But I was bi-vocational for many years.
The journey in pastoral ministry is difficult for most of us. Most of us will never pastor a church of more than a hundred people; and most of us will be bi-vocational pastors for many years. This reality should not diminish our commitment to serve God’s kingdom.
I accepted my first pastoral appointment in 1980 when I was 21 years old. My wife and I put everything we owned in the back of a Datsun B-210 sedan and drove across the state of Georgia to assume the pastorate of a small church of about 40 people. We were too young and emotionally unprepared for the challenges. After about 22 months, I left the ministry. I was discouraged.
About two years later, we again drove across Georgia to assume the pastorate of another small church of about 20 people. Over the next decade we served three small churches as bi-vocational pastors. We worked hard. My first job out of high school was working for a flooring store installing carpet and vinyl floors. That’s how I made a living while serving small churches. I would work 40-50 hours weekly installing floors, spend Saturday afternoons visiting, then prepare sermons on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. During this time I decided to complete my bachelor’s degree. So, I enrolled in a small Baptist college. I drove 120 miles three times a week to attend classes.
After eleven years of bi-vocational pastoral work, I assumed the pastorate of my first “full-time” church. There, I was able to keep working on my bachelor’s degree. It would be another seven years before I would be earning a full salary with benefits. Get that – eighteen years of pastoral work before I was earning a complete “pay package.” It took me fourteen years to complete the bachelor’s degree, another five to complete the MDiv, and then seven more to finish the DMin.
My path has been long, sometimes discouraging, but always guided by the presence of God. I share this because I don’t want young pastors to quit. The path is difficult for most of us, but we must be faithful to the call of God. I have a few words of advice.
First, get an education. In fact, I recommend that your first college degree (bachelors) be in a field that will earn you a living while you serve as bi-vocational pastor. Be a public school teacher (a great mission field), a medical professional, or a legal professional. The education will allow you to make a living, and it will most likely guarantee more income, especially in the later years of life. Then earn a Master’s degree – Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Church Ministries, etc. This will increase your ministerial competencies and open many more doors of opportunity in later life.
Second, nourish your relationships. Love your family first. Make sure your spouse and children never doubt your love and commitment. Keep your friends close. Develop networks of fellow ministers. Loneliness in ministry is a common complaint and is a killer of ministry. I can honestly testify that in 37 years of pastoral ministry, I have never been lonely. My family, friends, and colleagues have been my most valuable source of strength and encouragement.
If you are in the first few years of pastoral ministry, you are most likely underprepared, overworked, discouraged, and underemployed. Remain committed. It really is worth it.
