When Ministry Isn’t Full-Time: A Conversation About Bivocational Leadership

LeadershipBivocational
Written By Ministry Forum

In many parts of Canada—and around the world—the model of full-time, salaried pastoral ministry is no longer the default. For some, it’s a strategic decision. For others, it’s a financial necessity. But for all, bivocational (or even multivocational) ministry presents both challenges and unexpected gifts. At Ministry Forum, we’ve been paying attention to this shift. From podcast conversations to book recommendations and denominational reflections, we’re noticing a theme: ministry is being reimagined. And for many, part-time is plenty.

Is Bivocational the New Normal?

A growing number of church leaders now serve part-time or alongside other work. Some denominations have embraced this as a way to ground pastors more deeply in the life of their communities. Others are adjusting out of necessity, as congregational resources become more limited. But as Karl Vaters writes, these models are quickly becoming the norm, not the exception.

And yet, this shift brings questions:

  • What does pastoral care look like when the pastor works at a coffee shop or teaches part-time?

  • How do we train leaders for a model of ministry that seminaries weren’t designed to support?

  • How do congregations adapt when a pastor isn’t available “on call” 24/7?

 

In a Leading Ideas Talks podcast episode from 2022, Ben Connelly—church planter, seminary instructor, and co-editor of Bivocational and Beyond—shared a deeply personal reflection on his journey into bivocational ministry. He candidly admitted that his initial reason for taking on additional work outside of the church was purely financial. However, over time, something surprising and transformative happened. What had begun as a practical concession evolved into a profound sense of calling.

Through the demands and rhythms of bivocational life, Connelly discovered unexpected spiritual depth. He spoke of being spiritually shaped in new ways—of how juggling multiple roles taught him dependence on God, fostered humility, and cultivated resilience. He also found joy in greater collaboration, both within his faith community and across vocational spheres, breaking down the divide between sacred and secular. Most powerfully, Connelly experienced a deepened connection with his neighbourhood and broader community. By living and working among the people he ministered to—not just preaching to them on Sundays—he began to truly embody incarnational ministry.

His story is a testament to how bivocational ministry, far from being a second-best option or a stopgap solution, can become a life-giving and missionally effective way of serving the Church and the world.

As Connelly put it, what began as a concession became a calling.

 

Not Second-Tier Ministry

Rather than seeing bivocational ministry as “less than,” many leaders are finding that it offers unique strengths:

  • Collaboration increases, as no one person can carry everything.

  • Financial resources can be redirected to neighbourhood mission or congregational care.

  • Boundaries are clearer, and expectations—when communicated—can be healthier for both pastor and congregation.

  • Spiritual maturity deepens, as leaders live incarnationally, bringing Christ into their other workplaces and networks.

Read the Article from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership: 8 Adjustments Needed as Bivocational and Covocational Pastoral Roles Become the Norm

A Few Resources to Explore

Your Voice Matters

Are you serving bivocationally? Has your congregation shifted from full-time to part-time leadership? What have you learned—about calling, balance, community, or church life? We’d love to hear your insights, stories, and questions as we continue to explore this vital conversation.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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