Bi-Vocational
The Problem with Using Your Inbox as your Task List
Over the years I have found different ways to be productive and get things done. I have two tried and true methods that have stuck with me for quite a while. I use my email inbox + my Moleskine to manage the things I have to get done. For people who know me, they always…
Read MoreWhat does an apostolic leader do anyways?
Over the past 10 years, I think I’ve asked about every one of my pastor-friends the question, “what is it that you do during the week?” or “how do you spend your time?” I’ve asked because I was sensing that I was not a typical pastor and quite honestly, I did not know what to…
Read MoreWhy We Have Pastors at The Well
Two weeks ago we ordained two new pastors at The Well: Scott Jones and Matthew Warren. I couldn’t be more proud to serve the church with these two guys. I also am so excited to be part of a pastoral team again. As we began the ordination I wrote up a short intro to “why…
Read MorePlanning Sabbaticals
Some context: this past summer I took a three month sabbatical from The Well. It is hard to believe that I have been a pastor there for eleven years as of this past October. In the Spring of 2011 I went to my elder team and asked them for a sabbatical for that summer. But…
Read MoreAre You a Real Pastor??
It’s been interesting. I’ve been a pastor for 10 years. In all this time I’ve always been bi-vocational. You can read about that in other places on my blog. During that time I’ve come to the realization that two things are (generally) true: In the traditional / established church world you aren’t a “real pastor” unless you are…
Read MoreTowards a Discipleship Framework
I’ve been working on the following thoughts for the last year or so and I am honestly apprehensive to even publish this because it has morphed and changed so much over the last year. It’s far from perfect but I’d love to hear your thoughts to improve it and tighten it up a bit. Discipleship…
Read MorePreaching on the Run: Preparing Sermons as a Bi-Vocational Pastor
I was told in seminary that I should spend 1 hour of sermon prep for every minute I will be preaching. For many of us that means we should spend 20-30 hours preparing sermons? This approach poses some serious problems for me. First of all, I have other pastoral responsibilities. Second, I am bi-vocational so…
Read More10 Suggestions / Thoughts on Bi-Vocational Ministry
I’ve been bi-vocational in some way or another for about 9 years. Here is some random advice/thoughts to those who are beginning or in the midst of the bi-vocational approach to ministry: Try and find a second job that feeds your gifting and passions in some way. I actually really enjoy web design. It taps…
Read MoreBi-Vocational Update
It’s funny, over the past few months people who have not seen me for a while tend to ask me, “hows that bi-vocational thing going for you?” most likely referring to my posts from a few months ago (here and here) on having three jobs and three kids and all that goes with that. Well,…
Read MoreBi-Vocational Pastors
As a pastor who has spent the last nine years living a bi-vocational life (sometimes tri-vocational), I appreciated all the discussion on David Fitch’s blog post back in November. I posted the rhythm I have been living for the last nine months back in November also. Things have changed a tad for me since I…
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