Many smaller congregations require bivocational ministers. Those churches cannot afford to pay a full-time ministerial salary. Interesting trends, however, suggest that a growing number of larger churches that are capable of paying full-time wages are strategically choosing bivocational ministers not simply for economic considerations, but because of their impact in the church and community.
Michael Kennedy, himself a bivocational minister, examines the effectiveness of bivocational ministry when it is focused on the gospel. Drawing on extensive research among thousands of congregations, Kennedy seeks to answer two questions: “What does it mean for a bivocational minister to be gospel centered?” and “How can the gospel help the bivocational minister be more effective?” This thought-provoking book presents a strong case for bivocational ministry as a dynamic strategy rather than a fallback position.
“Bivocational Ministry for the Sake of the Gospel is a must-read for everyone concerned about the present status and future of the church. What Kennedy proposes is reasonable, practical, biblical and eminently doable. He has done us all a huge favor through his research and reasoning in this truly unique book.”
(Victor Knowles, Teaching Minister on the 4-Man Preaching Team, Mt. Hope Church of Christ, Webb City, MO, and founder of Peace on Earth Ministries)“In case you haven’t noticed, we are losing ministers faster than we are training new ones. We are closing more churches than we are opening new ones. If there was ever a time when we must encourage our ministers, it is now. Bivocational ministry is not a sign the church can’t afford a good minister … [it] is a sign somebody is following a clear New Testament pattern. It is a sign someone is taking seriously their calling. It is a sign of commendable dedication.“
(Jeff Adams currently serves as Interim Pastor with Central Kitsap Christian Church in Bremerton, Washington, while working full-time as a Religious Coordinator, Chaplain, for the Washington State Department of Corrections)