Bivocational ministers face unique challenges. Often, you are called to lead smaller churches with few resources, many of which have plateaued or are in decline. Many bivocational pastors have little or no formal theological training. Bivocational ministry is looked at by some as a "second-class" ministry performed by people who do not have the opportunity to serve a larger church. Along with your family and church responsibilities, your second job also requires a large amount of time each we...

Change is rapidly occurring in almost every area of our society. However, the one notable exception to this is often found in the church, especially in smaller churches. Instead of responding to the changes around them, these churches have adopted a maintenance mentality, which is primarily interested in survival and riskfree ministries that are inwardly focused and fail to meet the needs of those outside their church community. If our churches are going to have an impact on today's culture, ...

Real-world guide to the challenges, rewards, and advantages of bivocational ministry. Excellent for individuals and churches exploring pastoring options.

It's a balancing act. If you're a bivocational pastor, you are familiar with the stresses, complications, and unique hurdles that come with bivocational ministry. You have a special calling. In The Art and Practice of Bivocational Ministry, Dennis Bickers renders sound advice to help bivocational pastors succeed while juggling second jobs and/or families at home. Along with his seasoned insights, you will find real-life case studies of the specific challenges bivocational ministers common...

Small churches can be found in every denomination and among every ethnic group but often these churches struggle to survive in the shadow of the larger churches around them. And many of these churches are afflicted with unhealthy issues such as feelings of unimportance, a lack of vision, exclusivity, limited resources, and unbalanced leadership. It is because of these aliments that many churches fail to survive. But it is possible for an unhealthy church to become a healthy church capable ...