Bivocational Pastor needs help

Bi Vo Joys

I was a full-time pastor, and have been in a bivocational counseling ministry for the past 6 years. There have been lots of folks who think I should be on call for anyone, any time, and early on I let them know that cannot be the case.

I am a school teacher in my other vocation, and while I get 10 sick days per year, I get only 2 personal days, and those days are usually taken up pretty quickly by family needs. In the summertime, there is more flexibility, but I have drawn definitive lines there as well. In addition, I cannot sit up until 3 AM listening on the phone to your difficulties and dispensing counsel--since I have to be at school and ready to teach by 7:45 AM.

I have a friend, who, as a pastor, had members who were critical of him for drawing lines. He told them in a very nice way--"If you want a full-time pastor, support him enough so that he doesn't need another job." They dropped their objections.

One of the things that I have long taught young preacher-boys who are studying for the ministry is that they need to learn a trade that can be free-lance and portable (plumber, electrician, carpenter), or a profession that is licensed/certified (teacher, RN, LPN, CPA, Lawyer), so that their family can be adequately supported while ministering to a church that won't or can't fully support them.

Another friend was meeting with a pulpit committee about this same issue, and when he asked them why they did not offer full support, the head deacon explained that they simply could not afford it. My friend raised up the window blinds and pointed out to the parking lot, which was full of late-model SUVs, new pickups, and nice sedans (the pulpit committee's cars), and he asked. "So who owns those vehicles?" He did not get the call.

 

Brother,

I apologize for being so late - I was out ministering to some of our brethren - and I gotta go into work in the morning.

Either way this unfolds, the job was wrong for granting you permission to commit your word and then breaking their word.

Unfortunately, more and more Christians and people in the world think that is ok.

I am praying for you.

God bless

Wayne

 

God'sRealTruth,
I think some of the people who posted here have no idea what it means or what it takes or what kind of sacrifice a bi-vocational pastor has to make.
I've been doing it for 9 years now.
Here's what I think you should do. Take care of your family first. The woman going to the funeral can hopefully find another ride. If people at your church gets upset, then tell them if everyone would tithe in the church then "we" wouldn't be having this kind of problem.
Just my thoughts,
Joe

 

I've got to agree with those who say not to lose your job over this.

I have to think the dear lady would be absolutely aghast to learn she caused you to lose your job in this situation.

 

It would seem that you need to set in written form the alternatives available and prioritise them.

I would start with a phone call or personal visit to the lady and give her the truth and ask if there is another who could be contacted your stead.

Secondly I would see if another were available in the church to take her.

With the above two out of the way I would then approach my employer again with the prior information and ask the employer to reconsider or allow you to be able to work later or put in your missed hours on Saturday.

If this fails then integrity becomes the issue, what is your integrity worth?

thjplgvp

 

I certainly don't want to give bad advice. You said you let your employer know that your church is first and foremost. The question is, how does that statement relate to this situation? If it falls under that category (the church), did you really mean what you said? You must follow where God is leading you and He will bless it.

:godisgood:

 

Bro,

The day is over: How do I keep you in my prayers?

Wayne

 

I hope that I misunderstood this post, but it sounded to me like you are in God's ministry for a 'J.O.B'. I pray that I misunderstood that.

\

 

I am praying for you bro', the devil is always sending his demons to mess up God and God's people. Someday soon he and his won't be able to mess with Him and His.

God bless you

Wayne

 

I can guarantee you that you totally misunderstood what I was saying. I read my post again to try to see where you got that idea from, but I have no clue. I apologize if my post was misunderstood.
Joe

 

Probably from your advising the pastoring to accuse his congregation of not tithing so that he might not have to work a secular job. Here's your post again:

First you accuse some of us as having no idea, then you give your credentials, then you advise an accusation toward the pastor's congregation.

:wavey:

 

That's good news. I am glad that you stood on your word. Iam also glad to hear that the church is growing and the Spirit is moving! Glory! God bless!

:godisgood::jesus:

 

Moderator's Warning

We need to tone down the rhetoric a bit here. Let's not impugn motives and let's cease with what has almost caused me to hit the delete button more than once on some questionable posts.

 

I started sending up timber from the moment I saw your delimma. I agree with your actions 100%. I would have taken the member also which was one reason I didn't respond.

If you believe your job feeds your family and or puts the roof over their head then I suppose you should have been at work. If you believe God feeds you and supplies all your needs then do the work of the shepherd and look after his sheep. You'll get your reward in heaven if not here on earth. I believe that.

Years ago a Friend had a member that committed suicide. His job had scheduled him to go to the phillipines the day before the family planned the funeral. The trip was planned months in advanced so they had bought the tickets, made reservation etc...

Against his job wishes, he preached that funeral and never once mentioned anything about his job to anyone in the Church. After he refused to compensate his job for ticket changes etc... he was let go (it was mutual). His Church began to grow and they stepped up and began supporting him more and it wasn't long until he was a fulltime Pastor. Yes, he had some tough days but every child of God has those.

He feels the Lord was testing him. You should hear this Brother preach, "A Man can't serve Two Masters". He brings to light a message that will leave most of the Church in tears...

I just came forward to encourage you to continue to keep Christ and his righteousness first in your life and he will add all other things unto you. You are a true man of God, one who is willing to put others before self which as you can see, makes us a rare breed around here. One day around the throne that old lady will hug you with tears in her eyes and Christ will come and hug the two of you. Just as Christ looks at you and says, "it was worth it" you'll look at the old lady and say, "it was worth it"... God Bless you Brother...

 

PS... Frame the write up and hang it above your desk. Don't tell anyone why, just look and say, "it was worth it"...

 

That testimony blessed my heart. Glory! God is GOOD, brothers! Amen!

 

Been there done that.

Boss "requested" that I work the Wed before Christmas. Wed was my only day off on an Afternoon postion.

Since Christmas eve was a work day, our Congregation decided to do the candlelight service on Wed to accomodate my employer. My supervisor told me Tues that I needed to work Wed. I said I had church duties and could not be there. He asked what was more important and I said Church.

I did not come in Wed and he fired me Thur.

right after New Years day I was offered a position for the same company, on Midnights doing security for the same pay. It is nice to be able to do my job and pray and study and my supervisor has absolutely no problem accomodating ministry duties as long as I am flexible with him in scheduling issues.

Sometimes God works in ways that stretch us. Give it to Him. There aint nothin' He cant do to accomplish His will.

 

Always worth it . . . and sometimes more than others.

 

Still lifting you up to Our Lord and Savior that He will work through you for His glory.

Wayne