Very realistic, we all wish we could be full time ministers, and could say "i trust God to support me" but whether He does or not, doesn't mean we are handicapped, to work in something else, i would watch for family time though, don't want to end up in a divorce affecting kids, and then blaming the spouse for not supporting your ministry. I don't believe that would be Gods will. I think that if the minister has a second job, he should look into a job that would allow him to take the days of service off, and dedicate those for studying, and frequently take days off from both to use specifically for family.
A bivocational pastor or elder has no off day. He probably has to work much harder than a pastor who is paid a salary by his congregation. My main concern is ministry burnout. Being bivocational might be the only realistic option nowadays in certain places. Many congregations are lukewarm and have little love for a pastor. A pastor is primarily a husband and father to his own family, and must be watchful to care and provide for them. So having another job might even be a necessity and obligation for him. I know pastors who were axed by their congregation of 10 years or more, and suddenly find themselves unemployable in their prior vocations and left fending for their own families.
Well said sir, bi-vocational minister may have no off-day. For more than 25 years, a soldier-minister, engineer-minister, college professor-minister and a teacher - minister and was a >6-year fulltime minister here. A mostly no off day work week life. At times with no legal and sufficient rest days, but by God's sustaining grace, everyday can be a minister's rest-day in the Lord. A provision for the family and ministry must be established. But God is ever faithful to his servants. His servants wanting no more, envies no more, bitter no more, but waiting and hoping for more provisions not always from men but from the kingly Father eternal. Buell, 1834 penned a song "My Father is Rich in Houses and Lands" - by this hymn a minister is optimistically and hopefully serving the loving savior as God permits. In Him, the servants have enough. As apostle Paul said: He supplied all my needs, Philippians 4:19. Nice observation @vincentchia3631 to the least recognized bi-vocational ministers.
What was the first chap to speak talking about? A pastor by definition is a shepherd of the SHEEP! Why was he so shocked to be surrounded by Christians in his pastoral role... ???? If he wanted a ministry in the community outside the church then be an evangelist or something. We live in a day when pastors really do have to understand that their role and responsibility is toward ‘the sheep’ There’s just too many who want the prestige of ‘pastor’ but then want a world travelling ministry as well. They need to get with the programme!
Very realistic, we all wish we could be full time ministers, and could say "i trust God to support me" but whether He does or not, doesn't mean we are handicapped, to work in something else, i would watch for family time though, don't want to end up in a divorce affecting kids, and then blaming the spouse for not supporting your ministry.
I don't believe that would be Gods will.
I think that if the minister has a second job, he should look into a job that would allow him to take the days of service off, and dedicate those for studying, and frequently take days off from both to use specifically for family.
A bivocational pastor or elder has no off day. He probably has to work much harder than a pastor who is paid a salary by his congregation. My main concern is ministry burnout. Being bivocational might be the only realistic option nowadays in certain places. Many congregations are lukewarm and have little love for a pastor. A pastor is primarily a husband and father to his own family, and must be watchful to care and provide for them. So having another job might even be a necessity and obligation for him. I know pastors who were axed by their congregation of 10 years or more, and suddenly find themselves unemployable in their prior vocations and left fending for their own families.
Well said sir, bi-vocational minister may have no off-day. For more than 25 years, a soldier-minister, engineer-minister, college professor-minister and a teacher - minister and was a >6-year fulltime minister here. A mostly no off day work week life. At times with no legal and sufficient rest days, but by God's sustaining grace, everyday can be a minister's rest-day in the Lord. A provision for the family and ministry must be established. But God is ever faithful to his servants. His servants wanting no more, envies no more, bitter no more, but waiting and hoping for more provisions not always from men but from the kingly Father eternal. Buell, 1834 penned a song "My Father is Rich in Houses and Lands" - by this hymn a minister is optimistically and hopefully serving the loving savior as God permits. In Him, the servants have enough. As apostle Paul said: He supplied all my needs, Philippians 4:19. Nice observation @vincentchia3631 to the least recognized bi-vocational ministers.
What was the first chap to speak talking about? A pastor by definition is a shepherd of the SHEEP! Why was he so shocked to be surrounded by Christians in his pastoral role... ???? If he wanted a ministry in the community outside the church then be an evangelist or something. We live in a day when pastors really do have to understand that their role and responsibility is toward ‘the sheep’ There’s just too many who want the prestige of ‘pastor’ but then want a world travelling ministry as well. They need to get with the programme!