I spent my first few years of ministry as a bivocational pastor. For those unfamiliar with the term, this meant I sought additional work to supplement my pastoral income and fully support my family.
I still have a deep appreciation for those balancing two roles, often with both approaching full-time hours. As more leaders consider bivocational ministry in the years ahead, I see this shift as an opportunity; my own time in the secular workforce greatly enriched my ministry, as that is truly our mission field.
I am passionate about supporting these dedicated servants who often work harder than those receiving a full-time church salary. Understanding the benefits and challenges of bivocational ministry is crucial for anyone navigating this demanding yet rewarding path.
Let me share a few things I learned and have observed from working with other bivocational pastors. I’m going to share five suggestions of things I believe you should do, followed by five suggestions of things I would suggest you should not.
THINGS YOU SHOULD DO
1. Be accountable. As a bivocational pastor you need to allow people to speak into your life. You may feel more independent if you’re not completely dependent on the church for your income, but you still need accountability—like we all do.
2. Be disciplined. You have to stay healthy in all areas of your life. We all do, but you have more pressure on the bivocational pastor to do so.
3. Be organized. Have someone help you if needed, but develop systems to do everything you have to do in a week. I find the busier I am and the more I am doing, the more structure I need to provide myself. There will always be interruptions, but you’re better prepared for them when you start your week with a plan.
4. Be intentional. It’s hard work, but you have to keep both business and church worlds running well—and still be a good family man. It will require intentionality on your part.
5. Be diligent. In all areas of your life, you must do your best. Your witness is at stake.
THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T DO
1. Complain to the church. It’s tempting, because the work is hard. They should know you do—and hopefully they will give you consideration for it. But it’s not fair to them to hear you complain about it all the time.
2. Lose sight of vision. The reason you are a bivocational pastor is to complete the call God has on your life. And what you do is valuable. Life-changing. Eternal.
3. Let yourself burnout. Stay healthy physically, relationally, and emotionally. Again, let people speak into your life who recognize when you are stretching yourself too far. You may have to say no to some things so you can do other things. (Some will need to read that last sentence again.)
4. Allow one world to outshine the other. This is the hard part, but you have to be good in all your worlds if you’re going to continue. You’ll need God’s strength, but again, it’s your witness.
5. Neglect your family. Here’s another hard one, but they are your first commitment. They will be there after either vocation.
One key to your success long-term will be to continually improve personally, so you can do more professionally. Ask God to help you with that. And I’m pulling for you.
Have you ever had to balance dual careers? What advice would you give?
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This article originally appeared on RonEdmondson.com and is reposted here by permission.