What do bivocational ministers want?

My newest book is scheduled for release on October 1.  The title is The Art and Practice of Bivocational Ministry: A Pastor's Guide.  This book comes out of my doctoral thesis work that looked at how coaching can be a useful tool to help bivocational ministers address some of the challenges they face.  The final chapter was written specifically for denominational and judicatory leaders who work with bivocational ministers.  It focuses on what these leaders need to know about their bivocational ministers and how they can best help them.  The topics addressed in this chapter are:

• Bivocational ministers feel called to bivocational ministry.  For most this is not option 2.  They feel specifically called to be bivocational ministers, and they want that call affirmed by others.
• Bivocational ministers feel isolated.  It is hard for them to attend denominational events that are often scheduled during a weekday or to even meet with other pastors in the same association.  As a judicatory leader I know it is much easier to schedule a meeting with a fully-funded pastor because we can usually meet for breakfast, lunch, or at the church office.  One must be much more intentional to arrange a meeting with a bivocational minister, and too often such meetings do not happen leading to that sense of isolation.
• Bivocational ministers want relevant training.  Although some have a seminary education, many do not.  Today there are many ways to provide such training, and I am convinced this is something that denominations need to intentionally address.  The chapter discusses several ways these ministers can get the training they need and want.
• Bivocational ministers want to live balanced lives.  Almost everyone in bivocational ministry struggles with time issues.  Many of them need help in time management and need permission to be able to say no to the unrealistic expectations others might have of them.  They also need us to begin to educate congregations about what they can expect from a bivocational minister.
• Bivocational ministers are an asset to your churches.  Every denominational leader with whom I've spoken in recent years have told me the numbers of bivocational ministers are growing, and they expect that to continue.  The good news is that studies show that these ministers provide very effective ministry to their churches.  They deserve our support and affirmation.

The chapters leading up to this final chapter examine bivocational ministry and the benefits they can receive from having a relationship with a ministry coach.  The book includes ten case studies of bivocational ministers I have coached and how we addressed the issues they presented during our relationship.  Those issues are very common to bivocational and most fully-funded ministers.  I believe the ministers reading this book will find some answers to some of the challenges they face.

You can pre-order The Art and Practice of Bivocational Ministry: A Pastor's Guide from amazon.com for only $11.24.