For the conference on RISK–FLINCH Conference–I was asked to lead a workshop on bi-vocational leadership for the church. Rather than me talking about this, I decided to pull together other leaders from around the country who have been doing it to share about the candid truth.
Here is the workshop description:
Since the beginning of the Church, her leaders have not all been fully salaried staff pastors. The Apostle Paul even made tents for a season in his ministry. One of the questions facing many of our leaders is “how to support my family and do the ministry that God has called me to?” We have a panel of leaders who have experienced the reality of bi-vocational ministry — earning income from the ministry and from some other source. So as we think about raising leaders and church planting, we should hear the stories of those who have embarked on the bi-vocational journey.
Here is the list of panelists:
Manuel Espinosa: Pastor – Iglesia Cristiana de la Comunidad (Lakewood, CA), Prison Evangelist, House Painter
Angel Ortiz: Pastor – First Alliance Church NYC (Christian & Missionary Alliance Church; the church Dr. A.B. Simpson started), Freight Supervisor – Javits Convention Center in NYC
Jack Brown: Pastor – North Shore Bible Church (Essex, MA), Realtor – Sotheby’s International Realty, Grow New England – Regional Church Planting
Javier Forero: Pastor – Iglesia Comunal La Esperanza (Lithia, FL), Chaplain – Crush It, Dominion, & more!, Coaching & Recruiting Church Planters – Encompass World Partners
Plus via Video– Hugh Halter: Church Planter – Adullum (Denver, CO), Author, Trainer with Missio, House Painter
Here’s his video that set up our conversation (the first 7 minutes):
I’d recommend his book: BIVO: A Modern-Day Guide for Bi-Vocational Saints as well.
Unfortunately, our workshop didn’t get recorded, but I posted my PowerPoint online here