetings. Sure, it’s challenging. And yes, it takes intentional effort. But it’s also one of the most meaningful, creative and integrated ways to live out your calling.
For more on co-vocational church planting go to CovoChurchPlanting.com.
12 Potential Covocational Callings
A covocational pastor balances the dual role of leading a church while maintaining a career outside of traditional ministry. The right marketplace vocation for a covocational leader should allow flexibility; align with the leader’s skills; and if they’re planting a church, it should complement their church-planting strategy. Here are several vocations that could be a good fit.
Teaching/Education
Teaching roles often offer flexible schedules, extended breaks and the opportunity to invest in people’s lives. Being a teacher allows for intentional relationships and can serve as a platform for mentoring, community building and leadership development.
Entrepreneur/Small Business Owner
Owning a business provides flexibility with work hours and the ability to connect with the community. Entrepreneurs also often have a greater level of influence in their community, and can integrate faith principles into the marketplace.
Consulting
Consulting offers flexibility and can provide an opportunity to work part-time or on a project-by-project basis. Consulting roles often involve leadership development and strategic thinking, which can benefit church planting efforts.
Real Estate
Real estate agents often have flexible schedules. Additionally, real estate offers opportunities to network with people in the community and build relationships.
Freelancing (Writing, Graphic Design, Marketing, Web Development)
Freelancers can control their own schedules. These roles can often be done remotely, allowing for mobility and flexibility in managing multiple commitments.
Health Care (Nursing, Therapy)
Health care roles, such as nursing, physical therapy or counseling often offer shift-based work, which can create flexibility. Additionally, health care vocations are people-centered, offering many opportunities to demonstrate care, build relationships and show God’s love in practical ways.
Social Work/Nonprofit
Working in a nonprofit or social work capacity allows individuals to be deeply involved in the needs of the community. This can align well with the mission focus of church planting.
Trades (Carpentry, Electrician, Plumber)
Skilled trades often offer flexibility with self-employment or project-based work. These professions also create regular interactions with different people in the community, opening doors for relationship building and outreach.
Technology (Software Developer, IT Specialist, Cybersecurity)
Many technology roles allow for remote work or flexible schedules. The tech industry also offers potential for significant income.
Sales
Sales roles, particularly those that offer commission-based income, often come with a degree of schedule control and flexibility. Salespeople are also in regular contact with the public, providing opportunities for engagement and relationship building.
Financial Planning/Advising
Financial advisors often work flexible hours and build long-term relationships with clients, which can provide opportunities to engage in deeper conversations about life and values. This vocation also allows the church leader to manage their time effectively while helping individuals and families with their financial futures.
Hospitality Industry (Restaurant Owner, Coffee Shop Manager)
Owning or managing a business in the hospitality sector, such as a coffee shop, provides many opportunities for community engagement and relationship building. These businesses can also serve as gathering spaces for church-related events or small group meetings, creating a natural overlap between vocation and ministry.