Bivocational Ministry: Field Notes for Congregations and Ministers
by Kristen Plinke Bentley
As churches face shrinking resources, the model of ministers working at multiple jobs is re-emerging as relevant to the 21st century. Bivocational Ministry provides insights for congregations and pastors, women and men alike, about how to understand, adapt, and succeed in this model.
One of the toughest places congregations can find themselves is where they cannot afford, or do not need, a pastor working exclusively for the church--it's a foundation-changing realization for congregations and pastors alike. Bivocational Ministry provides practical and theological wisdom for congregational leaders engaging in bivocational ministry more fully and intentionally. Bentley's research at Lexington Theological Seminary provides stories, examples, and insights gleaned from interviews and surveys, representing the diverse contexts of congregations and ministers from the research project. The book includes female pastors and lay leaders as exemplars, providing a more complete understanding of the blessings and challenges emerging in this model of ministry. It includes study questions and honest stories about benefits and drawback, successes and lessons learned. Bivocational Ministry is ideal for small-group discussions and individual reflection, especially for congregations needing to transform successfully to a new model of leadership.