Bivocational Church Plants

URBAN IMPACT

This is a great article explaining the rationale and bennefits for Tentmaker (bi-vocational) Missionaries.

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BIVOCATIONAL CHURCH PLANTING
By Richard Harris
(SBC North American Mission Board Vice President)

BIVOCATIONAL CHURCH PLANTING is as ancient as the Old Testament, as Biblical as the New Testament and as current as the 21st century. Approximately 1/3 of Southern Baptist new church plants last year were started with bivocational ministers. The trend of our day is focusing toward bivocational/lay church planting. In order to reach our nation with the gospel of Christ it will take ALL our members actively engaged in ministry. Many are being called into intentional bivocational ministry and I affirm this avenue as ONE of God's means of reaching our nation. It is Biblical - we see Paul as a Tentmaker encouraging others to travel in the same avenue if possible as they begin New Testament congregations even in their homes.

Bivocational ministry is increasingly contributing much to the life and growth of Southern Baptist churches. God has uniquely equipped the bivocational pastor to manage, multi-task, and equip others to do the work of the ministry. Most have a strong entrepreneurial spirit and are very relational. Sermon content and leadership style seem to possess a strong "real world view" because bivocational pastors spend much time in the "real world".

The many advantages I see are as follows:
1.Bivocational ministry is now being affirmed to the point that bivocational and fully-funded
     are on the same level ground in Kingdom ministry.
2.Many of our bivocational ministers come from among the indigenous people in the area
     where a new church is needed.
3.Funding is growing to be a vital need in our new work development and starting churches
     with bivocational church planters relieves much of the funding problem.
4.Bivocational ministers seem to relate well because of their experience out in the "real
     world", members sometimes find it easier to relate because he understands their special
     needs.
5.Time factors are always vital in any ministry, but the bivocational minister gains and
      utilizes the concept of team ministry.
6.Members become more involved because of God's calling and sensing their own value in
     ministry. They need someone to encourage, train and empower them for their specific
     calling.
7.Skills developed by most bivocational ministers include good time management, discipline,
     and good people skills. As they live out their Christian commitment, it opens doors of
     witness potential that often is not found within the walls of the church.

.As God calls young men (and women) into ministry, we need to help them understand that bivocational ministry is a viable option and they perhaps need to gain some marketable skills as they go through their training. This will open the possibility for additional men (and women) being trained in ways to improve their two-fold ministry.