Guest Viewpoint: Traveling the Bivocational Road

By Mary Jenkins

I believe “bivocational minister” is a relatively new term to many people in our denomination. My husband, Charles, has tried to trace its origin and has had little luck. However, we know the concept would relate to the apostles who lived and worked with the people while serving Jesus.

During college and seminary and for a few years afterward, Charles served several small churches as their “full-time” minister. Our family began to grow, and he realized he would need more income to make ends meet. He was saddened, but he couldn’t raise our family on a minister’s income.

One day we were contacted by a friend regarding a small church whose building had been destroyed by lightning. They wanted a supply pastor while they were rebuilding. Charles went for $80 a week and found a beauty in this dual ministry. By paying a small salary, the members were able to rebuild their church and call Charles as their first bivocational minister. We worked there for 20 years and loved it. Charles has now been a bivocational minister in South Carolina for more than 40 years.

Smaller congregations — with smaller budgets — are becoming more plentiful in our state. A bivocational minister (don’t call him “part-time”) helps cut the cost of having a full-time staff member and leaves the church with more money for missions and other programs. Also, bivocational pastors tend to stay at their churches longer, which leads to more years of fellowship and the building of lifelong relationships.

We are in the “sweet spot” of change when it comes to the growth of bivocationalism. Not too many years in the future, we will look back and realize how fortunate we were to be a part of this epic change. We may always have the megachurches and the First Baptists, but we are held together by the strength and determination of these smaller churches. At present, we have more than 400 churches in this category within our state.

We believe in the work of this calling. As the bivocational consultant for our state convention, Charles is available to assist you or your church. You can reach him at 706-339-5210 or 803-278-1288. We will be happy to set up a time to share with you and your church.